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. 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. Join Us on Social MediaYour Donations support our quarterly journal and our Online CommunityWhen 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.
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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, Rachael Carson, and David Brower. All aim their object of spiritual veneration to Earth and the Universe, not to the supernatural.
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!