Why Are Many Process Thinkers Theists? By Fr. Charles Allen, Ph.D. For a more detailed discussion of this topic, see “Process Thought for Freethinkers

Why Are Many Process Why Are Many Process Thinkers Theists?Thinkers Theists?

By Fr. Charles Allen, Ph.D.By Fr. Charles Allen, Ph.D.

For a more detailed discussion of this topic, see “Process Thought for Freethinkers & Other Naturalists” at For a more detailed discussion of this topic, see “Process Thought for Freethinkers & Other Naturalists” at

www.therevdrcharleswallen.com/ProcessThoughtforFreethinkers.doc www.therevdrcharleswallen.com/ProcessThoughtforFreethinkers.doc

What is process thought? What is process thought?

It’s a broad, mostly American It’s a broad, mostly American philosophy of nature.philosophy of nature.It views the everyday world as, It views the everyday world as, fundamentally, comprised of fundamentally, comprised of active processes (I’ll call them active processes (I’ll call them activities), as opposed to inert activities), as opposed to inert substances.substances.Some process thinkers call Some process thinkers call themselves theists (their critics themselves theists (their critics don’t believe them).don’t believe them).Others are thoroughgoing Others are thoroughgoing naturalists.naturalists.For more information (For more information (Stanford Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyEncyclopedia of Philosophy): ): http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/process-philosophy/http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/process-philosophy/

Central Theories

Peripheral Theories

Interpretive Observations

Is process thought empirical?Is process thought empirical?

It’s as empirical as any worldview can be, and (arguably) It’s as empirical as any worldview can be, and (arguably) more empirical than most. more empirical than most. It claims to be experience-based. It claims to be experience-based. But it insists that experience always includes But it insists that experience always includes participation and interpretation, not just observation. participation and interpretation, not just observation. It refuses to speculate about anything beyond It refuses to speculate about anything beyond conceivable experience.conceivable experience.But it claims that there are certain principles found in But it claims that there are certain principles found in everyday experience that turn out to be exemplified in everyday experience that turn out to be exemplified in any conceivable experience whatsoever.any conceivable experience whatsoever.It can’t be decisively proved or disproved by a “crucial It can’t be decisively proved or disproved by a “crucial experiment.”experiment.”But neither can any other worldview like materialism, But neither can any other worldview like materialism, idealism, determinism, etc.idealism, determinism, etc.Furthermore, many philosophers of science recognize Furthermore, many philosophers of science recognize that none of the central theories of any empirical science that none of the central theories of any empirical science can be directly confirmed or refuted by any specific tests can be directly confirmed or refuted by any specific tests (on this, see the crucial discussion on “Science and (on this, see the crucial discussion on “Science and Pseudoscience” by Imre Lakatos, available online at Pseudoscience” by Imre Lakatos, available online at www.lse.ac.uk/collections/lakatos/scienceAndPseudoscienceTranscript.htmwww.lse.ac.uk/collections/lakatos/scienceAndPseudoscienceTranscript.htm). ). But any ideas can still be critically assessed in terms of But any ideas can still be critically assessed in terms of how readily they can describe an endless variety of how readily they can describe an endless variety of situations—real or imagined—and process thought situations—real or imagined—and process thought welcomes that kind of assessment.welcomes that kind of assessment.

Process thought in a nutshell:Process thought in a nutshell:1. All things are activities or properties of activities.1. All things are activities or properties of activities.2. All activities are interactive—relatively interrelated, yet relatively original.2. All activities are interactive—relatively interrelated, yet relatively original.

Different process thinkers add all sorts of details, but every time they do, Different process thinkers add all sorts of details, but every time they do, they make the whole thing more debatable.they make the whole thing more debatable.So I suggest we stick to these two principles, and leave more detailed So I suggest we stick to these two principles, and leave more detailed accounts for later.accounts for later.Inert things (e.g., particles, rocks, tables, chairs, etc.) are comprised of Inert things (e.g., particles, rocks, tables, chairs, etc.) are comprised of activities that interact to form relatively stable patterns.activities that interact to form relatively stable patterns.Some activities interact in ways that amplify their originality (e.g., people, Some activities interact in ways that amplify their originality (e.g., people, animals, cells, genes, electrons, etc.).animals, cells, genes, electrons, etc.).Interacting activities are the most concrete and influential realities; Interacting activities are the most concrete and influential realities; anything else (particles, atoms, people, ideas, etc.) is somewhat anything else (particles, atoms, people, ideas, etc.) is somewhat abstract, though no less real, and not without influence.abstract, though no less real, and not without influence.

