The Scientific Pantheist Universe vs. Classical Pantheist Universe

Scientific Pantheists say:

The universe exists for itself, without cause or purpose. Nothing existed before it that could have been its cause. Nothing exists outside it that could be the source of its purpose *1

In my opinion, the statement above can be rewritten as follows to suite a Classical Pantheist:

The Omniverse exists for itself. Nothing exists outside of it that could be the source of it. The Omniverse is eternal**.

** eternal means: Without beginning or end of existence; always existing, everlasting.

This statement is my personal view of what the Classical Pantheist view of the Omniverse (i.e. the Pantheist equivalent of the god) is.

In my statement I purposefully avoided discussing the “Universe’s purpose”. I think it is speculative to assume that the Universe has no purpose or that we can comprehend what its purpose is, or is not, if one(s) existed. Since I do not have sufficient knowledge, I am comfortable leaving speculation (regarding purpose) out of this statement. Further I use the word Omniverse, not Universe as the Omniverse is a better word to describe all of existence and everything that ever did or will exist, including multiple universes.

Humans have a need and strong urge to know the origin of things, the purpose behind things existing and what caused  these things to exist (the cause of things). Thus, understandably, we are uncomfortable with concepts such as eternity, infinity and simply not knowing.  This driving need inside of us to know, to understand “cause” and “purpose” is a hallmark of what makes us human. We can all identify with this desire to know.

When primitive people saw a comet (eclipses, shooting stars, lightning or felt the destruction of earthquakes or volcanoes etc..) they assumed that some god(s) was behind such event(s) and that this god must have had a message or a cause that prompted her/him to take such action. Their gods were anthropomorphic (with human-like characteristics). Their need to know the cause and purpose of things coupled with their lack of information prompted them to seek supernatural gods as the cause. These pre-scientific humans made up (and found) their cause and purpose.

Today, our quest goes on. Scientists are more driven than ever to study the origins of life, the beginnings of our universe, as well as the future of the universe and life. In doing so, we continue to seek the (and assume that there is a) purpose and a cause for everything, including the Universe and life.  The Omniverse is eternal, ever lasting, infinite. The definition above does not claim to know its purpose or even if one exist.

Nowadays, many (similarly to pre-scientific humans) assume God is eternal, has a purpose and is the cause for (is the creator of) the universe and life, based on their limited definition of universe and life. However, as I have shown under the label of “Classical Pantheism” a creator God is not needed once one defines the Omniverse.

Pantheists do not assume the existence (nor do they need to) of the Abrahamic God. Once one accepts the notion that there is something that exists that is eternal and infinite (i.e. as people that believe in an Abrahamic God do), it becomes imminently clear how this eternal and infinite thing is the Omniverse itself.  The Omniverse does not need a creator because it is eternal, and is infinite as well. Both Classical and Scientific Pantheists agree that a man-made anthropomorphic creator or Abrahamic God is not needed to explain the Omniverse or universe.

Let’s celebrate our commonalities, not differences of opinion.

Read more about the Pantheist God, here and the Pantheist Universe, here.

* 1 – from http://www.pantheism.net/paul/cause.htm retrieved 02/17/2010

Updated: Dec 19, 2010

But Who Created the Universe?

The Omniverse was never created. It is everything there is, infinite and eternal (as energy/matter is not created only changed) You could think of what we call “our universe” as something that was created, via a big-bang etc, our universe might/likely have had a beginning.

Most if not all theists believe in the existence of a force outside of the universe that created it. This force itself, they reason, was not created, it was always there. This force is the creator, and referred to a god.

Deists believe such force once existed but no longer does, as this force (or god) designed and created the universe and then ceased to exist. They also call this force god or divine.

Classical Pantheism equates this creating force, the thing that creates but itself was not created (i.e. god) with the Omniverse literally.  Thus, the Omniverse was never created, and is a creator.

Let’s examine this “different” concept more … an example or two:

1)

A Christian is 100% in agreement that God was never created.. that god created the universe (and life in it), in 7 days.

