Organized Pantheism?

[Aloha]

How would you feel about organized Pantheism? I am not only talking about the World Pantheist Movement or other organizations that already exist. But what if a new organization were to emerge? What would you want it to be like? Would you join? I know for some, the attraction to Pantheism is because it's not organized.

What are your thoughts?

[Heart of All]

I don't really think pantheism could be organized. Because in so many ways it's just a manner of comprehending the divine. Being a pantheist doesn't suggest any particular holy days, ritual practices, morals, none of those sorts of things organized religions have. Only a belief in the divine power of All That Is.

On the other hand, there very easily could be an organized religion that is pantheist. It would have its own beliefs and moral values and rituals, but have a pantheist understanding of god. But these religions already exist. Classical pantheism has been around for centuries, and, in fact, many Christian groups are pantheists. But I can sort of see an organized religion developing around scientific pantheism. I don't think it would work much, though. As far as I can tell, most scientific pantheists dislike organized religion because the orthodoxy detracts from finding a true understanding of the universe.

Personally, I wouldn't like it. I quite like forging my own path and celebrating holy days that make sense to me, not some group of people in charge of my religion. Plus if it was organized, they probably wouldn't allow me my polytheistic tendencies, and then I would be sad.

[TygerTyger]

I agree with everything HeartofMoon said.

I am wary of orgaized religions as they always become power bases for a minority to dictate and exercise power. I like pantheism because I am responsible, in a spiritual sense, only to myself. I feel no need for ceremony not observance of particular rituals, although I accept other people do.

For me admiring a sunrise or a sunset or any natural expression of beauty, which includes other people, is akin to making contact with the devine.

I really do not see how such an organisation could help experience life any better than I already do without imposing certain restrictions that would rob me of the freedom to believe that I already have.

[Anubisa]

I don't know about organized religions. I mean I agree with everyone else. I think that Pantheism really isn't meant to be organized. Not in my view at least.

[Windsmith]

I think the best we could do would be disorganized Pantheism. Ask 5 Pantheists for their views on religion, and you'd get 7 answers - including the view that Pantheism isn't a religion at all!

I would love a group of spiritual Pantheists in my area who could get together from time to time for discussion, meditation, and possibly ritual. Not an organized religion, per se, but a group of likeminded individuals who could share their like-mindedness from time to time.

[cheddarsox]

I think the best we could do would be disorganized Pantheism. Ask 5 Pantheists for their views on religion, and you'd get 7 answers - including the view that Pantheism isn't a religion at all!

I would love a group of spiritual Pantheists in my area who could get together from time to time for discussion, meditation, and possibly ritual. Not an organized religion, per se, but a group of likeminded individuals who could share their like-mindedness from time to time.


Yes, I think this would be nice (and it has been the times I've had such a group). It is cool to get together sometimes.

the way we did it was that someone would say "I'm having a ritual/celebration/meditation on this day, about this thing" and whomever was interested showed up. It was a group of friends getting together for a common interest.

When people did it at their own homes, it stayed cool. Because it was as if they were throwing a party, and so they did things their way and no problem. When we tried meeting at a UUchurch...then all of a sudden we had to start worrying about all sorts of stuff, being inclusive of all paths, and if someone might possibly take something the wrong way and on and on, because all of a sudden we were "organized".

When it was just people doing their thing and sharing it with others, I don't recall anyone complaining about details, etc. As soon as it became a defined group, everything became hypersensitive.

I think it's cool to have pantheist organizations, but based on my experience, I don't think I'd like it organized into a religion.

cheddar

[RavenStars]

The idea of loose ritual has its appeal, but I feel I should have a... state... that I could better deal with even the most inclusive group. I'm solitary by nature and circumstance. But it would be interesting to get new ideas and approaches to patheistic ritual, something we really don't talk about here. The nuts and bolts. At the moment I'm groping in the dark. Being pagan to me is about ritual, deep personal ritual, without intercession, but my fears and intellect crave structure. Poledra's thread on mythology is great, it's an idea I hadn't considered. I don't know if this makes sense, I know that I don't alot of the time.

[password]

I tend to think that organized pantheism is something that cannot truly exist. Part of what I like about pantheism is that it fits me, but I can customize it a bit.

Though, what I would like about organized pantheism is being able to share the faith of it with people... though, I suppose that's why I came here ;).

I do not believe that organized pantheism would be a bad thing, I'm just not entirely sure that it would work.

[Windsmith]

Though, what I would like about organized pantheism is being able to share the faith of it with people... though, I suppose that's why I came here ;).:wave: Welcome to MW!

[Amethyst Rose]

I would love to get together with other pantheists as a social group, but not as a religious organization. I'm one of those who thinks that pantheism isn't a religion, though, to me it's a spiritual belief. :)

[Xentor]

My wife and me are planning on building a church, holding monthly services, and starting a school. So yeah, organised and pantheist.

[password]

Thank you :bigredgri