Introduction
Understanding Religious naturalism
Religious naturalism is presented in its setting of origin — Europe and the Americas, 19th–21st centuries — without reducing it to a single formula. Its central orientation can be summarized as nature understood as the real whole and as a source of awe, meaning and ethical commitment.
Religious naturalism includes schools, lineages, communities or interpretations that may differ. This entry separates historical evidence, insiders’ claims and research findings.
To be retained
Four essential principles
- Central orientation: nature understood as the real whole and as a source of awe, meaning and ethical commitment.
- Its documented history is rooted in Europe and the Americas, around 19th–21st centuries.
- Practices notably include Contemplation or care of nature.
- Internal diversity and cultural context should be respected.
Small timeline
A tradition shaped by history
Origins and formation
The documented formation of Religious naturalism is associated with Europe and the Americas, around 19th–21st centuries. The founding figure or attribution used here is: No single founder or a traditional attribution. Early dates remain approximate when sources are late or fragmentary.
Historical developments
Major historical reference points include précurseurs philosophiques anciens and modernes, terme structuré aux XIXe–XXe centurys, and dialogue contemporain avec les sciences. They mark stages of transmission rather than a uniform or complete history.
Ritual life and transmission
Commonly reported forms of practice include Contemplation or care of nature, Contemplation, Study of texts and commentaries, Communal or domestic rites, and Ecological or social action. Their meaning, frequency and conditions of access vary by community.
Contemporary diversity
Religious naturalism includes schools, lineages, communities or interpretations that may differ. This entry separates historical evidence, insiders’ claims and research findings.
History and development
The documented formation of Religious naturalism is associated with Europe and the Americas, around 19th–21st centuries. The founding figure or attribution used here is: No single founder or a traditional attribution. Early dates remain approximate when sources are late or fragmentary.
Major historical reference points include précurseurs philosophiques anciens and modernes, terme structuré aux XIXe–XXe centurys, and dialogue contemporain avec les sciences. They mark stages of transmission rather than a uniform or complete history.
Worldview, beliefs and practices
Sources and practitioners commonly describe the heart of Religious naturalism as nature understood as the real whole and as a source of awe, meaning and ethical commitment. This wording reports a shared orientation without deciding the metaphysical truth of its beliefs.
Commonly reported forms of practice include Contemplation or care of nature, Contemplation, Study of texts and commentaries, Communal or domestic rites, and Ecological or social action. Their meaning, frequency and conditions of access vary by community.
Texts, symbols and transmission
Major supports for transmission include écrits de George Santayana, The Sacred Depths of Nature, and contemporary historical and scientific research. Commonly associated symbols include cosmos, arbre, and spirale. Their interpretation depends on place, period and lineage.
Historical and scientific perspective
History and the social sciences can describe organization, texts, practices and change. Their role is not to decide the spiritual truth of beliefs.
Cultural cautions
Communities and schools do not all speak with one voice. Self-descriptions should be contextualized and compared with independent historical sources.
What research can and cannot say
History and the social sciences can describe organization, texts, practices and change. Their role is not to decide the spiritual truth of beliefs.
References