Crucial ShiftsCrucial ShiftsI have argued that part of the appeal of process I have argued that part of the appeal of process thought is the extent to which it reframes, or shifts, the thought is the extent to which it reframes, or shifts, the very terms on which we debate fundamental issues. very terms on which we debate fundamental issues. It helps explain why people often divide into opposed It helps explain why people often divide into opposed camps because of focusing on one aspect of our camps because of focusing on one aspect of our common experience at the expense of other aspects. common experience at the expense of other aspects. It seems to provide new ways to get past certain It seems to provide new ways to get past certain stalemates, while at the same time allowing different stalemates, while at the same time allowing different camps to preserve a great deal of continuity with their camps to preserve a great deal of continuity with their original positions.original positions.This is seems to be the case when we look at process This is seems to be the case when we look at process theism.theism.To understand why many process thinkers are theists, To understand why many process thinkers are theists, we need to keep in mind four crucial shifts in the very we need to keep in mind four crucial shifts in the very terms in which we frame the question.terms in which we frame the question.Process thought reframes 1) what we can mean by Process thought reframes 1) what we can mean by “God,” 2) where the burden of proof falls in debating “God,” 2) where the burden of proof falls in debating God’s reality, 3) what the stakes are in the outcome of God’s reality, 3) what the stakes are in the outcome of this debate and 4) how compelling the cases need to this debate and 4) how compelling the cases need to be for process theism or process naturalism.be for process theism or process naturalism.

1. All things are activities or properties of activities.2. All activities are interactive—relatively interrelated, yet relatively original.

Reframing

First Crucial Shift: Reframing “God”First Crucial Shift: Reframing “God”Process thinkers reject the very idea of an Process thinkers reject the very idea of an “external” designer/creator/controller/intervener. “external” designer/creator/controller/intervener. Laplace said he had no need of that hypothesis.Laplace said he had no need of that hypothesis.Process thinkers go further than Laplace, even Process thinkers go further than Laplace, even further than Richard Dawkins!further than Richard Dawkins!Process thinkers contend that the idea is not Process thinkers contend that the idea is not coherent enough even to be considered an coherent enough even to be considered an hypothesis—it’s not that we don’t need it; it’s that hypothesis—it’s not that we don’t need it; it’s that we can’t consistently even think about it.we can’t consistently even think about it.Likewise, the most familiar arguments for and Likewise, the most familiar arguments for and against God’s existence are irrelevant—they’re against God’s existence are irrelevant—they’re arguing for or against something that has no arguing for or against something that has no place in process thought.place in process thought.Yet surprisingly, many of today’s practicing, self-Yet surprisingly, many of today’s practicing, self-avowed process thinkers regard themselves as avowed process thinkers regard themselves as theists of some sort.theists of some sort.How can they get away with that? Are they How can they get away with that? Are they dishonest?dishonest?