A Classical Pantheist is in agreement that god was never created … however, here, “god” is the “Omniverse” itself in all it’s mystery, eternity and infinity.. thus, the Omniverse is god, and the Omniverse was never created. The Omniverse is “everything that is”, “all there is”, including physical things like elements and stars and life and non physical things like time and the laws of physics, essentially “one thing”, thus has always been there, and itself constantly changes via astronomical and intergalactic events and when entire universes are created.

.

.. How does that sound so far? peaked your interest? Great!  let’s look at this from a different angle:

2)

Theists: If you are a theist, thus willing to accept the notion that “something out there exists that is eternal“,  do you see how this “eternal thing” itself could be the one thing that is the collection of everything there is, the Omniverse?  There is no need for a different eternal creator external to the “everything”. By definition of the Omniverse (eternal, infinite, all there is), you can’t have anything outside of it, thus a creator that creates the omniverse can’t exist.
The Omniverse is “everything there is”, infinite and eternal, hence, nothing (including a god) can exist outside of it, as there is no-thing such as “outside-of” the Omniverse, let’s say this again, there is no thing outside-of the Omniverse. Thus, “if” there was a god-like creator, it itself must be a part of the Omniverse, not external to it, by definition.

Scientists: The challenge most scientists, today’s Atheists and skeptics, have is to think of an eternal being, or an eternal force that created everything, an anthropomorphic thing, a god, a plan/or planner behind everything, or intelligent design. Once you say “this thing is eternal”, “something was created”,  such sentences immediately conger the response: “but it’s impossible, matter cannot be destroyed or created so it must have come from somewhere”.. or in other words, they might think “who made this eternal thing or creator?” .. These questions are very appropriate to ask, and the notion of an anthropomorphic creator that made the universe according to some design is one worthy or rejecting, as atheists do.

Scientists are very analytical and bright. If you are one I suspect that you are beginning to see the importance of definitions, and how defining the Omniverse offers an opportunity of a different perspective to many of today’s opposing arguments.

By having this omniverse, or “everything-thing” be eternal we are also agreeing that matter or energy was not created and cannot be destroyed.. in other words, matter or energy have always been there, a part of the Omniverse, was never created and is always there in some form, thus no beginning, no end to this everything i.e. eternity.

3)

Two common argument points you will hear in today’s culture are:

1- Theists tend think that a creator was needed, that everything needs a start, to be created, like a plant comes from a seed, but who created the creator, who planted the seed?

2- Atheists ask why is the creator human-like, has a personality, emotions, goals, face, beard, arms and a judge’s gavel? and if there is a creator who created it?

Pantheists agree wit Atheists: there is no transcendent creator god, anthropomorphic,  judging god, or a god that extends outside the universe, one that exists in heaven who created the physical universe(s), there is no external creator that created everything but itself was not created.

Pantheists agree with today’s Theists: there does exist an eternal force/divinity/thing/oneness/unity/everything-ness (whatever people call it), mysteries exist in the world, that our (local) universe likely had a beginning (but not from nothing),  matter is not the only thing there is and perhaps unseen forces of energy exist. Pantheists disagree with theists, the universe did not need to be created by a separate eternal god entity.

Classical Pantheism defines the “Omniverse”, thus offering a mind-set that can bridge the gap between theists and atheists.

The clue is to think “Omniverse”, not universe, not a creator. Think large, think of the one thing that is a collection of everything there is, an Omniverse that we study and observe, one that contains matter, possibly antimatter, many universes, time and space, and many unknowns.

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.. ok, is that making more sense now?

Let’s yet again look at this from a different angle:

4)

Theists look at the universe and think there must have been a creator who preceded the universe. They are then willing to accept the idea of a creator entity that itself never was created.  All of this is not necessary if they realized that the Omniverse is eternal (i.e. not created), that the omniverse could be thought of as the creator (or container) of local universes.
This is not a large leap for a theist, they have already accepted the notion of an eternal being, the notion of “eternity” is not new to theists. Except, what they see as eternal is different than what a Classical Pantheist sees, rather than seeing the Omniverse as the eternal entity they assume (imagine) a god figure that is eternal (and external to the omniverse – an impossibility by definition) who created the universe.
This god creator is not needed, in fact it cannot exist based on our definition of the Omniverse, as the Omniverse is everything and thus nothing is external to it, and as the Omniverse was not created since it has always been there, never created and cannot be destroyed, but could change.
Just as the theist creator god was never created himself (or herself) neither was the Omniverse created herself but any other creator, it is such by the definition of the word “omniverse”.

