The Case For Godnostic

WHY GODNOSTIC?

1. Our Understanding of Faith and God

We understand that we don’t fully understand. As paradoxical as that may sound, it is the most honest explanation we can offer. We believe in a benevolent God who brought us into this world for a purpose—one that only He (or She) truly knows. God has given us the ability to love, reason, and, most importantly, to have faith. The answer to why God gave us life will only be revealed when our time in this world comes to an end.

We continue to seek God through our own spiritual beliefs, guided by the sense of faith that is ingrained within us. While we refer to God as "Him," we do so not because we believe God has a gender—after all, it would be presumptuous to attribute human characteristics like gender to the Creator. Rather, we use "Him" because it is simply easier than choosing another term, and calling God “it” or any other label feels disrespectful.

We view God as a supreme being, one who has mastery over time, space, and everything in between. We do not question Him or seek to understand why He allows suffering, cruelty, or injustice to occur in the world. Instead, we accept that these events, like all things, are part of a greater plan—one that may be beyond our current understanding.

Our belief in God stems from an urgent, innate need. At some point, whether through a single defining event or a series of smaller moments, we each find ourselves drawn to the need to believe. Often, this happens after a profound life experience—such as a near-death encounter or the loss of someone dear to us—that changes the way we view life and its meaning. Such events can bring about a newfound understanding or appreciation for life itself, and often ignite a desire to grow closer to God.

Sometimes, faith arises not from a single experience, but from the accumulation of many small moments of awe—whether it's contemplating the vastness of the universe, marveling at the intricacy of an atom, or witnessing the first cries of a newborn. It is these moments of clarity that often spark the realization that there is a God, awakening in us the deep, innate need to believe.

2. Our Innate Belief

Throughout history, in nearly every culture, there are myths—stories and beliefs that attempt to explain the mysteries of the world and the forces that shape it. While the phrase "just about every culture" could likely be changed to "every culture," we are constrained by the limitations of historical documentation. Without access to the complete cultural and mythological records of every human being who ever walked the earth, we can only say "just about every culture."

These myths vary widely, but in almost all of them, there is a shared theme: the reverence for gods or spirits. Some cultures viewed natural occurrences like storms as the wrath of the gods, while others worshipped the sun as a divine entity. For many, the belief that gods or spirits controlled nature and required appeasement was the foundation of their mythology and culture. The variety of gods, spirits, and the ways in which they were worshipped across cultures is vast.

Take, for example, Greek mythology, perhaps the best-known mythological tradition. For centuries, before the rise of Christianity, the people of what is now modern Greece believed in these stories as part of their everyday lives. One of the most famous myths involves the god Kronos, who, fearing that his children would overthrow him, ate them. Later, his son Zeus poisoned him and forced him to regurgitate them, a sequence of events that ultimately led to Zeus taking over. To our modern sensibilities, the idea of a god eating and regurgitating his children may seem irrational or fantastical, especially in light of what we know about nature, science, and the laws of the universe. Yet, for the Greeks, this was a central part of their worldview, deeply woven into their cultural fabric.

Every mythology, in essence, is an attempt to explain the higher power or force that humans feel the innate need to rationalize. One can’t help but wonder: How did these mythologies begin? Who was the first person to articulate a story or event that grew into the mythology that guided a culture for centuries? What drove these early storytellers to weave together intricate sets of rules and historical events, which then shaped the way an entire civilization lived and viewed the world?

The answers to these questions are varied, and some might find it comical that ancient peoples believed in such outlandish stories. However, if we take a step back and consider that nearly every culture had some form of myth or irrational belief to explain their understanding of the spiritual or divine, it makes us pause. These myths, though diverse in their details, share something profound in common: the fundamental human need to explain the presence of a power beyond our comprehension—something that is around us, yet beyond our full understanding.

While the specifics of each mythology differ greatly, it is clear that the search for a greater power is instilled in every human culture. This universal quest, to make sense of what we cannot see or fully grasp, binds us across time and space.

3. The Parallels Between Mythology and Religion

One can ask similar questions about our current religious beliefs that we ask about mythology—especially concerning the validity of the extraordinary events and claims presented in religious texts. This may be uncomfortable for those who view scriptures like the Bible as factual accounts, but objectively, we cannot ignore the fantastical nature of some of the stories. The parting of the Red Sea, walking on water, or turning rocks into food—these are incredible claims. Did they really happen? Aren’t these events, from a rational standpoint, just as fantastical as the stories found in Greek mythology?

For many, these questions are difficult to ask, given the passionate defense of religious beliefs by those who hold them dear. Such questions can seem offensive to those who see these events as sacred truths, and often, this leads to heated responses. But these questions are worth considering because, as fantastic and unbelievable as the stories in the Bible may seem, they are accepted as literal truth by millions of people. The core issue is not the existence of God, but the differing ways in which we approach Him. Why should these differences in belief justify violence?

