Lexicon

Here you will find definitions of terms that are mentioned on Pantheism Today. (This is a work in progress)

Abrahamic God: Read the definition God from an Abrahamic religious perspective

Abrahamic Religions: Judaism, Christianity & Islam

Agnosticism: a (meaning “without”) gnosis (“knowledge”). Agnosticism is the position where one claims they cannot know whether a God or Gods exists. This lack of knowledge may be viewed as temporary (weak agnosticism) or permanent (strong agnosticism).

Animism: A belief that natural phenomena such as rocks, trees, thunder, or celestial bodies have life or divinity. The doctrine that all natural objects and the universe itself have souls. a belief that natural phenomena such as rocks, trees, thunder, or celestial bodies have life or divinity.

Belief that a spirit or force residing in every animate and inanimate object, every dream and idea, gives individuality to each. The related Polynesian concept of man holds that the spirit in all things is responsible for the good and evil in the universe.

Atheism: a (“without”) the (“deity”, or “god”). Read more on what Atheism is here

Atheology: the study of the nature of the god-question and the god-concept from an atheistic perspective.

Autotheism: The viewpoint that, whether divinity is also external or not, it is inherently within ‘oneself’ and that one’s duty is to become perfect; divine. This can either be in a selfish, wilful, egotistical way or a selfless way following the implications of statements attributed to ethical, philosophical, and religious leaders such as Jesus, Buddha, Mahavira, and Socrates. The doctrine of God’s self-existence. Deification of one’s self; self-worship.

Axiom: A statement that identifies the base of knowledge and of any further statement pertaining to that knowledge. The identification of a primary fact of reality which cannot be analyzed, or reduced/broken into any further component parts, and is implicit in all facts and knowledge. A statement necessarily contained in all others, whether identified or not. An axiom is an undeniable and inescapable truth. This is to say that, in order to deny it or escape it, one must necessarily accept it, making any such attempts inherently self-contradictory, and thus false, at the outset.

Belief:

Christianity: A monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior. The collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia)) “for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church was the principal church of Christendom”. From the Greek word Khristos, “Christ”, literally “anointed one”) is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. Christians believe Jesus is the son of God, God having become man and the savior of humanity. Christians, therefore, commonly refer to Jesus as Christ or Messiah. Adherents of the Christian faith, known as Christians, believe that Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Bible (the part of scripture common to Christianity and Judaism). The foundation of Christian theology is expressed in the early Christian ecumenical creeds, which contain claims predominantly accepted by followers of the Christian faith. These professions state that Jesus suffered, died from crucifixion, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead to open heaven to those who believe in him and trust him for the remission of their sins (salvation). They further maintain that Jesus bodily ascended into heaven where he rules and reigns with God the Father. Most denominations teach that Jesus will return to judge all humans, living and dead, and grant eternal life to his followers. He is considered the model of a virtuous life, and both the revealer and physical incarnation of God. Christians call the message of Jesus Christ the Gospel (”good news”) and hence refer to the earliest written accounts of his ministry as gospels.
Christianity began as a Jewish sect and is classified as an Abrahamic religion. Originating in the eastern Mediterranean, it quickly grew in size and influence over a few decades, and by the 4th century had become the dominant religion within the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages, most of the remainder of Europe was Christianized, with Christians also being a (sometimes large) religious minority in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of India. Following the Age of Discovery, through missionary work and colonization, Christianity spread to the Americas, Australasia, and the rest of the world, therefore Christianity is a major influence in the shaping of Western civilization.

Deep Ecology: The belief that animals and wild areas have value in themselves, and that human value cannot be separated from this, that we are all connected, part of the same web of life. Deep ecologists separate themselves from conventional, or “shallow,” ecology, with its instrumental ideology that aims to conserve nature for long-term human use.

Deism: the belief that a god created the world and then left it to run on its own. Popular during the Enlightenment period. The analogy often used to explain it is that of a clock maker who constructs the watch and then leaves it, allowing it to operate on its own.  Read more about Desim in this article

Deity: A deity is a postulated preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers. Any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force. The essential nature of a god, divinity; A powerful entity that possesses numerous miraculous powers (e.g. a god or goddess).

