Omnism - An Introduction

Wikipedia defines "Omnism" as " the belief in all religions, those who hold this belief are called omnists (or Omnists). The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) quotes as the term's earliest usage the 1839 long poem "Festus" by English poet Philip J. Bailey: "I am an omnist, and believe in all religions". In recent years, the term has been emerging anew, due to the interest of modern day self-described omnists who have rediscovered and begun to redefine the term."

It goes on to state, "Contemporary usage has modified "belief in all religions" to refer more to an acceptance of the legitimacy of all religions. The OED elaborates that an omnist believes "in a single transcendent purpose or cause uniting all things or people". That is not necessarily the conclusion of those who describe themselves as omnists. Some omnists interpret this to mean that all religions contain varying elements of a common truth, or place omnism in opposition to dogmatism, in that omnists are open to potential truths from all religions. However, as with modern physics, this does not mean that there is a single transcendent purpose or cause that unites. There may indeed be an infinite number of possibilities, or a deeper form of uncertainty in reality. There may be an influence more akin to existentialism in which consciousness is a power or force that helps determine the reality, yet is not adivine influence.

In this regard, omnism does not appear to be a form of theology, as it neither espouses nor opposes particular beliefs about God. Instead, it affirms the necessity of one arriving at an understanding of reality based on personal experience, engagement, and inquiry, and an acceptance of the validity and legitimacy of the differing understandings of others. In this, there is, however, an implied system of values or ethics.

It is a belief in equality. Not one religion or the other should be superior. Everyone has their own ways of thinking and believing. There are many aspects to religion that not everyone agrees on. Therefore, omnism is just a religion that agrees to never judge against other beliefs. It is possible for one to be a Christian Omnist, or a Jewish Omnist. How omnism is seen can vary from person to person.

The number of omnists is unknown since there is currently no formal organization."

There is a decent website and Facebook Page here:

http://omnism.com/om/home.htm

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Omnism/185908561493787

Wiki has a pretty good definition of Omnism or Omnitheism. Just as it explains, it's the basic belief in all fundamental ideas and perspectives in our history and culture, as being sources of potential truth. 

There is no single branch of Omnism, as Omnism could possibly be the first subjectively personal religion, customized to the individuals outlook and beliefs. 

In other words, it is a template for people to personalize their belief system, using all existing beliefs and perspectives. 

Now, just to clarify, while Omnism itself is the perspective that all beliefs carry potential truths, the term, "Omnitheism" is normally coined alongside it, though it describes the belief in all gods. The aspect however, the term "Omni" is derived from, insists upon all existing forms of thought regarding the subject. 

Meaning, in my own opinion of course, that Omnitheism isn't just the belief in all gods, it is the belief in all gods and no gods. To say it in a more complicated manner, it is the belief in God, a god, all gods, no god, all dead gods, that we are gods and God, and that God is a multifaceted element of knowledge that cannot be known, but understood fundamentally, through existing and experience of life. I could go on, but this could be described as the foundation of the complexity within that perspective. 

I myself am an Omnist and Omnitheist. When I go on in later blogs about my personally catered Omnist perspective, the reasons why I see my belief in the way I do, will become more clear. Or perhaps less clear. 

So Omnism being the belief in all beliefs and perspectives, gives clarity to the idea that everything we've created since our evolution into being, is important. That we have always given voice to the possibilities, and that with each creation, a new truth is born. 

To be clear, just because we have a belief in all beliefs, does not mean that all Omnists believe every story of every culture, civilization, and religion. This is just rationality and logic. So here one has to be careful, relative to their own perspectives, of how they approach the mythos and historical explanations of these beliefs. To be wary, while accepting of the possibilities, is how an Omnist should always perceive their perceptions. 

That isn't to say that one cannot believe in the story of Jesus or Joseph Smith or Muhammad. One can still be an Islamic Omnist. It is possible. You ultimately decide what you believe in your own heart and mind. As an Omnist you are fortunate to have one of the few perspectives that is compatible with every perspective, dependent upon your own ideas and beliefs. 

The degree of Omnism can differ as well. A pure Omnist for instance has no specific belief or perspective they subscribe to, instead having an overarching connection with all of them. A Chriistian Omnist however, could be a devout follower of Christ, but still believe in his heart, that his belief in Christ, or possibly Christ himself, is connected to all human creation and knowledge, thus one cannot separate themselves from the rest of the worlds religions because of that. These are just examples, and not set approaches to either or any Omnist belief. 

As an Omnist, the world and the universe, are literally yours to interpret how  you see fit, using the eyes of all beliefs, to visualize understanding and communication. Love and wisdom. Possibilities and inevitabilities. 

As an Omnist, you are the universe.