What we Believe

A living, evolving vision of spiritual freedom, wisdom, and community.

The Universal Gnostic Church is a sanctuary for seekers, mystics, skeptics, scholars, and spiritual practitioners who walk the path of Gnosis—the pursuit of deep, transformative knowledge. We don’t impose rigid dogma, but offer a living philosophy shaped by the wisdom of the past, the challenges of the present, and the hopes of the future. Whatever path has brought you here, may you find knowledge, freedom, and connection.

Our Foundational Belief

At the Universal Gnostic Church, we honor the sacred responsibility to seek truth, hold space for one another, and resist all forms of oppression. This page shares the beliefs and values that guide our community

Four Pillars

Unity – We recognize that the pursuit of truth is shared among many traditions, voices, and perspectives. Though we may walk different paths, we are stronger together. Unitas fosters mutual respect and understanding between theists, atheists, polytheists, animists, and all seekers

Freedom – Spiritual autonomy means no single authority can claim the whole truth. Each individual has the right to forge their own path. The UGC affirms the sovereignty of every seeker, encouraging exploration without fear.

Compassion – Freedom is incomplete without compassion. We extend mercy, care, and understanding to one another, knowing wisdom without kindness is empty. Enlightenment is shared experience, love, and support.

Wisdom – The torch of enlightenment guides our way. Gnosis is our aim… not blind belief, but understanding through experience, study, and revelation. We honor wisdom in all forms, from magic to philosophy, science to spirit work.

Decolonization and Anti-Oppression

We acknowledge the harm done by spiritual colonialism, evangelical dominance, racism, patriarchy, and other systems of oppression.

We commit to:

Uplifting indigenous and ancestral spiritual traditions.
Creating refuge for those marginalized for their beliefs, heritage, sexuality, gender, or migration status.
Practicing mutual aid, solidarity, and shared leadership over hierarchy and domination.

We invite all who join us to participate in this work of healing, resistance, and liberation.

The Sacred Act of Deconstruction

We honor the work of unlearning what harms us. Deconstruction is the act of questioning, examining, and letting go of inherited beliefs that no longer serve truth or freedom. It means naming spiritual abuse, resisting colonial religion, and breaking from authoritarian dogma.

At UGC, deconstruction is an act of liberation and love. We hold space for those questioning their faith, grieving lost certainties, or seeking new ways to believe. You don’t need to have all the answers to belong here. Your questions are welcome.

Our Spiritual Approach

We believe that true spirituality is chosen freely, not imposed. Our Gatherings (both virtual and in person) offer space for shared ritual, ancestral healing, and meaningful connection.

Clergy serve as companions and guides, not authorities. We commit to walking beside you as you reclaim your path, honoring your traditions and your truth.

The Nature of Gnosis

Gnosis is the pursuit of deep, experiential knowledge, both internal and external. It is the sacred act of discovering truth through personal revelation, philosophical inquiry, and interaction with the world.

UGC welcomes all paths to Gnosis: from communion with deities and spirits to self-discovery through psychology and reason. We encourage dialogue among diverse viewpoints, seeing this as a shared journey where all can learn and grow.

Polytheism, Archetypes, and Divine Expression

The divine manifests in many forms: gods, spirits, ancestors, archetypes, and personal revelations. UGC acknowledges these expressions without enforcing dogma.

Each person’s relationship with divinity is unique. Whether you see gods as literal beings, archetypal figures, or forces of nature, all perspectives are valid. Syncretism is embraced as a means of understanding these connections, and respect is given to all spiritual lineages… except those that dehumanize or oppress.

Ecological Stewardship and Sacred Nature

The Earth is sacred — whether seen as a living being, an interconnected system, or a gift from the gods. UGC promotes ecological stewardship as a religious duty, encouraging sustainable living and reverence for nature’s cycles.

Nature is the ultimate temple. We honor indigenous traditions and animism, recognizing that land-based spirituality is key to living in balance with the Earth.

The Atheist and Agnostic

UGC welcomes those who find spiritual meaning without belief in deities or supernatural forces.

Atheist and agnostic pagans may see mythology as metaphor, magic as psychological transformation, and ritual as a tool for human connection. We value knowledge in all its forms, from science to spirit. Reason and faith are not at war; they are different tools for understanding.

Fascism, Bigotry, and Oppression

spiritual liberation. We are an institution founded on the principles of knowledge, inclusion, and the sacred right of all people to seek their own path without fear of persecution.

Let it be known, clearly and without ambiguity:

The UGC will not, under any circumstance, associate, welcome, or conduct business with individuals, groups, or organizations that espouse or engage in fascism, white supremacy, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, racism, xenophobia, or any other form of bigotry, discrimination, or oppression.
We reject those who twist spirituality into a weapon to justify exclusion, hatred, or violence.
We denounce any attempt to use faith, tradition, or heritage as a means to oppress, marginalize, or erase others.

The UGC stands unapologetically with LGBTQIA+ individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants and refugees, religious minorities, disabled persons, and all other marginalized communities. Our faith is one of empowerment, liberation, and justice—not of silence, cowardice, or complicity in the face of oppression.

If your spirituality demands that others be subjugated, erased, or denied their humanity, you do not belong here. If your faith leads you to oppress rather than uplift, your path is not ours. If your beliefs condone discrimination or persecution of the marginalized in any form, you are not welcome in the UGC.

The Universal Gnostic Church will never turn a blind eye to hatred, nor will we entertain the fallacy that neutrality is a moral option in the face of injustice. To be silent in the presence of fascism, bigotry, and oppression is to be complicit.

We do not fear the backlash of the oppressors. We do not seek the approval of the hateful. We stand firm in our mission: to be a sanctuary for those who need it, to build a future free from the chains of dogma and tyranny, and to carve a path forward where all people may seek wisdom and divinity without fear, without shame, and without oppression.

This is our declaration. This is our stance.

So it is written, so it is willed.