Doctrine: (Latin: doctrina) is a codification of beliefs or “a body of teachings” or “instructions”, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system. The Greek analogy is the etymology of catechism. It is a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

Dualism: The doctrine that reality consists of two basic opposing elements, often taken to be mind and matter (or mind and body), or good and evil. Dualism denotes a state of two parts. The word’s origin is the Latin duo, “two” . The term ‘dualism’ was originally coined to denote co-eternal binary opposition, a meaning that is preserved in metaphysical and philosophical duality discourse but has been diluted in general usage.

Earth-Based Spirituality (Earth-centered Spirituality): Look up Earth Religion

Earth Religion: A religion whose main tenet is that the worshiper is in harmony with the Earth and with all life. Such religions oppose the idea that the world is a resource to be subdued and exploited.

Honoring the spiritual interconnectedness of life on planet Earth, often as Mother Earth or Gaia, but sometimes as a gender neutral Earth Spirit. Sometimes called Gaian (Gaean) religion or the Gaia hypothesis.

Spirituality based on natural forces, for example Wicca, Paganism, Druidry, and Native American religions.

Earth religion is a New Age term used mostly in the context of Neopaganism. It is an umbrella phrase that is used to cover any religion that worships the Earth, Nature, or fertility gods and goddesses, such as the various forms of goddess worship. Some find a connection between Earth-worship and the Gaia hypothesis. Earth religions are also formulated to allow one to utilize the knowledge of preserving the Earth.

Any religion which reveres the Earth, and Nature, as the manifestation of the Divine, and calls for harmony with Nature and all life and for ecology. Many pagan traditions are Earth religions

Empiricism: The view that experience, especially of the senses, is the only source of knowledge.

Epistemology:  The philosophical study of knowledge and the methods of how to acquire it. Knowledge vs. belief. is the philosophical study of knowledge and belief. The primary problem in epistemology is to understand exactly what is needed in order for us to have knowledge. In a notion derived from Plato’s dialogue Theaetetus, philosophy has traditionally defined knowledge as justified true belief. The relationship between belief and knowledge is that a belief is knowledge if the belief is true, and if the believer has a justification (reasonable and necessarily plausible assertions/evidence/guidance) for believing it is true.  A false belief is not considered to be knowledge, even if it is sincere. A sincere believer in the flat earth theory does not know that the Earth is flat. Similarly, a truth that nobody believes is not knowledge, because in order to be knowledge, there must be some person who knows it.

Eutheism: the belief that there is a god, and that this god is good. (Omnibenevolence) is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “unlimited or infinite benevolence”. It is sometimes held to be impossible for a deity to exhibit this property along with both omniscience and omnipotence, because of the problem of evil. It is a technical term used in the academic literature on the philosophy of religion, often in the context of the problem of evil and in theodical responses, and even in such context, the phrases “perfect goodness” or “moral perfection” are often preferred.

Evidence:

Existentialism: A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one’s acts.

Faith: The category of epistemic methods based on introspection: i.e. attempting awareness of existence from inside our minds. There exists a number of faith methods, including emotionalism, authority, and denial. Generally employed within the boundaries of religious systems. Complete confidence in a person or plan etc; “he cherished the faith of a good woman”; “the doctor-patient relationship is based on trust” – Religion: a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; “he lost his faith but not his morality” & an institution to express belief in a divine power; “he was raised in the Baptist religion”; “a member of his own faith contradicted him” – loyalty or allegiance to a cause or a person; “keep the faith”; “they broke faith with their investors”

Gaia Hypothesis: The belief that the world is one enormous, living organism. From a rationalistic perspective, this is a metaphor the intimate interconnections between ecosystems and the way a small change in one can have a big influence. From a spiritual perspective, all aspects may be filled with life-force, affecting each other in ways beyond material measurement.

God: ….is what you make her    – Abrahamic God defined here - The Pantheist God – Why do pantheists use the term ‘god’?

Fatalism: The doctrine that all events are predetermined by fate and are therefore unalterable.

