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The main topic of mindfulness discussion in this class on Mindfulness Course is the OBJECTIVE VIEW OF GOD.

1. The objective view is a universal view that is consistent within the whole universe. On the other hand, a subjective view is a narrow view that is consistent only within its local context. The objective view is unique, since it is consistent within the whole universe. On the other hand, there are numerous subjective views for the same phenomenon depending on their narrow contexts.

2. In modern terminology and understanding we can say that this universe is essentially the precipitation of order out of chaos. We may call the underlying reason as the “principle of settling down” or the “Law of Equilibrium”.  The ancients called this creation the “function of God” using the vocabulary they had. Let us call it the God principle. This is an objective view.

3. This gives us a better understanding of what “monotheism” is all about. It is the recognition of a single principle responsible for the creation of this universe. This is the God principle (the precipitation of order out of chaos). Being universal, this principle is broad and general in its statement.

4. However, the suffix “theism” in monotheism refers to the conception of God as a deity, or as a powerful, human-like, supernatural being. This conception amounts to looking at an abstract God principle through a human-centric filter.  It is assigning a human role to an abstract principle. Thus, this idea of “theism” is subjective.

5. Polytheism assigns a deity to each fundamental aspect of the universe. These aspects are the categorization of the universal order evolved from chaos. Thus, we may assign a deity to the phenomenon of thunder, and another deity to the phenomenon of wealth. Although it is made to look that polytheism contradicts monotheism, it is not really so. The two views dovetail. Out of a fundamental principle, come out many other principles or manifestations.

6. Pantheism considers God principle (the precipitation of order out of chaos) as the property of the whole universe. It is closer to the original abstraction because in this conception the idea of deity is diffused. Pantheism sees the God principle  as an integral part of the universe. In fact, the universe is made up of the order that has precipitated out of chaos.

7. Atheism simply rejects the idea of deities, but not necessarily the God principle. It acknowledges the fact of abstraction.

8. The concept of God is described by most theologians as having the attributes of omniscience (infinite knowledge), omnipotence (unlimited power), omnipresence (present everywhere), divine simplicity, and as having an eternal and necessary existence. These are just the concrete human perspectives applied to the abstract God principle.

9. God is conceived of as the principal object of faith. In this case, faith is confidence or trust in the God principle of “order out of chaos” applied to life. No matter how chaotic life has become, it can always be put in order. This is a very fundamental faith that gives hope to Man.

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