We seek renewed reverence for the biosphere as the ultimate context for human existence....

Pantheism is unique among modern religions in that it might be accurately termed a "folk religion". It is a faith defined by its adherents - it has no one founding philosopher, no self-proclaimed prophets, no venal priesthood. It is not a philosophy or a faith "founded" by anyone. There is no Moses, no Buddha, no Christ, no Mohammed, no Messiah other than ourselves.

Pantheists are not believers in someone else's religion. We do not get our faith from any book engraved in stone, nor any prophet. For the most part, we are people who have some familiarity with comparative religion, who have seen the world's major religions as all containing bits and pieces of wisdom, but each erring in major ways such as anthropocentrism, superstition, and dogmatism. Pantheists strive for a communal faith, one that will recognize diversity, but not at the expense of not having something to believe in.

Religion is more than a mere philosophy of life. Each person must, it is true, have their own "philosophy of life," but Pantheism is much more than that. A true religion is not so much a matter of belief as it is a way of life, and all Pantheists strive to live their lives under spiritual guidance: Pantheists have some understanding of the Natural Law which governs our planet, a law which is understood not by supernatural revelation or by faith, but by the processes of science and equally important non-rational perceptions that can come only from reverence and wonder.

The core of modern Pantheism rests upon the spiritual self-reliance of the individual. Pantheists tend to feel that their religious motivations, beliefs, and actions are all personal affair, and are no one else's business. For this reason, the Universal Pantheist Society holds as a fundamental principle that no one can define another's religious beliefs, but that it is the privilege and responsibility of each to derive one's own spiritual understanding. But freedom of thought is only a hallmark, not the ending point. Pantheists recognize certain attitudes which we all hold.

New members of the Universal Pantheist Society are asked to make a statement of what it means to them to be a Pantheist. Comments by members reveal the insight that is our collective faith. One woman stated simply: "Being one with all life and nature." Another said, "All are one - I am a part of nature not above nature." One new member put it this way: "To me Pantheism is the acceptance of a great diversity of people's beliefs or lack of beliefs toward god. But most of all it seems like a commitment to actively work to improve my own, as well as our society's relationship to the natural environment, and to coexist with Nature as well as possible while increasing my own understanding and appreciation of its interrelationships."

Another member observed, "I once saw a saying, 'god is a verb, not a noun'. I believe the most important religion is the one in a person's heart reflected by his/her actions. What is most important to me is that humans respect nature, others, and life; that is Pantheism to me."

Derham Giuliani provides us with this thought: "The word 'pantheist' is the nearest label I've found so far for my behavior in the world: 1.) inability to determine where 'I' leave off and the rest of the world begins, 2.) a feeling that everything is inter-related and inter-dependent, 3.) a feeling that there is such a thing as religious experience and a spiritual aspect to the world, and 4.) continual growth in awareness by constant observation of natural processes and patterns."

One interesting aspect of individual's encounter with us is a feeling of relief at the discovery of Pantheism. One new member wrote: "I feel a strange feeling of relief - because for many years I felt the forces of nature were "God" - without ever hearing about Pantheists." Similarly, another wrote, "I am somewhat surprised, but delighted to learn that there are other Pantheists...I find a grand Unity, a wonderful Oneness with the Universe. I feel a satisfaction with my philosophy of Pantheism. I need seek no further of religion."

Denise Durance made the following statement when she joined the Society: "All of my life I have been awed by the beauty and intelligence of Nature, both on Earth and in the vastness of the universe. At times I have felt a very close sense of 'one-ness' with it all, a solemn and profound joy. I studied science, which leads to some intellectual understanding, but also opens even deeper, subtler, more mysterious layers of Nature which I feel can be grasped only in an intuitive sense. So I have come to value the spiritual experience of Nature, as a primary value from which most of my other values derive.

I try to understand and enjoy Nature, and to behave reverently toward Earth and my fellow creatures. This can be frustrating when living in a society whose values are so chaotic, so shortsighted, so divorced from Nature; the need to do battle with the anthropocentric world-view becomes obvious. I feel a deep desire to find others who share these feelings, and to work together in defense of Nature."

Such statements testify to the existence of a religious community which has a mutual faith in Nature as something which people are a part of, but need a better unity with. A new "folk wisdom" has emerged with a belief in Nature's eternal verities. Out of this understanding the Universal Pantheist Society was born. Although we are a religious organization, our members and board of directors are not people who believe they have a special ordination.

We are all simply Pantheists who have grouped themselves together for fellowship with each other, and to learn ways of improving our personal and societal relationship with Nature.

- Harold Wood

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For more information about Pantheism, or questions about this website please contact Harold Wood at ups@pantheist.net

Pantheism \Pan"the*ism\, n. [Pan- + theism.]

Any doctrine, philosophy, or religious practice that holds universe [cosmos], taken or conceived of as the totality of forces and/or matter, is synonymous with the theological principle of God.

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