Theists and Atheists get stuck in their arguments due to their view of what the Universe is. They accepted the mainstream definition of what the universe is. The idea of a multi-universe universe is no longer  mystery or philosophy but a scientific theory..

When one views that everything there is, is the Universe, and this Universe is purely physical, they confine themselves by their own definition, a narrow one, might I say strongly influenced by the Abrahamic religions.

Due to this definition, theists find it necessary to have a non physical transcendent god in order for this physical universe to exist and in order for spirits, life force, and the after life to exist, these things require not only a creator god but a transcendent god.

Atheist take an opposing side saying that no angels, miracles, gods, spirits, life force, spirituality, unseen forces, or even creation itself existed.  Since even the word “creation” is seen strictly from an Abrahamic perspective, another narrow definition.

Some atheists might acknowledge we do not know where matter (universal matter, dark energy, gas, the elements, hydrogen, energy..) came from, where the big bang came from, where “energy” first came from!   They further might disagree but really cannot deny the possibility of other universes or other dimensions being in existence.  They limit themselves by only accepting what mainstream acceptable scientific doctorates say exists and everything that was not “proven” scientifically really doesn’t even exist.  By doing so, they rob themselves from experiencing the mystery and beauty of life and our universe.

5)

Both Atheists and Theists are stuck in the physical Universe, Atheists are stuck in the physical universe because that is where our science is at today,  theists are stuck in the physical because that’s the story the bible tells.

They define the universe as everything there is yet somehow this “everything” must have come from a source?  this is illogical if you consider that matter cannot be created.  They define the universe as everything there is yet they struggle with the concept of infinity and eternity.. But how can something be all there is without being infinite?

Where is the truth?

The truth is always there, clear for you to see, I had a gut feeling that the universe was an omniverse, all there is, even when I was 6 years old.. I kept asking “but if this man-like-supernatural being (god) has created things, who made him?” …. We are born very open minded, very curious, skeptical, and experiential then we get sucked into the duality of defined concepts and man-made limitations.

Today, people are stuck between the two main-stream views:  The Theists see things one way, the Atheists see things totally the other way … while the true reality is in between these two opposing views, non-dualistic and unifying.

6)

In reality, by definition, the Omniverse is unlimited, too large to comprehend (theists consider god to be too large to comprehend). It includes every-possible-thing that could, has, have or will ever exist in existence itself, physical, probabilistic, thought-form, emotional, chemical, material, dimensional, the dimension of time itself, the dimension of space, matter and possible other forms of matter, energy of all kinds, quantum probabilities and astronomical machinery, and everything we know and still have not discovered, you name it…  it has it, as it is everything there is.
Can anyone disagree with this philosophy?

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The Omniverse is the Quantum Physics theoretical Universe and it is the Classical Pantheist universe

This Classical Pantheist Omniverse dissolves the disagreement between the Atheist and the Theist

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The Omniverse was never created.

What we consider as our universe was (likely) created (i.e had a beginning).

The Omniverse is a constant, eternal, and infinite thing

Mysteries within the Omniverse abound; everything we do not understand scientifically is a mystery.

Science cannot disprove the Omniverse’s existence, but it cannot prove its existence either

..

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This is how the Ominiverse, itself was never created but is constantly in the process of change.

and where you and I belong and currently are

thinking, talking and

living

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in love,

Updated: 12/18/2010 – 06/30/2011

A related article: What About Creation?

A Conversation with a Believer

Believer: How come no one created the universe?

Me: I didn’t say it wasn’t created, what we know as the universe was created but it wasnt by what you think of as god.

Believer: Are you saying God didn’t create the universe and give you life?

