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Universalism is a concept that appears in both philosophy and religion, asserting that certain ideas have universal application and relevance. The term’s meaning depends heavily on its context.
Philosophical Universalism
In philosophy, Universalism is the idea that universal truths and principles exist and can be discovered, in contrast to relativism, which claims that facts and morals are relative to one’s perspective.
- Moral Universalism: The belief that a system of ethics applies universally to all individuals, regardless of their culture, race, or religion. An example is the “Golden Rule”—to treat others as you would like to be treated—which is a basic moral principle found in many different societies.
- Contrast with cultural relativism: This philosophical Universalism stands in opposition to the idea of cultural relativism, which argues that moral codes and values are specific to each culture and cannot be judged by outside standards. Also Theological Universalism
In religion, Universalism is a diverse set of beliefs centered on the idea of universal applicability or salvation.
- Christian Universalism: The belief that all human beings will eventually be saved and reconciled with God through Jesus Christ. Key ideas include:
- God’s punishments for sin are remedial and corrective, not eternal.
- It opposes the traditional doctrine of an eternal hell, arguing that it is incompatible with a loving and just God.
- Many proponents believe all people will eventually embrace God and enter heaven, sometimes after a period of purification.
- This belief has roots in early Christian thinkers like Origen but was largely considered a minority and later a heretical view by traditional Christianity.
- Unitarian Universalism (UU): A distinct and liberal religious movement that emerged from the merger of the Universalist Church of America and the American Unitarian Association.
- Unlike Christian Universalism, it does not have a single creed and is not exclusively Christian.
- UU members are united by a shared search for spiritual growth and draw from a wide range of religious and philosophical sources, including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and humanism.
- The “Universalism” in this context refers to the notion that all religions hold valid ethical and spiritual elements.
- Universalism in other religions: Some other faiths contain elements of Universalist thought.
- Bahaʼi Faith: Emphasizes the unity of humanity and teaches that God has revealed his purpose through various messengers to different peoples.
- Sikhism: Teaches that there is only one God who is inclusive of the whole universe and that all people have the freedom to find their own path to salvation.
Universalism is a broad concept with core tenets that vary significantly between its philosophical and religious expressions, most notably Christian Universalism and Unitarian Universalism
This diversity in belief is the primary source of differences from other faiths.
Core tenets of Universalism
Philosophical Universalism
This version of Universalism holds that universal truths, facts, and ethical principles exist and apply to all individuals, regardless of culture.
- Moral objectivism: Moral Universalism asserts that a system of ethics is universally inclusive of all people, irrespective of race, religion, or nationality.
- Universal truths: It is based on the idea that facts can be discovered and are not merely relative to one’s perspective, standing in opposition to relativism.
Christian Universalism
Also called universal salvation, this is the belief that all human beings will eventually be reconciled with God through Jesus Christ.
- Universal reconciliation: A loving and just God will not eternally punish sinners, so any punishment is corrective, not permanent.
- Redemption through Christ: Salvation is achieved through Christ alone, and all people, including those who did not believe in him during their lifetime, will eventually come to accept him as Lord and Savior.
- Rejection of eternal hell: This tenet directly contradicts the traditional Christian doctrine of eternal damnation for the unrepentant.
Unitarian Universalism (UU)
This is a modern, creedless faith tradition that evolved from liberal Christianity into a pluralistic religion.
- Freedom of belief: UU does not adhere to a single creed. Members are encouraged to undertake a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning” and to develop their own spiritual path.
- Inclusivity and pluralism: Drawing from diverse sources such as Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and humanism, UU emphasizes that no single religion is superior and that wisdom can be found in many traditions.
- Emphasis on justice and compassion: Common values include the inherent worth of every person and justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
How Universalism differs from other faiths
Philosophical Universalism vs. relativism
- Universalism asserts that universal moral truths exist. It provides a basis for international human rights law and a common ethical framework.
- Relativism argues that morality is culturally defined and that no single set of ethical principles applies to everyone. Relativists would respect a culture’s practices even if they were considered harmful by universal standards.
Christian Universalism vs. traditional Christianity
- Salvation: The core difference lies in the destination of the unsaved. Traditional Christianity holds that eternal damnation awaits unrepentant non-believers, while Christian Universalism asserts that all will be saved through Christ eventually.
- Meaning of hell: While many Christians believe hell is a place of permanent separation from God, Christian Universalists view any punishment as a temporary, corrective process.
- Exclusivity: Traditional Christian denominations often emphasize that salvation comes exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ, which is why they generally consider Christian Universalism to be heretical.
Unitarian Universalism vs. other religions
- Creedless nature: Unlike religions with a fixed doctrine, UU’s lack of a creed is its defining characteristic. This allows for an enormous diversity of beliefs within a single congregation.
- Pluralism vs. exclusivity: Unitarian Universalism is radically inclusive, embracing elements from all faiths. This contrasts sharply with faiths that claim an exclusive path to salvation or God.
- Individual over authority: UU places the individual conscience and spiritual journey over dogmatic authority. The ultimate arbiter of truth is the individual, not a sacred text or religious hierarchy.