"Enemies of the Human Race." William Blake on how to know God
Nov 29, 2024
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Explore William Blake's intricate views on God, challenging modern interpretations and emphasizing his mystical understanding. Discover the deep interconnection between humanity and the divine, revealing how this awareness can spark creativity and overcome despair. Delve into the concept of recognizing sacred moments in everyday life, prompting a deeper spiritual engagement and a richer understanding of our collective consciousness. Blake's insights encourage a revival of profound spirituality beyond mere humanism.
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Quick takeaways
William Blake challenges modern interpretations of God, emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and the divine as central to spiritual understanding.
Blake critiques deism for alienating God from human experience, advocating that true spirituality requires acknowledging divinity in everyday life for human flourishing.
Deep dives
William Blake's View of God
William Blake presents a perspective on God that challenges contemporary interpretations, suggesting that modern readers may misinterpret his ideas. For instance, he expresses a notion that God is intertwined with humanity, asserting that understanding oneself leads to the adoration of God. In his poem 'The Everlasting Gospel,' Blake controversially states, 'thou art a man, God is no more,' which can be easily misread as a denial of God’s existence. However, Blake intended to emphasize a mystical connection between the finite and the infinite, advocating an approach that intertwines personal spirituality with the understanding of God as a present and accessible reality.
Theosis and Mysticism in Blake's Thought
Blake's work underscores the importance of theosis, the idea of becoming united with God, as a central theme in his understanding of humanity's spiritual journey. He critiques deism for alienating God from human experience, arguing that such a separation undermines the true nature of spirituality and creativity. Blake believed that this connection to the divine is integral for human flourishing, and without it, both individuals and the natural world face deprivation. His assertion that recognizing divinity in everyday life can lead to a deeper understanding of existence suggests that true religion focuses on these connections rather than mere doctrinal adherence.
The new issue of VALA, the magazine of the Blake Society, is all about God. I've an article in it on Blake's mystical knowledge of God. "I am in you, you are in me, mutual in love divine."
Blake could hardly have been stronger in his views that naturalistic explanations for religion, and what would now be called non-real theologies, are inadequate - and, indeed, insufficient in accounting for the human imagination and yearning for the infinite.
Have a listen to the talk on what is misunderstood about Blake's view of God. And then read the article for why he thought non-theistic humanisms just won't do!
You can download VALA here - https://blakesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/VALA-5.pdf My piece is entitled, "Enemies of the Human Race".
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