Revealed vs. Natural Religion: Universalism, Dogma and Tolerance

Revealed Religions: Divine Manifestation and Dogma

Revelation is a divine manifestation where God displays and transmits hidden and sacred truths to humanity. All religions founded on some form of divine revelation are known as revealed religions. Jean-Jacques Rousseau identifies the following characteristics of revealed religions:

• Inherent Particularism

  An inherent particularism stands in opposition to universality. Revealed religions often condemn individuals for involuntary ignorance, which is not attributable to the individual who suffers. This particularism relates to an intellectual conception of virtue.

• Ethnocentrism, Bigotry, and Intolerance

  Other key features include ethnocentrism, bigotry, and intolerance. Ethnocentrism involves taking one's own culture as an unquestioned point of view. These characteristics often link revealed religions with fanatical and intolerant attitudes.

Adherents of these religions often believe they possess the sole and absolute truth. True tolerance emerges from finding common ground between different beliefs. This is only possible by questioning the fanatical attitude, which uncritically accepts all religious dogmas and condemns dissenting views.

In summary, revealed religion is a form of faith dependent on supernatural revelation and sacred texts, often used to guide worship and affirm specific dogmas. Within these religions, institutions are often seen as purely human, leading to mutual intolerance and the exclusive claim of each to possess the ultimate truth.

Natural Religion: Universalism and Tolerance

To overcome the intolerance often found in revealed religions, natural religion seeks to identify common elements that lead to notions contrary to specific revelations. Its core tenets include universalism, cultural relativism, and tolerance.

Natural religion is a universal faith, common to all human beings, which accepts the existence of a creator in the world and believes God has made us capable of happiness. Its foundations lie in human consciousness and inner feeling.

Maintaining a universal religion requires 'worship of the heart' – a sense of gratitude to the creator of our species – and demands no specific learning. It requires no specific institutions or rituals. Its principles are found in the innate consciousness of human beings and the natural order of the world.

Natural religion is often considered superior to any form of revealed religion due to its inherent inclusivity. It is tolerant of different religions, always positive, and does not disturb social peace.