World religions: what is pantheism?

Pantheism gets its name from two Greek words: "pan," meaning "everything," and "theos," meaning "god." So pantheism is literally the belief that everything is god, or that god is in everything and a part of all that makes up the material world.

Pantheism has probably been around in some form since ancient Greek times, but didn't get its name until the 1700s. Modern pantheism is gathering a lot of interest these days, mostly because there are a lot of Internet sites where people interested in the tenets of pantheism meet to chat and exchange ideas.

Today's pantheists derive a deep sense of peace and spiritual satisfaction from nature. Pantheists profess a reverence for the universe, from which they find spiritual inspiration. Its central belief is that the universe and nature are to be revered, and that nature should be treated with the deepest respect. Because of pantheism's emphasis on the spiritual aspects of nature, it's not surprising that many of today's pantheists have connections to environmental and ecological movements.

Unlike the world's great monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, pantheism is not based on the idea that there is a personal God who judges human beings or rewards people according to their beliefs and actions. Since pantheists believe God is a part of everything in the natural world, they also believe that human beings themselves have an element of the divine in them.

Pantheists do not believe that human beings have a soul that lives on after death, and in pantheism there is no heaven or hell. Instead, they believe that physical death is simply the completion of the cycle of life, a return to nature, and an end to consciousness.

Pantheists really don't worship or pray in a traditional way. They don't pray because in pantheism, there's no personal God to whom one could pray. Pantheists believe human beings are in constant communion with the divine through nature, so there is no need for prayer or formal worship. Worship to a pantheist can be as simple as a solitary walk through the woods, or a quiet time of reflection and meditation by the ocean.

Pantheism could accurately be called more of a philosophy than an organized religion. In fact, pantheists vigorously reject the idea of organized religion in the traditional sense. Pantheists say that the lack of a formal pantheistic creed, along with no ministers or priests, liberates the religion from the need for any kind of intermediary between God and man. Anyone can practice pantheism, its adherents say, through direct connection to the universe and nature.

At the same time, some pantheists are trying to organize into a more cohesive group with a defined set of beliefs, and they're doing it primarily over the Internet. The World Pantheist Movement, for example, claims some 2,000 members in 56 countries. They say there are practical reasons for organizing as a religion. One reason is that religions enjoy tax-exempt status in the United States, and philosophical groups do not. Another is that by organizing into a formal group with a basic set of published beliefs, pantheists can begin to join together for fellowship with like-minded believers. And as a religion, they can also create a network of pantheist "ministers" who could legally officiate at ceremonies like weddings and funerals.

The word "pantheism" may be new to some people, but most likely they're familiar with its philosophy, because pantheism has been showing up in the popular culture on a regular basis in the past few years. The Disney movie "Pocahontas" is a great example. It's filled with pantheistic views, showing Native American characters who express a oneness with nature and a reverence for the natural environment.

Part of pantheism's appeal may lie in its benign nature. Pantheism requires little of its followers, except to respect nature and all living things. There is no specific doctrine one must follow, no set ceremonies or services to attend, and there is plenty of room under the banner of pantheism for a wide range of individual philosophies and beliefs.