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Pantheism... where the universe and nature are divine...


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We are discussing Pantheism in one of recent post by dear Saihajleen Kaur Khalsa, for the newcomers like me lets have a overview of what Pantheism is all about...

Pantheism believes that the universe and nature are divine. By this it means that they deserve a religious reverence. Understanding them, appreciating their beauty, and preserving nature, should be the central focus of our lives.

Why do pantheists believe in pantheism?

1. Most traditional religions have elements which are hard to believe or to reconcile with common sense, evidence or modern science. Most pantheists are reared in another religion, and as they mature come to question what they have been taught. This leads many people to atheism or humanism.

2. Atheism and humanism don't suffer from the logical or empirical problems of traditional religions - but many people find them too cold and dry. They don't provide a sense of positive belonging to nature and the universe.

3. Nearly everyone feels religious feelings when looking at nature or the night sky. Most people explain those feelings in terms of the religion they were taught as children.

Pantheism believes that those feelings are older and more basic than any traditional religion: they are a natural part of our existence as natural material beings. They are a recognition of our participation and belonging as members of nature and the universe.

Pantheism takes those feelings as its basic foundation.

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You have noticed that everything as Indian does is in a circle, and that is because

the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round.....

The Sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours....

Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves..... Black Elk

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What's the evidence for pantheism? How do you know the universe is divine?

We define the word "divine" by reference to our feelings. If something is "divine," it means that humans regard it with awe, reverence, love, feelings of belonging and a recognition of tremendous power, beauty and mystery.

Almost everyone regards the universe or nature in that way. We need no faith, no ancient books, to reveal these feelings and experiences to us. The visions are right in front of our eyes, the feelings are in our hearts. We only need to recognize them frankly to accept the universe as divine.

The evidence for this approach is infinitely stronger than for belief in a personal creator God.

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The American Indian is of the soil, whether it be the region of forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. He fits into the landscape, for the hand that fashioned the continent also fashioned the man for his surroundings. He once grew as naturally as the wild sunflowers and he belongs just as the buffalo belonged.... Out of the Indian approach to life there come a great freedom, an intense and absorbing respect for life, enriching faith in a Supreme Power, and principles of truth, honesty, generosity, equity, and brotherhood as a guide to mundane relations..............

Luther Standing Bear.

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What about souls and re-incarnation then ?

If everything else is going round in cycles why not souls ? - plants, oxygen, nitrogen, water, sun, stars, what about the souls?

are they not in a cycle, because everything else seems to be ?

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What about souls and re-incarnation then ?

If everything else is going round in cycles why not souls ? - plants, oxygen, nitrogen, water, sun, stars, what about the souls?

are they not in a cycle, because everything else seems to be ?

They [souls] do travel in circles like everything else, but not necessarily as individuals. Spokes in a wheel, so to speak.

The above clinical definition of Pantheism doesn’t do it justice.

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If I accept pantheism, what difference would it make?

You would acquire the most positive attitude to existence on earth in a human body that any religion or philosophy can offer. You would focus your religious energy on nature and the universe. Instead of admiring these as evidence of a creator God's glory, you would love them for themselves. You would gain a much stronger basis for concern about the environment than any Western religion can offer.

You would overcome all sense of separation from the earth and from your own body. If you belong to a traditional religion, you would replace faith with common sense and science, and reconcile the religious and the everyday parts of your thinking. You would express Pantheism through seasonal rituals which would link you to the earth and universe of which you are part, and through meditation techniques which allow a direct mystical experience of nature and matter.

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If I accept pantheism, what difference would it make?

You would acquire the most positive attitude to existence on earth in a human body that any religion or philosophy can offer. You would focus your religious energy on nature and the universe. Instead of admiring these as evidence of a creator God's glory, you would love them for themselves. You would gain a much stronger basis for concern about the environment than any Western religion can offer.

You would overcome all sense of separation from the earth and from your own body. If you belong to a traditional religion, you would replace faith with common sense and science, and reconcile the religious and the everyday parts of your thinking. You would express Pantheism through seasonal rituals which would link you to the earth and universe of which you are part, and through meditation techniques which allow a direct mystical experience of nature and matter.

Well said :wink:

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You would express Pantheism through seasonal rituals which would link you to the earth and universe of which you are part

Dear Ali,

What do we mean by seasoned rituals...

Thanks and Regards...

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