The metaphysics of materialism

We begin with materialism and evolve toward supermaterial Godhood. Spiritualism isn't necessary in defining Godhood.

Why do we need the "first cause" from which all spiritualism finds its best proof? Because human beings anthropomorphically see life as beginning and ending? As above, so below? No.

The more probable view is to see no beginning and no ending, and the cosmos as always evolving and devolving and not needing a first cause.

The "invisible" is not more real than the visible, it is just less evolved materially. Technical instruments continue to reveal what was invisible in the past.

Contrary to the mystics, those parts of nature closest to a "beginning" are the lowest parts of creation and do not bask in the glow of God. Beginning parts must materially evolve to the higher stages of life, and eventually can evolve to supermaterial Godhood, which is the furthest away from the beginnings.

So Godhood need not be lost in accepting the reality of materialism and naturalism. The material phenomenal cosmos is all there is---even the activation within life to evolve toward Godhood is material.

In theological materialism the Twofold Path conservatively retains the old so-called invisible God or Father Within in the Inward Path, but it is transformed in the Outward Path of material evolution to real Godhood.