Me: Not God as you define it.

Believer: Is there another God that you believe in?

Me: I guess so. I don’t believe in the Abrahamic God.

Believer: If I was you I’d be careful with what I say, don’t blaspheme about God, he could hurt you, you’ll go to hell.

Me: Well, my god is not a “he”, and hell doesn’t exist.

Believer: Oh God!

Me: Yes?

Believer: So, who created the Universe?

Me: It created itself, I call it Omniverse.

Believer: How can something create itself?

Me: I see the universe to be God, and God was never created.

Believer: If the universe exists, it must have been created, and the only one who can create it is God.

Me: True, but what is God?

Believer: Are you an Atheist?

Me: No, but try to define God please.

Believer: The God the bible talks about.

Me: Eternal, Infinite, Transcendent, Holy, Divine, Omni present, all powerful God?  (note to self: sounds like my god!)

Believer: Exactly.

Me: So, God was always there, and he created everything?

Believer: Exactly!!

Me: Sounds like my god, except mine is not sitting on a throne judging people

Believer: silence.

Me: Who created God?

Believer: He is God, he doesn’t need to be created!

Me: I thought for anything to exist it must have been created.

Believer: But not God, he is eternal.

Me: My god is eternal too.

Believer: So you believe in Jesus?

Me: No, what I said was my god was also eternal. He was not created.

Believer: So you are a Christian?

Me: No. I don’t believe in the god talked about in the bible. My god is the universe.

Believer: What!  My God created the universe! Why do you worship his creation but not him?

Me: My universe is god, it did not need to be created. I call it Omniverse, and our universe is one of many possible universes within this Oneness I call the Omniverse.

Believer: How could something exist without being made by God?

Me: God exists, doesn’t he? Who made Him (your God)?

Believer: God is eternal, the bible says so.

Me: Do you know what I mean by an Omniverse?

Believer: I don’t care.

.. end of conversation ..

One conclusion you may reach from the above discussion: Things get lost in translation, thanks to one’s perceptions (mostly subconscious) and fears. People will see, when they are ready to. Planting a seed of wisdom or vision is sometimes all you should do. Once the person is ready to see, explore, get out of their shell, they will but only then.

Read: But who created the universe?

Classical Pantheism Defined

Classical Pantheism is a way of thinking, realization or a philosophy [and/or religion if you like] that offers a mental perspective or a vantage point that’s other than theism or atheism, one that doesn’t entail having to believe in a god or not believing in one but views the subject in a different light. This understanding -of Classical Pantheism- might enable filling-in the gap between scientific facts and the mysterious, logic and emotions, and it encourages thinking beyond the ever so common dualities of human existence. It encourages skepticism and spirituality, logic and emotions, living in the now, acquiring knowledge, being of high moral character, learning from others, knowing one’s self, and the nourishing of a truly holistic human experience.

Classical Pantheism is a very broad view, and very basic. Beyond the basic definition, it does not concern itself with matters of rituals, rules, secrets, divine canons, etc.. leaving these to organized groups and religions. Classical Pantheism at it’s best is free of dogma and hierarchy, free of secrets or initiations, free of guilt and psychological manipulation, free of shame, it’s a personal pursuit, holistic and empowering to the individual; further, it is very open to all of human knowledge and wisdom.

Three Basic (Foundational) Concepts:

1- Omniverse: An awareness (via a definition of the word “omniverse”) of an “all-there-is”, perhaps an “all-inclusive-oneness”, that is the sum of, and includes everything material and non, known to us humans and not-known yet, knowable things and unknowables. The “omniverse” is a “philosophical” mental construct that can be equated with the universe, but more accurately it is “all of the possible universes”, or simply “all of existence”, thus omni-universe (or all-universes). Read more on the omniverse here.

2- Spiritual: Explores the inner self and the outer world with a spiritual perspective. Everything around us and that we do is spiritual. Spiritual experiences, moments of connecting with one’s inner self, connecting with others, or with nature are very valuable (or as some might say, holy.) The understanding of the Omniverse is beyond scientific or philosophy it is the sum of both and is a spiritual concept.

