- What is Theology? Answer: As per Collins dictionary -
- What is Universal Theology? Answer: Universal Theology attempts to describe God and religious beliefs (but not practices), in the most general sense, without any context or reference to a particular race, region, or culture.
- What is Religion? Answer: As per Google -
- What is Universal Religion? Answer: The term "Universal religion" was coined by Swami Vivekananda. But unfortunately, this term turned out to be a misnomer.
- How Universal Theology differs from Universal Religion and Universalism? Answer: Universal Theology attempts to describe commonality of religions.
- Why do we need Universal Theology? Answer: In the ancient past, Universal Theology was included in the teachings of all religions. This part of the religion slowly faded away with time, and today most religions are only concerned with their own norms and commandments. When the postulates of Universal Theology completely disappear from a religion, then it is verily possible, that the religion could degenerate into a cult.
- What is the gist of Universal Theology? Answer: No matter what religion a person chooses,
- What exactly is meant by "The Holy Lord (God) is everything"? Answer: As per meta-physics:
- Can the soul communicate with the Lord? Answer: It is believed that communication with God is a one-way process. Since, God is "The Almighty", if he desires to illuminate a soul, it is verily possible. The Religious Philosophy section provides more insights into the notion of Lord.
- What guides the soul, if the Lord does not communicate? Answer: It is believed, that we are surrounded by a Cosmic Energy, and a true believer, is never alone.
Theology is the study of the nature of God and of religion and religious beliefs.
Religion is a system of beliefs, practices, and rituals centered on the worship of a god or gods, or a spiritual or supernatural power that governs the universe. It often includes moral codes and sacred texts, and is usually practiced within a community with shared beliefs and observances.
In a democracy, every person has a fundamental right to worship whatever God they may believe. Since, religion by definition, is a set of practices by a community, imposing another set of practices, could be a violation of their fundamental rights. A religion that is not practiced is a dead religion.
Therefore, Universal religion can never become a reality.
The word "Theology" means science of religion, and is strongly bound to philosophy. Universal Theology (unlike religion) only describes universal beliefs, and practices are left open-ended.
This is probably what Swami Vivekananda may have tried to teach; but his choice of the words "Universal Religion", could have created vast misunderstandings.
Universalism is a belief system that some truths and principles, apply to all people, irrespective of their backgrounds. Universalism is more broader than Universal Theology, and may cover, social and moral laws, in addition to religious beliefs.
Jesus Christ rebelled against religious norms and tried bring God into the hearts of people. The teachings of Jesus Christ became a religion by itself, but soon suffered the same fate, as other religions.
The author believes that Universal Theology should stand all by itself, as religious philosophy, on strong meta-physical foundations.
- and -
no matter what deity they worship,
- and -
no matter what prayer they choose,
the worship and prayer are always directed towards -
"The Lord who is infinite, boundless, formless, and unknown, but moves the whole universe".
The Holy Lord (God) is "unknown".
The Goddess is known and is "Energy".
The Lord binds Energies into Matter.
How the Lord binds the Energy into Matter, is (also) unknown.
The Lord is the cause of all motion and commotion. When the Lord is detached, energies become unharnessed, and all matter disintegrates and falls apart; The Universe freezes and comes to a standstill.
Therefore,
"The Holy Lord (God) is Everything, and exists in Everything".
There is a dual theory, where the Goddess reigns Supreme. It is possible to think that the Energies (Goddess), make the Lord shine, and without the Goddess, the Lord has no form or visibility.
In essence, "All of existance is based on the holy confluence of the Supreme God & Goddess".
Righteous action and belief in the Lord, are sufficient to ensure, that a person is walking in the path of the God; even if they could not directly communicate with God.