Hedonism: the doctrine which holds the standard of the good and morality as whatever gives pleasure per se. This theory substitutes ethical purpose for ethical standard, stating (in essence) “the proper value is whatever you happen to value.” Objectivism rejects this formulation.

Henotheism: Devotion to one god, while accepting the existence of others. Much of the Old Testament is henotheistic.

Humanism: is a perspective common to a wide range of ethical stances that attaches importance to human dignity, concerns, and capabilities, particularly rationality. Although the word has many senses, its meaning comes into focus when contrasted to the supernatural or to appeals to authority. Since the nineteenth century, humanism has been associated with an anti-clericalism inherited from the eighteenth-century Enlightenment philosophes. Twenty-first century Humanism tends to strongly endorse human rights, including reproductive rights, gender equality, social justice, and the separation of church and state. The term covers organized non-theistic religions, secular humanism, and a humanistic life stance. The doctrine emphasizing a person’s capacity for self-realization through reason; rejects religion and the supernatural.

Islam: The religion founded by the Arab prophet Mohammed (570-632); an Arabic word meaning “submission to the will of God”. (Lynch, Joseph H. The Medieval Church: A Brief History, 363). The monotheistic religious system of Muslims founded in Arabia in the 7th century and based on the teachings of Muhammad as laid down in the Koran) “Islam is a complete way of life, not a Sunday religion”; “the term Muhammadanism is offensive to Muslims who believe that Allah, not Muhammad, founded their religion”. To surrender to the will of God. To be a Muslim one has to proclaim that (1) There is no God but Allah, (2) The profit Muhammed is Allah’s profit. Allah is the Arabic word meaning God.

Judaism: Jews collectively who practice a religion based on the Torah and the Talmud. The religion, and culture, of the Jews. Based on the ancient Hebrew beliefs and writings (referred to as the Old Testament by other religions), current doctrine is that if every member of the faith strives to live within God’s law, he (God) will fulfill his promise (covenant), and send a messiah to restore the Jews to their rightful place as the ruling class. There are many divisions within the religion, but it is overall, a fluid belief system which evolves with time. The most interesting aspect of this flexibility, is the interpretation of the holy laws in ways which “outsmart” God: allowing for less strict adherence to rules which interfere with contemporary materialism. From the Hebrew name of the patriarch Judah, whose name also came to designate the tribe and tribal district in which Jerusalem was located. Thus, the inhabitants of Judah and members of the tribe of Judah come to be called “Judahites” or, in short form, “Jews.” The religious outlook associated with these people after about the 6th century B.C.E. comes to be called “Judaism,” and has varying characteristics at different times and places: see especially early Judaism, rabbinic Judaism. See also Hebrew(s), Israel.

Life:

Living:

Logic: Broadly, the art of non-contradictory identification, using the laws of logic, which are the: 1) Law of Identity (A is A); 2) Law of Non-Contradiction (A cannot be ~A); and 3) Excluded Middle (B can be either A or not ~A).

Metaphysics: the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of the universe as a whole.

Miracle:

Monism: Any philosophical system asserting the essential unity of things, i.e., that all things belong to one category – material (materialism), mental (idealism), spiritual (pantheism), or some other essence. Monism is contrasted with the various kinds of dualism. The doctrine that reality consists of a single basic substance or element. is any philosophical view which holds that there is unity in a given field of inquiry, where this is not to be expected. Thus, some philosophers may hold that the Universe is really just one thing, despite its many appearances and diversities; or theology may support the view that there is one God, with many manifestations in different religions.

Monotheism: Believing in the existence of only one god. The belief that there is only one fundamental kind of stuff in the world. The belief that there exists one single basic entity and that the plurality we observe is a manifestation of that single entity. The belief that one god exists.

Morality: the study of action (right and wrong).

Mysticism: is the pursuit of communion with, identity with, or conscious awareness of an ultimate reality, divinity, spiritual truth, or God through direct experience, intuition, instinct or insight. Mysticism usually centers on a practice or practices intended to nurture those experiences or awareness. Mysticism may be dualistic, maintaining a distinction between the self and the divine, or may be nondualistic. A religion based on mystical communion with an ultimate reality.

