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Theism: One of the most serious errors promoted by Christian fundamentalism is the concept of theism. Theism assumes that God is a distinct (and probably male) entity who intervenes in human and world events in magical, supernatural ways. “Supernatural” generally meaning not scientifically explainable; able to control and change the laws of nature as we understand and experience them. It is assumed that if we worship God, live as he wishes, he will be satisfied and reward us with safety, health, happiness, and prosperity. If we sin (do not live as he wishes) he will judge us and at a time of his choosing punish us with personal failures, illness, or tragedy or even commit us to eternal suffering.
Theism is a concept underlying many religions prior to and during the 1st century and continuing to this day (e.g. Christian fundamentalism). Recall the Greek and Roman pantheons and how they interacted with humans? Those were forms of theism. Theism easily includes miracles such as virgin births and bodily resurrections and ascensions. In addition, primitive cultures from the beginning of time have been willing to kill their enemies, each other, or virgins, or animals, all to appease their “gods” in hopes of continuing in or returning to times of prosperity or tribal power. That’s theism.
The basic problem is that there is nothing in our collective experiences that supports theism. Because of our current level of scientific knowledge, we understand the mechanisms underlying most natural disasters and many diseases and what we can and cannot do to avoid being affected by them. Ancient civilizations had no concept of tectonic plates, meteors, or microbes so they blamed "the gods" for events that affected them, both good and bad. Theistic thinking is reflected in folk tales, oral and written traditions, and in the minds of those who do not want to take responsibility for how they react to life’s events.
Theists believe that righteousness requires complete devotion to a specific, "orthodox" doctrine that is independent of rational thought. There are requirements for performing sacred rituals or acts, and surrendering to traditional church teachings and instructions for fear of retribution by God.
Theism tends to involve the actual worship of people and things. The virgin birth tradition, the Bible, the cross, Jesus, and Mary are worshipped as one would an idol. I, too, believe all of these Christian ideas, objects, and historical figures provide humanity with a solid and rich spiritual foundation, but all of that is lost when the Biblical text is literalized by theism.
Theists must find ways of thinking that make irrational religious dogma seem plausible. It is possible to do that. It involves reasoning that is complex and counter-intuitive, but, given time, repetition, and religious isolation, it is possible. However, such techniques resemble propaganda and brainwashing more than individual spiritual discovery and development.
I am not capable of defining God, but I do know that ultimate Truth exists and I unconditionally accept it as life, awareness, love, health, intelligence, prosperity, and joy. Through prayer and meditation I experience answers to questions that seem beyond my personal capacity to know. These out-of-myself searches and the answers that come into my consciousness I have accepted as my connection to whatever God is. I don’t understand it, but it is real and reliable, and I feel guided in moments of personal pain, joy, doubt, or triumph.
I identify very strongly with the close relationship Jesus had with God as his abba (Aramaic for “daddy”). No doubt, that is one of the reasons I am Christian, because it was through the teachings of Jesus I found my own spiritual awareness. I am sure that if I had discovered this God connection through the teachings of any other religion, I would have been a member of that religious tradition, instead.
Spirituality should not be a competitive religious race towards exclusivity or superiority. It should be a gradual collective walk toward love and unity. What is important is what we learn and how we use our life experiences to lead happy, productive lives and to help others do the same. Which religious tradition gets us started in life, or helps us through life, is definitely not the most important issue. Where we are personally, is.
These statements express my personal profession of faith. My meditation experiences have become the foundation of my spiritual life and my experiences are consistent with the many Bible passages that urge the development of an inner spiritual connection with God. It is something I discovered during my own personal searches for meaning and I have no idea how to teach it to anyone else. I’m not sure you can find it unless you seek it for yourself, but I don’t know that for sure. I believe it is what Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane and constantly throughout his life, but I did not appreciate its importance until I experienced it myself.
Religious institutions should be supporting this kind of individual spiritual inquiry and self-discovery. Church doctrine is less important to individuals than what seems right and righteous to them in their minds and hearts. Ministers should help their members find the spiritual answers they are seeking, even if this means directing them to the teachings of a different faith or church fellowship. Helping members maintain spiritual integrity within their lives should be a top priority of any church organization.
Deism: The acceptance of God as indefinable, ultimate truth is a deistic view of reality. Deists do not see God as a being with a personality and human emotions (e.g. pride or jealousy) who intervenes in human affairs and natural events in supernatural ways for the sake of reward or retribution.
Deists simply accept that the universe and life are created and controlled by a higher power and principles that we call God. The more of us who discover and follow these principles, the better life is for everyone.
Jesus understood these principles and taught them. The apostle Paul, however, did not completely understand. Paul seemed unable to move beyond the strict legalism of his Jewish background. Compare Jesus’ teachings on salvation (Luke 10:25-37) with Paul’s (Romans 5:12-21). Jesus clearly expresses a view of God as living principle, while Paul gets mired down in legalist theological definitions.
Most of our nation’s founding fathers were deist Christians and certainly not what could be called Christian fundamentalists. Just look at the writings of Thomas Jefferson (e.g. The Jeffersonian Bible) and Benjamin Franklin.
The basic truth is that God forms and unites everything and is gradually understood at a human level as inspiration and scientific knowledge. Truth cannot be created by science. It never was and never will be. Science simply helps us slowly and gradually, uncover and demonstrate what truth is.
But, even with all the scientific advancements made over the centuries, we hardly know anything, compared to what there is yet to learn. That means that most of life is still “supernatural”—beyond scientific explanation. This may always be the case since the human mind cannot understand beyond its own limits.
We must be brave enough to admit we don’t know much, but still be willing to set aside traditions that no longer make sense based on what we do know. Most of life will remain a mystery. But I am okay with that, because as a Christian deist I am aware that there is nothing to fear, no matter the circumstances.
I have complete faith that all that we don’t know or understand yet, somehow fits seamlessly with everything we do know and understand. Therefore, I willingly stand open and receptive to truth, however it is made manifest, because I feel a personal spiritual connection with the source of all truth, God within.
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