26. The belief that 'God is the universe' and 'the universe is God' is called ___ .
From Quiz The Nature of God
Answer:
Pantheism
The Hindu religion is said to be pantheistic, as every object is said to be 'God'. If you are in India and you happen to touch your foot to a book, even accidentally, somebody might tell you not to do so 'because it is God'.
A quote by a Hindu saint sums up this belief:
"One day, it was suddenly revealed to me that everything is Pure Spirit. The utensils of worship, the altar, the doorframe - all Pure Spirit! Man, animals and other living beings - all Pure Spirit! Then, like a madman, I began to shower flowers in all directions. Whatever I saw, I worshipped.
"One day, while worshipping Shiva, I was about to offer a bel-leaf on the head of the image, when it was revealed to me that this universe itself is Shiva.
"Another day, I had been plucking flowers when it was revealed to me that each plant was a bouquet adorning the universal form of God. That was the end of my plucking flowers!
"I look on man in just the same way. When I see a man, I see that it is God Himself who walks on Earth."
(Taken from this site: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/5310/hindi.html. )
I must mention, however, that most Hindus aren't all this religious.