A Brief History of God
- Rick Bonetti
- Dec 5, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
On November 5, 2025, the Center for Process Studies hosted a webinar with author Nish Dubashia and co-presenter Marie Murtagh, who on YouTube discussed A Brief History of God: From Nature Spirits to Cosmic Consciousness. This thought-provoking event traced the sweeping evolution of human spirituality—from ancient tribal reverence for nature spirits to an emerging vision of unified cosmic consciousness.
"Drawing from history, philosophy, psychology, science, and lived experience, Nish and Marie explored how our collective understanding of God and self has transformed through cultural shifts, scientific discoveries, and the timeless human search for meaning weaving together scholarly depth with lived insight, inviting a deeper engagement with spirituality not as doctrine, but as an evolving and integrative human experience."
Whether you’re a seeker, skeptic, or simply curious about the deep undercurrents of belief that have shaped humanity, you might enjoy engaging with this rich and inclusive perspective on spiritual evolution and other future events they will be hosting.
"Nish Dubashia is a British author and Integral thinker, known for creating the Diamond Model—a framework that synthesizes Bohmian physics, Integral Theory, and Eastern philosophy. Having previously studied with some of the world’s leading mathematicians at the University of Warwick, Nish has been invited to present internationally at the Science and Consciousness Conference, World Unity Week, Integral European Conference, and MIT’s Global Change Forum." His book: A Brief History of God: From Nature Spirits to Cosmic Consciousness by Nish Dubashia was published July 7, 2025.
"Marie Murtagh is a spiritual facilitator, coach, and co-creator at Evolving Nexus. With a deep background in consciousness facilitation, Integral transformation, and complexity science, Marie brings a grounded, heart-centered approach to spiritual inquiry and transformation. Her work supports individuals and communities in navigating the liminal space between old paradigms and emerging possibilities, weaving personal healing with collective awakening."
Dubashia defines "religion" as:
A Relationship - a connection between the self and something greater - spirit, the divine, or ultimate reality
A Practice - ways to invoke, understand, and express that relationship through rituals, beliefs, and symbols.
A Way of Life - a framework that shapes values, ethics, community, and daily living.
Stages of Religious History
Mythic and Magical - early stages shaped by stories, symbols, and ritual practices rooted in nature and mystery
Rational and Postmodern - emphasis on logic, critique, individualism, and a questioning of traditional belief systems.
Integral and Holistic - a synthesis of past stages - embracing complexity, interconnection, and spiritual pluralism
The Seven Principles
Spirit - a sense of the sacred or transcendent reality.
Self - the search for identity, purpose, and inner truth.
Suffering - confronting pain, loss, and the human condition.
Hope -faith in renewal, transformation, or a better future.
Knowledge - the pursuit of wisdom, truth, and revelation.
Salvation - liberation, enlightenment, or ultimate fulfillment.
Love - compassion, connection, and the desire in a relationship.
Historical Stages:
Tribal Religion - 40,000 years ago to 10,000 BCE, corresponding to human development of 1-4 years of age
Polytheistic Religion - 10,000 to 3,000 BCE; corresponding to ages 3-7 years of age in the child.
Axial age Religion - emerging from 900 to 200 BCE; examples are the Buddha, Socrates, and Hebrew prophets; corresponding to 6-12 years of age in the child,
Humanist Religion - during the Renaissance in Europe, the Islamic Golden Age, or East Asia.
Progressive Religion - emerged during the mid-1980s to 1900s; corresponding to human maturity of 15 years of age and beyond.
Integral Religion - emerging in the 1970s with key figures: Aurobinda, Ken Wilbur, and Gene Gebser.
Holistic Religion - a global, post-integral religion emerging in the 2000s and beyond; key figures are Rupert Sheldrake, David Bohm. Spirit is perceived as energy flowing through all life.
As I have not yet read Dubashia's recent book, I cannot comment further on his analysis of the evolution of religions and a new understanding of what we call "God," but it does seem we are entering into the liminal space of "second axial religion." As dogmas and doctrines are increasingly rejected by many, something new is occurring that is yet to be clearly defined.
I have previously blogged about integral religion, holistic religion, and the vision of Teilhard de Chardin as expanded with modern science and wholism by Ilia Delio.
Humans seem to be wired to find meaning and purpose in our existence. It may be that divine consciousness is fundamental to matter with the energy of love animating our co-evolving toward greater complexity and unity., supernatural religion, rationalism, humanism, meditation, mysticism, consumerism, money/power/domination/sex, online video gaming, spectator sports, or technology and AI as a religion, each with their own set of beliefs, values, and rituals.
The Process & Faith program at the Center for Process Studies is a multi-faith network for relational spirituality and the common good.
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Join the Process & Faith community: https://processandfaith.org
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