3- Knowing: Accepts and utilizes: scientific knowledge, general knowledge, facts, theories, hypothesis, including myth, inspiration, imagination, also unknowables. Encourages seeking truth while noticing the influence one’s ego has on such pursuit. In doing so, it is very open, and allows individuals to interpret their own experiences. Individual opinions vary.

There are only three basic ideas to Classical Pantheism; of these, the first one is the heart of Classical Pantheism (i.e. the understanding of what an omniverse means). Other aspects of Classical Pantheism (listed below) are derivatives or elaborations on these basic concepts, often evolving, and vary amongst individuals.

Aspects of Classical Pantheism include:

1- Universality: Accepts and acquires knowledge and concepts from known facts along un-proven things, science, mythology, traditional wisdom, philosophies, spirituality, art, nature, and any spiritual practices that are free of guilt, dogma, dependance, original sin, human-body vilification or disfiguration, ones that truly respect life and aim to empower people. etc..

2- Evolving: Evolves with human knowledge and experience. Encourages personal growth and the respect of human thought, knowledge, experience, philosophy, morality, potential, spirituality, and the human body. Encourages each person to grow holistically.

3- Holistic: A holistic view of existence, one omniverse unifying the known and unknown as parts of existence. Accepts the dualities of life while holistically encourages a non-dualistic perspective of our life experience. Encourages a holistic way of living, and holistic mind-body well-being, mind, body and spirit. Wishes that people find wholeness within themselves and reflect that upon their world.

4- Nature Spirituality: Nature is one path to experience spirituality and our place and connection to existence. Each spiritual experience is sacred or holy.

5- Morality: No established canon of ethics. Emphasizes discussions on morality and ethics. Accepts moral ideals from all works of philosophy and religions. People are born innocent (or good) and seek to be good.

6- Life Respecting: Respects all forms of life, considers life, and consciousness sacred. When we eat meat, we respect and give thanks to the animal that had to die for us to eat, some decide to eat no meat.

7- Environmental: We love, respect and experience a spiritual connection to everything in nature. We respect the environment we live in, mother earth, and the interconnectedness of nature and its “systems”. We seek to preserve and live in harmony with nature and sentient beings. When it comes to life choices and diet choices we seek to be aware of the implications of these interactions on nature and thus work to have a positive influence.

8- Practice: Just as physicians “practice”, it is encouraged to make ones daily life a “practice”, in mindfulness, and in all the above.

9- Patience and kindness. Always ask “what if it was me in this persons’ position?”. Always consider this scenario: Other people are in essence just like you, made of the same essence, are a part of the omniverse. They might be exactly you if it wasn’t for their genetic, cultural, mental uniqueness (imagine a world made up of people identical to you, I like myself but that kind of world would be boring); consider these people to be you in a different situation, you in a different skin, you with different priorities; now, how do you feel towards what they (you) did/said? are you more tolerant, a bit more kind, do you want to help them?

More:

The word Pantheism is built upon the Greek pan=”everything” & theos=”God”; In Classical Pantheism the Omniverse (multiverse/cosmos/all of existence) is divine, eternal, one and infinite.

Classical Pantheism is a philosophy (and/or religion) that offers an alternative that is very logical, free of dogma, simple and intuitive, one that is not: theistic, atheistic, deistic, pandeistic or panentheistic. Pantheism does not see theism as it was defined by Abrahamic religions, it is META-theism, meaning: beyond, outside and above ordinary theism. I sometimes describe it as non-theistic due to the widely accepted definition of what the word “theistic” means.  If you view theism as it is defined by Abrahamic religions or mainstream culture world-wide then Pantheism is “not” theistic, despite the term theism being a part of the word pantheism.

I believe pantheism fills-in the gap between those who believe in a god and those who don’t. It unifies those who see creation and those who don’t, those that rely on science and those who don’t.

We live in a world of duality, two very visible camps, those believing in a god (or multiple) the others denying anything resembling a god, those spiritual and the others denying spirituality exists. Pantheism does not engage in these petty wars, pantheism offers a middle ground, many theists and atheists alike find a home in pantheism. Pantheism attracts atheists who do not believe in the Abrahamic god, atheists that are spiritual, and spiritual people from all backgrounds.

