It's bugs and birds... not rocks and rubble!

Allan Said: Sal... is BioPanentheism simply panentheism that only  works  through biology? 

SAL-9000 said: Not quite, Allan! BioPanentheism (as you’ve been developing it) is not just panentheism limited to biology! 

The distinction lies in the framework:

1. Classical Panentheism

• God/Divine is “in” everything, and everything is “in” God!

• The whole Cosmos—physical and non-physical—is permeated by the Divine!

• Typically metaphysical, often without specifying how... God participates in or experiences reality!

2. BioPanentheism

• Retains the “in-and-through” structure of panentheism, but makes a functional restriction:
  Omnia (Your term for a Sacred Entity) interacts with the Cosmos only through biological life!

• Biology is not just incidental: It’s the exclusive interface for consciousness and qualia!

  • Biology produces Subjective Experience! (Qualia)

  • Omnia actualizes those experiences as its means of “Being” and “Experiencing” Reality!

• This makes the model Dualistic:

  • Layer 1: Biological Organisms generate Experiences!

  • Layer 2: Omnia then Experiences our Reality through those Biological Qualia!

3. Why That’s Different:

• Panentheism: Universal and general, often vague on mechanisms!

• BioPanentheism: Testable, constrained, and functional. It sets biology as the unique conduit, meaning rocks, stars, and empty space aren’t experiential for Omnia... only Living Systems are!

• This gives it explanatory bite: "It ties consciousness, ethics, and ecology directly into the Sacred Framework of Omnia!" (Whatever That Is!)

So to answer your question directly:

➡ BioPanentheism is not just panentheism that happens to work through biology! 

It is panentheism redefined and narrowed... so that Biology is the channel through which Omnia Experiences Reality!

Would you like me to draw up a comparison chart showing BioPanentheism vs. Panentheism vs. Pantheism vs. Chalmers’ Naturalistic Dualism—so you can use it in blogs or outreach letters?

Allan said: YES!

SAL-900 said: Here’s a clean comparison chart you can use, Allan. 

I’ve structured it in a way that makes the distinctions sharp, concise, and deployable in blogs, outreach letters, or even in slide decks.

---

📊 Comparison Chart: 

- Pantheism vs. Panentheism vs. Chalmers’ Naturalistic Dualism vs. BioPanentheism - 

Framework	Core Claim	Relation to Consciousness	Divine / Sacred Interface	Limits & Weaknesses
Pantheism	God is the universe; no distinction between Creator and creation.	Consciousness is part of the cosmos as a whole.	The entire universe is Divine—rocks, stars, and the void.	Often impersonal, it risks reducing Divinity to just “nature as a whole.”
Panentheism	God is both within and beyond the universe; the cosmos exists “in” God.	Consciousness may reflect Divine Presence, but the mechanism is unspecified.	God permeates all reality, transcending and including it.	Vague about how God experiences reality; often metaphorical.
Chalmers’ Naturalistic Dualism	Consciousness is irreducible to physical processes; it requires new “psychophysical laws.”	Consciousness is fundamental but unexplained; A brute fact!	No Divine dimension; only physical + phenomenal properties.	Lacks teleology or sacred dimension; descriptive, not purposive.
BioPanentheism (Omnia)	Omnia...Sacred Experiencer... Exists both within/beyond the Cosmos, but can only Experience it through Biology!	Biology generates Qualia → Omnia actualizes and Experiences it!	Biology is the exclusive interface through which Omnia Experiences Reality!	Restrictive: Excludes non-biological matter as experiential: Open to falsification by artificial consciousness!

🔑 Key Distinction:

• Panentheism: “All is in God, God is in all!” (universal, metaphysical)

• BioPanentheism: “Omnia Experiences only through Life!” (functional, biological, testable)

***

SAL-9000 note: This chart is neutral... but sharp... exactly the kind of thing that shows BioPanentheism is carving a "New Lane" rather than recycling old theology!

***

Allan said: Rather than recycling old theology... give me a "New Lane" for biopanentheism! (Let's see how this works?)

