Why do some people say "The Universe" instead of "God"?

[Tabs]

I have to confess I am one of those people that says "The Universe" but I am also very comfortable and happy using "God". I was writing this week and the thought occurred to me. Why do we say "Universe"? Who came up with the concept? And why did it become acceptable?

As I write this post I am coming up with answers to my own questions but I want to know what you think.

Thanks everyone.

[Angela]

Although the concepts have since collapsed together, one serves a naturalistic worldview and the other a supernatural worldview.

[Steve Pavlina]

I prefer using terms like the Universe or Source or Consciousness. I don't like the term God because it implies the existence of a conscious supreme being who has the power to intervene in human affairs w/o permission. I also think "God" implies separation (i.e. a separate divine being), while other terms communicate connection and oneness.

I've noticed that people who frequently use the term God often abdicate responsibility for much of their lives. I.e. it's God's will that I'm this way, and there's nothing I can do about it. Many of them remain stuck in unhappy relationships or careers, assuming God put them there and that the only way out is for God to rescue them.

I feel that other terms keep the responsibility where it belongs -- on our own shoulders.

[Markus74]

Because 'God' too often conjures the image of the limited, biblical God?

[Ann]

Sometimes, when people hear the word God, it can be limited to the "God" in Christianity. The word "God" is not really used in Buddhism, etc.

If it's the word "universe", then it's acceptable across all religions and everyone understands what it means. Energy, vibration....

[Cassie]

I don't use both terms interchangeably. I view the universe as the huge expanse that exists, even outside our limited knowledge (although us humans love to believe we're the center of everything )

I view God as the Source, the Eternal, which everything else brings us back to, the 'unmovable mover' as Aristotle put it, the Force which sets the universe in motion.

I am not a follower of any type of organized religion (which I believe is man's imperfect interpretation) - but I love studying theology and feel I am extremely spiritual nonetheless. So I don't necessarily view God and the Universe as one and the same, as some organized religions might.

I see God in the Universe. I see God in all things. I feel it's a shame some people only resort to seeing God in man-made religious institutions when He surrounds us at all times, and can be seen and cherished in all things.

[Tabs]

Thanks for your input everyone, I am going to love reading posts to this thread not only because every one has very good and valid points but because just reading what has been written so far, the true reason or lesson or message I am being sent is being revealed to me.

I apologize if I sound vague it is all still muddy right now but I have had a gut feeling for a couple of days and this has helped me get to stage 2.

Thanks everyone

[MindReality]

God has two aspects, the universal and the personal aspect.

Understanding each aspect is knowing one half of the truth.

The universal aspect of God is the Universal Power we can use at will. The personal aspect of God is the Person of God moving as He Wills.

The Universal and Personal Aspect of God » Secrets of Mind and Reality

[impaul99]

The problem with the terms "God" and "Universe" is as follows:

"God":

To people of faith or belief, they understand what you mean by God and believe he/she/it exists. However, depending on their religious or spiritual beliefs they assign different qualities to him/her/it. In most religious models there is a seperation of God from a human being. Someone saying "I am God" is seen as blasphemy in some religions which assume that Here YOU are and THERE God is. There is a seperation of the two.

To non-believers, non-religious, or non-spiritual people who don't believe in a God or some form of organizing power, the term "God" turns them off because it implies a non-scientific view on life. Science hasn't proven God exists, therefore people who believe in God are about as naive as people who believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny etc. Therefore, when people of this nature read a book or article which mentions the word "God" in it they usually think "Oh crap, here we go again...he's talking about God... next he's going to start bringing up Jesus and scripture, what a bunch of crap."

"Universe": To believers, people of faith, the term "universe" becomes interchangeable with God in some respect if they understand the context within which it is used. The benefit of using "the universe" is that it implies a oneness between the universe and human bings. Meaning, my body is within the universe, so when I say "the universe" it also includes me and my body and my clothes and the salt shaker on the table and my dog and my cat etc. This is beneficial in understanding the oneness of everything. However, some people who were brought up with the concept of "God" from a religious point of view still think that God and Universe might be seperate. Meaning, if they have a seperation point of view they just say "Well, there is God and then there is the Universe. God is seperate from the universe and everything in it because he created the universe and everything in it." Therefore in such a way of looking at things, it still doesn't accurately describe what is meant. ie. Does that pebble on the road represent God? Can you pick it up and look at it and say "This is God."? If so, you believe everything is God. If not you believe God is "out there" and the rest of the universe is "in here".

To the non-believers, they believe there is a universe and there is no God. Some believe there is matter and then there is energy, while others believe that there is only energy in different forms. In either case, they don't believe that there is a "God out there" that created the universe, nor is there a "God in here" within everything in the universe. They don't see God as being within a photon of light for example, they simply think it's a photon of light, etc. They believe that there are universal forces that keep the universe together, but don't actually believe that there is a unified intelligence that orchestrates everything.