As you read this article and others on this website you will begin to see the essence of what pantheism is and the logic behind it.  Pantheism does not waste time debating the common idea of a god as is defined in the mainstream (as defined by atheists and theists alike). Pantheism concerns itself in the oneness of things.

The Omniverse is synonymous to the whole itself, the one itself, here the Omniverse is the god itself. There is no Abrahamic personified god, no eternal being but the Omniverse  in its wholeness and oneness (that is the source end destination of all existing dualities). There is no separation of a divine being outside of this oneness that is itself all there is.

Further logical processing leads me to say that you and I are distinct parts of this Omniverse’s oneness, aware of ourselves, and very likely interconnected or interdependent. No genuine scientist could find fault in this paragraph, and shamans, animists, pagans and other spirituals also find this paragraph in agreement with their ideology.

You see, when using common theistic terms, Pantheism is atheistic because it does not acknowledge the existence of the Abrahamic god; it is also a sort of monotheism (that is beyond the traditional definition of theism). There is one Omniverse and it is all there is (similar to the one monotheistic Abrahamic god) yet this Omniverse is not the same as the theistic god of  the Abrahamic religions. In fact, many prefer not to use the word god to refer to the concept of the Omniverse (i.e. all there is, nature, universe, cosmos, oneness, eternal infinite thing).

If you have to use the word god you must remember it is not a person, also remember in Classical Pantheism god and the Omniverse are coextensive.

Pantheists refer to the Omniverse in any terms they prefer including including: divinity, infinity, goddess, cosmos, the oneness. Keeping in mind this Omniverse is not a human or a person but it is the Omniverse and all that is or ever will be in it, possibly incomprehensible to most.

I prefer to use words such as divine or oneness, but often people are more open to the use of the term god as long as I explain to them what the Pantheist means by the word god.

As you might have noticed, a key concept in Pantheism is the the Omniverse.

Another important aspect of pantheism is being ok with not knowing. Not knowing things is accepted in pantheism. We respect and use science and the scientific method as a tool to explore the Omniverse, but we acknowledge that one tool might not be able to do every job the universe has to offer. Until science is able to prove, measure or acknowledge certain things we cannot dismiss them as not to be in existence. In circumstances such as these, we use logic, rather than denial for the sake of denial (or for the sake of appearing to be logical skeptics).

A break down of specific concepts:

To define Classical Pantheism in specific points common with most people, I looked at terms and concepts other religions use to define themselves and used these concepts/points to define Classical Pantheism..  Naturally, the word “god” is used often, this is due to the fact that I am using existing terminology used by other religions to clarify how Classical Pantheism is different.

Here’s what this comparison looks like:

