Is This Panentheism?

[EverChanging]

I've taken this quote from another post of mine. It describes my unique experience of deity. Does this sound like panentheism?

I've been called a pantheist more than once. My title says that I'm an atheist, which is true in regard to supernatural deities I suppose, but my view on deity is extremely hard to define. I don't think I've ever come across a definition encompassing my views on the matter. I am an atheist that very much feels the presence of God, and I do have personalized devotions and prayers as well as spirit guides, even though I acknowledge that it is quite possible (even probable) that these beings and deities/Deity do not objectively exist.

If these experiences are indeed merely subjective products of my brain, they must also be an extension of the entire universe -- the laws of physics, my genes, environment, evolutionary background, and so forth. Thus, in a sense, the universe is deity for me. (You might see why it is easier for me to merely tell people that I'm an atheist.) This may be some type of blend of pantheism and panentheism.

 

[Storm]

It might be.

 

[EverChanging]

Good answer.

 

[Madhuri]

I'm not sure, you may need to elaborate, or explain from scratch. You say you are an atheist who feels the presence of God. Well, obviously that is a contradition. Do you simply mean that you believe in an impersonal God?

Panentheism, simply put, is belief that God is both the Source or existence, and existence itself. So everything that exists is some part of God, but God is also the Origin, Creator (perhaps) and such. This differs from Pantheism, which sees the Whole as God, but not God as something more special, other, unique etc.

 

[EverChanging]

I find it very difficult to put into words. The divine is something I experience, not something that I believe (necessarily) objectively exists. But if it is subjective, that subjective experience is still rooted in my brain and thus my genes, environment, the laws of physics, biochemistry, electricity, and so forth, and in this sense, this divine I experience, is an extension of all things. It is all.

But I prefer not to define it, really, not even to say that it exists or does not exist. I experience it, sometimes in all things, sometimes as impersonal, and sometimes it comes to me as personal beings. But I do not assume that these beings are objective or separate from myself.

 

[brbubba]

I'm not sure, you may need to elaborate, or explain from scratch. You say you are an atheist who feels the presence of God. Well, obviously that is a contradition. Do you simply mean that you believe in an impersonal God?

Panentheism, simply put, is belief that God is both the Source or existence, and existence itself. So everything that exists is some part of God, but God is also the Origin, Creator (perhaps) and such. This differs from Pantheism, which sees the Whole as God, but not God as something more special, other, unique etc.

Or more simply, God is greater than the known Universe.

 

[Onkara]

I've taken this quote from another post of mine. It describes my unique experience of deity. Does this sound like panentheism?

Yes, it does to me.

 

[Onkara]

Or more simply, God is greater than the known Universe.

Nice point. Yet it seems we can know of God intuitively?

 

[Twig pentagram]

Sounds more like a form of pantheism.