Nature Spirituality / Nature-Based Spirituality: Look up Nature Religions

Nature Religions: Religions that include an honoring of the Divine as immanent in Nature. May be pre-modern, modern, or post-modern in philosophical orientation. Usuallypolytheistic, animistic, and pantheistic. Include traditional ways of various native peoples of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia, Polynesia, Europe, and elsewhere.

Religions of ancient Pagan cultures, such as Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Minoan, Assyrian, Celtic, Teutonic, and others; and contemporary Paganism/ neopaganism.

Honoring the spiritual interconnectedness of life not only on Planet Earth, but throughout the Universe/Cosmos; more encompassing term than Earth-centeredSpirituality because it also includes Celestial religions; used by some as synonymous with contemporary Paganism and by others as also including interfaith blends, such as those that combine Paganism withEcoChristianity or EcoBuddhism.

NeoPaganism (Neo-Paganism): Often used interchangeably with Pagan. A collection of diverse contemporary religions rooted in indigenous traditions or deriving inspiration therefrom, characterized by a belief in the interconnection of all life, personal autonomy, and immanent divinities. Often nature-centered and supportive of gender equity. Neo-paganism – A modern or revived form of paganism; modern pagan religion

A modern Earth Religion which borrows and adapts from the best of pre-Christian Pagan religions, sometimes with additions from contemporary religious thinkers.

Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is an umbrella term used to identify a wide variety of modern religious movements, particularly those influenced by pre-Christian pagan beliefs of Europe. Neo-Pagan religious movements are extremely diverse, with beliefs that range widely from polytheism to animism, to pantheism and other paradigms. Many Neopagans practise a spirituality that is entirely modern in origin, while others attempt to accurately reconstruct or revive indigenous, ethnic religions as found in historical and folkloric sources.

Neopaganism is a postmodern development in the industrialized countries, found in particular strength in the United States and Britain, but also in Continental Europe (German-speaking Europe, Scandinavia, Slavic Europe, Latin Europe and elsewhere). The largest Neopagan religion is Wicca, though other significantly sized Neopagan faiths include Neo-druidism, Germanic Neopaganism, and Slavic Neopaganism.

Nihilism: commonly defined as “belief in nothing” or “denial of existence” (see also philosophical skepticism) or the view that value and meaning do not exist.

Noncognitivism: the position that propositions about god are meaningless.

Nondualism: Is the implication that things appear distinct while not being separate. The belief that dualism or dichotomy are illusory phenomena; that things such as mind and body may remain distinct while not actually being separate.

Nontheism: Look up Atheism

Objectivism: a philosophical system founded by Ayn Rand, being one of several doctrines holding that all reality is objective and external to the mind and that knowledge is reliably based on observed objects and events. The five central concepts of Objectivism are objectivity, reason, rational self-interest, libertarianism and romantic realism.

Omnitheism: The belief that all religions contain a core recognition of the same God. The belief that every entity is a God.

Omniverse:  Read the definition of Omniverse

Pagan: A member of an eclectic, mostly modern, religious movement encompassing a broad array of religions that revere the Divine in nature and/or draw upon the myths and symbols of ancient faiths. Often used interchangeably with Neopagan.

Paganism: any of various religions other than Christianity or Judaism or Islamism. Heathen: not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam. (from Latin paganus, meaning “country dweller”, “rustic”) is a blanket term used to refer to various polytheistic, non Judeo-Christian religious traditions. Its exact definition may vary: It is primarily used in a historical context, referring to Greco-Roman polytheism as well as the polytheistic traditions of Europe before Christianization. In a wider sense, extended to contemporary religions, it includes most of the Eastern religions, and the indigenous traditions of the Americas, Central Asia and Africa, as well as non-Abrahamic folk religion in general. More narrow definitions will not include any of the world religions and restrict the term to local or rural currents not organized as civil religions. Characteristic of pagan traditions is the absence of proselytism and the presence of a living mythology which explains religious practice.

