World Religions - Theology - God - Pantheism - Morality

[haselhurst]

Theology: Metaphysics of Space, WSM, God & the true meaning of Religion

God is not separate from the world; He is the soul of the world, and each of us contains a part of the Divine Fire. All things are parts of one single system, which is called Nature; the individual life is good when it is in harmony with Nature. In one sense, every life is in harmony with Nature, since it is such as Nature’s laws have caused it to be; but in another sense a human life is only in harmony with Nature when the individual will is directed to ends which are among those of Nature. Virtue consists in a will which is in agreement with Nature. (Zeno, founder of Stoicism, 333-262 B.C.)

There are many questions in philosophy to which no satisfactory answer has yet to be given. But the question of the nature of the gods is the darkest and most difficult of all. Yet an answer to this question could shed the clearest light upon the nature of our own minds and also give us the essential guidance which we need in our religion. (Cicero, On the Nature of the Gods, 106 - 43 B.C.)


True religion is that relationship, in accordance with reason and knowledge, which man establishes with the infinite world around him, and which binds his life to that infinity and guides his actions. ... From this relationship follows man's purpose, which lies in increasing his spiritual qualities, and man's purpose leads to the practical rules of the law: do to others as you would have them do unto you. (Leo Tolstoy)



Truth alone is eternal, everything else is momentary. It is more correct to say that Truth is God, than to say that God is Truth. ... All life comes from the one universal source, call it Allah, God or Parmeshwara. (Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi, 1869-1948)

Introduction to Metaphysics of Space and Religion

If we are to discuss God and Religion, it is obvious that we must clearly define the meaning of these words. In Philosophy God is generally referred to as the One thing that exists, infinite and eternal, that causes and connects the many things. Likewise, Religion, from Latin 'religare' meaning 'to bind', describes our connection to God as the One thing which exists. From this foundation we then see the clear connection between the sciences of philosophy, physics, metaphysics, and theology, as they are all founded on this Reality of One thing existing.
The Metaphysics of Space and the Wave Structure of Matter therefore applies to religion through describing what exists, such that we can correctly understand ourselves, and our connection to the universe / God.

For many years my partner Geoffrey and I were both Atheist Evolutionists. Only after much study of Philosophy, Physics, Metaphysics and Theology (particularly Tolstoy) did we realise that it is illogical to be an Atheist as Religion simply means our Connection to the Universe (What Exists and Causes all things, i.e. God). We agree with Tolstoy that our connection to the Infinite must be founded on Reason and Knowledge (not faith, intuition). As Cicero and Francis Bacon wrote;

.. as a philosopher, I have a right to ask for a rational explanation of religious faith. (Cicero)

A little philosophy inclineth men's minds to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds to religion. (Francis Bacon)

Below are some quotes from Leo Tolstoy, 'My Confessions and Other Religious Writings' (1879) which was a very enlightening book for us.

The essence of any religion lies solely in the answer to the question: why do I exist, and what is my relationship to the infinite universe that surrounds me?
It is impossible for there to be a person with no religion (i.e. without any kind of relationship to the world) as it is for there to be a person without a heart. He may not know that he has a religion, just as a person may not know that he has a heart, but it is no more possible for a person to exist without a religion than without a heart.
True religion is that relationship, in accordance with reason and knowledge, which man establishes with the infinite world around him, and which binds his life to that infinity and guides his actions. The principles of this true religion are so appropriate to man that as soon as people discover them they accept them as something they have known for a long time and which stand to reason. The principles are very simple, comprehensible and uncomplicated. They are as follows:
that there is a God who is the origin of everything;
that there is an element of this divine origin in every person, which he can diminish or increase through his way of living;
that in order for someone to increase this source he must suppress his passions and increase the love within himself;
that the practical means of achieving this consist in doing to others as you would wish to do to you.
All these principles are common to Brahmanism, Hebraism, Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity and Mohammedanism.
(If Buddhism does not provide a definition of God, it nevertheless recognises that with which man unites and merges as he reaches Nirvana. And that something is the same origin which the other religions recognise as God.) (Leo Tolstoy, 1879)

Reason is the power man possesses to define his relationship to the universe. Since the relationship is the same for everyone, thus religion unites men.
Union among men gives them the highest attainable well-being, on both the physical and the spiritual level.
Humanity can only be saved from disaster when it frees itself from the hypnotic influence the priests hold over it, and from that into which the learned are leading it. In order to pour something into a full vessel one must first empty it of its contents. Likewise, it is essential to free people from the deception they are held in, in order for them to adopt the true religion: a relationship with God, the source of all things, which is correct and in accord with the development of humanity, together with the guidance for conduct that results from this relationship.
Religion is the definition of mans relationship to the origin of everything, and of the purpose acquired as a result of this relationship, and of the rules of conduct that follow from this purpose.
And the religion common to all, the basic principles of which are alike in all practices, fully satisfies these demands. It defines mans relationship to God as of a part to a whole. From this relationship follows mans purpose, which lies in increasing his spiritual qualities, and mans purpose leads to the practical rules of the law: do to others as you would have them do unto you. (Leo Tolstoy, 1879)

There are so many interesting ideas to discuss here. This is only a very brief introduction and I would like to write more on morality and pantheism in the future. For more info see:
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Theology-World-Religions.htm
Love to hear from you. Hope I haven't offended anyone's religious beliefs.

Respect,
Karene

http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Religions-Leo-Tolstoy-True-Religion.htm
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Theology-Pantheism-Spinoza.htm
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Religions-Atheist-Atheism-Agnostic.htm