Our Beliefs

  1. We share a recognition that all living things are connected, and through that recognition, the preciousness of the earth and the sanctity of every human being on the planet.

  2. We believe that we are connected to other conscious beings around us through a universal energy, and that is has purpose in our lives.

  3. We are not bound by the creeds of any particular religion, and that a revelation claimed by one is not revelation to all.

  4. We believe that religion is a human invention, created to meet human needs.        

  5. We view "faith" as a virtue - not as blind and uncritical acceptance of un-provable dogma, but as the joyful determination and resolve of our working toward the ideals of a well-informed conscience. Faith therefore can be described as trust in our ability to create an improved future, and the resulting resolve to press onward toward those goals.
  6. We share a positive view of humanity, that we as humans are not "fallen", and not in need of salvation from a divine source, that sin is a concept that dooms humanity to judgment and punishment merely because we are human. 
  7. We like to freely reason or speculate on our religious views, individually or in community with others; that no human or institution has the authority to impose their views, and that freedom of thought and freedom to explore our individual spirituality is vital to the growth and maturity of human-kind.
  8. We are morally guided by ethics and conscience rather than by the authority of scriptures. We  prefer to consider ourselves free and independent spiritual human beings before we call ourselves religious adherents.
  9. We feel that love and compassion for others is the key to human growth; that through these actions we achieve our human purpose and potential.
  10. We believe that evolution and maturity achieved through love and compassion should be the intended goal of religion; that religion should serve humanity rather than humanity serving religion.  

Our focus......

  1.  We love life! We consider our lives to be full of potential.

   2.   Our view is one that affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give  meaning and shape to their own lives rather than depending on theological authority.

   3.   We share an appreciation of the arts, literature, music, history, and culture that make up the great mosaic of human existence; that through the these things we can continually enrich our lives.

   4.   We affirm that humans have the freedom to give meaning, value, and purpose to their lives by their own independent thought, free inquiry, and responsible, creative activity. We wish to stand with others for the building of a more humane, just, compassionate, and democratic society using an ethic that judges the consequences of human actions by the well-being of all life on Earth.

    5.   We respect and are grateful for the gift of life, for the ability to love and appreciate this world, and the diversity of fellow travelers who cross our paths.  

If none of the above makes it clear, how about our views in story form? It goes something like this... I think we all are part of the Great River of Life. For a time, we are the river...indistinct and inseparable water molecules.    But then comes a day when we reach a great waterfall, and as we tumble over the edge.. what joy! We are now individual water droplets, tumbling and spinning and plummeting downward, sometimes joining with other droplets for a time, then separate again. One minute careening off a rocky outcropping and then part of a rainbow! For this brief time, we are droplets with our own identity, free and unfettered, and for this time we should rejoice in the freedom and exhilaration of our existence. It may be all that we have, this wild tumble through time and space, because all too soon we rejoin the river far down below, and once again merge with all the other droplets to return to being indistinct water; loosing our individuality as we merge and return to being part of the placid flow of the Great River of Life.

So, let us rejoice in the journey that we take and remember that our time as a water droplet is wonderful and unique... and that we will always be at peace once again in the Great River of Life...

(Hey, is that another waterfall coming around the next bend?)
 

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