What is responsible for all that exists?
Exploring your spiritual paradigm (Part 1)
“The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.” — Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Note: If you haven’t already, you may find it helpful to read my previous post, “Your Spiritual Paradigm” before continuing with this one.
This first probe in our paradigm exploration is a question of cosmology, which explores what is ultimately real about the universe – its origins, structure, and development. The query is significant in that it urges us to ponder the overarching context for life in all its forms, including our own. It prompts us to consider whether a higher force, essence, or power is at its core and what the nature of that might be.
A PBS article on the topic states that although biblical and scientific accounts don’t fully align in their conclusions as to how our universe began, there appear to be a few parallels. A major one, for instance, is that both positions suggest that the cosmos came into existence from nothing some finite number of years ago. Science would label this as the Big Bang, from which the cosmos slowly evolved. Some religious leaders would say this affirms a sacred creation story.
The article states that science neither proves nor disproves the existence of a universal Creator and that its evidence can be read either way. Certain contemporary scientists, for example, argue that the origin of the universe happened through natural processes, thereby concluding the absence of a supernatural Creator of some kind.
Others offer opposing views, such as physicist, Paul Davies. Scientists of like mind to Davies counter that the beauty and order of our universe’s physical laws logically imply a type of intelligent force behind it all. Since I am often awe struck by that beauty and order, I can understand why they take this position (see images from NASA here).
The late, great physicist, Stephen Hawking, suggested that if our current cosmological theories were true, then a “God” would prove unnecessary and simply be synonymous with the laws of physics. Although he and Davies differed in certain views, they both associated “God” with an eventual “theory of everything”, a theory that physicists hope will someday unify Einstein’s general relativity with quantum mechanics.
Reflect: Do you have strong beliefs, hopes, imaginings, or theories related to cosmology and what it might or might not suggest about a Creator -- a Source for all that is?
Perspectives from the “Nones”
In relation to this post’s central question, the most recent Pew Center data gives us some relevant information about the perceptions of “nones” -- respondents in the Pew Center survey who described themselves as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular” when asked about their religious affiliation.
Do most believe in God or a higher power?
· 70% of “nones” indicated a belief in God.
· 13% said they believed in God “as described in the Bible”.
· 56% said they don’t believe in God as described in the Bible but do believe in some other higher power.
· 63% expressed belief in spiritual forces beyond the natural world, even if we can’t see them.
· Most agnostics and those who described their religion as “nothing in particular” said there is something spiritual beyond the natural world.
What about those who don’t believe in God or a higher power?
· Roughly 19% of religious “nones” were firm nonbelievers in God or any higher power, and they didn’t believe there was anything beyond the natural world.
· 35% expressed the materialist perspective, saying the natural world is all there is.
· Most atheists said the natural world is all that exists.
Were there gender variations?
· Men outnumbered women in saying they didn’t believe in God or any higher power. (36% vs. 21%).
· Women were more likely to say they believed in a higher power other than God as described in the Bible (63% vs. 51%).
· Women were more likely than men to say there is something spiritual beyond the natural world (72% vs. 56%).
Were there differences by age?
· Little difference was found across age groups as it related to a belief in God or any higher power.
· The youngest survey respondents more often expressed belief in a higher power other than God as described in the Bible.
· The oldest were more likely to believe in the biblical God.
What about differences by race?
· 90% of Black “nones” and 81% of Hispanics believed in some higher power.
· Black “nones” were more likely than Hispanics to say they believed in God as described in the Bible (34% vs. 19%).
· 64% of both White and Asian “nones” believed in a higher power.
· Large majorities of Black and Hispanic “nones” believed there is something spiritual beyond the natural world, even if we can’t see it.
· Fewer White and Asian “nones” believed this.
Did education levels matter?
· 60% of college graduates who were “nones” said they believed in a higher power.
· People with lower levels of formal education more frequently expressed belief in a higher power.
· College graduates were evenly divided between those who thought there is something spiritual beyond the natural world (50%) and those who think the natural world is all there is (49%).
· A majority of “nones” with less than a college education say there is something spiritual beyond the natural world, even if we can’t see it.
Reflect: How closely do you personally align with what the Pew Center data revealed?
What’s in a Word?
Sometimes the sheer volume of vocabulary linked to religions and spirituality is overwhelming, so I want to share a short, basic list of terms that relate to this first step of our paradigm exploration.
The first several items on the list are based on information from a beliefnet.com article titled, “Ten Essential ‘-Isms’” (Part One and Part Two).
