PROLOGUE
For every conception, perception and religious theism formulated in the thoughts of man, there is the underlying consideration of what is known as pantheism. This is thedoctrine that portrays God as the transcendent reality, in which the material universe and living beings are only manifestations.
African and Native American religions view a naturalistic approach to spiritualism, revering the universe and its nature just as they are. This promotes a respect for all human, animal and growing things, and for lifestyles that sustain rather than destroy the environment. There are elements of pantheism in some forms of Christianity and Hinduism as well, in presupposition that the Universe is the totality of everything identical with divinity, or that everything composes an immanent God.
A traditional Japanese religion Shinto, formulates the belief in which the spirits of nature or kami, exist everywhere. Because humans are considered a part of nature, rather than superior to, or separate from, Shinto believers have a moral imperative to treat everything environmental with respect.
The Jewish Kabbalah establishes oneness with God and creation. A passage from scripture reads: “Do not say this is a stone and not God. All existence is God, and the stone is a thing pervaded by divinity.”
Early Christian theorist Meister Eckhart wrote: “God is infinite in his simplicity and simple in his infinity. Therefore, He is everywhere and in everything, and is complete in the innermost part of each and every thing.” Albert Einstein stated: “The individual feels the sublimity and marvelous order which reveal themselves both in nature and in the world of thought, therefore experiences the universe as a single significant whole.”
Native American traditions are based on the idea that the universe and all-natural objects within have a spirit or life essence. The mountains, rivers, deserts and forests are believed to possess their own unique force. This also includes the phenomenal spirits of storms, volcanoes, earthquakes, and wildfires.
Now consider the possibility that these inherent objects, events and occurrences are not random acts of nature…that they are the indwelling spirits of the Earth portraying their fury at injustices imposed upon them. What if the only way to save their continuance would be by eliminating the things that are destroying it? Have you ever wondered about the eradication of the dinosaurs, the monsters who crushed the earth beneath their massive forms, tore down and consumed vast amounts of vegetation and destroyed natural forests? Was their extinction a natural occurrence, or was it an extrication performed by the inanimate inhabitants of the Earth?
Think about how humans have polluted the environment, set off devastating bombs, destroyed forests, lakes, mountains, and drilled deep into the core to mine minerals, gems and extract oil. Wouldn’t the inanimate spirits that dwell within consider humans no more than destructive insects? If so, we might be next targeted by the Earth to be exterminated!
Native American proverb:
A man said to the universe:
“Sir, I exist!”
“However,” replied the universe,
“The fact has not created in me…
a sense of obligation.”
--Stephen Crane, War Is Kind and Other Poems
“Man has lost the capacity to foresee and foretell. He will end by destroying the Earth.”
---Albert Schweitzer, German theorist
“Look deep into nature and you will understand.”
---Albert Einstein
