Water at the Well - Universalism
Water at the Well - Interfaith Wisdom
- A Watering Down of Faiths or Watering them for Growth?
As I’ve said before on this blog, my spirituality is kind of a Universal Catholic and Creation Focused type of spirituality. While I relate most particularly to the Judeo-Christian stream of spirituality, I do strongly believe that we can gain from the wisdom of other traditions and thinking as well.
Some people react to this kind of approach, saying it will have the effect of “watering down” specific cultural/religious streams – i.e. Christianity. I disagree with that though. I think it is possible to honor the best wisdom, practices and spiritual expressions of a specific stream AND grow even more.
In fact, at its outset – Christianity was all about radical inclusiveness, incorporating wisdom from many sources - Paganism, Judaism, Near Asian and even Secular Philosophies ... and more.
Even if we just look at the stories we have in the canon, we see the importance of inclusiveness highlighted. We read of Jesus spending time at a well interacting with a gentile woman of Samaria (a geographical region noted for its religious differences in comparison with Judea). Many from Jesus' tradition would have avoided the woman … HOWEVER, that was not the behaviour of Jesus himself. The true “way” of Christ involved and still involves listening, relating and brave inclusion.
Monastary Well - Montréal, Québec
This beautiful well is located at the centre of the "Monastary Garden" at the Montréal Botanical Gardens. A nearby plaque notes that the central location of the well, in line with historical gardens on which it is based, is symbolic of the scriptural importance of well imagery. The connection between the water and the health of the garden, and the life birthing symbolism of the waters of baptism were also important in terms of the focal placement of the well.
Now, I’m not saying that I would ever make the audacious request that any particular church or denomination adopt this more Universal Catholic view. Institutions will do what they think they need to do. When I do see this kind of more broad approach, however, I am impressed and view it as wise.
Congratulations to those who can bring on the waters from the well. Instead of seeing any dilution - we just might see some growth.
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Indira: As you know, it is with an ATTITUDE OF A DIALOGUE, NOT OF DEBATE--A ZERO SUM GAME--that I write about unitheism in the Pathways Forum. Keep in mind that it is not identical with monotheism, or theism.
Monotheism is the belief in the existence of one God who is spoken of as if he is a human-like, personal and masculine being. It is my opinion that it is this concept of God which is the main cause of so much atheism. If theism was the only option atheism would be very tempting to me.
ABOUT UNITHEISM
For some time, now, I have thought of myself as a unitheist--a word I could not find in any of the dictionaries when I first started to using it. Later, in 1997--when at 67, I first went on line--I first became aware of http://www.unitheism.org It excited me to know that others were on a similar path to mine.
Then I remembered a young and brilliant assistant minister I had in the early 1970's. He introduced me to process philosophy and theology--the work of Alfred North Whitehead, who was also a mathematician and did much of the work, in cooperation with Bertrand Russell, on PRINCIPIA MATHEMATICA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_North_Whitehead (1861-1947) An essay on his work: http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2365
It was in a TV interview, in the 1980's I first heard the word 'panentheism'--God in and through the one and all that is. It was used by the theologian, the Rev. Matthew Fox, and I think he made reference to ANW's work. It was because I felt that there was the danger that panentheism could be confused with pantheism that I started to use unitheism
Because, for decades I was a theist, or a monotheist, I have a great deal of respect for theism. In my mind, it will always be revered as the ancestor of modern theological thinking. However, since I was a youth I have always been sceptical of all doctrinaire theologies and religions. I have the feeling that panentheism/unitheism, because it is linked to philosophy and science and accepts that we live in a dynamic and expanding oneness (universe) will not have this problem.
Thanks so much Lindsay.Panentheistic/unitheistic thinking has appeal for me as well. I have heard the former referred to as an alternate type of theism as well - albeit different to Zeus-in-the-Sky "classical theism".
I think it is best not to try and argue against "theism" per say, because there are so many different notions about it. Many people view non-theism and atheism as much the same thing.
I think to promote "ground of our being" imagery it is best to resist calling it "non-theistic". Just describe it poetically as it is.
I think once some people begin to view themselves as "non"-theists ... it's a quick blurry slide to atheism. And that is just due to semantics. (Some of the non-theistic prayers I see are actually atheistic or humanist meditations. I don't think the writers always even quite realize that.)
It is so much better to say what we are, than to say what we aren't. The unitheistic/panentheistic viewpoint isn't well articulated in our liturgy - as it should be.
We do need a positive message. A positive presentation of contemporary theological thinking (and thinking that comes from our past which links into it - i.e. Hildegard of Bingen) that isn't just about saying what we aren't.
I think people today who are interested in spiritual/religious groups at all are really needing a positive message.
What do you think? Should we resist using and debating around the words "non-theistic" and "theistic" ... just use words like unitheistic or spiritual instead?
More importantly should we just work at developing and bringing forward prayers etc. that are truly unitheistic/panentheistic, or inclusive of all the "isms" in their imagery?
It seems to me that that is all more "universalistic" anyway (to tie back in with the blog theme).
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