If you are new to some of these terms, or how they relate to specific religious or spiritual communities, I encourage you to read the article in its entirety. As you read through the list, consider which “-isms” resonate with your genuine beliefs, hopes, imaginings, or theories about the nature of what may be at the root of all that is.
Think also about religious or spiritual communities with which you are now, or were, associated. What are their positions about this, and do they align with yours?
Agnosticism comes from gnosis, a Greek term meaning “knowledge”. The prefix a- suggests an opposite; in this case, “without knowledge” (of a God or gods). Technically, the term implies that definite knowledge regarding God is not possible. More commonly, agnostics use the term to indicate their suspension of judgement one way or another, a position that lies somewhere between theism and atheism.
Atheism also uses the prefix “a-”, which suggests the opposite of theism, a belief in God or gods. Not surprisingly, many atheists maintain that atheism signifies an absence of such a belief. Certain religious traditions, however (such as Buddhism or Jainism), are considered “atheistic” because the existence of God is not recognized.
Deism comes from the Latin, deus, which means “God” (terms such as “deity”, “divinity”, and “divine are related). This view holds that God created the universe but then let it unfold unencumbered. Deists do not believe that God interferes with natural law or human history and reject certain foundational beliefs of evangelical Christianity.
Henotheism refers to the practice of worshipping a particular god, while recognizing the existence and validity of other gods. It is not synonymous with monotheism (see below). Hindus, for example, may choose with equal legitimacy to devote themselves to a specific deity (e.g. Vishnu, Shiva).
Monism is actually a philosophical view that all of reality consists solely of a single, undivided Unity. This is in contrast to the commonly held view that reality contains a vast number of separate and distinct entities. Monism, instead, suggests that the universe fundamentally consists of only One Thing. Religious versions of monism would hold that this all-encompassing Singularity is divine and identified as God or as a non-personal non-monotheistic equivalent.
Monotheism uses the Greek prefix mono-, meaning “one”. It is the belief in a single God to the exclusion of all other gods. Religions that are monotheistic believe in only one Supreme Being. Most regard this single Deity as the Creator of all things. They also commonly characterize it as somehow “personal” (having intelligence, a “will”, etc.).
Pantheism uses the prefix pan-, which is Greek for “all”. It refers to the belief that God is everything, and everything is God, thus making God and the universe identical. This contrasts with traditional monotheistic views in which God is both personal and wholly distinct from creation. In pantheism, everything is divine, because everything is within God.
Panentheism is an expanded view of pantheism. It differs from pantheism in its claim that God contains the universe within itself, but also extends beyond it. The cosmos, therefore, does not constrain it. God saturates everything the universe holds, while also transcending it.
Polytheism uses the prefix poly-, which is Greek for “many” or “multiple”. It means the belief in more than one god. Often the gods of a polytheistic religion are arranged in a sort of pantheon.
Theism comes from theos, which is Greek for “God” or “a god”. If you are a theist, you hold a belief in God or gods.
Here are a few more additions to the list (Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
Animism is a doctrine that the vital principle of organic development is immaterial spirit.
Humanism is a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values. This philosophy usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason.
Materialism is a theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being, processes, and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter.
A Tool You Might Consider
In the above section, I mentioned the web site, beliefnet.com. Beliefnet* has a useful tool, a 20-question quiz, that I’ve occasionally used with individuals who want to explore their spiritual paradigm.
The quiz is called the Belief-o-Matic (don’t let the name deter you!), and it takes a brief time to complete. Your results will name at least one religion that most closely aligns with your responses.
*FYI: In recent years, Beliefnet rebranded itself, moving from an interfaith/independent focus to a Christian one.
Some Final Thoughts
When I reflect on the myriad ways that people perceive God or a higher force (or the lack thereof), a familiar story comes to mind. In one of his several books, author Edward Bastian references the tale in his discussion of the common spiritual question: “What is reality?”.
“…The Buddha recounted an ancient parable of six blind men touching an elephant. The man who touched the head said it was a giant pot. The man who touched the tusk said it was the blade of a plow. The man who touched the trunk said it was a plow shaft. The man who touched the ear said it was a winnowing basket. The man who touched the leg said it was a pillar. The man who touched the tail said it was a brush. Similarly, each of us views the same objects from the perspective of our cultural conditioning, our life experience, our personal aesthetics, and our intellectual capacity.”
As we contemplate the first question in our paradigm exploration, a multitude of perspectives and possibilities of “how reality is” will emerge. Yet none of us will have a definitive answer, even if our assumptions stem from the doctrines of a religious tradition.
Regardless, I implore you to stay curious anyway.
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day.”