50%
Confidence
Belief overview
Natural religion
True religion is understood as universal, rational, and accessible to all.
2
Supportive
1
Contrary
0
Neutral
What it is: Natural religion is the idea that the essential elements of religion can be known by every rational human being.
How the position understands it: God, moral duty, responsibility, and the order of the universe would not depend on an exclusive tradition to be recognized.
Basis and context: The concept was central in Enlightenment debates and in attempts to find a common religious core beyond confessional divisions.
Debates and variations: There are divergences about how thick or minimal this natural religion should be.
Documentary evidence
Supportive
Herbert of Cherbury, De Religione Gentilium
A text on universal religion beyond confessional particularisms.
Reference: Edward Herbert of Cherbury, De Religione Gentilium.
Content: The author seeks common religious elements among peoples and traditions.
Use in debate: It is important for the idea of a universal natural religion.
Matthew Tindal, Christianity as Old as the Creation
A central work of English deism on religion as old as creation.
Reference: Matthew Tindal, Christianity as Old as the Creation.
Content: Tindal argues that true religion is as old as creation and accessible to reason, not dependent on exclusive late revelations.
Use in debate: It is one of the most important classical formulations of deistic natural religion.
Contrary
John 14:6
A passage used to defend Christological exclusivity against minimal natural religion.
Reference: John 14:6.
Content: Jesus is presented as the way, the truth, and the life in a strongly exclusive formulation.
Use in debate: It is often used against universalist reductions of religion to a common rational core.