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Welcome to the Universal Pantheist Society

We seek renewed reverence for the Earth and a vision of Nature as the ultimate context for human existence...

Are You a Pantheist?

Pantheists are persons who derive their fundamental religious experience through their personal relationship with the Universe. They feel that Nature is the ultimate context for human existence, and seek to improve their relationship with the natural world as their fundamental religious responsibility.

Pantheists see their personal religion as a system of reverent behavior toward the Earth rather than subscription to a particular creed. Because Pantheists identify God with Nature rather than an anthropomorphic being, Pantheists oppose the arrogant world-view of anthropocentrism.

For a Pantheist, “Faith” is not about belief, but rather is about being faithful to what we love.

As one of our earliest members, Nancy Rerucha wrote in one of our earliest publications in 1977, our foundational religious texts are not human but are from Nature: "Words can be bent, twisted, molded, to be used to fit one’s own perspectives, to repudiate another’s. But a fiery sunset, an awesome snow-capped peak, a circling hawk, a flower glittered with dew, these have all said more to me than a million of mankind’s words ever have or ever will.”

For pantheists, religion is not about what we believe but what we love. Another way of putting it is that Relationship is the purpose of religion, not belief. Pantheists pursue that relationship in a myriad ways - through art, science, poetry, music, service, volunteering, and many other ways. It's up to you!

This web site contains a collection of materials about Pantheism and Pantheists sponsored by the Universal Pantheist Society, an organization which since 1975 has provided a network for Pantheists. In Universal Pantheism, there is no creed or requirements to follow any particular belief or practices; rather we seek to provide ways for individuals to promote their own spiritual growth and understanding. Our goal is to provide Pantheism with a unified presence -- bringing Pantheists of all varieties together to share in our commonality while providing a continually growing source of information and inspiration.

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When you are ready, if you would like to support the spread of pantheism and unite with other Pantheists in full membership, including subscription to our quarterly newsletter, Pantheist Vision, we invite you to join the Universal Pantheist Society. Learn more about how to join on our Membership page.

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The Universal Pantheist Society was conceived and founded within the high-altitude groves of ancient 5,000 year-old Bristlecone Pine in the White Mountains of California. We honor our elders.

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The Inner Source and Outer Aim of Pantheism

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 is not a philosophy or a faith "founded" by any one person. Thus, we encourage all our members to write their own statement of What Pantheism Means to Me. However, this is not solipsism. Pantheism is a common thread through many traditions, dating back thousands of years to indigenous peoples and to such writers as Lao Tzu and Buddhist and HIndu philosophers. Western philosophy came to pantheism philosophy through the works of such philosophers Baruch Spinoza and John Toland. Later, the Romantic poets like Wordsorth, Shelly, Keats, and Goethe celebrated a pantheist world view. Today, modern nature writers and environmentalists often express a Pantheist outlook, such as Henry David Thoreau, Joseph Wood Krutch, Rachel Carson, and David Brower. All aim their object of spiritual veneration to Earth and the Universe, not to the supernatural. Thus, our sources of inspiration include the discoveries of science, especially the epic of evolution, but also inspired and expressed by poetry, music, art, and literature, but are best derived directly from contact with untrammeled Nature. As primatologist Jane Goodall says, "There is no substitute for direct personal experience with Nature."

A summary of our "universal" approach to Pantheism can be found in Our Entry in the Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature. This academic publication is a landmark in the field of Nature and Religion, and we are happy to be included in it.

How We Celebrate Pantheism

Most Pantheists feel Nature is our church. Pantheists generally can't help spending a lot of time in the out of doors, enjoying natural landscapes, watching wildlife, or studying plants, fossils, rocks, or trees. Pantheists also tend to follow healthy eating and living practices, and express their application of the universal "Golden Rule" to not only people but also to protecting the Earth. Pantheists have a rich literature of Pantheism across a spectrum of cultures. Pantheists often celebrate numerous dates on the calendar which can be considered examples of pantheist holidays - including the solstices and equinoxes, and astronomical and biological phenomena. Join or subscribe to our newsletter for quarterly updates about upcoming pantheist holidays throughout the year!

Our Position on Vaccines

As a religious orientation that embraces science and recognizes the interconnected nature of all life and all ecosystems, the UPS recognizes the importance of widespread vaccination, both as a safeguard for other humans to whom we are ethically obligated, but also to protect other non-human animals. There have already been a number of documented cases of zoo animals and domestic pets becoming infected with Covid-19 through contact with human carriers. This is enough of a problem that some zoos are now vaccinating those animals that are susceptible to human infection. Unless one is in the small group of people who cannot be vaccinated due to medical necessity, we recognize that as a matter of pantheist ethics it is everyone’s moral duty to get vaccinated. Based on this the board of the Universal Pantheist Society has unanimously approved the following policy statement with regard to Covid vaccines:

The Universal Pantheist Society does not recognize a valid claim of philosophical, theological, or religious exemption from vaccination for its members;
The UPS urges members to adhere to science-based medical practices and to seek and follow the guidance of trained medical professionals, including public health officials in each member’s political jurisdiction; and
The UPS further encourages organizations, including schools and government agencies, to strive to provide access to immunizations to all families and all marginalized communities, especially to those who cannot afford them.