August 23    Arnold Toynbee (1889-1975)     

Arnold Toynbee was an eminent British historian and major interpreter of Western Civilization in the 20th century. Toynbee’s sweeping perspective on human history led him to affirm a Pantheist world view. He wrote:

 "If I am right in my diagnosis of mankind's present-day distress, the remedy lies in reverting from the Weltanschauung of monotheism to the Weltanschauung of pantheism, which is older and was once universal.”

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Hope you're enjoying your Saturday, wherever you are.  

"I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful -- an endless prospect of magic and wonder."  (Ansel Adams)
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From Pantheist Vision, we read:

This eminent British historian and major interpreter of Western Civilization in the 20th century was born in 1889.  Toynbee's sweeping perspective on human history led him to affirm a Pantheist world view:  "If I am right in my diagnosis of mankind's present-day distress, the remedy lies in reverting from the Weltanschauung of monotheism to the Weltanschauung of pantheism, which is older and was once universal."

Have you enjoyed some of the wonders of Nature right outside your door or window today?  It could be a little hummingbird, colorful summer flowers, fluffy white clouds, or maybe a thunderstorm...so many to choose from...every day.
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 (from the Saganism Facebook page)

Celebrating the birthday of John Muir, born April 21, 1838, in Scotland (moved to the U.S. at age 11), conservationist, naturalist, writer, and a favorite of pantheists everywhere.  Learn much more about his life from the Sierra Club by clicking here.

In this weird time right now when we are more limited to walks in our own yards and neighborhoods, here's a quote that seems appropriate:


"The lesson which life repeats and constantly enforces is 'look under foot.' You are always nearer the divine and the true sources of your power than you think. The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are. Do not despise your own place and hour. Every place is under the stars. Every place is the centre of the world."

​(John Burroughs)

We have two occasions to celebrate today.
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First, Happy Pi Day!  Yes, it's 3/14.  I guess a lot of people celebrate by eating actual pie, but in reality, Pi is everywhere!  Learn more  about the "cosmic piece of Pi" from this NASA site by clicking here. 
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Throughout the course of his life, physicist Albert Einstein, the publisher of the theory of relativity, affirmed his belief in pantheism, a theological doctrine based on the work of 17th-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza.
When asked by the prominent American Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein if Einstein believed in God in a telegram dated April 25, 1929, he responded that he followed a different doctrine.
“I believe in Spinoza’s God, who reveals Himself in the lawful harmony of the world, not in a God who concerns himself with the fate and the doings of mankind,” Einstein replied.
Generally speaking, pantheism identifies God with the universe or regards the universe as a manifestation of God.