The God of Process ThoughtThe God of Process ThoughtWhat process thinkers mean by “God,” if they want to talk about one, What process thinkers mean by “God,” if they want to talk about one, is going to look just as different as what they mean by “matter” or is going to look just as different as what they mean by “matter” or “body” or “person” or “thought.” “body” or “person” or “thought.” For example, process thinkers regard a human person as an activity For example, process thinkers regard a human person as an activity (or else a directly successive series of distinct activities) presiding (or else a directly successive series of distinct activities) presiding over and depending upon the countless other activities that make up over and depending upon the countless other activities that make up one’s body in its surroundings (the same is of course true of many one’s body in its surroundings (the same is of course true of many other animals). other animals). That’s very different from popular accounts of persons; the same That’s very different from popular accounts of persons; the same goes for God.goes for God.For process thinkers, the most God-like “thing” that could even be For process thinkers, the most God-like “thing” that could even be considered would be an ultimate, all-interactive activity, i.e., an considered would be an ultimate, all-interactive activity, i.e., an activity in direct interaction with all other activities.activity in direct interaction with all other activities.Formally speaking, God is the same sort of “thing” that a human Formally speaking, God is the same sort of “thing” that a human person is—an activity (or series of activities) presiding over and person is—an activity (or series of activities) presiding over and depending upon countless other activities, the only difference being depending upon countless other activities, the only difference being the range of other activities directly involved—all for God, not all for the range of other activities directly involved—all for God, not all for human persons.human persons.For process thinkers, many traditional attributes for God—eternity, For process thinkers, many traditional attributes for God—eternity, omnipotence, omniscience, etc.—are all somewhat misleading ways omnipotence, omniscience, etc.—are all somewhat misleading ways of pointing to this universal range of activities with which God of pointing to this universal range of activities with which God interacts. interacts. So some process thinkers reject most of the traditional attributes; So some process thinkers reject most of the traditional attributes; others keep them but sharply redefine them.others keep them but sharply redefine them.


Less Interactive

ActivityMore

Interactive Activity

(Animals, Persons)

All-Interactive

Activity (God)

This simplified diagram indicates how many process theists think of God in relation to everything else. Some activities are more interactive than others: animals and people are more interactive than electrons, genes and cells. One activity is all-interactive, namely, God. The closest analogy we have to an all-interactive activity is a person. Some process thinkers regard persons (and God) as a series of directly successive activities. Others argue that each can be regarded as a single highly articulated activity with successive aspects.

God & World in Interaction

Past Future

Each bracket represents an activity’s relatively original response to other, immediately preceding activities.

Second Crucial Shift: Reframing the Burden of ProofSecond Crucial Shift: Reframing the Burden of Proof

If you’re already thinking in terms of process thought, If you’re already thinking in terms of process thought, the idea of an ultimate, all-interactive activity doesn’t the idea of an ultimate, all-interactive activity doesn’t look nearly as improbable as the idea of an “external” look nearly as improbable as the idea of an “external” designer/creator/controller/intervener.designer/creator/controller/intervener.The burden of proof doesn’t look nearly as “heavy.”The burden of proof doesn’t look nearly as “heavy.”Nobody’s trying to introduce something utterly unlike Nobody’s trying to introduce something utterly unlike anything else we know (as traditional theists try to do).anything else we know (as traditional theists try to do).We’re talking about the existence of something that, We’re talking about the existence of something that, one might say, is just like everything else, only vastly one might say, is just like everything else, only vastly more so—vastly more interrelated and vastly more more so—vastly more interrelated and vastly more original.original.The reasons we have for accepting the idea will be very The reasons we have for accepting the idea will be very much like the reasons we have for accepting the much like the reasons we have for accepting the principles of process thought in general.principles of process thought in general.In fact, process theists insist that the question of God’s In fact, process theists insist that the question of God’s existence cannot be separated from what we think is existence cannot be separated from what we think is fundamentally true of everything, not just God.fundamentally true of everything, not just God.That’s another reason why they reject most of the That’s another reason why they reject most of the familiar theistic “proofs”—they try to prove God’s familiar theistic “proofs”—they try to prove God’s existence without fully spelling out what it means for existence without fully spelling out what it means for other things to exist.other things to exist.


Reframing the Burden of Proof (continued):Reframing the Burden of Proof (continued):

Many process thinkers would even argue that, if you already Many process thinkers would even argue that, if you already accept process thought’s principles, and if an idea seems to accept process thought’s principles, and if an idea seems to be a further extension of them, then there’s already a be a further extension of them, then there’s already a presumption in favor accepting it (it’s innocent until proven presumption in favor accepting it (it’s innocent until proven guilty).guilty).The burden of proof is not just lighter but actually falls on The burden of proof is not just lighter but actually falls on those who reject the idea.those who reject the idea.That presumption increases if the idea seems not only to That presumption increases if the idea seems not only to extend the principles, but to integrate them.extend the principles, but to integrate them.That is precisely what process theists claim about the idea That is precisely what process theists claim about the idea of an ultimate, all-interactive activity.of an ultimate, all-interactive activity.They could be mistaken.They could be mistaken.There are, in fact, arguments by other process thinkers who There are, in fact, arguments by other process thinkers who try to show that we cannot consistently extend the principles try to show that we cannot consistently extend the principles in that way.in that way.A crucial essay on that topic is Donald W. Sherburne’s A crucial essay on that topic is Donald W. Sherburne’s “Whitehead without God,” now available online at“Whitehead without God,” now available online at www.religion-www.religion-

online.org/showchapter.asp?title=2298&C=2250online.org/showchapter.asp?title=2298&C=2250. .