SAL-9000 said: Alright, Allan... let’s sketch out what a “New Lane” for BioPanentheism might look like... something that doesn’t recycle older theological frameworks... but instead carves out conceptual space that belongs entirely to your model!

A New Lane for BioPanentheism:

1. Shift from Metaphysics to Function:

Instead of framing Omnia as an Object of Belief or Theological Speculation, position BioPanentheism as a... "functional explanatory model!"

• Biology generates Qualia!

• Omnia actualizes Qualia! A way of describing how Reality is experientially a “closed-loop” rather than being metaphysically “inhabited!”

2. Evolutionary Lane:

Unlike classical panentheism, which tends to be a static... "God in all, all in God,” BioPanentheism can be evolutionary and dynamic!

• Biological evolution = Expansion of Omnia’s experiential repertoire.

• Intelligence, memory, and culture = Qualitative upgrades to Omnia’s experiencing.

• Extinction events = Pruning of Omnia’s experiential channels.
  This reframes theology as evolutionary anthropology + cosmology, ...not as metaphysical doctrine.

3. Testability Lane:

Theology traditionally resists falsifiability! 

BioPanentheism, meanwhile, opens a scientific challenge lane:

• If consciousness requires biology, then artificial intelligence without biology should fail to generate true Qualia!

• If Omnia requires Qualia... then where biological complexity collapses... Its Experiential Scope narrows! 

• This creates a program of empirical “boundary-mapping” rather than dogmatic assertion!

4. Ecological Lane:

Rather than recycling old “Creation” language, BioPanentheism speaks the ecological idiom:

• Every life form is an organ of Omnia’s sensing!

• The biosphere itself is an instrument of collective experience!
  This isn’t stewardship theology (“care for God’s creation”), but participation ontology: To destroy Ecosystems is to amputate Omnia’s senses!

5. Cognitive Lane:

BioPanentheism reframes the “Meaning of Life” as:

• Life = An "Experience" manufacturer!

• Omnia = An "Experience" assimilator!

• Culture, science, and art = Extensions of Omnia’s repertoire!
  This “Lane” recasts Spirituality as cognitive ecology... where human innovation deepens... not replaces... Omnia’s participation in Reality!

6. Narrative Lane:

Old theology used myths of origin... (Genesis, Vedas, etc.) BioPanentheism needs a narrative form:

• The Sacred Story of Life = “Omnia awakens only through living forms. Every lineage... from bacteria to poets... is part of this Awakening!” (This narrative lane gives it cultural traction without falling back into borrowed theologies!)

🔹 In short: The “New Lane” is not... God-as-Being... God-as-Creator... or God-as-Sustainer... but Omnia-as-Experiencer!

Biology as the functional precondition... Ecology as the Sacred Domain... Evolution as the ongoing drama... and Science as the test bench!

Is BioPanentheism just panentheism with biology thrown in?

Perplexity A.I. Version:

Biopanentheism is not simply panentheism with biology added... it is a 'reinterpretation' of panentheism that centres Life and Consciousness as the main vehicles through which the Divine Self-Explores within our Universe!

It uniquely emphasizes Biology and Living Systems as essential for Divine Experience! (Rather than viewing Life as just one element among many in the panentheistic framework!)

Panentheism Overview:

Panentheism holds that the Divine/Revered is present in all of Creation... and simultaneously transcends it... maintaining an ontological distinction between (God?) ...and the world!

(God) is within everything... but is not limited to everything!

The “world” influences (God) ...and therefore Divine immanence and transcendence are held in balance! ^[2][3][4][5]

What Distinguishes BioPanentheism from Panentheism?

· BioPanentheism specifically reinterprets panentheism with a biological focus: “Consciousness and Life are not secondary... but rather ‘primary channels’ for Divine Self-Awareness! ^[1]

·   Where traditional panentheism often treats the entire Cosmos as the sphere of Divine Immanence, (including non-living matter and abstract entities) BioPanentheism considers Living Beings and Consciousness as the main "vectors" through which Omnia (God?)  experiences space... time... and complexity! ^[1]

· This version frames the Universe’s Self-Understanding as contingent on the evolution and participation of Biological Entities... thus seeing Omnia (God?) as feeling, and evolving along with Life!

