Pantheism

Pantheism is the belief that God and the universe are equivalent (the same thing). A pantheist believes that everything that exists is a part of God, or that God is a part of everything that exists. The name pantheism comes from the Greek words theos (belief in God) and pan (all). 
Overview
Pantheism is not only one religion or full set of beliefs. Any doctrine or philosophy that believes that the universe and everything in it is God is said to be pantheistic. Discussion about pantheism usually avoids using words like "God", "church", and "worship", because those words can make others believe pantheism is like a traditional religion.

Many pantheists have a personal relationship with the universe and the natural world. Making these relationships better is a key idea for these pantheists. Some pantheists believe the universe is sacred, and that the earth and nature must be protected.
History
Pantheistic beliefs date back to ancient times. Most of the early Greek philosophers from Thales on to the Stoics believed in some sort of pantheism. Pantheism is an important part of many Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism, and modern religions such as Druidism. Some Western philosophers such as Baruch Spinoza are pantheists, as are some scientists.
Abrahamic religions
Some Christians, Jews and Sufis say they are pantheists. However, their majority believes that while God is in everything, there is more to God than just the universe. There are several different types of pantheism, including panpsychism (the belief the universe itself has a mind), naturalistic pantheism (the belief the universe is identifiable with the title of "God", as it can be seen as a wondrous and transcendent power), and scientific pantheism (the worship of nature as a life-giving force).

Related pages
 Paganism
 Christianity
 Panentheism
 Platonic realism
 Greek mythology
 Roman mythology

Other websites
 Hindu Wisdom 
 Pantheist Prophet: Henry David Thoreau  by Harold W. Wood, Jr
 The Holographic Paradigm 
References

Category:Religion
Category:Theology
Category:History of Asia
Category:History of Europe