Pantheism - a foundation for unity?

[siti]

Sydney Religious Studies Lecturer, Raphael Lataster, suggests that a pantheistic model of deity may be a more fertile basis (than, for example, a monotheistic revealed religion) on which religious "unity" and cooperation might be founded. In a recent paper he writes:

"The clear lack of dogmatic adherence to a particular god in many pantheistic models may foster more religious
tolerance, and could lead to wider acceptance of non-theistic and possibly more tolerant religions such as Buddhism, Daoism, or indigenous animisms. Pantheistic worldviews tend to be relatively inclusive, and could thus have many positive societal impacts.

For example, ... pantheists understand that “all are one.” Everything that exists is part of the one divine reality. The divine does not choose one people/species ... all people are divine. All species are divine. And all that is, from the glorious mountain, to the lowly ball of dung, is divine. Worldviews that encourage reverence for humanity and nature may increase the chances of cooperation, egalitarianism, and unity..."

What do you think? Does pantheism really provide a better foundation than theism for tolerance, cooperation and unity among the the human family?

 

[shunyadragon]

I consider pantheism more akin to atheism or maybe agnosticism than Buddhism or Taoism. Basically in pantheism the universe is God.

 

[LuisDantas]

What do you think? Does pantheism really provide a better foundation than theism for tolerance, cooperation and unity among the the human family?

It is a step in the right direction, but it still falls short of apatheism.

 

[siti]

I consider pantheism more akin to atheism or maybe agnosticism than Buddhism or Taoism. Basically in pantheism the universe is God.

That's fine. Since the "universe is God" then, would that not naturally lead to a greater level of respect for other religious traditions - since they have clearly (even if they are in error) arisen among divine beings (we are all parts of the divine reality of the universe in a pantheistic model) in a divine universe? We might say we are all "manifestations" of the divine, might we not? And then there is no basis to deny the religious beliefs of another - at least insofar as it is not working against the good of all?

 

[Brickjectivity]

What do you think? Does pantheism really provide a better foundation than theism for tolerance, cooperation and unity among the the human family?

Its like a complicated geometry problem. There is no stable form for humanity. So far no system or culture is so stable that it will become homogeneous everywhere. For that reason (there could be others) I think pantheism could not be a foundation for tolerance, cooperation and unity. If everyone were pantheist, then some people would choose not to be.

 

[siti]

It is a step in the right direction, but it still falls short of apatheism.

I'm not sure what you're saying here - how is a principled lack of interest in the existence/non-existence of deities a basis for unity in a world in which the existence of deities is a fundamental belief of so many people?

 

[dingdao]

Sydney Religious Studies Lecturer, Raphael Lataster, suggests that a pantheistic model of deity may be a more fertile basis (than, for example, a monotheistic revealed religion) on which religious "unity" and cooperation might be founded. In a recent paper he writes:

"The clear lack of dogmatic adherence to a particular god in many pantheistic models may foster more religious
tolerance, and could lead to wider acceptance of non-theistic and possibly more tolerant religions such as Buddhism, Daoism, or indigenous animisms. Pantheistic worldviews tend to be relatively inclusive, and could thus have many positive societal impacts.

For example, ... pantheists understand that “all are one.” Everything that exists is part of the one divine reality. The divine does not choose one people/species ... all people are divine. All species are divine. And all that is, from the glorious mountain, to the lowly ball of dung, is divine. Worldviews that encourage reverence for humanity and nature may increase the chances of cooperation, egalitarianism, and unity..."

What do you think? Does pantheism really provide a better foundation than theism for tolerance, cooperation and unity among the the human family?

While it's headed in the right direction, Pantheism implies that the universe and everything in it are part of one consciousness. Maybe something along the lines of Humanism the includes Gaia-ism.

 

[siti]

If everyone were pantheist, then some people would choose not to be.

If (more or less) everyone were pantheist, it wouldn't matter (at least to most of them) that some (or even many) chose not to be - that is not, as far as I can tell, the general case with theism.

 

[wandering peacefully]

That's fine. Since the "universe is God" then, would that not naturally lead to a greater level of respect for other religious traditions - since they have clearly (even if they are in error) arisen among divine beings (we are all parts of the divine reality of the universe in a pantheistic model) in a divine universe? We might say we are all "manifestations" of the divine, might we not? And then there is no basis to deny the religious beliefs of another - at least insofar as it is not working against the good of all?

It's a great idea. But people are not about to give up their favorite rules, regs and divine characters for a wishy washy all inclusive Divine Universe.

Edited for the horrible misspelling. Can't stand it!

 

[Brickjectivity]

If (more or less) everyone were pantheist, it wouldn't matter (at least to most of them) that some (or even many) chose not to be - that is not, as far as I can tell, the general case with theism.

Point being, pantheism would not last and stay homogeneous, so you couldn't build a foundation on it. A foundation is unchanging. All I'm saying it would be too pie in the sky to say the pantheism could be a foundation for those three things mentioned: tolerance, unity and cooperation. If those three things are what you want, then they must be the foundation; and then you may add pantheism onto them if you wish.

