Universism (ritual, moral, Deist, tradition, beliefs)

[Green Gaia]

Universism (prounounced "universe-ism") is a religious philosophy which aims to unite freethinkers, whether they use the term atheist, agnostic, deist, transcendentalist, pantheist, scientific materialist or other to describe their beliefs. Universism posits that religious philosophy should not be conceived in terms of one's views toward God, but rather the method and attitude with which one approaches religious questions. Universists embrace uncertainty and deem it fundamental to human progress.

Universists believe all meaning and purpose should be understood through personal reason and experience, without resort to faith. Universists contend this approach allows for belief in a supernatural first cause, as in Deism, or a conception of the universe as explaining itself, as in atheism. One who accepts Universism is termed a Universist. Universism distinctly differs from Universalism, which is inclusive of religious faith, and faith-based interpretation.

Some principles of Universism include:

• The most important thing is the search for meaning and purpose, as in relationships and love, understanding and knowledge, experiences and emotions, or elsewhere.
• There is no absolute truth that applies to all beings; ultimate knowledge of the nature of existence cannot be communicated, it can only be experienced personally. The natural state of most beings is uncertainty, motivating curiosity, openmindedness and appreciation for the experiences and thought of other beings.
• Morality is relative to individual circumstances and relationships. Any action's ultimate rightness or wrongness can only be determined by those involved in the action. Good and evil are ideas that can be useful, but are inaccurate if used to describe the nature of the universe.
• Social structures such as governments and institutions are useful insofar as they help individuals to flourish - that is, become and remain healthy, happy and able to work toward their goals that do not interfere with the rights of other individuals to work toward their goals.
• All life is free in the universe, limited in potential only by the physical laws of nature.

There is a nonprofit organization to promote Universism called United Universists, whose motto is Faith in Reason, Inspiration in Nature, Hope in Progress. Established in Fall 2003, United Universists currently reports a membership of over 4,000 individuals.

A different movement, which aims to change the public perception of atheists and others whose worldview is free from supernatural elements, is the Brights.
http://en.wikipedia.org

[Christopher Krajewski]

The problem with "universism" would to me the meaning and essence of Time for the mystery of its existence may be so overwhelming that one would need to substitute "God"'s existence to justify that I as per human happen in the World. On the other hand, atheism can show that I could make a mistake about myself to such an extent that previous analyses about "who I am" may progress philosophically determining time's reality already with or without God's existence.
Hence, truth claims to me remain at a puzzle or paradox which could only be resolved by presuming the truth claim to the others must exist before the truth claim at oneself.
But universism does show how people will want to make truth claims to themselves at the same time in communicato with people. I am, I say God exists... doesn't exist.

[Faust]

Thanks again Maize.
I have been systematically researching Judaism,Christianity, an Islam,(in that order) for over a quarter cent. and I'm afraid that uuism has slipped past me. I will have to look into it.Sorry guys but this colour thing is just too cool!(wait until I figure out some of the other gadgets on this thing,)
Faust (he he)

[mahayana]

Thanks, Maize.

I'd never heard of this group. Here's a link to their site

http://www.universist.org/

I think this touches on a lot of why modern thinkers have trouble with traditional religions.

[Rex]

I've heard of this up and growing. Sounds interesting

[ayani]

Universists believe all meaning and purpose should be understood through personal reason and experience, without resort to faith. Universists contend this approach allows for belief in a supernatural first cause, as in Deism, or a conception of the universe as explaining itself, as in atheism. One who accepts Universism is termed a Universist. Universism distinctly differs from Universalism, which is inclusive of religious faith, and faith-based interpretation.

Some principles of Universism include:

• The most important thing is the search for meaning and purpose, as in relationships and love, understanding and knowledge, experiences and emotions, or elsewhere.
• There is no absolute truth that applies to all beings; ultimate knowledge of the nature of existence cannot be communicated, it can only be experienced personally. The natural state of most beings is uncertainty, motivating curiosity, openmindedness and appreciation for the experiences and thought of other beings.
• Morality is relative to individual circumstances and relationships. Any action's ultimate rightness or wrongness can only be determined by those involved in the action. Good and evil are ideas that can be useful, but are inaccurate if used to describe the nature of the universe.
• Social structures such as governments and institutions are useful insofar as they help individuals to flourish - that is, become and remain healthy, happy and able to work toward their goals that do not interfere with the rights of other individuals to work toward their goals.
• All life is free in the universe, limited in potential only by the physical laws of nature.

wow.... this is pretty much exactly like the philosophy of "spiritual existentialism" i've been thinking about for a while.

yikes, guys...