pantheism

noun

pan·​the·​ism ˈpan(t)-thē-ˌi-zəm 

1

: a doctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of the universe

2

: the worship of all gods of different creeds, cults, or peoples indifferently

also : toleration of worship of all gods (as at certain periods of the Roman empire)

pantheist

ˈpan(t)-thē-ist 

noun

pantheistic

ˌpan(t)-thē-ˈi-stik 

adjective

or less commonly pantheistical

ˌpan(t)-thē-ˈi-sti-kəl 

pantheistically

ˌpan(t)-thē-ˈi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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Pantheism and Religion

Pantheistic ideas—and most importantly the belief that God is equal to the universe, its physical matter, and the forces that govern it—are found in the ancient books of Hinduism, in the works of many Greek philosophers, and in later works of philosophy and religion over the centuries. Much modern New Age spirituality is pantheistic. But most Christian thinkers reject pantheism because it makes God too impersonal, doesn't allow for any difference between the creation and the creator, and doesn't seem to allow for humans to make meaningful moral choices.

Examples of pantheism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1809, Friedrich’s budding pantheism landed him in hot water. —Zachary Fine, The New Yorker, 28 June 2024

Spinoza was infamous for his sometimes inscrutable variety of pantheism, in which God no longer sits outside Nature, paring his fingernails (James Joyce’s joke), but effectively is Nature, inextricable from it. —James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023

While some people might think pantheism is silly, that doesn't matter. —Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2011

If anyone is wondering, stoicism and pantheism are my preferred lenses through to view the world. —Christa Allen, Allure, 28 May 2021

There’s a scene in The Wolf Gift where Reuben is staring up at the stars and musing about the nature of God, and his ruminations there almost seem to be a cosmic pantheism or something. —Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2012

Word History

Etymology

French panthéisme, from panthéiste pantheist, from English pantheist, from pan- + Greek theos god

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1