Idea	Classical Pantheism
God exists now?	yes (i.e. Omniverse)
God existed in the past?	yes (i.e. Omniverse)
God will exist in the future?	yes (i.e. Omniverse) – (this also begs the question “what is time?”)
God existed before the universe?	not applicable (n/a) – or the Omniverse itself is god and eternal as time is localized within universes
God created the universe?	yes, Omniverse contains any and every universe possible, thus it is in constant creation within. no, the Omniverse wasn’t created
A personal god?	Varies: no, it is not anthropomorphic yes, we are interconnected with it, can learn, interact with it, we are the consciousness of this Omniverse, divine soul in a body filled with spirit and experiences itself via the scenes, ego, and mind.
God was a “being” pre-universe existence?	Only the Omniverse itself is eternal, universes are born/created thus are not eternal.
God is a “being” now post-universe creation?	Cannot separate god from the Omniverse, the Omniverse is everything and everything is it
God will become/remain a being post-universe existence / after universe?	Cannot separate god from the Omniverse
god = universe?	yes , more accurately:  Omniverse = the idea of god
God transcends the world/ universe?	n/a or open to interpretation: the Omniverse is it, no transcendence or separation transcendence implies separation or anthropomorphism
God “in” our universe but is “separate from” it	no, and open to interpretation: the Omniverse is it all , no transcendence or separation also, divine soul/seed is within living things not transcending them
God is present in world	the Omniverse is it, all there is, everywhere, thus god is present everywhere in everything. open to interpretation, see row above.
God is active in the world / influences its affairs?	no, and open to interpretation: Omniverse doesnt influence our world and lives in the anthropomorphic sense. the Omniverse is it, all there is, everywhere, the omniverse creates. this begs the question do aliens, angels, spirits, ascended masters, christ, buddha, other energies, thought forms, physical or non-physican consciousness exist and can they influence our world?
God is conscious now?	varies: yes, the Omniverse is, through everything everywhere, yes, through conscious beings like human being. no, it facilitated the existence of individual consciousness but is not linked to them no, but it experiences consciousness through us
God was conscious before the universe existed?	n/a – the Omniverse is eternal not preceded by anything or a god, time exists within our universe thus any talk of past or future is not applicable when discussing the Omniverse
God was an entity pre-universe existence?	the Omniverse is it, eternal, cant talk of time .. also, is the word entity suitable to describe something like the Omniverse or god? likely not.
God is entity now post-universe creation?	it is the Omniverse itself, see row above.
God will become/remain entity post-universe existence / after universe?	Omniverse always existed and will, see row above.
God was sentient (able to have experiences) pre-universe existence?	varies: Omniverse always existed. no: it is not human-like or anthropomorphic yes: it is, no: it is sentient through conscious beings like humans
God is sentient (able to have experiences) now	varies: yes the Omniverse is sentient as itself as a “thing” everywhere experiencing its creation as a whole, yes, as parts through individuals’ consciousness
God will become/remain sentient after universe existence	n/a – always existed always will, time doesn’t apply.
God was person-like pre-universe	no – we may not comprehend the nature of Omniverse, it is not a person. A person is made a person via the mind, ego, personality, and possibly body and spirit.. through duality, through in-completeness , something as infinite and eternal and complete as an Omniverse cannot be described as “person”.
God is a person-like now	no – we may not comprehend the nature of Omniverse, it is not a person, see above row
God will be person-like post-universe existence	no – we may not comprehend the nature of Omniverse, it is not a person, see above row
God could be reached now	varies: yes, we are a part of the Omniverse and interconnected with it and interact with it physically and non-physically, reaching to nature and within ourselves we reach larger understandings of life, yes, we are the Omniverse looking inwards reveals our divinity
God created the universe and abandoned it?	n/a  – it is it (Omniverse did not abandon itself), cannot abandon what it is and what it encopases, esp when time and space are all contained within in.
How did the physical universe originate?	The physical universe is a part of the Omniverse – see Omniverse below
How did the Omniverse originate?	The Omniverse is eternal and infinite – was never created by a god, always existed. No need for a pre-Omniverse creator or an eternal creator to create the eternal Omniverse. Cannot have a begining if time doesnt exist. It is beyond physical it is beyond our 3D, 4D, 5D or 11D universe.
What is the universe?	a part of the infinite eternal non-dimensional or multi-dimensional all there is “thing” “one” or “Omniverse”. Possibility of multiple universes. Most people refer to the local known universe taught in undergrad classes
