This was a question posed by Oolon Colluphid, a fictitious author depicted by Douglas Adams in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It was the title of his third book in his trilogy of philosophical blockbusters. I am not sure I could write a whole book on the subject, but I’ll give my personal take on it.
Spiritualism is not dogmatic. We have seven principles but it is up to us how we understand them. Our first principle is the “Fatherhood of God”. Whilst admittedly the word ‘fatherhood’ suggests masculinity, spiritualists have diverse views on the concept of God, which can be influenced by various cultural, religious, and philosophical traditions. Some spiritualists view God as a masculine figure, while others view God as a feminine figure. Some see God as a cosmic force or energy, while others see God as a conscious and sentient being.
Father God is a commonly used term by spiritualists to refer to the divine masculine aspect of God. Father God represents the qualities of strength, protection, and guidance. In contrast, mother God is a term used to represent the divine feminine aspect of God, which embodies nurturing, creativity, and intuition. Most of us believe that both Father and Mother God are equally important and complementary to one another, just as the masculine and feminine energies are in balance in nature.
The concept of God as the source is another common viewpoint among spiritualists. The universe is seen as the manifestation of the divine source, and everything in the universe is a part of this divine energy. God is therefore viewed as the creator of everything and the sustainer of life. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of recognizing the divinity within oneself and others.
The term “Great Spirit” is often associated with Native Americans to refer to the divine force that is present in all things. This perspective emphasizes the reverence for nature and the belief that everything in the universe is imbued with spiritual energy. Great Spirit is seen as a manifestation of the divine, and is therefore viewed with deep respect and honor. The term ‘Great Spirit’ is being used increasingly in spiritualist churches. This helps us get round assigning a gender to something that for most spiritualists, has no gender.
Some spiritualists view God as a conscious and sentient being, similar to a person. This perspective is influenced by the idea that human consciousness is a reflection of the divine consciousness, and that God is capable of communicating with us in a personal way. In this view, God is seen as a loving and compassionate being who is always present and available to help us on our spiritual journey.
Others believe that God is beyond human comprehension, and that attempting to depict God as a person is limiting and inaccurate. This perspective emphasizes the transcendence of God and the infinite nature of the divine. The universe is seen as a reflection of the divine, but God is not limited to any particular form or image.
In summary, spiritualists have a wide range of views on the nature of God. Some view God as a masculine or feminine figure, while others see God as a cosmic force or energy. Still, others view God as a conscious and sentient being, or as beyond human comprehension. Regardless of the specific viewpoint, most spiritualists agree that God is the power of the universe and that everything is connected to this divine energy.
