Pantheism

"Nature is more than just our hotel or meal ticket. It is not just something we need to look after for our own self-interest. Nature is sacred."*

Pantheism is a philosophy that allows us to relate emotionally, intellectually and physically to Nature, to understand our place within the Universe and to satisfy our spiritual needs without abandoning reason or common sense. Pantheism regards the Universe as a whole as worthy of the deepest reverence, perceives Nature as divine and promotes a path that honours, reveres and, of necessity, cares for the natural world which is itself a unity of inextricably linked living beings, a complex and quite wonderful web of life.

Why is Nature worthy of such reverence?

• Nature created us. Hydrogen and helium emerged from the big bang and, via stellar fusion, generated the other elements. These elements, spewed into space by supernovæ, condensed into planets one of which, our mother Earth, gave birth to life and ultimately to human beings.

• The natural Universe is, by definition, omnipresent. Even space is not empty. It is filled with cosmic radiation, microwave energy spanning the gaps between stars and planets.

• The Universe is virtually infinite and practically eternal. It is at least 30 billion light years across and 14 billion years old, a distance and time that are inconceivable to humans.

• Nature is immensely powerful. Think of the impact of an earthquake or a hurricane. Consider the energy generated by the Sun. Reflect on the power of Nature to create and sustain life itself.

• Nature is omniscient. Christian De Quincey* demonstrates in a challenging but persuasive argument that consciousness (or spirit) is present not just in humans but throughout Nature, all the way down through animals, plants and minerals to the atomic level and beyond.

• Nature is fascinating, awesome and beautiful. What greater mysteries are there than those of the origins of the Universe and of life itself? What is more awesome than the sheer power of a lightning bolt, a solar flare or a tidal wave? What is more beautiful than a mountain peak, birds singing, the full Moon, an ancient wood, a snowflake, the seashore?

As a belief system, pantheism is not monolithic. It takes on many forms. Many pantheists, though, would agree on the following:

• Human responsibility for the creation of ethical systems is paramount. Pantheism requires no scripture, no dogma, no clergy, no central authority. Pantheist ethics emphasise basic human rights coupled with environmental awareness. Human freedoms, civil liberties, democracy and equality are, therefore, to be combined with the Earth ethic (that which preserves the integrity, stability and diversity of the biosphere is right; that which does not is wrong).

• There is no wholly transcendent, personal, supernatural, thinking, creator entity who monitors, judges, punishes or rewards humans.

• Life is its own meaning. The purpose of life is to perpetuate itself, to evolve and to progress.

• The animist or panpsychist view is acknowledged in that every living being has its own presence (or spirit) that is worthy of profound respect. It follows that all species have a right to survive, that biodiversity must be promoted, that all natural habitats must be preserved and that all damage to the environment must be minimised.

• Nature herself is sacred. Humans are participants in the natural community. As such, we must work with Nature, not against her. We must live sustainably from her resources, not exhaust them. We must value Nature, not dominate or exploit her.

*Harrison (2004) and De Quincey (2002) respectively. See the resources page for full details of all sources.

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