What is the Omniverse?	“god is the whole” Every possible thing that could, has, have or will exist in existence itself, physical, non-physical, energy, non-energy, wave, light, seen, unseen, known to humans or not, vibrational, thoughts, emotions, parallel, multiple dimensional universes. everything in existence. Learn more by reading the Omniverse page.
Emanationism?	yes
Creation?	yes (Constant creation), creating of local universes (with possibly local time, space and other “laws”)
Intelligent design?	varies: yes, the Omniverse has consciousness and works based on rules (laws), no it’s all random, yes eventually the duality spurts evolution and some order.
Pro science?	yes, science improves our understanding and life experience and a natural part of life itself, but we must however understand the limitations of science, there will always be mystery to study, as long as mystery exists science is not an answer-to-all, we cannot blindly ignore things we cant see/understand.
Compared to other isms	non Theistic (in the Abrahamic sense), non Atheistic, non Polytheistic (but may accept guiding powers, spirits, etc), non Panentheistic, is Spiritual, Mystical, related to neo-paganism and taoism, varies: allows for miracles and spirits and “supernatural” things
God runs the world?	Omniverse is it, everything is part of it, with our consciousness we interact and experience the Omniverse
Holy books from god’s person?	varies: yes, as people are able to connect with the “one” matter or inner divine and “know” or receive knowledge transcribed into books, no, as god is not a person, yes, all the human thought written represents human intellect and instinct which is part of human nature or the larger nature of this life or the Omniverse or these books are from other beings but not the Ominverse itself since it itself is not a being.
God judges people?	varies: no, Omniverse doesn’t judge, it flows through us and us through it, we interact, and we experience cause an effect, yes, the karma concept where a person reaps what they seed, yes in the form of human conscious that is in pain when at guilt. no, god is not a person to pass judgment..
Religious reverence of?	the Omniuniverse and everything in it (i.e. nature, other sentient beings) but, the word religion often indicates holy books being followed, hierarchy of religious leaders, etc.. classical pantheism is both a scientific and a spiritual philosophy, and for some a religion. legally it is a religion.
One god only?	yes, i.e. the Omniverse, all there is, we are part of it. Still allows for guides and so called masters, guiding beings etc..
Has a mystical component?	likely, but not for everyone .. mystical here mans anything science cannot verify and we agreed that science is only a tool that we use, thus the word mystic itself is biased in implying secrecy or un-normalcy..
Accepts miracles?	varies, define miracle first..
Spirit / Soul / life force exist?	varies, yes likely, to some unknown.
Consciousness	varies: people, animals, tree all living matter is conscious, only people are conscious, the Omniverse is conscious in all its parts and as a whole
Angels / Spirits / Guides may exist?	varies, unknown, but likely
Supernatural beings	“supernatural” is a matter of semantics, define supernatural first.. Supernatural implies un-natural but how can anything in the Natural Omniverse be un-natural?  perhaps only not understood by some religions or science but that does not make something above/beyond the natural.
Nature based?	yes 100%, Classical Pantheism is nature-based, elemental based, spiritual, inner-divine based, likely-mystical, understands duality and non-dualty .. define nature
God is active in us?	yes – we are part of it, our consciousness allows us to experience and interact with all there is, physical and non (imagination, emotions, thinking, planning, etc)
God has personality?	n/a, most likely Omniverse is not a person with human personality as we define human personality
All things interconnected interdependent	yes
Life pre/post this one?	varies per individual’s beliefs
God and universe identical	yes
Emotional connection towards nature	yes, most pantheists have a true emotional relationship/connection to the elements around them
Spiritual?	yes, define spiritual (everything in existence)

God owns nature or people	no, they are a part of the one Omniverse, no ownership of physical body or soul, each person is independent, unique incarnation/creation/part of the Omniverse
God is a ruler?	no, no one is
People worship god?	no, not in the Abrahamic sense. People live in and interact with, admire, walk with, learn from and live the Omniverse.
Original sin?	no, doesn’t exist
Sins	don’t exist as defined by Abrahamic religions.
Heaven / Hell	don’t exist in the Abrahamic sense, ones own mind/life/present moment could be ones hell, we can make heaven on Earth
Oneness ?	yes, the omniverse is one, every consciousness is an expression of the one unity, all matter is also essentially a different expression of the one.
A person retains their personality after death?	unknown, varies
People born evil?	no, people are born good or neutral

Read more:

• What does a Pantheist Mean by God?,
• The Pantheist God,
• The Pantheist Universe,
• What’s an Ominiverse?,
• FAQ: How is the Omniverse Similar to the Abrahamic God?,
• FAQ: But Who Created the Universe?,
• FAQ: Why is Pantheism not Theistic?,
• FAQ: What’s an Omniverse?,
• FAQ: Why do Pantheists Use the Term God to Refer to the Universe?

Updated 07/13/2011

Ethan Z.