WHERE'S GOD?

Last night I was chatting online with an old friend when out of no where he asks me, "Where is God?" My response... "I believe God is within all of us and in everything around us." To which he replies, "That's very Pantheist of you." Not knowing exactly what that meant, and not wanting to come across as a complete ignoramus, I just sent an "LOL" reply, and made a mental note to look into this Pantheism thing as soon as we were done chatting.

A quick Google search reveales that Pantheism holds that the universe, taken as a whole, is synonymous with the theological principle of God. A little more digging around and I learn that Pantheists believe that all matter, energy, and life (especially nature) exist in an some sort of an interconnected unity in which we as humans are an inseparable part. And, Pantheists view death as the pathway to returning to the nature of our elements, and the complete end of existence as individuals all together (no reincarnation). If you're a Pantheist, it seems your actions, ideas and memories live on in accordance to what you do in your own life here on earth.

So, apparently, if you feel a deep sense of peace and belonging and wonder in the midst of nature--in a forest, by the ocean, or on a mountain top--and if you find it difficult to believe in supernatural beings, and difficult to conceive of anything more worthy of reverence than the beauty of nature or the power of the universe, then you just may be a Pantheist. Of course, this isn't to say that you're probably not a lot of other things, too, but now you can add 'Pantheist' to the list. Who knew!

I had never heard of that one before. It sounds pretty good till you come to the end. Kind of leaves you wanting more. I do agree with you... God is within all of us...

Cindra, you bring to light one of the most irksome 'reasons' for believing in God. I have a real issue with those that choose a religious belief on the 'feel good' aspect of how, what, where of the end. Why can't we just die and be done? What's so bad with that? Personally, I think that's easier to believe and take comfort in the 'nothing-after' vien of thinking than the stretches of the imagination it takes to deal with reincarnation, purgatory and the like.

There are a lot of reasons for believing in God and they don't always feel good. I have always wished that I could have the kind of belief that was easy and natural without questions, but I always have questions. My practical side is in constant battle with my faith, but, just as in any good relationship, I keep the lines of communication open.

Can you beleive in a god and not beleive in an afterlife?

There is by no means enough space here to answer this, if there is an answer, and yet I claim it's a rather short and simple answer: God is nowhere because there is no god. I have been thinking about this for a very long time, my "conclusion" is based on logic or maybe even just common sense.. Just turn on your TV though or listen to the news and you will find a plethora of "proofs" that there can't be a god. Otherwise it would be a very cruel and human-like entity and in that case, what would be the purpose of a god?

But, I do think that the laws of physics, nature in its entirety and how everything evolves, changes and just goes its way, that could be named god or just whatever you want. I would like to think that there is some spirit in all of this, and even if this spirit is just an outcome of my own interpretation of things... Our own perception of reality....

So, that means "god" (the spririt) is indeed everywhere and within us. If there is an afterlife or not ? We don't know unless we have some ghosts here who read the Beli Blog...

I can draw satisfaction and awe from nature sometimes, it is just totally amazing to me that by simply looking at the stars at night we look at and into the past, a very distant one ...

Sometimes there are completely amazing things around us and if people started to think about it for a second they would hopefully stop their everyday bickerings and arguments and forget about their narrow-mindedness, but that will remain just a dream of mine.

Jeez.... let me pull out my XTC album! Whether a "God" exists or not can be argued forever into eternity... what it comes down to is the theory of hope. People live on hope... always wanting something better for themselves or even when standing at the bedside watching a loved one slowly die. Think of the last time you purchased that lottery ticket, saw a new life brought into the world, or walked into your bosses office for your yearly review? What is the first thing that comes to mind? Hope. "I HOPE I win the lottery, I HOPE the baby is healthy, I HOPE I get that raise!" For some, that hope is GOD or some other force of nature... the hope that their wishes will be granted or for a calm passing of a loved one. When death or even the possiblilty of death looks you in the eye...what is the first thing that comes to mind? "please, save me"....well who is it that you are asking? Possibly God, or some other being?

Regardless if there is a God... we all turn to some higher being or force when in time of need. I belive the "purpose" of God is to give us hope. If you say that you have never "wished for" or "hoped for" anything... then you are a liar. Just walk into a church on an early Sunday morning...the pews will be filled with the elderly; all leaning towards God for hope of a peaceful passing and that their loved ones will not grieve. It gives them hope- something to belive in.

I'm sure there is a handfull of us who struggle with our faith on a daily basis. Afterall if you want to be a devils advocate per say; we truly are all living on words written thousands of years ago...it could be someone's sick joke in making us believe in a higher being. The truth is out there (to quote the XFiles), unfortunately we won't know it until we are dead and buried. Until then, I believe God is within me...I have hope.

This is one of those tough topics to discuss because everone has their own opinion, and thinks theirs is the right one (along with their opinions on politics and money). As for me, I believe in God. I was thinking about this last night. How can there NOT be a God? There is this amazing universe we live in. Did it just appear one day? Sure, but I think it was put here by a higher being. Something had to set the wheels in motion. Think of the earth we live on. The flowers that bloom every spring. The sun that shines to make those flowers grow. There is a complete system to the life we know on Earth. Just look at a new born baby, and tell me there is no God. What it takes for that baby to be born. Sure I question my faith at times, but that's normal; I don't think a loving God wants us to be robots when it comes to faith. And that's just it, God IS love.

Belief in a god or afterlife is just that - a belief. It is faith - not reason or science. That is why faith is acceptable as a component of individual and corporate humanity. If you choose to believe in God (of any kind or form), you can then build on that faith premise any way you wish, usually in conformity to a historical tradition or modifcation thereof. That's why I can beleive in God, in the liberal Protestant Christian sense, believe in universal salvation (God loves everyone & doesn't punish non-believers), and reject the notion of an afterlife in either heaven or hell. That's the same reason some folks can believe in a Christian God and cling to the notion that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virgin or communion is a transubstantiation in which the bread & wine actually become the blood and body of Jesus. It's why modern Hindu can be distinguished from ancient forms and why there are a variety of expressions of Islam, both in mdoernity and in the ancient world.

I think the danger in personal and communal faith is when premises of exclusion are added to those of belief in God, salvation, heaven, and such. For example, when one's belief dictates the salvation, afterlife, goodness, sinfulness, incompleteness, or wandering of another. That is when faith, usually in the form of religion, becomes a tool of oppression, intolerance, exclusion, and even hatred.

I believe in a God of love, grace, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. I don't have all the answers, though. I recognize that my faith works for ME, but not necessarily anyone - let alone EVERYONE - else. Peace to all.

Hope and faith are two words I keep seeing popping up in this conversation. That is what it is all about. I definitely believe in God. I think he/she wears many different looks and speaks many languages. Just as there are different colors of skin, hair and eyes there is a God that identifies with them. Just as there are different languages and cultures, there is a God that relates those people. If you look at all the major religions, they come down to the same basic rules. All these Gods are one. God loves the diversity the he/she has created. It is our daily struggle to learn to love and live within it, to rise above our pettiness, greed, and selfishness and reach out. And sometimes we need a kick in the tush to remind us. Thanks, Mikal.