|
The rise of New Age and Neopagan religions have given
rise to pantheism, the belief that nature is god.
Earth Worship
Pantheists worship the earth, believing the earth is
the mother of all things.
In modern times, this belief has become known as Gaia,
the name of the Greek goddess of the earth, who is Mother
Earth (Mother Nature).
In recent times with the reemergence of Paganism (referred
to as Neopaganism), modern scholars have developed the
Gaia Hypothesis that views the earth as a living organism.
Some people believe that earth evolves as an intelligent
living organism, and is responsible for all life. And
we as humans are unwillingly a part of that evolution,
which is brought about by a force greater than us, Mother
Nature (Gaia).
Frank Lloyd Wright exemplifies the attitude of nature
worship with this statement: "I believe in God, only
I spell it Nature."
Universe Worship
As New Age and Neopagan religions have progressed, people
are extending earth worship to the entire universe.
The idea here is that the universe is an intelligent
living organism of which the earth, and the human race,
are only one small part. As the universe evolves, we
are forced to evolve with it, apart from our own human
will.
This idea of universe worship is demonstrated by Mikhail
Gorbachev:
I believe in the cosmos.
All of us are linked to the cosmos.
Look at the sun. If there is no sun, then we cannot
exist.
So nature is my god.
To me, nature is sacred.
Trees are my temples and forests are my cathedrals.
Pantheism is a Sin
God clearly declares that worship of nature and the
universe is a sin.
- "'So watch yourselves carefully, since you
did not see any form on the day the Lord spoke to
you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, so that you
do not act corruptly and make a graven image
for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness
of male or female, the likeness of any animal that
is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that
flies in the sky, the likeness of anything that creeps
on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in
the water below the earth. And beware not to
lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the
moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be
drawn away and worship them and serve them, those
which the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples
under the whole heaven" (Deut. 4:15-19).
Everyone who believes in the Bible must also believe
Pantheism is a sin. One can't be a faithful Christian,
and be a Pantheist.
Pantheism is the New World Religion
Pantheism is spreading through the world like wild fire.
As a result, it's having an obvious effect upon denominations,
and society as a whole.
As Christians, we must be aware of this false religious
doctrine as it rapidly permeates our culture, and changes
many facets of life.
Pantheism is the new world religion.
Emerging Consciousness / Emerging Church Movements
The Emerging Consciousness Movement is a New Age movement.
And the Emerging Church Movement is a Christian denominational
movement.
Both movements share some common components such as
feelings over truth, and experience over reason.
But the most important characteristic shared by these
movements is that they're syncretic. These movements
seek to bring all religions together, and unite them.
The unity which is sought by these movements is universalism.
It emphasizes universal principles of religion, inclusively
accepting all religions, believing all of humanity will
be reconciled to God.
Pantheism and the Emerging Movements
As a result of syncretism among religions, New Agers,
Pagans, and others are pressing churches to believe
components of pantheism.
Most often today, it's seen by teachings regarding
saving the earth and protecting the environment. Some
churches have progressed to sponsoring environmental
projects. And some engage in activism.
Unitarian Universalist Church
The Unitarian Universalist Church wholeheartedly embraces
pantheism, since it's universal in nature, as indicated
by its name.
Take time to look at their programs of environmental
activism, as congregations are encouraged to be as green
as possible, and to influence the world to the greatest
degree.
For example, Vern Barnet wrote a pledge for Unitarian
Universalist congregations to recite:
I pledge allegiance to the earth on which I stand,
and to the environment of which I am a part,
one planet in a Process, with soil, water and air
like one body,
indivisible, with resources to be cherished and protected
by all.
The Unitarian Universalist Church is the model for
both the Emerging Consciousness and Emerging Church
Movements. Take a look at it, and you'll see what denominations
will look like in years to come.
Pantheism in Society: The Green Movement
Do a quick Internet search for pantheism green movement,
and you'll see that a great deal has been written to
document the connection between pantheism and the green
movement.
For example, on the front page of the World Pantheism
Movement website, this organization says, "Our ethics
are humanistic and green. . . ."
And from Dictionary of Ethics, Theology and Society,
it's pointed out that one of the two major divisions
of the Green movement sees it as spiritual, and feels
the movement must address spirituality to have an impact
upon people. These individuals are called the spiritual
Greens (p. 417).
Pantheism in Society: Schools
Since pantheism is becoming prominent in religion and
society, it's also influencing education.
There are extreme stories from parents whose children
have been on hikes with teachers who talk about trees
as if they're gods.
And there are documented cases of schools having children
say a pledge of allegiance to the earth.
Be Careful
The purpose of this article is to educate and warn (1
Tim. 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 4:1-4).
Be aware of the false doctrine of pantheism as it
infiltrates our society more and more.
Be on guard. Know the truth. And don't be deceived
by wolves in sheep's clothing.
Pantheism is the world's new religion!
|
