Naturalism in Religion

Religious Naturalism is the view that nature ismetaphysically ultimate and that nature or someaspect of nature is religiously ultimate. There isnothing beyond, behind or below nature. Naturerequires no explanation beyond itself. It always hasexisted and always will exist in some shape orform. Its constituents, principles, laws andrelationships are the sole reality.

Donald A. Crosby, Living with Ambiguity: Religious Naturalism and the Menace of Evil,

Naturalism is the view that every law and everyforce operating in the universe is natural ratherthan moral, spiritual, or supernatural. Rejectingthe very concept of a personal God. Many assumenaturalism therefore has nothing to do withreligion. In fact, it is a common misconceptionthat naturalism embodies the very essence ofscientific objectivity.

Dr. V.K. Maheshwari, Ph.D

But how can naturalism have any place for religionwhen there is no recognition of the super naturalin its metaphysics?

Religion is exactly the right word to describenaturalism. The entire philosophy is built on afaith-based premise. Its basic presupposition—aprior rejection of everything supernatural—requires a giant leap of faith. And nearly all itssupporting theories must be taken by faith as well.

In other words, God’s existence can be discountedbecause it has no importance; no significance to howwe actually live.

If it is correct that the common attitude towardreligion is that it has validity and somehow relatesus to god, then it is permissible to say thatnaturalism is inclined to reduce religion to aphenomenon of human experience which is purelynatural.

The Status of religion

Do you believe in supernatural being?

This naturalistic attitude maybe understood byattempting to see how naturalist may reply to theirreduction of religion to purely natural grounds.

Asked what she'd want to hear God say at the pearly gates, she responded, "Well, I guess you were wrong. I do exist."

Julianne Moore

“Even though I

don't believe in God, we celebrate pretty much every religion in our family with the kids.“

Jodie Foster

“It's not enough to say that I don't believe in God. I actually regard the system as distressing: I am offended by some of the things said in the Bible and the Koran, and I refute them."

Emma Thompson

Just in terms of allocation of time resources, religion is not very efficient. There’s a lot more I could be doing on a Sunday morning.

Bill Gates

Who are science teachers here?

Or Fond of Science?

Hare lip

Many naturalists do not use the term God. whilereligious may be a valuable phase of life and thesource of genuine inspiration , it is define as purelynatural and affair of man adjusting themselves tothe forces and processes of nature and achievingharmonious life. Since this is the nature of religionof naturalist, many naturalists do not include Godin religion.

The Nature of God

Henry Nelson Wieman was an Americanphilosopher and theologian. He became the mostfamous proponent of the naturalism and theempirical method in American theology andcatalyzed the emergence of Religious Naturalismin the latter part of the 20th century.

"How can we interpret what operates in humanexistence to create, sustain, save and transformtoward the greatest good, so that scientific researchand scientific technology can be applied tosearching out and providing the conditions -physical, biological, psychological and social -which must be present for its most effectiveoperation? This operative presence in humanexistence can be called God...

We may attempt what naturalism has to sayabout the power and goodness of God. Wedo this because of our pre disposition todayto know, “Is God unlimited, Infinite?” and isGod Perfectly good?”

power & goodness of God

“No.” God is within nature; He is not allof nature, nor more than nature. He isthat particular structure in Nature whichis sufficiently limited to be describing asmaking possible the realization of valueand as the foundation of value.

“Yes!” goodness is a distinctive attitudeof God. whereas in Nature and manthere are evils which frustrate therealizing of value, a drag which pullsback , or a positive inference, God is thepower of nature making good possible.He is therefore deserving of worship andcomplete devotion.

This list is only suggestive as most RNs self-identify bytheir own criterion.

The purpose here is not to define a true believerbut to offer some framework for us. It may not be a satisfying paradigm for many It avoids the difficulties some people have with

traditional religions. It accommodates equally those who refrain from using

good language,Those who are godless, as well as those who propose a

naturalized idea of deity.

Am I a Religious Naturalist?

You may be a Religious Naturalist if some of the following traits apply toyou:

Stopped believing in traditional religious ideas and practices

No supernatural beliefs and assumptions for what is

Disbelief in holy stuff, an afterlife, and the power of prayer

A love for autonomous thinking and individuality

Tolerance for those who also do

Respect for logical thinking and scientific explanations

A religious attitude as an integral part of your approach to living

Awareness of the natural beauty, mystery, creativity in the Universe

Spiritual like feelings of awe, wonder, reverence, gratitude for Existence

Ethical apprehension and compassion for all of life and the environment

Sense the importance of the interconnectivity of all natural phenomena

A responsibility to the future and the continuity of life of all kinds

Strong moral commitments and behavior that are rational

Dandelions

Man is a child of nature, yet nevertheless he is themost significant child. For in evolutionary processthat have been at work in the universe so far. Hehas the capacities and has achieved heightscommon to no other child of nature.

“The human self is seen by naturalism is anoffshoot of nature and not as spring from beyondthe nature.”

When looking at man from the moral stand point,naturalism tries not to make him either better orworse than he actually is. Child of nature that heis, he participates in the process of nature. He hasdrives and he responds to his environment muchas any other organism.

His consciousness may appear in his adult years tomodify and check his primordial nature. Naturehas her delicacies and she also has her law of toothand claw and man participates in both.

Naturalism is action, inclination, or thought based only on natural desires and instincts…

One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.

The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just go on and get lost.“

God listened very patiently and kindly to the man and after the scientist was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this, let's say we have a man making contest." To which the scientist replied, "OK, great!"

But God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam."

The scientist said, "Sure, no problem" and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt…

God just looked at him and said,

"No, no, no. You go get your own dirt!"

Thanks Shapers of Young minds…