 

[siti]

While it's headed in the right direction, Pantheism implies that the universe and everything in it are part of one consciousness. Maybe something along the lines of Humanism the includes Gaia-ism.

Well, it doesn't necessarily...but my question was about pantheism being a better basis (or not) for promoting tolerance, cooperation and unity - I'm not promoting it as a world religion, just comparing it with theism as a basis for humans understanding one another better - perhaps? I'm not suggesting anyone should change their religion - except maybe that pantheists might have a mindset more adequate to the task of religious consensus-building among the diverse faiths than theists - perhaps?

 

[siti]

Point being, pantheism would not last and stay homogeneous, so you couldn't build a foundation on it. A foundation is unchanging.

Its a good point, but in a reality that is never unchanging, perhaps we should not have such stubbornly unchanging foundations?

 

[siti]

It's a great idea. But people are not about to give up their favorite rules, regs and devine characters for a wishy washy all inclusive Devine Universe.

I'm not asking anyone to change anything - I'm asking whether pantheists might be more successful (if they really tried) in establishing some mutual understandings between different religions than theists are able to.

 

[FragrantGrace]

Sydney Religious Studies Lecturer, Raphael Lataster, suggests that a pantheistic model of deity may be a more fertile basis (than, for example, a monotheistic revealed religion) on which religious "unity" and cooperation might be founded. In a recent paper he writes:

"The clear lack of dogmatic adherence to a particular god in many pantheistic models may foster more religious
tolerance, and could lead to wider acceptance of non-theistic and possibly more tolerant religions such as Buddhism, Daoism, or indigenous animisms. Pantheistic worldviews tend to be relatively inclusive, and could thus have many positive societal impacts.

For example, ... pantheists understand that “all are one.” Everything that exists is part of the one divine reality. The divine does not choose one people/species ... all people are divine. All species are divine. And all that is, from the glorious mountain, to the lowly ball of dung, is divine. Worldviews that encourage reverence for humanity and nature may increase the chances of cooperation, egalitarianism, and unity..."

What do you think? Does pantheism really provide a better foundation than theism for tolerance, cooperation and unity among the the human family?

It does. The Bible in its own way imparts the idea of Pantheism. God is alive within all creation. The divine creator of all that is and from that creators holy spirit. That divinity that exists within natural laws is the simple definition of Pantheism.
John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Whereas Panentheism is the philosophy that Deity exists within and outside our known universe. Pantheism says the divine exists in all things created from and of the divine.

Charles Darwin's Theory of Relativity had Pantheistic implications.

Einstein pantheism

Edited this. I should have made the Einstein link a separate line so as not to confuse the material in the link with the statement re: Darwin.
Apologies.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Its a good point, but in a reality that is never unchanging, perhaps we should not have such stubbornly unchanging foundations?

Its hard to talk about, because I know humanity is bound to tragedy like white on rice. We keep looking for a way to make things better, and things have gotten somewhat better from time to time. Still there have been what like millions of years of horror. I'd have to say things are relatively good right now.

 

[LuisDantas]

I'm not sure what you're saying here - how is a principled lack of interest in the existence/non-existence of deities a basis for unity in a world in which the existence of deities is a fundamental belief of so many people?

It is healing.

 

[wandering peacefully]

I'm not asking anyone to change anything - I'm asking whether pantheists might be more successful (if they really tried) in establishing some mutual understandings between different religions than theists are able to.

In that case no. Same reason why. Even if they tried really, really hard.

 

[George-ananda]

What do you think? Does pantheism really provide a better foundation than theism for tolerance, cooperation and unity among the the human family?

I'm all in on pantheism. My Advaita beliefs can be considered pantheist.

However the only problems I see with the Abrahamic religions are in the fundamentalist versions.

 

[BSM1]

Sydney Religious Studies Lecturer, Raphael Lataster, suggests that a pantheistic model of deity may be a more fertile basis (than, for example, a monotheistic revealed religion) on which religious "unity" and cooperation might be founded. In a recent paper he writes:

"The clear lack of dogmatic adherence to a particular god in many pantheistic models may foster more religious
tolerance, and could lead to wider acceptance of non-theistic and possibly more tolerant religions such as Buddhism, Daoism, or indigenous animisms. Pantheistic worldviews tend to be relatively inclusive, and could thus have many positive societal impacts.

For example, ... pantheists understand that “all are one.” Everything that exists is part of the one divine reality. The divine does not choose one people/species ... all people are divine. All species are divine. And all that is, from the glorious mountain, to the lowly ball of dung, is divine. Worldviews that encourage reverence for humanity and nature may increase the chances of cooperation, egalitarianism, and unity..."

What do you think? Does pantheism really provide a better foundation than theism for tolerance, cooperation and unity among the the human family?

Compare this with 'panenthiesm'.

 

[dingdao]

Charles Darwin's Theory of Relativity had Pantheistic implications. Einstein pantheism

Einstein won the Nobel prize in Physics in 1922 for his work in Quantum Mechanics - not General Relativity.
Niels Bohr won the Nobel prize in Physics in 1923.
Sorry for the hijack.