Growing Beyond Pantheism

Pantheism is the belief that reality is identical with divinity, or that all-things compose an all-encompassing, immanent god. Pantheist belief does not recognize a distinct personal anthropomorphic god and instead characterizes a broad range of doctrines differing in forms of relationships between reality and divinity.

There are a variety of definitions of pantheism. Some consider it a theological and philosophical position concerning God.

Pantheism is the view that everything is part of an all-encompassing, immanent God. All forms of reality may then be considered either modes of that Being, or identical with it. Some hold that pantheism is a non-religious philosophical position. To them, pantheism is the view that the Universe (in the sense of the totality of all existence) and God are identical (implying a denial of the personality and transcendence of God).

-- Wikipedia, Pantheism

In my last couple of posts, I contemplated religion, religious denominations, religious sects, religious faith, and my own spiritualist view at the time; the very real possibility that I am a pantheist. A recent comment to one of those posts gave me kudos for "still expanding, exploring your own beliefs and have managed to move past some of the ingrained dogma most of us grew up and are still constantly bombarded with." The comment went on to say, "Pantheism as wedged into one of the "main religions" is not, IMO, the pantheism of nature and natural law."  As I read this, I agreed with the statement but was confused by the reason for it until I read the definition of "pantheism," once again.

Oh my, yes!  The definition states, pantheism "characterizes a broad range of doctrines differing in forms of relationships between reality and divinity," so it would seem we are opening the door, once again, to interpretation as it continues with "There are a variety of definitions of pantheism. Some consider it a theological and philosophical position concerning God."  When we fall back into a "broad range of doctrines," have we not fallen back into the trap which leads us, ultimately, to religious fervor based on confusion?

"Fifteen hundred years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was flat. And fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow."

-- Agent K, Men in Black (1997)

We absolutely do not fully understand the power of the universe,  It is, as Albert Einstein once stated, a "universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws but [we] only dimly understand these laws."  As most of my readers can attest, I try to shy away from concrete statements made by the intelligentsia which we duller tools might mistake for fact.  Things can only be as true when put into the context of how we, at any one moment, understand them; in the next moment, it must be understood, our understanding may change.  The earth was definitely flat until we discovered it was not.  But, if we don't understand the universe fully, understanding it "only dimly," then we might be getting ahead of ourselves by not accepting a possibility of conscious, intelligent design.  We very simply do not know, as usual.

I ascribe to no religious doctrine or dogma, per se, although I do attribute much of how I view myself to the information I glean from great prophets and teachers, like most of the philosophy and teaching of Jesus Christ.  Does this make me a Christian?  If one finds it necessary to label me as something which they find easier to comprehend, then yes.  I also rejoice in ancient Greek philosophy, Taoist philosophy, and Buddhist philosophy, not to mention several philosophies dealing with psychology and transactional analysis.  So, what does this make me, a Renaissance man? Maybe it just makes me human.  Why does any of this have to define me at all, in the eyes of others?  I certainly have no concern over how others view me, any more than I think it prudent to judge others for their own self-view.  

You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.

-- Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), Indian Hindu monk

When I address my weekly PTSD group at the medical center, I do not discuss belief and faith as it pertains to religion, but rather as it pertains to themselves.  You cannot truly love anything until you love yourself; you cannot truly have faith in anything until you have faith in yourself.  I always quote the airline's safety briefing, before each flight, in case of emergency, "Put on your oxygen mask first, before assisting the person next to you with theirs."  Save yourself first, then try to save everyone else.  Is having faith in one's self such a bad thing?

I was asked why I add "faith" and "belief" into the mix of my post.  Faith is simply a belief in something for which there is no concrete proof.  I agree that these terms can have negative connotations, particularly if left to the purview of my favorite group, the League of the Perpetually Offended.  Perhaps we should try assuming "positive" before we take the low road.  I have faith that we all have it in us to rise above negativity, and I'm not sure why this "faith" I have should be considered negative unless you have an alternate faith which states your life is shit, and this is exactly why we should never have faith in anything negative.  If you perpetually think your life is shit, viola, your life becomes shit, and it will probably stay shit until you believe it is something better.  Faith opens the door, even just a smidge, to what is possible and, occasionally, even what is impossible.  If you think it, it exists.  Think positive thoughts, and strive to rise above adversity.

Perhaps I have grown beyond pantheism to an understanding that, whatever "it" is, "it" is.  In the book of Exodus, when God  is asked by Moses how he should describe him to the people, God instructs Moses to tell the people, "I AM."  In Taoist philosophy, when asked to describe the eternal Tao, the master responds, "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth."  Well, perhaps this is all there is.  We cannot prescribe God to pantheism anymore than we can to any other theory.  God, whether it is a being or simply an ultimate power, an energy, making up the "marvelously arranged universe," my faith tells me - it simply is.

Perhaps, for me, for now, this is enough.  I will continue to grow and to question.  I will soon get the itch to move beyond that which I moved beyond.  I think, sooner or later, most of us in this life or in the next, will come to understand this is who we are and, very probably, why we are.  But, then, who really knows... Popeye?

"I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam."

-- Popeye the Sailor

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.