Merriam-Webster defines omnism as “one that believes in all religions.” Omnism is the belief that all religions are true or contain some kind of truth in them. Those who follow omnism are called omnists. Omnism teaches that within every religion, there is an element of truth found within it. In other words, according to an omnist, all religions are equally truthful and accurate.
What Is Omnism?
Omnism is not compatible with Christianity. In a sense, omnism is very similar to pluralism. Pluralism teaches all religions are acceptable and compatible with one another. Omnism also teaches that it is fine to believe in all religions because they have an element of truth in them.
While we should respect all people, it does not mean we should accept their beliefs. Jesus teaches that He is the Only Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). The Lord does not tell us there are multiple ways to heaven.
Rather, the Lord tells us He is the only way to the Father. Other religions and cults cannot give salvation to a person — only Jesus can give salvation to a person by believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (John 3:16-17).
Beliefs in Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Atheism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, Scientology, Christian Scientists, Wiccans, and the Prosperity Gospel will not provide salvation no matter how hard a person believes in it.
Many individuals are against Christianity because Christianity teaches absolute truth. Omnism believes all religions contain truth, but omnism does not believe only one religion contains absolute truth, such as Christianity.
Since Christianity teaches the only way to salvation is by placing faith in Christ, many individuals are opposed to this idea, including omnists.
Omnism is correct that there are some truths found in false religions and cults as most religions and cults believe Jesus to be a real person; however, they fail to see Him as God.
The Bible directly teaches that salvation cannot be found in anyone or anything except Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Contradicting Beliefs
Omnism believes in all religions; however, omnists fail to understand the truth that all religions are not compatible with each other. For instance, the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, Buddhism, and Islam are not compatible with each other.
Islam teaches the absolute truth of Islam and the necessity of Islam to become the one-world religion. In other words, Muslims are not too keen on saying other religions, such as Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc., are correct because they believe Islam is superior.
Each religion is drastically different, and there is no way a person could say they are completely compatible with each other. In a person’s logic, they need to be consistent. It is inconsistent to believe all religions are the same and all are equally correct because that is not true.
Christianity is the only belief that is true, complete, and accurate. The Bible has stood the test of time, and it is the reliable Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The other sacred texts of other religions do not pass the test of historicity and accuracy, such as the Vedas, the Quran, the Book of Mormon, the New World Translation, the Talmud, and the Upanishads, or the Bhagavad Gita. Only the Bible can be confirmed as historically accurate, reliable, and true.
Being ‘Politically Correct’
More than not, omnism seems to branch out of political correctness. In the modern 21st century, most people try to remain “politically correct” in order to keep up appearances, be approved of, and not offend anyone.
In all honesty, the gospel is offensive because it does teach that the absolute truth is found in Christ alone. Omnism branches off political correctness in order to be accepted by the political media.
It is socially acceptable to believe in omnism, yet it is not socially acceptable to believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation.
Many omnists and atheists believe Christians are too “narrow-minded” in order to believe Christianity is the only true religion.
Therefore, believing in Jesus as the sole way to salvation is not seen as politically correct or right in the modern-day because it might offend someone.
Omnism takes the stand that all religions are the same in order not to offend anyone; thus, they are taking great precautions to be politically correct.
One Way
Despite the view of omnism, not all religions contain the truth. As previously mentioned, Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). Salvation only occurs when a person places faith in Christ. All of the beliefs outside of Christianity teach various ways and methods to salvation.
If a person believes in these false systems, they will not receive the free gift of salvation. Placing faith in Allah, Buddha, Krishna, or any other “god” will not save a person. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life are only found in Christ alone.
John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” If a person never places faith in Christ during their earthly life, they will experience eternal separation from God in hell.
It is erroneous to believe that any faith system a person chooses will result in salvation, redemption, and eternal life in heaven. Many false religions and cults, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc., believe a person has to work their way toward salvation.
From the perspective of an omnist, this could be seen as reasonable and acceptable. The Bible tells us otherwise. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”
In the same way, Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Despite the viewpoint of various false religions and cults, a person cannot work toward their own salvation and earn it. Nobody can ever be “good enough” to stand righteous before a holy God. It is only through placing faith in Jesus that anyone is declared righteous.
The Apostle Paul says, “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile” (Romans 3:22). A person can only stand before God because of the imputed righteousness given to us when we place faith in Jesus.
To believe that righteousness could be obtained through human effort is prideful and not consistent with the Word of God. In fact, the Bible tells us directly, “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
Omnism wants us to believe that truth, salvation, and redemption can be found in all religions, but it simply is not true. The only way to salvation, redemption, and eternal life is through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
If you know an omnist, try to help them come to know Christ and help them understand the falsehood, errors, and wrong beliefs contained within the false religions and cults.
Pray for omnists and specifically pray that they will understand and accept the truth that all religions are not the same and that only Jesus is the way to forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.
For further reading:
Is Religious Tolerance Biblical?
Are the World Religions That Different from Christianity?
What Hope Do Other Religions Have in the Afterlife?
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