Religious and philosophical beliefs have both been the subject of intense study and debate throughout human history. Among the many various belief systems, Omnism, Pantheism, Omnitheism, and Henotheism are four distinct philosophical and spiritual concepts that have often been confused for one another. My goal is to explore the fundamental differences between these four systems by examining their basic origins and interpretations. As a large portion of my posts are about Omnism, I hope to educate and dissolve the confusion that some have seemed to have around the concept. While there is a lot of debate into whether Omnism is considered a religion or a philosophy, I firmly believe it is a spiritual philosophy of religion. I will go into that subject in a lot more detail in a later post however.
The Philosophy of Embracing All: Omnism
Omnism is a relatively modern term for a spiritual philosophy that has probably been around for millennia, which recognises the truth in all religions. This is because the followers believe that every religion or spiritual teaching provides valuable insights into the divine and the purpose of life. They see all spiritual practices as diverse paths leading to a single ultimate destination. Thus, Omnists reject the idea of a singular "correct" religion and advocate for respect and acceptance of all spiritual practices; that all should be embraced. However, there is no stipulation as to whether an Omnist should believe in the existence of a god/s. Thus, this would make Omnism a spiritual philosophy of religion, rather than a form of religious syncretism.
Advocates of Omnism often argue that traditional religious structures are frequently restricted by cultural and historical backgrounds, and often do not offer a complete understanding of the divine. Therefore, Omnism endeavours to transcend these limitations by embracing the wide range of religious and spiritual practices available. By doing so, Omnists can hope to attain a more comprehensive and inclusive understanding of these practices and of the divine.
The word "omni" comes from the Latin for "all", and the term "ism" (meaning "to take side of") originates from Ancient Greek. Thus, Omnism. The term "Omnist" is believed to have its origins in the late 19th century, when Phillip James Bailey coined the term in his poem "Festus". In my opinion however, the original phrasing he used in the poem exhibits an "Unlimited Henotheistic" perspective. While I believe Omnists can be Henotheists, not all Omnists have to be, as Omnism is about the acknowledgement and recognition of other religions and their gods, not belief in the existence of the gods.
Religion can be seen as an abstract concept that involves their own beliefs, practices, and values that guide the way people live their lives. Acknowledging, and recognising a religion involves more than just recognising the name of the religion or its symbols. It requires an understanding and empathetic link to its history, beliefs, people, and practices, and an appreciation of its cultural significance.
All is Divine: Pantheism
Pantheism is a profound spiritual belief that asserts the entirety of the cosmos and all within it are divine. As Pantheistic beliefs state, there is no distinct, transcendent, or personal God, but rather an all inclusive, all intrinsic divine presence that permeates the entire universe. In its most basic form, Pantheists perceive God as an indivisible part of the natural world itself, and not a distinct entity.
The notion of Pantheism was initially introduced in Latin under the name "Pantheismus" by Joseph Raphson in 1697. He made a distinction between two groups of individuals: "Panhylists" who believed that everything was constituted of matter, and "Pantheists" who believed in a universal substance that was responsible for creating everything. Raphson contended that the universe was immeasurable relative to human understanding, and people would never be able to fully comprehend it.
The word "Pantheism" comes from the Greek words "pan" (meaning "all") and "theos" (meaning "a god"). It was the compound of these two words that was intended to convey the idea that God is everything and everything is God.
The beginnings of Pantheism can be followed back to Animistic traditions, where the understanding of the universe as a collective, celestial being was initially being explored. Later on, this notion was refined by intellectuals like Spinoza and Hegel, who underscored the interrelatedness and interdependence of all things in the cosmos. Baruch Spinoza wrote:
"Whatever is, is in God, and nothing can be, or be conceived without God."
All Gods Welcome: Omnitheism
Omnitheism is a religious concept that believes in the existence of all deities. According to this belief system, each deity represents a distinct side of the divine, and all of them are vital for a comprehensive understanding. When people hear the term "Omnism", they often associate it with Omnitheism, which claims that every god must exist, making it a religion.