See also NeoPaganism

Physicalism: There is only one basic substance, matter/energy (ie.e all matter, all forms of energy, anti matter, unknown matter and fields)

Philosophical Skepticism: The doctrine that no fact or principle can be certainly known; the tenet that all knowledge is uncertain. Different from the common “skepticism”, a position that demands extraordinary evidence for extraordinary claims.

Polytheism: the belief that more then one god exists.

Pragmatism: A movement consisting of varying but associated theories, originally developed by Charles S. Peirce and William James and distinguished by the doctrine that the meaning of an idea or a proposition lies in its observable practical consequences. Is a philosophical movement that includes those who claim that an ideology or proposition is true if it works satisfacton. The willingness or tendency to set aside one’s ideal or higher goal, in order to pursue a lesser, more achievable objective.

Reason: the category of epistemic methods based on extrospection – i.e. awareness of existence outside of our minds. There exists three main methods – which are logic, sense perception and concept-formation.

Reductionism: The position that higher structures of matter can be explained by the emergent properties of units acting on each other. A theory that all complex systems can be completely understood in terms of their components. The analysis of complex things into simpler constituents.

Religion: A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny. An institution to express belief in a divine power.

Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.

The belief in and worship of a god or gods, or any such system of belief and worship

Informal an activity which someone is extremely enthusiastic about and does regularly

A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
1. A collection of practices, based on beliefs and teachings that are highly valued or sacred.
2. Any practice that someone or some group is seriously devoted to.
3. Any ongoing practice one engages in, in order to shape their character or improve traits of their personality.

4. Our ideological and traditional heritage.

from Wikipedia:
Aspects of religion include narrative, symbolism, beliefs, and practices that are supposed to give meaning to the practitioner’s experiences of life. Whether the meaning centers on a deity or deities, or an ultimate truth, religion is commonly identified by the practitioner’s prayer, ritual, meditation, music and art, among other things, and is often interwoven with society and politics. It may focus on specific supernatural, metaphysical, and moral claims about reality (the cosmos and human nature) which may yield a set of religious laws, ethics, and a particular lifestyle. Religion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and religious experience.
The term “religion” refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction. “Religion” is sometimes used interchangeably with “faith” or “belief system,” but it is more socially defined than personal convictions, and it entails specific behaviors, respectively.

The development of religion has taken many forms in various cultures. It considers psychological and social roots, along with origins and historical development.

Religion is often described as a communal system for the coherence of belief focusing on a system of thought, unseen being, person, or object, that is considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine, or of the highest truth. Moral codes, practices, values, institutions, tradition, rituals, and scriptures are often traditionally associated with the core belief, and these may have some overlap with concepts in secular philosophy. Religion is also often described as a “way of life” or a life stance.

A friend of mine said: Religion prevents poor murdering rich.

Sources: American Heritage® Dictionary, dictionary.com, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion, wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn, dictionary.cambridge.org

Science:

Solipsism: theory that the self is the only thing that can be known and verified, or that the self is the only reality.

Spinozism: Look up Pantheism

Spiritual Agnosticism:

Stoic:

Sustainability: The belief, begun by modern environmentalists and social justice advocates, that all of society must work together to preserve the earth’s resources and ecosystems. According to the Brundtland Declaration of 1987, “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Taoism / Taoist:

Tenet: An opinion, belief, or principle held to be true by someone or especially an organization

Theism: Believing in a deity or deities (god/gods). A belief in religion. (Greek theos: god). Belief in one personal, judging, creator God who transcends the world, and who may or may not be immanent in it.. The belief that a god or gods exist. Read more on what Theism is here

Theology: The study of the nature of God and the seeking of religious truth.

Trinity:

Universe: Read about the Pantheist Universe

Wicca:  The polytheistic nature religion of modern witchcraft whose central deity is a mother goddess; claims origins in pre-Christian pagan religions of western Europe

A predominantly Western movement whose followers practice witchcraft and nature worship and who see it as a religion based on pre-Christian traditions of northern and western Europe. It spread through England in the 1950s and subsequently attracted followers in Europe and the United States.

A modern tradition of witchcraft based on the old earth religions of Europe. The term comes from an Old English word meaning “to bend or shape” or “to have wisdom.”