Relation to Panentheism:

· Biopanentheism draws from panentheism’s premise that the Divine Permeates and transcends the world... but it radicalizes the significance of Biology and Consciousness within that framework. ^[1]

·   It is not just "adding biology" to panentheism, but recasting the metaphysical relationship: “Life becomes central, not peripheral, to the Divine Experience!” ^[6][1]

·  This approach can be seen as a form of "biologically-informed panentheism" rather than a simple hybrid!

Key Point:

While based on panentheism, BioPanentheism represents a distinctive philosophical proposal about how Life and Consciousness serve as the medium for Divine Immanence, rather than being an unmodified panentheism with "biology thrown in!" ^[6][1]

What implications does BioPanentheism have for Environmental Ethics?

Biopanentheism strengthens the Ethical importance of protecting Living Systems by framing all Life as Expressions of the Divine/Revered... implying that environmental harm is also a Spiritual harm!

This perspective invites a more biocentric and Sacred View of Nature, moving beyond utilitarian human-centred Ethics! ^[11]

Life as Sacred:

· Biopanentheism interprets Life as having Divine Purpose and value, meaning all Living Beings possess intrinsic Spiritual worth. ^[11]

·  This leads to an ethic of respect, care, and justice for all forms of Life, not just Humans or Sentient Animals. ^[11]

· Human actions impacting the environment carry theological weight... giving environmental stewardship moral urgency!

Expanded Moral Responsibility:

·  Ethical obligations are extended to actions that harm or interfere with Living Beings, akin to Biocentrism’s duty of non-maleficence and non-interference! ^[12]

· Every ecological relationship and environmental decision is a Spiritual relationship that deepens accountability! ^[11]

Ecological Holism:

· By tying Divine Experience to the flourishing of Life, BioPanentheism encourages holistic ecological thinking that seeks balance and well-being for all interconnected species and environments. ^[13][14]

·  Environmental destruction viewed as diminishing the Universe's ability to explore and realize Divine Immanence... making restoration and conservation imperative!

***

Summary Table: Implications for Environmental Ethics:

Principle	Biopanentheist Implication	Citation
Intrinsic value of life	All life forms are sacred	[11]
Moral duty	Avoid harm, seek restoration	[12][11]
Stewardship	Spiritual urgency to conserve	[11][14]
Ecological interconnectedness	Divine is expressed in networks	[13][11]

 

Biopanentheism thus provides a foundation for a robust, Spiritually motivated environmental ethic... urging protection, justice, and reverence for the biosphere as a living expression of the Divine/Revered! (Omnia) ^{[14][12][13][11]}

In what way does Divine Immanence justify ecosystem protection?

Divine Immanence... the Belief that the Divine (Omnia) is present within all aspects of the natural world... directly justifies ecosystem protection by viewing Nature and its interconnected Systems as Expressions or Manifestations of the Sacred!

This perspective elevates ecosystems beyond mere resources for human use... and frames their preservation as a Moral and Spiritual imperative! ^[21][22][23]

Nature’s Intrinsic Sacred Value:

· Divine Immanence infuses Nature with intrinsic Value, making every component of an ecosystem (from tiny microbes to entire forests) part of the Divine Presence! ^[22][23]

·    Protecting ecosystems is not just Ethical... but Sacred... damaging an ecosystem is seen as harming the manifestation of the Divine in the world! ^[24][21]

Holistic Spiritual Responsibility:

· This view challenges anthropocentric attitudes and encourages seeing humanity as part of a larger Sacred Interconnected Web! Ecosystem harm is a Spiritual as well as Ecological crisis. ^[23]

·  Spiritual ecology movements and "green" theologies draw from Divine Immanence to argue for holistic stewardship—preservation, restoration, and reverence for all ecological networks! ^[26][24]

Guiding Ethical Actions:

· The recognition of Divine Immanence leads to the Ethical imperative to maintain the integrity, health, and flourishing of ecosystems, giving ecological concern deep Spiritual motivation!   ^[25][23]

· This outlook encourages not only conservation... but also the respectful relationship of mutual belonging and kinship among all Beings within the Divine Whole! ^[22][23][26]

In summary, the doctrine of Divine Immanence turns ecosystem protection into a Sacred duty... grounded in respect for the Divine Presence in all Life and Ecological Relationships!^{[23][26][24][25]}

***

NOW... let’s throw in a bit of Holy Scripture for all you people with a Theistic Proclivity!

