Is humanity in need of more spiritual universalism?

Considering that the human race has had a long history of denominational divisions and conflicts, should there perhaps be more spiritual paths with a more universalistic outlook on this planet?

Would that bring more harmony among the people?

And if so, what should such paths look like?

Some paths already claim a more universalistic outlook, such as the Unitarian Universalists, the Bahai and Sufis.

Are you attracted to any of the more universalistic paths and if so, would you recommend a certain type and why does that have your preference?
Is there an advantage to syncretism and should we have more of it?

If not, do you have certain objections to such universalistic approaches and why?

Marcion said:

Considering that the human race has had a long history of denominational divisions and conflicts, should there pehaps be more spiritual paths with a more universalistic outlook on this planet?

Would that bring more harmony among the people?

And if so, what should such paths look like?

Some paths already claim a more universalistic outlook, such as the Unitarian Universalists, the Bahai and Sufis.

Are you attracted to any of the more universalistic paths and if so, would you recommend a certain type and why does that have your preference?
Is there an advantage to syncretism and should we have more of it?

If not, do you have certain objections to such universalistic approaches and why?

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What makes you say Baha'i and Sufis are universalist?

Kirran said:

What makes you say Baha'i and Sufis are universalist?

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Was I wrong to say that these paths claim to have a more universalistic outlook?

I think liberalism would prevent more sectarian conflict, that being said so much of our conflict is really driven by war over fossil fuels, so I think that reduction or if possible the outright elimination of fossil fuels is the way to go

Marcion said:

Considering that the human race has had a long history of denominational divisions and conflicts, should there pehaps be more spiritual paths with a more universalistic outlook on this planet?

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There may be some bias in the way the question is phrased with an implication religion has been the cause of the major divisions. I wouldn't deny for a moment religion has at times been a significant factor and continues to be contentious. Much more important is the role human nature plays. Ego, the desire for power, domination over others and narrow self-interest. If this be true, the question becomes, what can we do to transcend the more negative aspects of our character and become better human beings? That implies transcendence, love, and a vision of humanity that is beyond the confines of our friends and family.

Marcion said:

Would that bring more harmony among the people?

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Genuine spirituality is what's required and has always been at the heart of any genuine faith, whether it be Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism or perhaps a newer Faith. Arguably the main purpose of religion is to promote love and unity, virtue and a more enlightened perspective of ourselves and humanity? However many have lost sight of this. The other side of the coin is religion can also promote fanaticism and hatred. Is it not better to have no religion than one that is destructive?

Marcion said:

And if so, what should such paths look like?

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It is for each one of us to read the reality of our lives and better understand what makes us better humans. No one can make that decision for another, only ourselves. So what that path looks like will be different for each one of us.

Marcion said:

Some paths already claim a more universalistic outlook, such as the Unitarian Universalists, the Bahai and Sufis.

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If any of these religions enables us to become better people, then we should consider following such a path. If they cause discord and estrangement, we should avoid them.

Marcion said:

Are you attracted to any of the more universalistic paths and if so, would you recommend a certain type and why does that have your preference?
Is there an advantage to syncretism and should we have more of it?

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Each of us needs to work out for ourselves a path that is genuinely spiritual. If that comes through a more traditional faith all good. If it is through a newer faith, then we need to have the courage to enter new territory and make a break with the past.

The experience of life for many of us is now multiculturalism and diversity of belief. Anything Faith that causes racism, religious prejudice, hatred or fanaticism will not work. But that is my reality and no one can walk in the shoes of another.

Marcion said:

If not, do you have certain objections to such universalistic approaches and why?

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No.

@Marcion

Considering that the human race has had a long history of denominational divisions and conflicts, should there perhaps be more spiritual paths with a more universalistic outlook on this planet?

I think not. There are enough paths claiming a more universal outlook.


Would that bring more harmony among the people?
If more individuals actually experienced inner peace, I am sure the world would be a better place.
Meditation works for me.