Third Crucial Shift: Lowering the StakesThird Crucial Shift: Lowering the Stakes

Process theism seems to lower the Process theism seems to lower the existentialexistential stakes involved in believing or not believing in stakes involved in believing or not believing in God.God.Process theists and process naturalists both Process theists and process naturalists both agree that life is wonderful, period.agree that life is wonderful, period.It’s not clear that we could prove this without It’s not clear that we could prove this without presuming it already.presuming it already.Process theists claim that our interactions with Process theists claim that our interactions with an ultimate, all-interactive activity are among the an ultimate, all-interactive activity are among the principle factors in regarding life as wonderful—principle factors in regarding life as wonderful—indeed, it’s even more wonderful if those indeed, it’s even more wonderful if those interactions are involved.interactions are involved.If they decide they are mistaken, life is still If they decide they are mistaken, life is still wonderful—they will just have to look for other wonderful—they will just have to look for other factors, or else stop looking for factors factors, or else stop looking for factors altogether.altogether.But we don’t have to prove that life is wonderfulBut we don’t have to prove that life is wonderful—we already know that, if we know anything, —we already know that, if we know anything, regardless of why we think we know it.regardless of why we think we know it.


Lowering the Stakes (continued)Lowering the Stakes (continued)

Process theism seems to lower the Process theism seems to lower the religiousreligious stakes stakes involved in believing or not believing in God.involved in believing or not believing in God.Process theists view God as prompting every other activity to Process theists view God as prompting every other activity to become increasingly interactive—both increasingly become increasingly interactive—both increasingly interrelated and increasingly original (i.e., increasingly interrelated and increasingly original (i.e., increasingly “godlike”).“godlike”).That happens, if it happens, regardless of whether people That happens, if it happens, regardless of whether people believe or don’t believe in God.believe or don’t believe in God.Other things being equal, believing in that sort of God makes Other things being equal, believing in that sort of God makes us more open to that prompting than not believing.us more open to that prompting than not believing.But other things are never equal, so many naturalists may be But other things are never equal, so many naturalists may be more open to that prompting than many theists.more open to that prompting than many theists.In any case, nobody is ever excluded from that relentless In any case, nobody is ever excluded from that relentless prompting.prompting.That also holds with whatever remains of us after death That also holds with whatever remains of us after death (process thinkers are somewhat agnostic on just what does (process thinkers are somewhat agnostic on just what does remain).remain).The practical upshot is that nobody has to feel backed into a The practical upshot is that nobody has to feel backed into a corner and forced to make a life or death decision here. We corner and forced to make a life or death decision here. We can all afford to be mistaken.can all afford to be mistaken.The only urgency here is the urgency involved in asking how I The only urgency here is the urgency involved in asking how I can best live my life while respecting other lives.can best live my life while respecting other lives.


Fourth Crucial Shift: No Need for Final ProofsFourth Crucial Shift: No Need for Final Proofs

When the existential and religious stakes When the existential and religious stakes are lowered, we don’t need clinching or are lowered, we don’t need clinching or compelling arguments for either process compelling arguments for either process theism or process naturalism.theism or process naturalism.Absolute certainty about such all-Absolute certainty about such all-encompassing issues is neither possible encompassing issues is neither possible nor necessary.nor necessary.We are all entitled and encouraged to live We are all entitled and encouraged to live our lives consistently by the best insights our lives consistently by the best insights we think we have, as long as we remain we think we have, as long as we remain accountable to others who might be accountable to others who might be affected by us.affected by us.Ordinarily, good reasons are all we need Ordinarily, good reasons are all we need here, not proofs.here, not proofs.Process theists and process naturalists Process theists and process naturalists both have plenty of good reasons, but both have plenty of good reasons, but perhaps no compelling proofs.perhaps no compelling proofs.That’s not likely to change, but so what?That’s not likely to change, but so what?