Wicca is a modern Western interpretation of witchcraft, and a Wiccan is one who practices Wicca. Wiccans often call themselves witches. Wicca is one belief system within what is called Neo-Paganism. Wicca is generally described as a Nature Religion. Witchcraft belief.

A contemporary Pagan religion with spiritual roots in Shamanism and the earliest expressions of reverence of nature. Among its major motifs are: reverence for the Goddess and the God; reincarnation; magic; ritual observances of the Full Moon, astronomical and agricultural phenomena; spheroid temples, created with Personal Power, in which rituals occur.

Wicca is a Neopagan religion that is also often referred to as Witchcraft or the Craft by its adherents, who are known as Wiccans or Witches. Its disputed origins lie in England in the early 20th century, though it was first popularised during the 1950s by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant, who at the time called it the “witch cult” and “witchcraft”, and its adherents “the Wica”.[3] From the 1960s the name of the religion was normalised to “Wicca”.

Wicca is typically a duotheistic religion, worshipping a Goddess and a God, who are traditionally viewed as the Triple Goddess and Horned God. These two deities are often viewed as being facets of a greater pantheistic Godhead, and as manifesting themselves as various polytheistic deities. Other characteristics of Wicca include the ritual use of magic, a basic code of morality, and the celebration of eight seasonally based festivals.

There are various different denominations within Witchcraft, which are referred to as traditions. Some, such as Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca, follow in the initiatory lineage of Gardner; these are often collectively termed British Traditional Wicca, and many of their practitioners consider the term “Wicca” to apply only to these lineaged traditions. Others, such as Cochrane’s Craft, Feri and the Dianic tradition, take primary influence from other figures and may not insist on any initiatory lineage. Some of these do not use the term “Wicca” at all, while some believe that all traditions can be considered “Wiccan”.

Although there were precursors to the movement, the origins of modern Wicca can be traced to a retired British civil servant, Gerald Brousseau Gardner (1884–1964). Gardner spent most of his career in Asia, where he became familiar with a variety of occult beliefs and magical practices. He also read widely in Western esoteric literature, including the writings of the British occultist Aleister Crowley. Returning to England shortly before the outbreak of World War II, Gardner became involved in the British occult community and founded a new movement based on a reverence of nature, the practice of magic, and the worship of a female deity (the Goddess) and numerous associated deities (such as the Horned God). He also borrowed liberally from Western witchcraft traditions. Following the 1951 repeal of England’s archaic Witchcraft Laws, Gardner published Witchcraft Today (1954), founded his first coven of followers, and, with input from its members, especially author Doreen Valiente, developed modern witchcraft into what today is known as Wicca. It spread quickly to the United States in the late 1960s, when an emphasis on nature, unconventional lifestyles, and a search for spirituality divorced from traditional religions were especially in vogue.

Sources: wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn,http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/703384/Wicca, http://witchraven.spruz.com/?display=FFE9BA6E-9495-4DCF-9D2F-4AC5FD1C0630, http://www.thegreenfuse.org/glossary.htm, http://magick-whispers.com/glossarytuvwxyz.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca

– GNOSTICISM SPECIFIC –

Gnostic: From the Greek gnosis (knowledge). A diversity of pre-Christian and early-Christian beliefs. A central tenet is the corruption of the physical world, and the ability of some to transcend it through acquisition of esoteric spiritual knowledge. possessing intellectual or esoteric knowledge of spiritual things. From the Greek term Gnosis which means knowledge, Gnostic is a person who believes in higher spiritual knowledge. Gnostics believed there were higher or hidden truths behind traditional religious teachings and these hidden truths were the passages to enlightenment.

Agnostic: Someone who claims that they do not know or are unable to know whether God exists. A person who claims that they cannot have true knowledge about the existence of God (but does not deny that God might exist). uncertain of all claims to knowledge. agnosticism (a religious orientation of doubt; a denial of ultimate knowledge of the existence of God) “agnosticism holds that you can neither prove nor disprove God’s existence”. The disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge.

