No I mean that he was a devoted "believer" in a specific belief system which is known as Universalism.
You could very well say that Joseph Campbell was but make no mistake he was as stringent on those terms of universal truths that are grounded in the forms that even Jesus Christ himself would not try to argue with . Campbell was ever fond of those relationships part of life like the sanctity of marriage, harmony of society finding itself with identifiication with what is sacred in life beyond the latest baseball & football scores or stock market stats . With Campbell you don't find an easy task master for his view is very strict one but liberating in the end no matter what your religious affiliation , for Campbell you either get that life is sacred or its not and if its not considered something sacred you are in big trouble .
Best way to desribe it is what you love is the path you follow , consider the wine grape grower or the farmer raising good crops. a potter making good pottery , or one who lovingly tends his animals back then , any way you make your living , just do it well with all your heart in it . There are essential motifs in life like motherhood , marriage , education , maintaining a household & fellowship which all needs cherishing & for the right reasons .
Joseph was married devotedly to the same person all his life & completely dedicated to that relationship , because to Campbell's view part of finding the truth in life is thru that one most sacred exchange , that marriage between a man & a woman. He taught for 35yrs & one of the most beloved professors of his time affecting the lives of millions of people globally with his lectures.
Yes you could say Universalist , but so was Jesus ...these things are self evident but the vital importance has been lost for many or so Campbell saw it . Campbell may have inspired Star Wars but he was far beyond Yoda as a teacher and don't think you would be finding him doing post humous baptisms like the Mormons nor even see baptism as a requirement for anything to do with salvation , but a different form of baptism in life , yes he would be for that .
"Universalism" is not very specific a term , for most all religions consider themselves "Universal" <g |
