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The PanenDeism FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
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Welcome to the PanenDeism FAQ!
As you can see below, this site is under construction. Please bear with us as we add information. -LEC
Listed below are some of the most commonly asked questions concerning the details of the exciting new Spiritual Philosophy known as PROCESS DEISM, which is based on the conception of Deity known as PanenDeism (See article "Introduction to PanenDeism" elsewhere on this site). Please check back often and bear with me as I add Questions as time allows.
NEWSFLASH!!
It is rumored that the first actual "brick and mortar" Process Deism church is already forming! Several regular visitors to the Classical Deist website www.Deism.org (a very nice website, by the way!) have already expressed interest in learning more about the ideas of Process Deism. And it's no wonder- Process Deism represents one of the most reasonable and scientifically-based spiritual philosophies to come along in 200 years! It is exciting to watch the Process Deism movement begin to "grow legs", and we would love to count YOU among our number.
If you would like to receive more information about a PanenDeist group in your area, would like to get involved in the growing PanenDeism (or Process Deism) movement or would just like to see a particular question listed below that isn't there already, please take a moment to email Larry Copling personally HERE.
Thanks for visiting. Enjoy!
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Questions of PanenDeistic Theology ("Deology")
What is the difference between PanenDeism and Process Deism and how are they different from traditional Christianity?
The "concept of God" known as traditional Christianity, in its present form, has actually been slowly developing and evolving since the early Middle Ages. Technically, Christianity is the largest form of "Classical Theism"- the belief in a male supernatural Being with human form and attributes who monitors and directs, moment-by-moment, all actions and events in the entire universe. Also, this Being is thought to be separate, or "transcendent" from the created universe. (See "Introduction to PanenDeism", elsewhere on this website, for more information.)
Process Deism is the name given to a new type of Spirituality that is based on an updated conception of God (Deity) known as PanenDeism. PanenDeism teaches that all physical reality exists WITHIN God, and that God exists AS the essence of all physical reality. Evolution (or, "Process Evolution", as it is known in PanenDeism) is the method by which Deity carries out It's continual and ongoing creative work. All life-forms, with varying degrees of complete freedom, are actually created with the inherent potential, but NOT the guarantee, to "self-evolve" as much, or as little, as they choose (See article for more info.)
Process Deism is the APPLICATION of the "science" known as PanenDeism. It is a modern form of devotion that is actually a revamp of "America's forgotten religion", Classic Deism. It is a spiritual understanding of, and rational devotion to, Deity (God) that is purposely based on Reason. Process Deists, although devoted to a rational approach to life and reasoned conclusions, understand and embrace the human need for exploring and experiencing a Spiritual connection to the Divine through methods such as guided or self-directed meditation, prayer and communing with nature. Process Deists believe that the most effective way to advance on the path of self-actualization is to continually seek to understand the Divine through Reason.
Does Process Deism have doctrine?
It depends on what you mean by "doctrine." Process Deism does not contain doctrine in the traditional sense because it is believed that "centralized belief control" of a person's very private spiritual beliefs can be a very negative thing. Just as "the Government" is an illusion- a large group of independent, sovereign citizens who willfully come together in association to govern themselves-, so it is with "the Church." The gathering of individual spiritual seekers might be referred to as a "church" for the sake of convenience, but "the church", itself, is an illusion that, like the typical Roman Catholic priest, has only as much "power" over the individual spiritual member as that member chooses to give to it- no more, no less. Purporting to impose "doctrine" on such an individual member is not only ineffective, but incredibly presumptuous on the part of the church, religious organization or spiritual leader.
Process Deists do, however, embrace a handful of unifying principles that serve to define what Process Deism is. Although all Process Deists are free to accept or reject each one of these principles, they are offered as a guideline for the seeker interested in the work of spiritual self-actualization.
Bear with us as we add more questions (as time permits).
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Definitions of PanenDeistic Terms, Principles and Concepts
How do you define PanenDeism?
PanenDeism is defined as "The doctrine that all physical reality exists WITHIN Deity (God), and that Deity exists AS the essence of all physical reality. It is further affirmed that Deity first set the laws of "Process Evolution" in motion, allowing It's Creation to self-evolve in varying degrees of complete freedom; a never-ending process that is part of the fabric of physical reality and will continue as long as the universe continues to exist."
In PanenDeism, the universe (and all of physical reality) is physically located within God. There is absolutely no separation between the Creator and It's creation ("immanence"). It can literally be said that "In God, we move and breathe and have our being", to quote from a passage in the Bible. All matter is created from this "Divine essence" that we refer to as God or Deity.
At its very core, all matter is made of the very same "stuff"- an intelligence that is more fundamental that "energy" and vastly more intelligent that what might be imagined. This "intelligent energy" is everywhere-present and animates all lifeforms.
Borrowing from the ideas of Classic Deism, PanenDeists believe that the Deity set in motion a never-ending process of manifestation from the Divine potential to the physically actual; a process that is known in PanenDeism as Process Evolution.
How does Process Evolution differ from Classic Evolution?
What is the principle of Divine Attraction?
How does the Proleptic Urge work?
Can you explain the concept of Evolutionary Strata?
Related Terms, Principles & Concepts
What is a Teleology and why is it important?
How is Process Thought (Process Theology)relevant to PanenDeism?
Is Nanotechnology for real?
What is Ionianism, in a nutshell?
What vision of society does Process Populism provide, and how is this relevant to Process Deism?
What is Ioethics, and how can I apply it to daily life?
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Please come back and visit soon. More Questions and Definitions will be added as time permits. Also, the powerful new PanenDeism.com website is coming soon! Stay tuned...
Larry
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