Zen Deism

Can you practice Zen without being a Buddhist? Dr. Jay Forrest shares the deeply personal story of why he walked away from Buddhism in 2023—and what he found instead. From the rejection of idols to the pursuit of union with God, this episode explores the birth of Zen Deism: a path that honors the Buddha’s wisdom while reserving ultimate devotion for the Divine.

In this episode, I examine Penn Jillette's famous claim that reading the Bible can make a person an atheist by highlighting troubling passages involving slavery, genocide, and other moral issues. I then challenge that conclusion, arguing that such readings should lead people to question Christianity’s view of God, not the existence of God itself. The problem, I suggest, is not belief in the Divine but the Bible’s portrayal of a deity that often appears immature, tribal, and morally flawed. In contrast, the God of philosophy and Deism offers a more rational, timeless, and intellectually satisfying understanding of Ultimate Reality.

Zen Deism is a personal spiritual path that blends Deism, Eastern wisdom, Western philosophy, and modern science. It rejects dogma, miracles, and religious authority, emphasizing reason, experience, contemplation, and openness to revision. Through its Seven Affirmations, it presents a rational mysticism centered on Ultimate Reality, ethical living, spiritual transformation, and the pursuit of truth. Rather than a religion, it is an evolving framework for awakening, self-discovery, and reverence for the Divine.

A very short explanation of the transition from Spiritual Deism to Zen Deism. It also introduces people to the new website ZenDeism.org.

Spiritual Deism is a podcast for free thinkers, skeptics, and people who ask difficult questions. Dr. Jay Forrest examines religions and philosophies through the lens of reason, science, and evidence. He speaks hard truths while challenging easy answers, rigid beliefs, and institutional filters.

Spiritual Deism is a podcast for free thinkers, skeptics, and people who ask difficult questions. Dr. Jay Forrest examines religions and philosophies through the lens of reason, science, and evidence. He speaks hard truths while challenging easy answers, rigid beliefs, and institutional filters.

Spiritual Deism is a podcast for free thinkers, skeptics, and people who ask difficult questions. Dr. Jay Forrest examines religions and philosophies through the lens of reason, science, and evidence. He speaks hard truths while challenging easy answers, rigid beliefs, and institutional filters.

Spiritual Deism is a podcast for free thinkers, skeptics, and people who ask difficult questions. Dr. Jay Forrest examines religions and philosophies through the lens of reason, science, and evidence. He speaks hard truths while challenging easy answers, rigid beliefs, and institutional filters.

Spiritual Deism is a podcast for free thinkers, skeptics, and people who ask difficult questions. Dr. Jay Forrest examines religions and philosophies through the lens of reason, science, and evidence. He speaks hard truths while challenging easy answers, rigid beliefs, and institutional filters.

Spiritual Deism is a podcast for free thinkers, skeptics, and people who ask difficult questions. Dr. Jay Forrest examines religions and philosophies through the lens of reason, science, and evidence. He speaks hard truths while challenging easy answers, rigid beliefs, and institutional filters.