Revering the Universe, Caring for Nature, Promoting Human and Animal Rights, Celebrating Life.
Scientific Pantheism reveres the Cosmos and holds that Nature deserves our strongest commitment. It erases the boundaries between religion and science, combining full respect for science with deep spirituality about what science reveals. By spirituality we mean the complex feelings of awe, wonder, belonging and gratitude we have about life, Earth and cosmos.
All matter, energy, humans and other life are an interconnected unity of which we are an inseparable part. We seek to participate in this unity through knowledge, celebration, mindfulness, empathy, love, and ethical action.
We avoid the traits that people question in conventional religions. Our statement of principles is not treated as scripture but as the revisable work of humans.
We support Freedom of Religion, and regard tolerance and non-discrimination as crucial today.
We avoid commandments and offer broad ethical concepts.
We acknowledge the inherent value of all life, human and non-human, and strive to treat all living beings with compassion and respect.
We uphold human and animal rights.
We promote sustainable living and nature conservation.
We avoid compulsory rituals because we believe in individual freedom of choice. However, we encourage the celebration of solstices, equinoxes, and key meteor showers.
We support the Dark Sky movement so that everyone can enjoy the stars and Milky Way.
We foster the concept of natural death – including green funerals and woodland cemeteries.
We certify members to perform natural weddings for friends and family.
We honor international days for peace, human rights, mother earth, environment and oceans.
Scientific Pantheism is an ongoing project to re-envision a 2500 year-old tradition that was not formally embodied until the late 20th century. The World Pantheist Movement – the largest Pantheist association on the planet – has promoted Scientific Pantheism since 1999.
By Paul Harrison