Posted by Matt Berry on June 16, 1998 at 16:38:44:
In Reply to: Scientific Pantheism posted by Carlos on June 16, 1998 at 11:07:47:
There is no supernatural aspect to scientific pantheism, right? The universe as a totality and our wonder and awe at its existence, and the thrill of discovery = the Pantheist religious experience. At least that's how I understand it.
Essentially the religion stresses the importance of reality and the laws of nature and not some supernatural "beyond." There is no Creator, except it be the "big bang" or something of that sort.
Deism is similar but suggests a Creator which exists but which doesn't interfere. If I'm not mistaken it also holds that certain truths are innate and must be discovered through rational means.
I would like to add Atheistic Mysticism to this class of religions which emphasize natural reality. (enlightenment = recognition of "undifferentiated reality")
As far as agnosticism is concerned, I'd like to add my two bits. Agnosticism is the only truly defensible argument, of course, ... but it does not seem as practical, or as beneficial as any of the other "Reality" Gods of pantheism or deism. Agnosticism is more of a stopping place for discussion ... whereas S. Pantheism and Deism add poetic expression to our scientific discoveries.
: Hinge said:
: I don't know if I am a Deist or Agnostic - assuming there is a difference.
: Can any of you explain the difference?
: There is another category of "belief" that I identify best with, known as Scientific Pantheism. It is Deism in the sense that it posits "belief" in a "god", but it is the god of nature, not a god in the usual sense of the word.
: See this web site for more.