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Introduction
Everyone has a worldview, whether it is realized or not, and it is the way someone perceives the world around him or her. A person’s perspective determines the ultimate beliefs about his or her own existence. Although many viewpoints may seem opposite and contradicting, having respect and understanding of other worldviews is essential in the nursing profession. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast Christian Theism (CT), with the Eastern Pantheistic (EP) worldview, by overviewing the foundational aspects that each stance addresses and analyzing the similarities and differences of the two religions.
Christian Theism
One of the most followed world religions is Christianity in its many forms. While CT is varied, all denominations agree on the fact of God’s existence, characterizing him as an “omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent” being (Anderson, Clark, & Naugle, 2017, p. 23). Believers view the world as God’s work, with heaven and hell existing beyond the cosmos as an afterlife and an external reality. This and any knowledge is a matter of faith and belief, which God places within those who adhere to his teachings, characterized by the Bible and Scripture (Sire, 2015). Therefore, humanity’s most significant problem is deviating from God in favor of other, potentially hedonistic worldviews, which is a problem that appropriate religious education can resolve (Samples, 2017). Thus, it is essential to recognize the word of God as deciding what is true and false and creating the prerequisites for the development of certain events within the CT worldview.
My belief regarding my origins is rooted in being created by God’s will, similar to every other believer. As such, my identity is the result of both a profound belief in Christianity’s assertions and the knowledge of its truth, which decides my worldview directly. I exist in this world currently, and I will proceed into the afterlife upon death. A CT worldview supports the notion that my morals stem from God and, thus, I should live a life that does not infringe on others, focusing instead on being a virtuous person and believer (Samples, 2017). Furthermore, I place value in leading a principled life, recognizing the importance of the physical body in the act of trans physical glorification, wherein I will survive my body’s death and reunite with it after redemption (Anderson et al., 2017). This future means that the meaning of humanity is in upholding a life that is both spiritual and rewarding.
Eastern Pantheism: Contrasting Beliefs
While not drastically differing, EP has a worldview that ascribes value to other things and promotes a different view of creation. In Buddhism and Hinduism, the higher power is “indistinguishable from the natural world” (Lataster, 2015, p. 68). The current world is part of a cycle of deterioration, death, and resurrection, wherein the afterlife is a return to the state of living, with no objective external reality, which contrasts Christianity’s notion of heaven (Lataster & Bilimoria, 2018). Differing from CT’s all-permeating belief system, studying the world, rather than relying on gods’ teachings, grants knowledge (Lataster, 2015). Thus, the most significant problem of humanity is suffering, which can be resolved by following lessons that help detach from the world and reach a freeing degree of spiritual and physical wealth (Anderson et al., 2017). The movement of history is therefore rooted in creating circumstances that may free those, who adhere to an EP worldview.
Individuals who adhere to such a worldview differ from Christians, as they feel that a higher being did not create them in his image but instead allowed humanity to devolve from itself. Thus, their identity relies on being part of that, which is sacred, as “the world either is or is a part of the deity” (Lataster & Bilimoria, 2018, p. 49). People with an EP worldview exist in this world’s location and will continue to be rooted in it permanently. Furthermore, while Christians speak of heaven and hell, EP teaches of a cycle of rebirth, where the soul reforms and once again aspires to perfection, which is its destiny. Therefore, life should focus on morals that elevate a person spiritually above others, and great worth is ascribed to achieving a balance between people and the world around them, as both are intrinsically linked.
Conclusion
The differences between the two worldviews prevail over their similarities, as they maintain different stances on humankind’s creation, their goals, and the existence of God. Furthermore, suffering, which is central to CT’s atonement for original sin, should be avoided and even overcome in EP to achieve enlightenment. Therefore, while it may be argued that both EP and CT put value in following specific religious teachings, their methods of acquiring salvation vary drastically, respectively relying on true faith and scientific exploration.
References
Anderson, T. J., Clark, W. M., & Naugle, D. K. (2017). An introduction to a Christian worldview: Pursuing God’s perspective in a pluralistic world. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Lataster, R. (2015). Pantheistic god-concepts: Ancient, contemporary, popular, and plausible alternatives to classical theism.Literature & Aesthetics, 25(1), 65-82. Web.
Lataster, R., & Bilimoria, P. (2018). Panentheism(s): What it is and is not. Journal of World Philosophies, 3(2), 49-64. Web.
Samples, K. R. (2017). God among sages: Why Jesus is not just another religious leader. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Sire, J. W. (2015). Naming the elephant: Worldview as a concept. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
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