I’m an inquisitive soul and fearless extrovert (thanks, Captain Obvious!). So when I see something that intrigues me, I have to ask (much to “J’s” chagrin!).

So, I’m standing in line at Castle Neuschwanstein in the Bavarian Alps when I notice a word tattooed on the neck of a guy standing in line in front of me. I did not know its meaning, so you guessed it, I asked. That word was…

OMNISM

The young man told me that it meant that all religions are equal.

Fascinating!

I have been pondering this concept and have even read up on it. Omnism is a form of syncretism. Merriam-Webster defines syncretism as a noun meaning “the combination of different forms of belief or practice.” The modern usage of Omnism implies that all religions have some truth and are basically to the same end.

Now, I will not knock down anybody’s religious belief; that’s not my gig. However, I will point out that religions are human constructs, often leading institutionalized systems to express beliefs and practices.
In a way, they are all equal.

But are all beliefs the same? A Satanist believes in the Devil, a Hindu in Shiva, a Muslim in Allah, and an Atheist in themself. Christians believe in the Trinity. Are all these the same? I think not.

During an interview with a handful of pastors and elders years ago, a retired pastor asked me how my faith statement, “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life,” applies to our Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters. I explained that I worked hard to respect every human, regardless of religion, worldview, or life circumstances. And then I surprised him with my next statement:

In the end, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. And like the Gary Larson cartoon, there is a sea of penguins, and I’m the penguin standing in the middle singing, “I gotta be me!“