And if so, what should such paths look like?
If everyone did become universalistic, then the previous paths will honourably become cultural subsets and we can all enjoy each others' heritage, while we are creating anew one.


Some paths already claim a more universalistic outlook, such as the Unitarian Universalists, the Bahai and Sufis.

Are you attracted to any of the more universalistic paths and if so, would you recommend a certain type and why does that have your preference?

I have spent a great deal of time with Bahais and Sufis, some years back.
The main thing I remember about my conversation with them, is that I left feeling that true person-to- person communication took place.
Never did anyone try persuade me to join their path. We were on the same path 'seekers of truth'.

Marcion said:

If not, do you have certain objections to such universalistic approaches and why?

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Universalism is often the cause of conflicts as you believe others should be following your way of life too.

People want to find belief systems we can all agree on, but this is unnecessary and ultimately counterproductive. We don't need to agree, just not fight over who is 'right'.

Augustus said:

Universalism is often the cause of conflicts as you believe others should be following your way of life too.

People want to find belief systems we can all agree on, but this is unnecessary and ultimately counterproductive. We don't need to agree, just not fight over who is 'right'.

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I wonder if that is true.
Perhaps it is even the other way round, that the more universalist the outlook of the path is, the less sectarian they are and the more convinced they are that people in other paths are also moving towards the same goal.

If you believe the latter, there is no need to prosetylize among people who already have a path of their own.
Of course in some societies there is a massive move away from older paths because they no longer feel adequate and some of these people wil want to find a more universal path.

Marcion said:

Considering that the human race has had a long history of denominational divisions and conflicts, should there pehaps be more spiritual paths with a more universalistic outlook on this planet?

Would that bring more harmony among the people?

And if so, what should such paths look like?

Some paths already claim a more universalistic outlook, such as the Unitarian Universalists, the Bahai and Sufis.

Are you attracted to any of the more universalistic paths and if so, would you recommend a certain type and why does that have your preference?
Is there an advantage to syncretism and should we have more of it?

If not, do you have certain objections to such universalistic approaches and why?

Click to expand...

I respect each person's right to follow their religion without my religion being a map to their various roads. I don't care for UU because from experience it reminds me of a social sermon. Going there to learn things and mingle is the only reason I go. They used to be part of the christian so they still have remnants such as sermon structure and hymn books.

I'm not familiar with Sufi

The only way I see humanity taking a "universalist" approach is if we get rid of the politics and practice the religion. If colonizers and psyz. even though who don't know they are would be more center on their own growth a commune with like-minded people, that would help. Those faiths that keep themselves isolated would be hard to be UU because the nature of their faith is not structured like that.

But as long as people can work together without a one part map and less politics, everything else in respecting each other's paths would be fine. We don't need a "heaven" to find meaning in life.

Marcion said:

Considering that the human race has had a long history of denominational divisions and conflicts, should there pehaps be more spiritual paths with a more universalistic outlook on this planet?

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To be perfectly honest, to me, universalism and naivete are synonyms that can be used interchangeably.

Since the Sufis and the Baha'i both condemn my religion, they can hardly be called universalist!

Here's an interesting article: a Catholic speculating that the future may be pagan! He's a bit confused (he confuses paganism, neopaganisn, and new-agery) but it's still thought-provoking.
Opinion | The Return of Paganism

I like strong religions ... religions that have a really strong belief, and whose adherents really pinpoint what they are doing. When you talk to someone with a strong religion, they know what they think, and there are rarely any contradictions coming out of their mouths. When you ask about central concepts like the nature of God, what happens when you die, you get a direct and often concise answer because that person knows what they themselves think. There is no wishy washy, maybe this, maybe that, I believe this but I also believe that, maybe.
This does not mean at all that said person is intolerant. It's just that they know what they personally think. And just as often as not it means total tolerance for other paths.
In my experience, most universalist paths do the opposite. They dilute the teachings practically to the point where there no longer are any core teachings.

Marcion said:

Some paths already claim a more universalistic outlook, such as the Unitarian Universalists, the Bahai and Sufis.