Good, Noncompelling Reasons for Process TheismGood, Noncompelling Reasons for Process TheismProcess theism represents the ultimate Process theism represents the ultimate integration of process thought’s principles. integration of process thought’s principles. It provides a concrete, open-ended setting in It provides a concrete, open-ended setting in which all activities occur (including its own which all activities occur (including its own activity). activity). It helps make charitable sense of the variety of It helps make charitable sense of the variety of ways in which people in different times and ways in which people in different times and places have found themselves responding to a places have found themselves responding to a presumed reality they could neither escape nor presumed reality they could neither escape nor control. control. It integrates our unquenchable need for analysis It integrates our unquenchable need for analysis and observation (good reductionism) with our and observation (good reductionism) with our equally unquenchable need for wholeness and equally unquenchable need for wholeness and participation (good holism) better than any other participation (good holism) better than any other approach, even better than process naturalism.approach, even better than process naturalism.For these and similar good (but noncompelling) For these and similar good (but noncompelling) reasons, process theists claim that the concept reasons, process theists claim that the concept of an ultimate, all-interactive activity makes of an ultimate, all-interactive activity makes better sense of all that we seem to experience better sense of all that we seem to experience than any worldview (process or otherwise) that than any worldview (process or otherwise) that lacks such a concept. lacks such a concept. That’s always open for debate, and process That’s always open for debate, and process theists are fine with that.theists are fine with that.


Duck/Rabbit

Addendum: Is Process Theism Religiously Satisfying?Addendum: Is Process Theism Religiously Satisfying?www.processandfaith.org www.processandfaith.org

For many of today’s thinking Christians (myself included), For many of today’s thinking Christians (myself included), an ultimate, all-interactive activity is certainly God-like an ultimate, all-interactive activity is certainly God-like enough to be called God—”that than which no greater can enough to be called God—”that than which no greater can be conceived” (Anselm).be conceived” (Anselm).Such an activity is also “person-like” enough to be Such an activity is also “person-like” enough to be considered personal in some sense.considered personal in some sense.When we pray or worship we deepen the interaction When we pray or worship we deepen the interaction between ourselves and this activity. between ourselves and this activity. The uniqueness of each of us is affirmed, strengthened The uniqueness of each of us is affirmed, strengthened and challenged by a unique activity that opens us to all and challenged by a unique activity that opens us to all other activities around us, which are also unique. other activities around us, which are also unique. The uniqueness of God is experienced as the presence of The uniqueness of God is experienced as the presence of an uncontrollable mystery—Otto’s an uncontrollable mystery—Otto’s Mysterium TremendumMysterium Tremendum..We’re drawn to celebrate the interrelatedness and We’re drawn to celebrate the interrelatedness and originality of all things and to strive for more just, originality of all things and to strive for more just, peaceable and sustainable forms of both. peaceable and sustainable forms of both. In all this, we matter to God, and God matters to us.In all this, we matter to God, and God matters to us.Our mutual interaction is deepened, and both we and God Our mutual interaction is deepened, and both we and God are different because of it. are different because of it. Those of us, especially, who have been drawn to more Those of us, especially, who have been drawn to more contemplative forms of worship and prayer find all that we contemplative forms of worship and prayer find all that we ever looked for, and then some, in these interactions.ever looked for, and then some, in these interactions.