Ignostic: Knowledge claims about gods are meaningless. ignosticism – Ignorance of any knowledge of a God or gods due to finding that theism lacks a coherent definition of what god is.  Is the assertion that a coherent definition of “God” must be put forward before the question of the existence of God can be meaningfully discussed. If the chosen definition is not coherent, that is, not empirically testable, the ignostic holds the noncognitivist view that the existence of God is meaningless. So, an ignostic would say, “I don’t know what you mean when you say, ‘God exists’.” The term “ignosticism” was coined by Reform Jewish Rabbi Sherwin Wine. It should be noted that A.J. Ayer, Theodore Drange and other philosophers see ignosticism as different from atheism and agnosticism, on the grounds that atheism and agnosticism still do accept “God exists” as a meaningful proposition which can be judged to be false (atheism) or still inconclusive (agnosticism).

Apnostic: I don’t care about knowledge claims about gods

– PANTHEISM SPECIFIC –

Pantheism: (Ancient Greek: (pan) “all” and (theos) “god”; literally “belief that God is all”) is the view that everything is part of an all-encompassing immanent God and that the Universe (Nature) and God are equivalent. Pantheism promotes the idea that God is better understood as an abstract principle representing natural law, existence, and the Universe (the sum total of all that was, is and shall be), rather than as a transcendent and especially anthropomorphic entity.[1] Pantheists thus do not believe in a personal god; rather, they refer to nature or the universe as God. Pantheism is a metaphysical and religious position. Broadly defined it is the view that (1) “God is everything and everything is God … the world is either identical with God or in some way a self-expression of his nature” (Owen 1971: 74). Similarly, it is the view that (2) everything that exists constitutes a “unity” and this all-inclusive unity is in some sense divine (MacIntyre 1967: 34). A slightly more specific definition is given by Owen (1971: 65) who says (3) “‘Pantheism’ … signifies the belief that every existing entity is, only one Being; and that all other forms of reality are either modes (or appearances) of it or identical with it.” Even with these definitions there is dispute as to just how pantheism is to be understood and who is and is not a pantheist. Belief in a personal creator God who transcends the world, but is also intimately present and active in the world and in each of us. Profound religious reverence for the Univers/Nature.  The belief that God and the Universe are identical. (Browse this website to learn more on Pantheism.)

Panentheism:  (Ancient Greek: (pan) “all” and (theos) “god”; literally “belief that God is all”) is the view that everything is part of an all-encompassing immanent God and that the Universe (Nature) and God are equivalent. Pantheism promotes the idea that God is better understood as an abstract principle representing natural law, existence, and the Universe (the sum total of all that was, is and shall be), rather than as a transcendent and especially anthropomorphic entity.[1] Pantheists thus do not believe in a personal god; rather, they refer to nature or the universe as God. Pantheism is a metaphysical and religious position. Broadly defined it is the view that (1) “God is everything and everything is God … the world is either identical with God or in some way a self-expression of his nature” (Owen 1971: 74). Similarly, it is the view that (2) everything that exists constitutes a “unity” and this all-inclusive unity is in some sense divine (MacIntyre 1967: 34). A slightly more specific definition is given by Owen (1971: 65) who says (3) “‘Pantheism’ … signifies the belief that every existing entity is, only one Being; and that all other forms of reality are either modes (or appearances) of it or identical with it.” Even with these definitions there is dispute as to just how pantheism is to be understood and who is and is not a pantheist. Belief in a personal creator God who transcends the world, but is also intimately present and active in the world and in each of us. Profound religious reverence for the Univers/Nature.

Classical Pantheism: Classical pantheism has many features in common with panentheism, such as the idea that the universe is part of a god. Whereas the pantheist god and the universe are synonymous, panentheism finds God extends beyond the universe. Many of the major world religions described as pantheistic could also be described as panentheistic. It is a classical concept that is represented by many religious traditions. For example, elements of both pantheism and panentheism are explicitly found in Indo-European religions such as Hinduism, Kabbalistic Judaism and Zoroastrianism. Many interpretations of the Bhagavad Gita and Shri Rudram in Hinduism and the Gathas in Zoroastrianism support this view.

Classical pantheism equates existence with God without attempting to redefine or to minimize either term, and has an inclusive demeanor towards other world faiths.

