The Undivineness (Η αθεΐα)
-From the Meletic Scrolls.
In many religious doctrines, we are taught that everything in existence is a result of divine creation, implying that everything bears a divine nature. This belief is so ingrained that many people regard existence itself as being inherently tied to the supernatural, to gods or to divinity. However, beyond this commonplace notion lies a deeper and intrinsic perspective. It is one that challenges traditional views of the divine. The concept of undivineness offers a significant departure from the established norm. It is a term that moves away from the idea of divine origins. Instead, it points us towards a natural and rational foundation for understanding existence.
The term divinity itself is often used to refer to a god or a being of divine status, but it can also describe something that is beautiful, wonderful or awe-inspiring in its conception. It is a unique term that conveys a sense of reverence or perfection, often attributed to things outside our comprehension or control. As we look deeper, we can see that divinity is not an inherent quality of all things. It is not something that applies to every facet of existence.
For those people who adhere to the philosophy of Meleticism, a deeper and more meaningful term exists called the undivineness. This term encapsulates the idea that not everything in the cosmos, including human beings is divine by nature. The world as we know it, including all natural occurrences is not governed by divine influence, but by the Logos, which is the principle of reason and rationality that governs all universal existence. In this view, the phenomena we encounter are not supernatural, because they are the result of natural processes, contingencies and consequences. Undivineness is the understanding that the world is made of things that are finite and governed by reason, not divine power.
Meleticism offers a different approach to the understanding of human nature and the cosmos. It teaches us that the focus should not be on faith or religious beliefs, but on exploring the depths of our innermost consciousness. Through philosophical reflection and intellectual engagement, we realise the true nature of existence. In this philosophy, our intellect is not sacrificed for worship or submission to divine entities. Rather, we embrace reason, allowing us to understand the natural world and our place within it.
It is essential to acknowledge that the things we cannot yet explain should not be regarded as supernatural. Just because something remains undiscovered does not imply it is beyond the natural world. There are countless phenomena that have yet to be proven or understood, but that does not mean they are of divine origin. Instead, undivineness teaches us to embrace the mystery without resorting to supernatural explanations. It encourages us to investigate, question and explore the natural world using reason and empirical understanding.
According to undivineness, humans are not divine beings. Whilst many people may hold strong beliefs in the supernatural origin of humanity, the truth is that no human can be divine or born of sheer divinity. If humans were born of divine perfection, they would be perfect, but perfection is not inherent in human nature. Instead, humans are imperfect beings that are subject to the same natural laws as everything else in existence. It is important to accept and acknowledge this reality, as doing so allows us to embrace the true nature of human existence.
This acceptance of our undivineness can be arrived at through philosophical reasoning. The idea that humans are inherently imperfect challenges the religious view that we are made in the image of a perfect god. Instead, it teaches us that we are part of the natural world, subject to the same principles and laws that govern all things. This understanding is not something to despair over, but something to embrace. It allows us to be at peace with our imperfection and to focus on cultivating wisdom, virtue and understanding.
The idea of divinity has evolved over the centuries. For millennia, the word divinity has been applied to gods, whether in ancient pagan traditions, such as those of the Greeks or in the world’s major religions. The ancient Greeks, for example, used the term to refer to their pantheon of gods in mythology. This idea of divinity was not exclusive to religion; it was already a common part of daily life long before the first holy books of the world were written.
In ancient Greece, divinity was often seen as a characteristic of gods, but these gods were not perfect beings. They were flawed and human like in many respects, despite being immortal and powerful. The divine was not necessarily synonymous with moral or physical perfection. The gods of mythology were often subject to desires, passions and imperfections, much like humans. This nuance in the concept of divinity speaks to the broader complexity of existence, where divinity is not tied to an idealised perfection, but exists as part of a more complex natural order.
Meleticism further challenges this traditional view of divinity. It teaches that the virtues that define humanity are not of divine origin. Instead, they are the product of human effort, reason and reflection. The beauty of philosophy lies in its ability to embody genuine ideas, without needing to attribute them to divine forces. Meleticism rejects the idea that virtue and beauty must be divine; it suggests that these qualities can emerge from the human condition, shaped by intellectual and moral growth.
In the context of undivineness, we must also consider the concept of (Το Ένα) the One is not divine, for it is not a god. Rather, it is a state of being, which is an immutable essence that transcends all physical and supernatural categories. To Ena cannot be conceived as a deity because it does not exist as a formed or tangible entity. It is not something that can be observed or measured by the human eye. Instead, To Ena is a universal principle that provides the foundation for all existence, and it is through the influence of To Ena that the universe is ordered and sustained. It reveals itself through universal existence.
Whilst To Ena is not divine, it is an essential part of our understanding of existence. It is through To Ena that the Logos and the Nous, the cosmic order and shaper manifest in the world. To Ena is the source of the energy and matter that unite under the Logos and the Nous that shapes the physical realm. It is the foundation upon which time and space are built, and it allows for the uniformity of finite reality.
This understanding of To Ena does not require belief in a god or a divine being. It offers a more rational explanation for the existence of the universe and the natural world. To Ena is not supernatural, nor is it a divine entity. It is a principle that governs existence, providing a foundation for understanding the cosmos and our place within it.
As we observe the natural world, we realise that transcendence is not about divinity. It is more about the relationship between the Logos and the Nous. The Logos and the Nous operate together to bring order and meaning to the world. The interaction between these two principles activates the physical realm, bringing energy and matter into a unified whole. This process is what creates the structure of time and space, establishing the uniformity of finite reality.
The transcendence of the Logos and the Nous is not divine. It is a rational and natural phenomenon that allows for the existence of the world as we know it. This understanding of transcendence moves away from supernatural explanations and instead focuses on the inherent order of the universe. The undivine cannot become divine, just as divinity cannot coexist with undivineness. They exist in separate realms, each governed by its own set of principles and beliefs.
The concept of undivineness offers a profound challenge to traditional views of divinity. It encourages us to move beyond the notion of divine creation and to recognise that all things, including human beings, are part of the natural world. We are not divine; we are imperfect beings shaped by reason and the natural laws of the cosmos. By embracing undivineness, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of our place in the universe, focusing on intellectual and moral growth rather than relying on supernatural explanations. Through reason, reflection and philosophical enquiry, we can achieve a deeper understanding of the Logos, the Nous and To Ena, which together form the foundation of all existence. In doing so, we can embrace our humanity and seek wisdom, not through the pursuit of divinity, but through the cultivation of our intrinsic virtues and intellect.
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