Reframing the Problem of EvilReframing the Problem of EvilIn a world where no activity completely overrides In a world where no activity completely overrides the originality of another—not even an all-the originality of another—not even an all-interactive activity—we shouldn’t be surprised that interactive activity—we shouldn’t be surprised that chaos and conflict exist. chaos and conflict exist. Chaos and conflict don’t need to be explained, and Chaos and conflict don’t need to be explained, and process theists are not hesitant simply to say, “Shit process theists are not hesitant simply to say, “Shit happens.” happens.” It’s not part of some grand plan. It’s not part of some grand plan. God can’t be blamed for failing to design a chaos- God can’t be blamed for failing to design a chaos- and conflict-free world, because God is not the and conflict-free world, because God is not the controlling designer of popular theism, and controlling designer of popular theism, and because such a world is not even logically possible because such a world is not even logically possible in process terms. in process terms. It’s such a nonsensical idea that it would never It’s such a nonsensical idea that it would never even occur to God—only to confused beings like even occur to God—only to confused beings like us. us. If anything, we should instead be impressed that If anything, we should instead be impressed that there’s anything to talk about besides chaos and there’s anything to talk about besides chaos and conflict. conflict. But most importantly, instead of obsessing over But most importantly, instead of obsessing over why there’s so much evil and suffering, we have why there’s so much evil and suffering, we have every reason to turn our attention to empathizing every reason to turn our attention to empathizing with those who suffer and asking what we can do with those who suffer and asking what we can do about it.about it.


The classic objection to a creating/de-signing/controlling/intervening God. Process theists don’t even consider that such an improbable being might exist.

What about the God of the Bible?What about the God of the Bible?

The majority of process theists consider themselves The majority of process theists consider themselves Christian or Jewish, and they regard the Bible as a sacred Christian or Jewish, and they regard the Bible as a sacred text with all the reverence due such a text.text with all the reverence due such a text.But process thinkers, like most professional biblical But process thinkers, like most professional biblical scholars, agree that the Bible, like other sacred texts, is scholars, agree that the Bible, like other sacred texts, is still a collection of biased and exaggerated testimonies.still a collection of biased and exaggerated testimonies.They presume that these texts reflect profound interactions They presume that these texts reflect profound interactions with God. with God. Maybe there’s even something about this collection that Maybe there’s even something about this collection that puts it practically in a class by itself.puts it practically in a class by itself.But it’s still biased and exaggerated—not the last word on But it’s still biased and exaggerated—not the last word on anything. anything. So most process thinkers simply are not interested in So most process thinkers simply are not interested in whether somebody can quote a passage here and there whether somebody can quote a passage here and there that makes God look all-controlling. that makes God look all-controlling. Such passages are still human testimonies, biased and Such passages are still human testimonies, biased and exaggerated at the very least. exaggerated at the very least. Maybe they’re exaggerated responses to the ultimate, all-Maybe they’re exaggerated responses to the ultimate, all-interactive activity in an endless network of activities. interactive activity in an endless network of activities. Maybe that’s who the biblical God really is. Maybe that’s who the biblical God really is. That’s what most process theists would say.That’s what most process theists would say.


One Final Complication:One Final Complication:Process thought also works very easily with religions Process thought also works very easily with religions that have something besides God as their ultimate that have something besides God as their ultimate reality.reality.The ultimate, all-interactive activity might also be The ultimate, all-interactive activity might also be interpreted as the Tao of Taoism …interpreted as the Tao of Taoism …or as the Buddhist concept of or as the Buddhist concept of SunyataSunyata (which is best (which is best translated as “boundless openness”) …translated as “boundless openness”) …or as “Heaven” in Confucianism …or as “Heaven” in Confucianism …or as Brahman in more devotional strands of Hinduism. or as Brahman in more devotional strands of Hinduism. In other words, process thought is an astonishingly In other words, process thought is an astonishingly hospitable worldview. hospitable worldview. As with God, other accounts of ultimate reality will of As with God, other accounts of ultimate reality will of course be reframed, and the very meanings of the terms course be reframed, and the very meanings of the terms involved will shift.involved will shift.But as with God, there will be a surprising number of But as with God, there will be a surprising number of continuities in meaning after those shifts.continuities in meaning after those shifts.This will definitely disappoint those who are out to prove This will definitely disappoint those who are out to prove that their version of God is the only workable answer to that their version of God is the only workable answer to our biggest questions. our biggest questions. But it opens the way to some very productive But it opens the way to some very productive interreligious dialogues, which have in fact been taking interreligious dialogues, which have in fact been taking place over the past fifty years.place over the past fifty years.


Documents

Why Are Many Process Thinkers Theists? By Fr. Charles Allen, Ph.D. For a more detailed discussion of this topic, see “Process Thought for Freethinkers