Self-Selected Apologetics Argument Introduction and Conclusion – Final Stage Assignment Smith

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Feb 20, 2024

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Introduction It is expected to hear people "praying to the universe" or "becoming one with the universe." These concepts stem from Pantheism, a religious belief that the natural world and the cosmos are the same as God. However, the critical concepts of Pantheism raise more questions than provide answers. Christianity also brings up many questions. In contrast, Christianity provides more spiritual answers than doubtful questions. Christianity provides a more coherent and satisfying worldview than Pantheism because it affirms God's personal and relational nature, the objective reality and moral value of creation, and the historical and salvific significance of Jesus Christ. Aspects of Pantheism Pantheism is a spiritual doctrine that upholds that God, and the powers and principles of the cosmos are equivalent or the same. This belief purports that there is no God but rather an all- encompassing entity of all energies within the universe. Pantheism also accepts the reverence of all deities of all faiths. Pantheism does not worship an ethereal, supernatural deity. Pantheism's fundamental doctrine is that the conception of the universe itself is God. Pantheists believe that the universe, the world, and nature are God, so they should be revered. They uphold that there is a transcendent greatness within the Earth and that it should be worshipped. Through this belief, Pantheists are often supporters of environmental conservation. They feel that loving the environment will lead to an environmentally conscious lifestyle, causing people to cherish and want to protect the Earth.

Pantheism does not believe in the personhood of God. Pantheists believe that being a person involves experiencing life and having the characteristics of life. One main characteristic of life is mortality. Through this, Pantheists believe that interminable beings cannot be considered persons. Being an immortal being, God is tolerated by pantheists but not revered. Because Pantheism focuses on the universe and nature, followers believe that scientific research can be seen as a method of understanding God. As aforementioned, Pantheism's core belief is that God is the universe and nature. So, through scientific study, people can learn more about the universe, nature, how everything came into being, and how everything operates. Naturalistic Pantheism is a section that believes the unconscious and unintelligent universe operates as a distinct, interconnected, and completely instinctive essence. Many famous scientists were considered pantheists, including Albert Einstein, who likened scientific research to a religious experience. Pantheism does not believe in a singular deity. However, Pantheism is tolerant of all religions, believing that all pathways to God will somehow lead to a greater understanding of God. The belief makes every attempt to reconcile all religions. The general viewpoint of Pantheism's toleration of other religions is to glean what is suitable and pertinent to each individual. It is through this method that Pantheism seeks to focus on the parallels in all religions. Analysis of the Aspects of Pantheism Pantheism may be considered an exciting religion to the university student. However, for the Christian scholar, the study of Pantheism raises more questions than it answers. An in-depth study of the belief brings up some problematic fallacies to overlook.

The first concern with Pantheism is the belief that the universe and nature are, in fact, God. The focal point of the concern is the correlation between the creator and the created. Pantheism does not explain much how the creation can be the same as the creation. Many scientists and theorists, like Stephen Hawking, believe the universe created itself. However, Hawking and other pantheists need to do more to explain the belief logically. Connected with the concern of God being the same as the universe is that God is in equal standing with the universe and nature. This concern is dealing with the concept of authority. Pantheism appears to have a different governing spiritual authority. Nature and the universe are revered; however, nature and the universe cannot operate in spiritual or mental authority over humanity. Another concern is the pantheist's refute of God being a person. This belief stems from the argument of the characteristic of mortality versus immortality. However, mortality is not the only characteristic of personhood. Ironically, Star Trek: The Next Generation, a science-fiction show, gives a valid list of conditions of personhood: Intelligence, Self-awareness, and Consciousness. Mortality is not mentioned or attributed to being a person. It can be inferred, even scientifically, that a being is distinct from a human being. Scientific research is an excellent way of understanding things in the natural world. However, like science, it needs to explain the supernatural aspects of existence. Science can propose and even offer evidence pointing to the Big Bang Theory. However, any student who has attended a middle school science class knows the vast difference between a theory and a fact. Science answers many of life's questions. Scientific exploration, however, for centuries has yet to thoroughly explain ethereal events, occurrences, and even the spiritual aspects of humanity.

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