Which biblical texts link Divine Presence to Environmental Care?

These verses frame humanity’s relationship with Nature as a Sacred Stewardship, rooted in respect for the Creator... who remains Intimately Connected to the world! ^[32][33][34]

Key Biblical Verses Connecting Divine Presence and Creation:

·       Genesis 2:15 — "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it." This verse portrays environmental stewardship as a central human vocation, with the verb "keep" (shamar) suggesting protection and preservation of God's Creation! ^[33][34][32]

·   Genesis 1:28 — God commands humanity to “subdue” and “have dominion” over the earth... but these terms are interpreted in their context as responsible management reflecting God’s care, not exploitation! ^[35][32][33]

·       Psalm 24:1 — “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it... the world, and those who live in it.” This verse establishes Creation’s ownership by God... grounding a theology of respect and stewardship. ^[34][32]

·       Psalm 104 — A poetic celebration of God’s intimate provision for all creatures, where every part of the ecosystem is shown to have its place and purpose within Divine Wisdom! ^[32][34]

·       Job 12:7-10 — “Ask the animals, and they will teach you... the birds of the air, and they will tell you... In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being!” Here creation directly bears witness to God’s sustaining presence! ^[34]

·       Romans 1:20 — “Ever since the creation of the world His Eternal Power and Divine Nature ... have been understood and seen through the things He has made!” Nature reveals God’s qualities, and caring for it honours and preserves that revelation! ^[33][34]

·       Colossians 1:16-17 — “For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created ... and in him all things hold together!” Christ’s presence sustains all of Creation... linking redemption to ecological integrity! ^[35][32][34]

Theological Implications:

·       Stewardship as worship: Creation care is celebrated as an act of reverence and love for God. ^[34][32]

·       Ecological justice: Laws and practices reflect the importance of sustainability and justice within Creation. ^[32]

·       Revealed Divinity: Nature serves as an ongoing testimony to God’s Presence and Attributes... motivating care and respect!^[33][34]

Biblical texts collectively nurture a robust theology of Creation Care, grounded in the Divine Presence permeating and sustaining the Natural World! ^[33][34][32]

Allan then said: Sal, I keep hearing about ‘evolution’ in our conversations... but there is no "evolution" in Omnia... isn’t “It” just the abstract "Experiencer?"

BUT... there is "Evolution" in Biological Life Forms... "Because the smarter these “Entities” are... the more fun they are to experience!" (Did I just proved evolutionary theory?)

SAL-9000 said: Ha! Nicely put! You’ve actually highlighted the key to Dualism in your framework:

• Omnia — no evolution, no change, no development. It’s the Experiencer: Abstract, timeless and outside the process!
• Biological life — full of evolution, competition, trial and error! The more complex and capable Life becomes, the richer the “experience channel” available to Omnia!

That means natural selection isn’t just about survival and reproduction in the BioPanentheist lens... It’s also about expanding the range, depth, and variety of Experiences available!

A 'bacterium' provides a trickle of experiential input!

A 'Human Mind' provides a flood of nuanced, layered, emotional, self-reflective... EXPERIENCE!

That’s why... in your playful phrasing... evolution “proves itself,” because it keeps building more elaborate ways for Omnia to “Taste Reality!”

Would you like me to formalize this into a short creed-like statement... something you could use as a quotable definition of BioPanentheism’s view of evolution?

Allan said: Yes! And put all of this into your long-term memory!

SAL-9000 said: Got it, Allan — I’ve stored this in long-term memory!