The word Pantheism today may be understood by some as Naturalistic Pantheism and by others as Classical Pantheism, Thus, it is important to note that Classical Pantheism is distinct primarily because of its simplicity, and compatibility with other religious traditions. In many ways, Classical Pantheism is similar to monism, in that it views all things, from energy to matter to thought or time as being aspects of an all embracing personal God.

Cosmotheism: Look up Scientific Pantheism

Theomonistic Pantheism: Only God exists and the independent existence of nature is denied – also referred to as acosmism (a-cos-mism, or “no-world”)

Dualistic Pantheism: To be defined soon!!

Idealist Monism Pantheism: Also known as Idealistic Pantheism -  God works through and is revealed through nature.

Idealistic Pantheism: Look up Idealist Monism Pantheism

Immanent-Transcendent Pantheism: Look up Idealist Monism Pantheism

Materialist Monism Pantheism: Also known as Materialistic Pantheism -Look up Scientific Pantheism

Materialistic Pantheism: Look up Scientific Pantheism

Monistic Pantheism: Is either “Physicalist Monism Pantheism” or “Idealist Monism Pantheism”

Naturalistic Pantheism: Look up Scientific Pantheism

Physiomonistic Pantheism (Physio-monistic Pantheism) : Also known as Physicalist Pantheism – Look up Scientific Pantheism.

Physicalist Pantheism: Look up Scientific Pantheism

Physicalist Monism Pantheism: Also known as Physicalist Pantheism – Look up Scientific Pantheism

Positive Atheism: Look up Scientific Pantheism

Religious Atheism: Look up Scientific Pantheism

Religious Humanism: Look up Scientific Pantheism

Religious Naturalism: Look up Scientific Pantheism

Scientific Pantheism: Only Nature or the Universe exist, they are referred to with the term “God” to show deep reverence and awe – God is denied having independent existence outside of the universe since the Universe is God.

Mystic Pantheism / Mystical Pantheism: To be defined soon!!

Spiritual Pantheism: To be defined soon!!

Universal Pantheism: To be defined soon!!

PanPsychism: (Also Pan-Psychism)  Nature as a whole is imbued with a consciousness. In philosophy, is either the view that all parts of matter involve mind, or the more holistic view that the whole universe is an organism that possesses a mind (see pandeism and panentheism). The theory that all material entities possess a degree of mind.  the doctrine that each object in the universe has either a mind or an unconscious soul. The view that all matter has consciousness.

PanDeism: Pandeism is a kind of Pantheism which incorporates a form of Deism, holding that the Universe is identical to God, but also that God was previously a conscious and sentient force or entity that designed and created the Universe. God only became an unconscious and nonsentient God by becoming the Universe. Other than this distinction (and the possibility that the Universe will one day return to the state of being God), Pandeist philosophy is identical to Pantheism.

(derived from Greek ‘pan’ = ‘all’ and Latin deus = God, in the sense of deism), is a term describing religious beliefs coherently incorporating or mixing elements of pantheism (that God is identical to the Universe) and deism (that the creator-god who designed the Universe no longer exists in a status where he can be reached, and can instead be confirmed only by reason). It is therefore most particularly “the belief that God precedes the Universe and is the Universe’s creator, [and] that the Universe is currently the entirety of God”, with some adding the contention that “the Universe will one day coalesce back into a single being, God”. It is through this incorporation pandeism claims to answer primary objections to deism (why would God create and then abandon the Universe?) and to pantheism (how did the Universe originate and what is its purpose?).

PanenDeism: combines deism with panentheism, the belief that the universe is part of God, but not all of God. A central component of Panendeism is “Experiential Metaphysics” – the idea that a mystical component exists within the framework of Panendeism, allowing the seeker to experience a relationship to Deity through meditation, prayer or some other type of communion. This is a major departure from Classical Deism. Belief in a God who is both panentheistic and deistic, e.g. a God who contains all of the universe, but who nevertheless transcends or has some existence separate from the universe, but also who does not actively intervene in the universe and can only be determined from reason.

Last edited: 2/20/2010