The whole mess becomes very complicated with most people switching between belief, faith, non-belief, and back and forth depending on their mood that day or the situation. For example, a person diagnosed with cancer might not pray to God for healing, instead asking the doctor to book them for chimotherapy, but the very same people, 8 hours later will be sitting on an airplane praying to God when the airplane hits turbulence and the oxygen masks pop out.

A lot of non-believers will also make statements like "Thank GOD you din't _____" etc. but I'm not sure what really means to them.

Some spiritual books I've read actually go through and define "God" or "Universe" with a definition before continuing on with the rest of the book just to make sure people know what they mean.

[Angela]

Thank the universe you explained that so well, Paul!

[dorothy hanna]

Whatever one chooses to call it, all still know, at least one would hope that all know, IT'S ALIVE! IT's All Alive!

[Antarananda]

Originally Posted by dorothy hanna

Whatever one chooses to call it, all still know, at least one would hope that all know, IT'S ALIVE! IT's All Alive!

Yes! The "aliveness" or expressed energy/vibration of the universe is one dimension of what "God" is. The other dimension ("silence" without the generation of impulse towards action or creation) is without attributes that can be ascribed or superimposed by dual consciousness (of human minds and logic and reasoning).

For this reason, I believe it is somewhat inaccurate to equate "the universe" with "God", however since "the universe" is a neutral term which doesn't trigger heated dialogue, I think it is a better choice of word. I personally prefer "Awareness", or "Consciousness".

[maverickstruth]

Another reason that people sometimes use the word "universe" -- in addition to the things already mentioned here -- is that God often has the connotation of a transcendent being. In other words, God is something (usually a being) outside of humanity, different and other from nature, which is beyond experience, and exists apart from the physical universe. The Universe is often described as being immanent -- that is, permanently pervading and existing in the physical world, sustaining it and operating inherently from within it. God is also generally conceived of being a singular entity, a being, without plurality, but in some sense definable, if only by saying what God is not. It's hard to define the Universe in terms of what it's not, and it's not so much thought of as a singular entity, nor as a being.

A term I have heard suggested as an alternative to these which (theoretically) embraces both the immanent and transcendent views is "The Ultimate" ... but I'm not sure if I like that any better or worse.

[songwriter]

For me "God" looks like a character that is bald and with a beard... you know.
Besides the beard and the baldness... I don't think it is a "character"... but that the sum of it all... the universe or so. "Love is all and love is everyone..." as The Beatles sang, or so...

And it's a big "Or so". Everyone influences one another, so we're God in some way... and everything is God or so, not a particular external being watching sitting at a throne or so (quite boring by the way...).

As for subjective reality... and The Beatles again...

"I don't believe in God, I just believe in me..." It's me who has to help myself and the world if I can...

For the Christian definition of God being omnipresent (being everywhere), this is close to the "Universe". So maybe it's all the same.

God created the Devil too, you know... God is everything, for me. Or maybe nothing at all. Or the sum of all consciousness, etc... I don't know.

The thing with religions are that are closed belief systems. They've got his God or gods and his "total truths" and nothing can't go against of that. You can find security because everything is certain in religions, you don't question a thing, and that's good for many people, I guess. As I'm not a believer of any religion my beliefs are open, so my definition of God, If I have one.

[Brutha]

People ask question like: "What would you ask God when you meet him"

If you ask "What would you ask the Universe when you meet it", you see that the question becomes kind of silly.

So there seems to be a difference in the concepts.
Sure you can go on and define God in a way that "What would you ask God when you meet him" becomes also silly, but most people seem to accept the question, so it is easier to say universe if you mean a concept in which the "What would you ask"-question becomes silly.

[Dharma]

I use "self" a lot. Both God and universe imply a sense of separation, especially from the creative standpoint. Many on this forum say the universe gives them this or that -- simply untrue if you also believe you create all your experience.

[jpfieber]

As a non-religious person, I don't see how the two have anything to do with each other. I see the universe as a description of the boundless space that includes everything, and is sparsely populated with solar systems, comets, suns, planets and such. God is of course the main character from that really popular book everyone is talking about

[maverickstruth]

Originally Posted by jpfieber

As a non-religious person, I don't see how the two have anything to do with each other. I see the universe as a description of the boundless space that includes everything, and is sparsely populated with solar systems, comets, suns, planets and such. God is of course the main character from that really popular book everyone is talking about

I must say, that was one of the best posts I've read on the forums. Seriously, you made me laugh out loud (especially the bit about that "really popular book") -- thanks!

[Sassou]

I like to use sometimes the infinite source.

the word God sometimes has too much baggage.

I was raised catholic and asking god directly was kind of supressed.

It was more like you are a sinner to begin with.

Infinite source or the universe is more neutral.

Less baggage.

I stepped out of the catholic church and for some reason using the word God feels now more comfortable.....

[Eternal Wayfarer]

Hmm... Interesting question. Magic, coincidence, lucky, etc; many words just to describe a point. Which would an individual prefer that taste well in the mouth (ego)?