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In the first article of this series, I labeled Pantheism
as the new world religion, because it's behind numerous
changes in our society.
"Pantheism is the belief that the universe and nature
are numinous - that they and they alone are worthy of
the reverence that traditional religions devote to 'God'"
(Paul Harrison, President of the World Pantheism Movement).
Pantheists believe that the universe and nature should
be regarded with deepest reverence, because nature is
our mother, our home, our security, our peace, our past
and our future (pantheism.net/beliefs.htm).
They reverence nature, believing the universe created
us, preserves us, and destroys us (pantheism.net/beliefs.htm).
Pantheists assign divine attributes to nature and
the universe, rather than Jehovah.
Pantheists' Don't Believe in Supernatural Beings
As a point of fact, pure Pantheists don't believe
in supernatural beings.
- "When we say we revere the universe we are not
talking about a supernatural being, because we do
not believe in supernatural beings" (pantheism.net/beliefs.htm).
Along these same lines, scientific Pantheists
"belief that the universe and nature are divine." This
type of pantheism "is a religion that requires no faith
other than common sense, no revelation other than open
eyes and a mind open to evidence, no guru other than
your own self" (pantheism.net/paul/variety1.htm).
People who want to cling to Pantheistic beliefs but
still believe in god as a person extending beyond the
cosmos are called panentheists.
Pantheists Don't Believe in Supernatural Revelation
Since Pantheists don't believe in supernatural beings,
they don't believe in revelation, since they don't believe
in a god who can reveal anything.
Pantheists don't believe in the Bible, or that God
ever spoke to man in any fashion, because they don't
believe in the existence of Jehovah (cf. Heb. 1:1-2).
Pantheists Claim to Believe in Common Sense
Pantheists don't believe in supernatural beings or revelation,
but claim to believe in common sense.
- Scientific Pantheism "is a religion that requires
no faith other than common sense, no revelation
other than open eyes and a mind open to evidence"
(pantheism.net/paul/variety1.htm).
I disagree with Pantheists on this point, because
I don't think they believe in common sense.
Common sense calls us to look at the universe and
conclude there must be a supernatural being whom we
must seek, find, and obey.
Paul makes this point to Pantheists in Rome, writing:
- "For since the creation of the world His
invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine
nature, have been clearly seen, being understood
through what has been made, so that they are without
excuse. For even though they knew God,
they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but
they became futile in their speculations, and their
foolish heart was darkened" (Rom. 1:20-21).
Pantheists Embrace Humanism
Pantheism and Humanism are different, but they embrace
many of the same ideas. As a result, Pantheists inclusively
reach out to Humanists.
- But our beliefs are entirely naturalistic, and
compatible with atheism, humanism and naturalism.
. . . We offer a home to all forms of naturalistic
spirituality - scientific pantheism, religious
humanism . . . (pantheism.net).
Pantheism and Humanism coexist on several levels,
but especially in the belief that man can direct his
own steps.
- Scientific Pantheism "is a religion that requires
no faith other than common sense, no revelation other
than open eyes and a mind open to evidence, no guru
other than your own self" (pantheism.net/paul/variety1.htm).
The Bible, on the other hand, teaches otherwise.
- "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirits" (Pr. 16:2).
- "There is a way that seems right to a man, but
its end is the way of death" (Pr. 16:25).
If we reject God's word and try to direct our own
steps, the end will be eternal damnation.
Pantheists Believe in Emotions
Since Pantheists don't believe in Jehovah, reject revelation,
have a perverted notion of common sense, and believe
they can direct their own steps, their religion is one
of emotionalism.
- "When we say we revere the universe we are not
talking about a supernatural being, because we do
not believe in supernatural beings. We are talking
about the way our senses and our emotions force
us to respond to the overwhelming mystery and
power that surrounds us" (pantheism.net/beliefs.htm).
Like Pantheists and Humanists, the Jews chose emotionalism
over knowledge of God through His word. As a result,
they are lost in sin.
- "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God
for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear
them witness that they have a zeal for God, but
not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant
of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish
their own righteousness, have not submitted
to the righteousness of God" (Rom. 10:1-3).
Emotionalism in Society and Religion
As Pantheism spreads through society and religion, people
are increasingly basing their beliefs on emotions.
As noted in the first article of this series, Pantheism
is incorporated into the Green movement, especially
with the spiritual Greens -- a movement of feelings
and emotions.
Also, as we've already discussed in this series, the
syncretism among religions that's occurring today is
deeply rooted in Pantheism. Both the Emerging Consciousness
Movement and Emerging Church Movement are based on feelings
-- feelings over truth, and experience over reason.
Conclusion
As religions based on feelings and experience increase
in popularity in years to come, we must be careful not
to be carried away by these doctrines.
We must be careful to preach truth, teach truth, believe
truth, and practice truth.
Our emotions must be grounded upon the truth revealed
in God's word, rather than allowing ourselves to be
guided by our emotions.
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