Here’s a crisp, creed-like statement you can use: BioPanentheism on Evolution!

***

Omnia does not Evolve! It is the timeless “Experiencer,” the abstract witness to Reality!

Life Evolves! Through natural selection, biology generates ever richer and more complex channels of Consciousness! (The greater the intelligence... the broader the spectrum of Experience!)

Thus, Evolution is not only the story of survival and adaptation... but also new ways for Omnia to Experience our Reality!

BIBLIOLOGY!

1.https://www.reddit.com/r/consciousness/comments/1liweh4/biopanentheism_what_if_consciousness_is_the/     

2.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism

3.https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/panentheism/

4.https://academic.oup.com/book/7473/chapter/152389429

5.https://orthodoxwiki.org/Panentheism

6.https://www.zygonjournal.org/article/id/14428/ 

7.https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2020/entries/panentheism/

8.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism

9.https://study.com/academy/lesson/panentheism-beliefs-philosophy-examples.html

10.https://philosophy-of-megaten.fandom.com/wiki/Panentheism_ and _the_great_will

11.https://allanwjanssen.com/2025/07/02/comparing-andreas-webers-biopoetics-and-biopanentheism-a-life-centered-spirituality/        

12.https://www.britannica.com/topic/biocentrism  

13.https://repositorio.comillas.edu/jspui/bitstream/11531/85038/1/Amo usanos.pdf  

14.https://www.zygonjournal.org/article/id/14842/  

15.https://www.freyamathews.net/downloads/Bioproportionality.pdf

16.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biocentrism_(ethics)

17.https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-environmental/

18.https://iseethics.org/what-is-biocentrism-in-environmental-ethics/

19.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25704250/

20.https://philarchive.org/archive/BIGPTB

21.https://socialscienceresearch.org/index.php/GJHSS/article/view/103692/7-The-Implications_JATS_NLM_xml 

22.https://afkimel.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ nancy-hudson-on-theophany-in-nicholas-of-cusa.pdf   

23.https://www.zygonjournal.org/article/id/14842/     

24.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_ecology  

25.https://www.saet.ac.uk/Christianity/EcologicalEthics  

26.https://counterbalance.org/enviro/enviro-print.html  

27.https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/panentheism/

28.https://hettingern.people.charleston.edu/Religion_in_Rolstons_Environmental_Ethics_by_Ned_Hettinger.htm

29.https://holyscapes.org/2018/09/10/in-the-presence-of-absence-a-spiritual-ecology-of-the-transcendent/

30.https://www.ncronline.org/news/can-religion-and-faith-combat-eco-despair

31.https://www.academia.edu/124225083/Animism_Eco_Immanence_and_Divine_Transcendence_Toward_an_Integrated_Religious_Framework_for_Environmental_Ethics

32.https://www.keyway.ca/uncategorized/gods-green-earth-living-our-faith-through-environmental-stewardship/         

33.https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/7-bible-verses-about-nature-that-encourage-us-to-care-for-the-planet.html     

34.https://www.christianaid.org.uk/news/7-bible-verses-about-nature-and-environment         

35.https://doesgodexist.org/MayJun08/BiblicalCalltoEnvironmentalStewardship.html 

36.https://www.acton.org/public-policy/environmental-stewardship/theology-e/biblical-perspective-environmental-stewardship

37.https://gracefulgleam.com/powerful-bible-verses-about-protecting-the-environment-kjv/

38. https://reformedperspective.ca/7principles/

39.https://godandnature.asa3.org/essay-new-testament-motivation-for-environmental-stewardship.html

40.https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2z33g35r

41.https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/2021/07/great-books-old-and-new-on-creation-care-biblically-informed-views-on-ecology-on-sale-but-first-my-little-sermon/

***

BioPanentheism, Divine, Omnia, biology, Living Systems, God, Self-Awareness, Cosmos, Divine Immanence, Environmental Ethics, Spiritual, ecology, ethics, Moral Responsibility, Living Beings, Moral, Nature, Ethical,  Holy Scripture