It is our belief that those who engage in violence in the name of religion are not true believers. To claim to do God's work through violent means implies a lack of trust in God's power to accomplish what needs to be done. History is rife with examples of how religious disagreements have torn apart friendships, divided families, and even sparked wars. Yet, it is crucial to begin a sincere discussion about why we must stop the violence done in the name of God. We are all God's creation, and by this very fact, we should respect each other, regardless of our differences in belief.

The comparison between mythology and religion is not intended to diminish the importance that religion has played in shaping our spiritual lives. On the contrary, it serves as evidence of a deeper truth: whether we are speaking of ancient myths or modern religious doctrines, the need to believe in something greater than ourselves is an intrinsic part of being human. Regardless of how we conceptualize God or the divine, we have always had this need to seek answers beyond the scope of our understanding.

4. The Evolution of Belief in God

As human intelligence advanced, so too did our ability to travel, trade, and sustain ourselves. This shift from small, isolated hunter-gatherer groups to larger, interconnected societies led to greater interactions between cultures. With these exchanges came comparisons of gods, the acceptance of foreign deities, and often the imposition of dominant gods by powerful nations. Ancient texts, including the Bible, document struggles between the gods of different cultures, reflecting the way emerging nations competed for supremacy, not only in territory but also in their divine allegiances. As nations fought wars, they often questioned the power of the gods worshipped by the defeated, leading to doubts about the validity of the god of the conquered people.

The Israelites were among the first to not only believe in one god, but to believe that their god was the only god. This was revolutionary at a time when most societies recognized the validity of multiple gods, each corresponding to different cultures and nations. Had travel, commerce, and wars not been so prevalent, perhaps the need for a monotheistic belief system might never have emerged.

As human societies evolved and our understanding of the world grew more complex, it only makes sense that we would begin to move away from worshipping gods of specific natural phenomena—gods of the wind, the sun, or love—and toward a more complex, all-encompassing god. This shift seems almost inevitable as our intellectual capacity and spiritual understanding deepened. If we allow our innate faith to grow and evolve alongside our exploration of life, it becomes clear that our belief would ultimately lead us to an understanding of a singular, almighty Creator who is responsible for everything and everyone.

Though the previous paragraphs may seem simplistic, they do not defy logic or common sense. Science has provided us with answers to many of the questions that were once attributed to gods—phenomena such as weather, disease, and the motion of the planets. As our brains evolved and our reasoning abilities expanded, we began to understand the natural world in ways that removed the need for certain gods. However, this understanding doesn't negate the presence of faith—it simply transforms it. We continue to believe, but the nature of our belief evolves as we do, leading us from polytheism to monotheism.

In the same way, we should now allow our belief in God to evolve further. Just as we once moved from gods of specific forces to a singular, all-powerful Creator, we must now embrace a belief in God free from the restrictions of past religious systems—systems that, in many cases, have caused harm and division among people. We believe that there is only one God, or one supreme entity, as we feel deep in our hearts. God does not desire the destruction or domination of others, nor does He have a "chosen people." It is humans who, in their pursuit of power, have used God as a shield for actions that, deep down, we know are wrong.

It is time for us to move beyond the divisive religions of the past and allow belief in God to flourish in a way that transcends the limitations that have caused so much harm. We must embrace the understanding that God’s will is not to annihilate others but to guide us toward compassion, unity, and love for all of humanity.

5. The Karma Principle

Our human nature limits us to knowing only that which we can directly perceive through our senses—touch, sight, smell, etc. Atheists, for instance, can't bring themselves to believe in God because they can't prove His existence through empirical means. This principle of "proof" is essential to the way we function, and yet it doesn't completely explain our capacity for belief. We believe in many things we cannot see or touch—like love, purpose, or the possibility of achieving great things. Humans have always pushed forward in life based on belief, and this drive is the foundation for mythologies, religions, and belief in God.

How many times in your life have you known something was going to happen, only for it to occur? Mathematically, you might attribute it to the law of averages, but there are moments that defy this logic. You've seen instances of karma—those who take advantage of others ultimately pay the price, or those who help others seem to live happier, more fulfilled lives. Karma, or the idea that a higher power guides outcomes based on our actions, often feels like a force at work. This intuition is the seed for faith: we sense a higher order or power that shapes events.

Some might dismiss karma as a coincidence, but for those who believe, these moments hint at a divine system. We don't see God as one who punishes, but as a being who rewards those who live with kindness and integrity. To live rightly means to act in ways that benefit others, not through coercion or selfishness, but because it's what feels right deep down inside.

