I've been waffling between theism and nontheism for years now. I've considered myself a non-theist for a few years, yet to say I don't experience anything, that I ignore the mystical and charismatic experiences I had as a child and young adult, and the mystical and spiritual experiences I've had off and on even until now, to discount all that would be disingenuous at best. So, then a Friend at Homewood Friends Meeting, Baltimore mentioned "transtheism" in a conversation. So i looked this up. Holy huckleberries! There is somewhere I can fit!
I did a little AI diving, as I seem to do more often these days (man it's useful if you know how ot use it)! This is what I found:
"Quaker transtheism" is a concept where some liberal Quakers, rather than believing in a traditional, supernatural God, experience the "divine" through immanent, mystical, or existential means, placing it beyond conventional theism and atheism. This approach acknowledges a spiritual reality that is "beyond them," often described as love (agapē), a universal "Inner Light," or the mystical core of all religions. Transtheist Quakers are not necessarily "nontheist" in the sense of outright atheism; instead, they might find theistic language and concepts to be less useful or necessary for describing their spiritual experience.
Yes! I've had powerful experiences of the Other. I've been physically moved to speak in Quaker meeting (butt up out of the chair). I've been on the giving and receiving end of healing prayer. I've had visions. I've experienced something akin to sleep paralysis while keenly aware a presences was with me. I've dreamt things that come true. I'll be sitting in meeting unsure of whether to speak and someone will deliver the message I wasn't sure to give. Same setting, I'll finish speaking and realize, upon sitting down, that I should have said more, but I stopped listening, only to have someone stand up minutes later and give the rest I didn't give. I've received guidance from what I believe to be my ancestors and that guidance has been spot on. I know experientially that there is a spirit world. I know experimentally that if I stop and listen to the Inward Voice, it will not lead me astray. I just wish I would listen to it! I often realize the voice was right because I do the opposite.
Characteristics of Quaker transtheism include, among other things, rejection of rigid dogma: Quakerism is non-creedal and emphasizes a direct, personal experience of the spiritual, allowing for diverse interpretations of the divine.
Mystical core: A core tenet is the belief in a mystical essence, or spiritual bedrock, that unites all world religions and can be accessed through direct experience, such as silent waiting and worship.
Focus on love and action: The concept of "God" may be understood as "love" (agapē), which is expressed through empathetic behavior, social justice, and living according to one's principles.
This is why I love the gospels and the gist of Paul's teachings. Love is everything. While the trappings of ancient Jewish culture (specifically strict sexual moral codes) and the patriarchy of the time can be off-putting, the gist of the New Testament is about charity and brotherly love, and about not trying to be good by following the right rules but doing good by following the right Spirit.
"Transtheism" vs. "Nontheism": While many Quakers identify as nontheist, transtheism offers a way to describe those who find the traditional idea of a personal God unhelpful but still have a profound spiritual experience. Some who identify as nontheist are "non-realist theists," meaning they accept the reality of mystical experience without needing to believe in a being or entity that is separate from human consciousness.
Historical roots: Although Quakerism originated from a Christian context, its early emphasis on direct experience of the "Inner Light" has always allowed for a more mystical and less creedal approach than many other religions.
James Naylor, a Quaker martyr of sorts, wrote "Art thou in the darkness? Mind it not, for if thou doest it will feed thee more. But stand still. Act not. And wait in patience, till light arises out of darkness and leads thee." I've spent a long time in the darkness, so long, in fact, that I came to love parts of it. There is such mystery in darkness and it requires a reorientation. Through prayer, meditation and contemplation it came to me that the darkness is no more good than the Light is bad. Trees root deeply into the darkness. Animals rest in the darkness of caves and we rest in the darkness of night. Resting and rooting. As we root down deep, we drink from the depths. On the other hand, we can lose sight in the dark and get lost or stuck. We can live in denial hiding from the light of truth. Lies live in the dark.
And we grow to the light. The light gives warmth and energy. It provides clarity and sight so we might see our way forward. But too much light can burn and destroy, the flesh and the spirit withering under its energy. And just because it appears of the Light, doesn't mean it's true.
Maybe that's the whole point on yin and yang. Not a Quaker concept. I sense that Nayler, who went through great darkness, understood about waiting in darkness until the Light arose and led him. This testimony of waiting speaks to my condition. I over think these things. But I love trying to understand what's not comprehensible outside of this human experience.
Modern evolution: With the rise of liberal Quakerism in the 20th century, the tradition became more explicitly inclusive of non-theistic and humanist viewpoints, with groups like the Non-Theist Friends Network emerging to support these members.
"Let your life speak": The Quaker value of living by one's principles is a key part of transtheism. The belief is that a person's actions and how they live out their values are a more important expression of their faith than adhering to specific doctrines.
When I was still in seminary, there was such a diversity of faith expressions around me. The diversity of Quakerism and the Church of the Brethren was there at the ESR/Bethany campus. It occurred to me there that the words people were using got in the way of each of us understanding each other when we shared our beliefs. What was important? Early Friends spoke of an inward gospel, the experience of the refiners fire that can transform and liberate the spirit/psyche if only we mind it. They spoke of the outward Gospel (the Christian story). What did they say was beneficial? The Outward. What was necessary? The Inward. And all people had the Light within them, therefore the inward gospel was a universal gospel. So I came to the place where I wanted to hear peoples' spiritual experiences and how their lives have grown and changed from them. I didn't want to hear their theologies; at least not at first. I wanted to hear the Inward Gospel in them; whatever words they used.
These days I stay Quaker because it is where my heart is, and it is where I put my treasure (mostly time-wise). I stay Quaker because while I may not believe in the supernatural apects of parts of the Christian myth, I take seriously the Quaker take from the New Testament which is a life of community and love. The Christian God is love (ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν), the love here being selfless, unconditional and sacrificial. Those natural feelings of empathy, sympathy, compassion, faithfulness, that drive to protect a loved one or friend, that altruistic impulse to help out or serve, what some may call the Higher Self, that is what Christians say God is for us. And. Paul adds that other forms of love are necessary too: brotherly love and charity as well. This isi important to me, even if I may not always act like it. Ya know. I can be cold and abrasive. But Love is an ideal I hold us as a god of sorts. So is that what God is? I dunno. So I choose to use God language still, to point to this reality of Love, this greater creative Aspect of the universe, to which I give worth.
So, that mystical experience of agape, I do know first hand. And through community I've experienced friendship and I've been able to give and receive help. I've experienced what is important about the Christian philosophy and story as Quakers see it, anyway. I can go for an I Am. I can't go for anthropomorphic deities playing around with our souls and lives. There is a.Light though, and I experience is in others, Christians and others, so we are connected somehow. And then there's dead people who don't stay quiet (I'm grinning like a cheshire cat). It's a post-Russell family thing.
OK. I'm rambling. But it feels good to not have to be boxed into being theist or nontheist.
Then again maybe the gods are laughing.
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