Universalism

 
Universalism is religious, theological, and philosophical concepts with universal application or applicability. Universalist doctrines consider all people in their formation.

In terms of religion, in a broad sense, universalism claims that religion is a universal human quality. This can be contrasted with non-universalist religions. Religion in this context is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

In Christianity, universal reconciliation is the doctrine that all sinful and alienated human souls - because of divine love and mercy - will ultimately be reconciled to God. Unitarian Universalism believes that religion is a universal human quality, emphasizing the universal principles of most religions and accepting other religions in an inclusive manner, believing in a universal reconciliation between humanity and the divine. Universalism has had a strong influence on modern Hinduism, in turn influencing Western modern spirituality.

A community that calls itself universalist may emphasize the universal principles of most religions and accept other religions in an inclusive manner, believing in a universal reconciliation between humanity and the divine. For example, some forms of Abrahamic religions happened to claim the universal value of their doctrine and moral principles, and feel inclusive. A belief in one common truth is another important tenet. The living truth is seen as more far-reaching than national, cultural, or religious boundaries.

- Wikipedia

I assert nothing original or surprising by observing that our world is - and quite possibly always has been - torn by religious and philosophical strife which leads to suffering and misery every day. Today many voices are crying out that "religion" - that particular set of culturally determined beliefs to which we traditionally use to orient ourselves both to others and to the cosmos at large - is out of date and should be replaced by more rational modes of thought. History seems to teach us, however, that humans seem to have an innate need to discover and participate in a language of metaphors that stretch beyond the world which we can comprehend. By its very nature, "religion" - or if one prefers an alternative term, "mythology" - orients both individuals and societies to focus themselves in a fundamental relationship with what we might call "ultimate reality." When I use a term such as this, which is, admittedly vague, I am purposely calling attention to the notion that the biggest and broadest questions about the nature of our existence and our position in the universe is fundamentally, by definition, and at its root, a "mystery."

I do not believe that this assertion is anything that any of us, as conscious human beings, should rationally find ourselves in a position to disagree with or argue about. Even if an individual feels that they have discovered, in some measure, the "answers" to these great "mysteries" of being - either through subscription to some religious/mythical doctrine or through a personal experience that one might define as "mystical" - that individual would still be doing a violent disservice to the blunt facts of reality if he or she did not still respectfully regard these ultimate questions as "mysteries." Why do I say that? The answer is quite simply this: that no matter what you "believe" or think you have "experienced," there is no possible way on earth that you can demonstrate your personal or cultural solutions to everyone on the planet’s satisfaction. In short: these questions are "mysteries" precisely because there exists no universally defined "proof" to their answers.

What we do know, however, is this: we cannot go on in an increasingly dangerous global age of frightening weaponry and highly sophisticated technology and communications stubbornly opposing all who would disagree with our "certainties" about our answers to "mysteries." Any child with a modicum of reason can tell you that to get along with others, one must be fair and tolerant - and at the very least, polite.

The great 20th century mythologist Joseph Campbell never tired of pointing out that all over the globe, the discoveries of modern science combined with the continual inter-penetration of cultures was systematically tearing our old mythological systems and constructs to pieces. But after a lifetime of studying "homo religioso" as an anthropologist, he was quite convinced that we could not survive as a species unless we developed and adopted a new mythological construct, designed for a new millennium, shaped for all citizens of the planet, and not confined to the parameters of our former cultural isolations and outworn visions of an epoch of humankind that was rapidly slipping out from our grasp.

Every day brings Campbell’s conviction more evidence of its validity. As old verities continue to fall, what remains to bond us as a species in any sort of quest for the future? And when we see the violence escalate around the globe, we must ask ourselves - with great seriousness - whether any of the old "truths" that once held us in awe, wonder, and harmony can be seriously maintained.

Joseph Campbell did not seem to believe that any of our religious traditions would be suitable as a serviceable guide to a universally united race of beings - which is precisely what we need in order to survive, let alone to thrive. He said that one cannot construct mythologies - they appear unpredictably, like dreams, out of our mass collective unconsciousness. Or they don’t - and then . . .

Whether Campbell was correct about the macro-structure of a new order of thinking, feeling, and caring among the race as a whole, I do not know. But there are many people today - and I count myself among them - who believe that our inherited cultural traditions have the potential to be much wider in their application than we currently tend to give them credit for. I look at all the world’s great religions and I see not only something to admire in all of them, but I see a basic commonality - a basic commitment to essential human standards and values in the face of the vast unknown. I believe that these traditions still have power that we have not yet begun to tap. But in order for them to be functional at all in the new world, I know that we must allow them to be more malleable and flexible. They can no longer be seen as absolute. Rather, they must come to be seen as complementary to one another, embodying the same ultimate truths within myriad different forms.

I believe that if we see ourselves in a bold new way of philosophical understanding, if we release the tight grips of outworn orthodoxies, if we allow our approaches to each other and each others’ beliefs with open-mindedness, empathy, and a self-critical disposition, that these traditions have the potential to rise and flourish together within a new bond of mutual respect and tolerance. And that’s at the very least. For who knows how these, the most fruitful energies of humankind’s visions and aspirations might someday bond together into a beautiful new hybrid that could take the generations that follow us soaring into new vistas of wonder, new heights of creativity, and - dare we dream it - a human solidarity that for so long has eluded the grasp of our struggling species of clan-dwellers?

John Lennon once asked, "Imagine no religion." Well, that’s one possibility. But what if we asked, "Imagine all religions?" What might we have then? This was the dream of Ghandi - a vast human family of all faiths or even of no faiths, all bonded together in a glorious harmony of brother- and sister-hood.

Naive? Impractical? Impossible? Ultimately even undesirable? I don’t know. I for one think that it’s something that’s worth beginning to seriously talk about. At least I’m going to begin to talk about Universalism.

Why not? After all, it’s a mighty big Universe. There may be room for all of us.