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Kirran said:

What makes you say Baha'i and Sufis are universalist?

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DavidMcCann said:

Since the Sufis and the Baha'i both condemn my religion, they can hardly be called universalist!

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Don't confuse some with all. For sufism at least, there is no "Pope" to condemn or not condemn. Traditional sufism has many different orders, some more universalist than others.

The classic example is the Chisti order and Hazrat Inayat Khan who brought that school to the west. One of his prayers, salat, goes like this:

Most gracious Lord, Master, Messiah,
And Saviour of Humanity,
We greet Thee with all humility.
Thou art the first cause and the last effect,
The Divine Light and the Spirit of Guidance,
Alpha and Omega.
Thy light is in all forms,
Thy love in all beings,
In a loving mother, in a kind father,
In an innocent child, in a helpful friend,
In an inspiring teacher.
Allow us to recognize Thee
In all Thy holy names and forms;
As Rama, as Krishna, as Shiva, as Buddha;
Let us know Thee as Abraham, as Solomon, as Zarathustra, as Moses, as Jesus, as Mohammed,
And in many other names and forms,
Known and unknown to the world.
We adore Thy past;
Thy presence deeply enlighteneth our beings,
And we look for Thy blessings in the future.
O Messenger, Christ, Nabi, the Rasul of God,
Thou whose heart constantly reacheth upward,
Thou comest on earth with a message,
As a dove from above when dharma decayeth
And speaketh the word that is put into Thy mouth
As the light filleth the crescent moon.
Let the star of the Divine Light shining in Thy heart
Be reflected in the hearts of Thy devotees.
May the Message of God reach far and wide,
Illuminating and making the whole humanity
As one single brotherhood in the fatherhood of God.

Marcion said:

Considering that the human race has had a long history of denominational divisions and conflicts, should there pehaps be more spiritual paths with a more universalistic outlook on this planet?

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Spiritual paths are (usually) based on revelation. The revelation dictates the content of the spiritual path so it is pointless to dictate what the content of these should be, based on wishing for a happier world.

Marcion said:

Some paths already claim a more universalistic outlook, such as the Unitarian Universalists, the Bahai and Sufis.

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Even though these have universalist elements, they have specific teachings which they claim are true. But I doubt these teachings are true. How can you have multiple universalist groups with different contradictory teachings? Seems we would be better off only believing what is provably true and rejecting what is provably false.

Marcion said:

do you have certain objections to such universalistic approaches and why?

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In my view, revealed religions and revealed spiritual paths are not trustworthy sources of truth and knowledge.

dmap said:

Even though these have universalist elements, they have specific teachings which they claim are true. But I doubt these teachings are true. How can you have multiple universalist groups with different contradictory teachings? Seems we would be better off only believing what is provably true and rejecting what is provably false.

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I'm not sure whether they would agree with you that those specific teachings would make them less universal.
Universalism does not mean that you take some vague non-descript position making no choices or joining bits and pieces from different ideologies into one ill-defined mish-mash.

Mysticism especially caters to spiritual needs rather than claiming (irrationally) "revelations".
Spiritual needs which are tied to the nature of the human psyche and body are universal.
In that sense spirituality is like a science of the mind and science is by nature universal depending on experimentation rather than the human fantasy (sold to us as revelations).

So different types of more universal paths may differ culturally but in their practical effects on the human mind they may be strikingly similar or universal.

Marcion said:

Spiritual needs which are tied to the nature of the human psyche and body are universal.

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Yes, this is a deep insight.

Marcion said:

In that sense spirituality is like a science of the mind and science is by nature universal depending on experimentation rather than the human fantasy (sold to us as revelations).

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Yes; the tool of science of the mind is philosophy.

Marcion said:

So different types of more universal paths may differ culturally but in their practical effects on the human mind they may be strikingly similar or universal.

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I only object to contradictory truth claims of the various revealed religions and revealed spiritual paths, not the diverse "feelings of being" possible for humans, and whether certain of these are emphasized by the various groups.