Universalism

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For others meanings of universal or universality, see universal (disambiguation).

Universalism refers to any concept or doctrine that applies to all persons and/or all things for all times and in all situations.

1 In philosophy
2 In politics
3 In religion
4 References
5 See also
6 External links
- 6.1 Opposing Universalism

[edit] In philosophy

For Universal Morals, see Moral universalism or Moral absolutism
For Universal Religious Beliefs, see Comparative religion
For Universal Rights, see Natural rights
For Universal Truth, see Universality (philosophy)

[edit] In politics

For Universal Citizenship, see World citizen
For Universal Democracy, see Democratic mundialization
For Universal Politics, see Internationalism (politics)

[edit] In religion

[edit] Ananda Marga

In Ananda Marga, Universalism refers to the idea that energy and matter are evolved from cosmic consciousness. Thus, all created beings are of one universal family. This is an expansion of humanism to include everything as family, based on the fundamental truth that the universe is a thought projection from the Supreme.

[edit] Christianity

Main article: Universal reconciliation

In Christianity, Universalism refers to the belief that all humans will be saved from eternal damnation or annihilation in hell. A related doctrine, apokatastasis, is the belief that all mortal beings will be reconciled to God, including Satan and his fallen angels. Universalism was a fairly commonly held view among theologians in early Christianity. The two major theologians opposing it were Tertullian and Augustine. In the first five or six centuries of Christianity there were six known theological schools, of which four (Alexandria, Antioch, Cesarea, and Edessa or Nisibis) were universalist, one (Ephesus) accepted conditional immortality, and one (Carthage or Rome) taught the endless punishment of the lost.^[1] In later centuries, universalism has become very much a minority position in the major branches of Christianity, though it has a long history of prominent adherents.

[edit] Hindu Universalism

Hindu Universalism denotes the ideology that all religions are true and therefore worthy of toleration and respect. It was articulated by Gandhi:

"After long study and experience, I have come to the conclusion that [1] all religions are true; [2] all religions have some error in them; [3] all religions are almost as dear to me as my own Hinduism, in as much as all human beings should be as dear to one as one's own close relatives. My own veneration for other faiths is the same as that for my own faith; therefore no thought of conversion is possible." (M. K. Gandhi, All Men Are Brothers: Life and Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi as told in his own words, Paris, UNESCO 1958, p 60.)

[edit] Judaism

Jews believe that God chose the Jewish people to be in a unique covenant with God. This covenant is described by the Torah, and it imposes particular obligations and responsibilities. Sometimes this choice is seen as charging the Jewish people with a specific mission — to be a light unto the nations, and to exemplify the covenant with God as described in the Torah. This view, however, did not preclude a belief that God has a relationship with other peoples — rather, Judaism held that God had entered into a covenant with all mankind, and that Jews and non-Jews alike have a relationship with God.

[edit] Islam

Muslims believe that Allah sent the Holy Qur'an to bring peace and harmony to humanity through Islam(submission to Allah). ^[2] ^[3] Muhammad's worldwide mission was to establish universal peace under the Khilafat.^[4] The Khilafat was intended to ensure security of the lives and property of non-Muslims under the dhimmi system, as well as according them certain rights of worship.

Although that system was initially for what Islam defines as the "people of the book" (i.e. Jews and Christians), some Muslims extend this to include Mandeans, Zoroastrians, and Hindus. Other Muslims disagree, and hold that adherents of these faiths cannot be dhimmi.

The Muslim ideal of universal brotherhood is the Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) prescribed by Islam. Each year close to three million people from every corner of the globe assemble in Makkah to perform Hajj and worship Allah. No individual can be identified as a king or pauper because every man is dressed in ihram clothing.

[edit] New Church

In the New Church, Universalism is the belief that God created every person to go to heaven and be conjoined with him there as an angel. And also that he does not make anyone go there, but people freely choose their eternal destiny.

People of all faiths come into heaven if they have followed their beliefs sincerely and loved God and their neighbors.

Those who go to Hell have chosen Hell because they enjoy hellish delights, which in Hell are only allowed to be enjoyed as fantasy. Therefore God does not punish people by sending them to Hell, but rather allows Hell as a permission of man's free will.

[edit] Online Church

The Church of the One Miracle, Universalist is an entirely on-line church. The practice is to print out the Moral Tenets, put them on your refrigerator, read them every day and follow them.

Universalist, it accepts anyone and everyone as a member, and has a separate page for both Theists and Atheists

See also Church of the One Miracle official website.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

Religion Portal

[edit] External links

Unitarian Universalist Association
Universal Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible that Supports the True Doctrine of Apocastatasis A scripture-based article from a binitarian Church of God view that all will be offered salvation and that nearly all will accept it.
Christian Fellowship Ministries Supporting the biblical understanding of Universal Reconciliation with proofs from the Bible.
Biblical Universalism:Universal Salvation as Taught in the Greek Text of the New Testament -- Offers Biblical and Patristic Evidence that Hell is not Endless, with articles and sermons from historic universalists like Gregory of Nyssa, Charles Chauncy, and Elhanan Winchester.
Universalism and the Bible -- Prof. Keith DeRose (of Yale University) defends universalism on biblical grounds.
Universal Salvation in the Eschatology of Sergius Bulgakov
Underground Universalism
About God's Inclusive Love -- Bishop Carlton Pearson's web site.
True Grace Ministries -- Rev. Ken Allen's web site.
Tentmaker Gary Amirault's Christian Universalism ministry
The Biblical Universalist
Student of the Word Craig Nolin's Christian Universalism ministry
Bible-Truths L. Ray Smith-The Lake of Fire Series

[edit] Opposing Universalism

Against Universalism -- Several articles opposing universalism, Especially against preterist universalism.
Catholic Encyclopedia article on Universalists as a denomination
Apocatastasis

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