inner strength's Scientific Pantheism FAQ
Below is an explanation of the most frequently asked questions I received. I hope by reading this you will have a better understanding of Scientific Pantheism and maybe formulate some ideas of your own.
WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC PANTHEISM?
Let's begin with Pantheism first. Pantheism is a religion, to some and to others a belief system, which believes in the universal connection of all beings. Judeo-Christian beliefs are that one God, created the universe. This God is a person, a being. Christians believe that being to be Jesus: the Trinity, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Pantheists believe this creator is matter and not a person. I do believe in the existence of Jesus. That is well documented. I think he was a wonderful and kind person who lived and died. Period.
Pantheism is older than Paganism and very similar. Those of you who are familiar with Paganism can imagine this connectedness to nature (universe)of which I speak. Pagans believe, however, that all matter such as trees and flowers feel that take on some human characteristics. Pantheists do not believe this personification. Scientific Pantheists believe for the most part (we are free to believe individually and be free thinkers) that there needs to be a scientific explanation before a concept is truth.
IS SCIENTIFIC PANTHEISM THE SAME AS ATHEISM?
No. Atheists do not believe in a divine being beyond the self. Scientific Pantheists believe in a creator of the universal order of all things. Just we do not personify our creator to be a god or gods. I believe in the scientific big bang theory for the creation of the universe. After all, if a personal god created the universe in one week, that would be a very busy person, now wouldn't it? Of course, there had to be a creator to spark this bang. I believe a creator (or if you prefer, what you might call god) lives in all living things. How can you look at the magnificent sky, flowers blooming, wonders of the world,etc. and not think that a creator lives and nourishes these things?
DO SCIENTIFIC PANTHEISTS BELIEVE IN AN AFTER LIFE?
Only to the extent that we are remembered in memory by those whose lives we touched while we were alive. There is no location as heaven and hell. I personally believe each one of us makes our own heaven and hell here on Earth while alive. When we die, we go back to matter. I believe death is like an eternal sleep.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN FATE OR LUCK?
No, I don't. I believe we make our own way in the world. Once we understand our connectedness to the universe in body, mind, and spirit, our "luck" changes for the better. I believe the spirit to be intuition that we are all born with. Some call it our 6th sense. Children and animals all have it. We tend to lose it as we age because society does not condone it as "mature". For example, the 1999 blockbuster hit "The Sixth Sense" is about a boy who sees dead people who have not crossed over from the living to the after life. While I do not believe in an after life, I do believe in the sixth sense (intuition I call it). We draw our strength from within. This is the reason I chose the name inner strength.
We first must look inward and focus on all our "baggage". Once we identify our "baggage" and roadblocks to a happier life, we are free to move on to do good in the world while alive. Have you heard the saying, "In order to help others, you must first help yourself?" In doing this, you will find more connectedness to nature--which is the basis for the Scientific Pantheist movement. Some good ways to learn to become strong from within is biofeedback, yoga, and meditation.
WHO AM I AND HOW DID I GET INTO SCI-PAN?
I am a female baby boomer who was reared in southern USA. My father was a Christian Scientist and my mother was a Primitive Baptist. My father was a physics professor and my mother was a teacher. I was brought up in the Disciples of Christ (Christian) Church. I always questioned the existance of a god and the universe. I thank my father and the Christian Church for fostering my inquisitiveness which led me last year to Sci-Pan.
I have an undergraduate degree in English literature with minors in Philosophy and Religion. I have a master's degree in social work with an interest in civil rights and social policy.
I have spent my life searching for my spiritual truth. Last year I surfed on in to a site about Sci-Pan and immediately felt at home. I do not go to any formal Sci-Pan meetings. If anyone would like to correspond or fill me in on formal activities, please email me.
IF THERE IS NO GOD, THEN EXPLAIN NATURAL DISASTERS.
There is a natural order in the universe. When this order is unbalanced, then disasters happen. Disasters are nature's way of rectifying that imbalance. For example, I just experienced Hurricane Floyd, which devastated eastern NC more than any other disaster this century. I believe the cause to be overpopulation along the fragile NC barrier islands (which were not meant to be developed in the first place) and too many commercial hog farms. The lagoons pollute the air to the extent of causing an imbalance to the weather systems.
Although I do have empathy for the people who suffered, I think the wise thing to do in this case is to take heed from nature and not allow rebuilding of these 2 areas.
I do not believe disasters are the result of a god's wrath. My that would indeed be one busy person. I believe in the scientific explanations for happenings in the world. If good comes of these atrocities, then the universe will be a better place to live.
This is all I have for now. I will add answers as I get questions. Got a question you would like to see addressed here? Have any comments on my beliefs? Then please email me here and I will post the answer. Also, please keep in mind that these are my interpretations of all religions discussed.
copyright 1999 by inner_strength.geo
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