"Omnitheism" is a relatively new term that appears to have emerged in popular discourse rather than through a specific individual or group's promotion, and so it is not clear who first used the term or when it was first introduced into common phrasing. Despite the lack of a recognised creator, the term seems to have been somewhat popularised. It gained attention from me, after learning of it when people would often mistake me for one after stating I am an Omnist.
The prefix "omni" (meaning "all" or "every"), while "theism" refers to a belief in the existence of one or more gods. Thus, Omnitheism implies a belief in the existence of all gods. While the origins of the word "Omnitheism" are unclear, the term has gained popularity due to its simplicity and versatility, making it a useful concept for those looking to describe a belief in the "universal divine coalition".
The roots of Omnitheism can be traced back to the Polytheistic religions of ancient civilisations. Nonetheless, Omnitheism diverges from traditional Polytheistic religions in that it underscores the equality and interconnectedness of all deities, rather than believing exclusively in their own religions deities.
One Above All: Henotheism
Henotheism is a religious belief system that is characterised by the worship of a single god, while not denying the existence of other gods or goddesses. This term comes from the Greek word "heno" (meaning "one" or "single"), and "theos" (meaning "a god"). It is a type of Polytheism, but with a focus on the worship of one particular god, who is considered to be the ultimate creator.
At its most exclusive, Henotheism can resemble a Monotheistic religion. This is because it recognises one supreme deity as the highest authority and source of power. However, Henotheists believe it more in a Polytheistic light. In many ancient religions, such as the ancient Egyptian religion, even the divine rulers were subject to the authority of the god Amun-Ra. In this case, Amun-Ra was considered the one true god, while the other gods are argued to be his manifestations or extensions. The difference between Henotheism and Monotheism is that the former recognises the existence of other gods, but chooses to worship only one of them.
On the other hand, Henotheism could be viewed as an "Unlimited Polytheism", where there is space to believe in every single "lesser" god while still only worshipping one supreme deity. This is evident in Hinduism, where there are thousands of gods and goddesses, but a devotee may choose to worship one or more deities, with one supreme being, Brahman, being the ultimate deity. In this case, Henotheism can be seen as a form of Polytheism, where there is a possibility for a belief in unlimited gods and goddesses, but with one supreme deity at the top.
However, Henotheism is distinct from both Monotheism and Polytheism. Henotheism can be seen as a middle ground between these two extremes. While Henotheists worship a single deity, they do not deny the existence of other gods and goddesses. Instead, they may view their patron deity as the most powerful or important of all the gods, or they may believe that their personal relationship with that deity is the most important aspect of their religious practice.
Diverse Approaches
While Omnism, Pantheism, Omnitheism, and Henotheism share some things in common, such as an emphasis on the interconnectedness and oneness of all things and inclusivity, they also differ in majorly significant ways. Omnism, to me, is viewed more as a Philosophy of Religion, and recognises and respects the diversity of different religious traditions. It is noticeable that among all the names mentioned, Omnism stands out as it does not end with the suffix "-theism," (belief in a god/s), but rather with "-ism" (taking side with).
Pantheism views the divine as an impersonal force that pervades the universe, in the unity of the divine and the natural world; Omnitheism worships the endless deities with distinct personalities and attributes, all of whom are necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the divine; and Henotheism bridges a conceptual gap between Monotheism and Polytheism, believing in multiple gods but only worshipping one above all. In contrast, Omnism does not involve worship of any kind to a specific divine entity or entities. Rather, it emphasises the importance of these entities, of moral truth, and inquiry in developing one's own understanding of spirituality and of the divine.
Each of these systems offers a unique perspective on the divine, and individuals must explore and discover their own spiritual path. However, understanding the differences between these concepts is essential in avoiding confusion we get between these distinct ideas.
By grasping the essential distinctions between Omnism, Pantheism, Omnitheism, and Henotheism, we can construct a deeper understanding of various philosophical and spiritual notions. Ultimately, it's each individual's responsibility to embark on their own spiritual and philosophical journey of discovery. However, having awareness of these diverse concepts can offer a helpful structure for spiritual evolution.
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