6. Understanding Evil

Many people lose faith after witnessing unimaginable cruelty. Every day, we hear about terrible acts happening to good people—acts that seem to defy justice. The question arises: "Why would God allow such things?" The answer is simple but profound: our understanding is limited. We don’t have the full picture. We are confined by the laws of nature—time, space, and gravity—and cannot see the broader context. Perhaps, as religious teachings suggest, those who live just lives are rewarded, and those who live with evil in their hearts face consequences.

This leads to a key question: Is evil necessary? It could be that evil exists to give us the choice to do right. Without evil, we wouldn't be able to discern right from wrong. It might even be the remnants of our evolutionary past, where "survival of the fittest" was paramount. As we continue to evolve as a species—both scientifically and spiritually—we believe that evil, in its most destructive forms, will eventually fade from human life.

7. The Goldfish Analogy

Trying to understand God and why things happen in the world is like asking a goldfish to fix the transmission of a car. A goldfish, with its limited intellect and perspective, would be utterly incapable of grasping such a task. Similarly, we—despite our intellectual progress—are constrained by the limits of our minds. Time, space, and our physical senses shape how we understand the universe. When we try to comprehend God or the reasons for suffering and joy, we are like that goldfish. We do have an advantage over the goldfish, however: innate faith. This faith is what allows us to trust in a higher power, even when we cannot fully understand it.

8. Right and Wrong

God gives us the ability to distinguish right from wrong, though our definitions of these concepts vary based on upbringing and personal experience. Still, if we strip away religion and politics, we can often come to a common sense understanding of what is right: to do no harm, to help others, to live justly. We cannot justify killing or harming others using religion as an excuse, as many have done throughout history. The common sense approach is simple: life is meant to be lived in peace, compassion, and respect for others.

9. Our Planet and Science

The universe is an awe-inspiring example of divine engineering. Consider these facts:

• An atom is to an orange as an orange is to the Earth. This comparison shows the vast number of atoms in our planet.

• An atom is 99.9999999999999% empty space. This seemingly empty space is a foundation for existence.

• There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the Earth’s beaches.

• The Milky Way galaxy spans 100,000 light-years, and that's just one galaxy in a universe filled with billions.

These facts put our existence into perspective. We are a small part of something much greater, and the scale of the universe—combined with the precision of scientific laws—suggests a Creator. Einstein’s view on spirituality aligns with this: "The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge." We can embrace both science and faith, understanding the world through reason while also acknowledging the mystery that points to a higher power.

10. Our Good Instincts

God has instilled in us certain innate feelings: empathy, kindness, and a natural sense of justice. These feelings arise instinctively when we witness an act of kindness or cruelty. Even as children, without being taught, we can see these reactions in others. We believe that humanity, as it progresses, will come to act more in line with these positive instincts, reducing the remnants of more primitive, selfish behaviors that still linger in us.

Even in animals, we see remnants of survival mechanisms—like lions killing the cubs of rivals to ensure their own dominance. Humans, too, retain some of these impulses, but we have the capacity to choose differently. As a Godnostic, we believe that as a species, we will eventually move past the need to exploit others for gain and instead focus on promoting the well-being of all.

11. The Evolution of the Human Mind

Human evolution isn’t just physical; it's intellectual and spiritual as well. In the past, mythologies explained our existence, and polytheism gave way to monotheism as our understanding of the world deepened. Today, the majority of religions recognize a single God. As our knowledge of science and the universe has grown, so too has our need to understand the divine. God, in this evolving view, becomes not just an entity we worship but a reflection of our collective quest for meaning.

12. Godnasticism and Preaching Our Beliefs

Faith is personal and between each individual and God. We do not believe in actively preaching or seeking converts. Each person must discover their own path to faith. However, we encourage open-mindedness and exploration. We believe in exposing our children to various belief systems so they can make their own decisions about their spiritual journeys. Faith should be a personal choice, not imposed.

13. How Religion is Viewed

Religions began as attempts to explain our existence, and they all contain bits of truth. They aim to bring good to the world, recognize that God is beyond our comprehension and that we are all interconnected. However, religions often become focused on rituals and material wealth. We believe that these institutions should be transparent and accountable, especially regarding finances. Money should not be used to enrich religious leaders but should be directed toward the work of helping others.

14. Hierophanies

Everyone experiences moments of revelation, moments when we sense that all things are part of a greater plan. These "hierophanies"—sacred revelations—can occur at any time: the birth of a child, a near-death experience, or even a moment of deep reflection. These personal experiences shape our understanding of God. They’re the catalyst for many who seek to understand the divine. These revelations are deeply personal, and while others may find them strange or contrary to their beliefs, we believe that everyone’s path to God is valid, as long as it does no harm to others.