Truth For Your Journey
ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION
Consider a different way
Peacefulness, Truthfulness, Choice: The Measure of a Self-Owned Life
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Nine Principles
- Establishment of Religion is a clearly defined system of moral and ethical principles. It addresses age-old questions of moral action and social responsibility as expressed and experienced in contemporary life. It may be placed within the framework of a constantly evolving understanding of the appropriate role of individuals, collectives, and the mediating institutions of government, commerce, faith and other familiar structures that profoundly touch all human lives.
- Establishment of Religion recognizes as its fundamental proposition the centrality of non-coercion in any compact between individuals, and between individuals and social institutions, and the concomitant principle of voluntary association. These bedrock beliefs are expressed as PEACEFULNESS as shown through non-coercion; TRUTHFULNESS as exhibited through fully informed and meaningful disclosure, and; CHOICE as freely given through the right of voluntary association. Together, they form the core of Establishment of Religion principals at this critical time in human history.
- Establishment of Religion does not claim to be antecedent, nor superior, to any other religion or spiritual path. Adherents of this practice are free to follow any religion or no religion; to be theist, deist, atheist, agnostic, monotheist, polytheist or syncretist. At the same time, it can be understood within the historic tradition of reformist movements, as Jesus was among the Pharisaic class, Gautama Buddha among the Brahmins, Prophet Muhammad, Baháʼu'lláh, Martin Luther and countless others.
- While it places the strongest emphasis on non-initiation of coercion or violence, it is not pacifist in nature. It recognizes the ultimate drive within the heart of every living being to assure its own survival, and the moral imperative of self-preservation when that survival is threatened. It further recognizes a profound moral obligation to resist coercion with reasonable compulsion against any aggressor, wherever encountered. Reasonable compulsion is the permitted use of an appropriate level of force to defend or deflect prohibited coercion, aggression, or violence.
- It is fully in harmony with such familiar and widely accepted prescriptions as, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If you do not wish for coercion to be used against you, do not act in a coercive way against others.
- We reject self-proclaimed authority figures and self-chosen arbiters of moral rectitude. Nor do we accept that our moral conscience or bodily integrity may be compromised by the corrupted expedient of so-called representative voting or administrative fiat. We concede to no one the right to speak for us, unless by our fully informed consent we voluntarily cede that right.
- At no time will Establishment of Religion accept any gift, donation, tip, compensation, emolument, perquisite or other pecuniary benefit from the sharing of this message. Such awards are antithetical to the original intent of the message. No material resources are to be held in reserve or accumulated for the purpose of advancing the message.
- Establishment of Religion is a No-Profit Movement. We will not collect funds of any type or apply for favorable tax treatment with any government agency. Establishment of Religion is a body of practitioners bound together by their voluntary association and shared, sincerely held belief in the Three Beliefs as the touchstone of moral action. We will not incorporate nor petition any secular or religious authority for the privilege of offering our message at such times and in such manner as we find most suitable, within reasonable constraint by civil authority when it exercises equal treatment under the law for Establishment of Religion with other groups of similar interest.
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F.A.Q.
Is Establishment of Religion a religion?
Yes, it is.
- It is a "binding to" ethical principles that are clear, consistent and morally defensible. So, from a functional perspective, it very definitely is a body of religious teachings.
- Are you living the values shared in The Nine Principles, those being PEACEFULNESS, TRUTHFULNESS and CHOICE in all you do, as sincerely held beliefs and to the best of your ability? If the answer to that is "yes", then again, it is truly a religious practice in your life.
How am I able to follow my original religion and still participate here?
Considering yourself to be among those who believe in the principles of this path merely means you truthfully and wholeheartedly agree to follow the Three Tests of PEACEFULNESS, TRUTHFULNESS and CHOICE in your life, while allowing the same latitude of belief for others.
Think of it this way: if you are a Christian, you consider yourself to be Roman Catholic, or Greek Orthodox, perhaps Lutheran or Pentecostal or Southern Baptist, or Church of Christ, and so on. You may be a Mormon. If you follow Judaism, you may be Orthodox, Conservative or Reform. If you follow Islam, you may be Sunni or Shia or perhaps are most comfortable identifying as Sufi. These are all variations of the great underlying spiritual ideals that inspired them.
Establishment of Religion should be considered in the same way. You do not renounce any of your previously held beliefs, unless of course you wish to. We have no need of a membership roll or donor list. Your sincere attempt to live the principles espoused here is all the commitment sought, and all that will ever be asked of you.
Think of it this way: if you are a Christian, you consider yourself to be Roman Catholic, or Greek Orthodox, perhaps Lutheran or Pentecostal or Southern Baptist, or Church of Christ, and so on. You may be a Mormon. If you follow Judaism, you may be Orthodox, Conservative or Reform. If you follow Islam, you may be Sunni or Shia or perhaps are most comfortable identifying as Sufi. These are all variations of the great underlying spiritual ideals that inspired them.
Establishment of Religion should be considered in the same way. You do not renounce any of your previously held beliefs, unless of course you wish to. We have no need of a membership roll or donor list. Your sincere attempt to live the principles espoused here is all the commitment sought, and all that will ever be asked of you.
You comment on political issues a lot. Why is that?
The notorious Willie Sutton reportedly was asked why he robbed banks. His reply: "Because that's where the money is." Establishment of Religion uses the same reasoning when it comes to government and coercive action: because that's where we find the greatest concentration of violence and corruption.
The assumption here seems to be that religions shouldn't concern themselves with the political sphere. But why assume that?
We believe the political class the world over is greatly in need of what true religion tries to impart: compassion instead of indifference; cooperation instead of the projection of naked power; persuasion instead of coercion; and a healthy appreciation for virtue rather than the mindless pursuit of pelf and privilege.
Further, we believe the sphere of government action is a natural fit for religion's influence. After all, religious inquiry has preoccupied human thought from the earliest days of civilization.
While we respect and appreciate value in the principle of separation of church and state, the fact is today's Church of State demands unwavering loyalty, blind faith in its goodness, our willingness to allow it unlimited license to punish any and all it finds lacking, and the sole and exclusive right to determine guilt and innocence.
The Church of State is the only church the parasitic governing class will allow influence in our secular society. It is in their interest to assure there will be no serious questioning of the moral character of our political class as true religion might pose, and no strict calling to account for their actions.
Establishment of Religion refuses to be silenced in our critique of the rot at the heart of our political leadership. As we do not seek tax exemption, we are free to offer our thoughts on any topic we consider worthy of comment, without the censorship IRS rules would impose. That leads us to cast our eyes toward government, a target-rich environment for those seeking an object crying out for fundamental reformation.
The assumption here seems to be that religions shouldn't concern themselves with the political sphere. But why assume that?
We believe the political class the world over is greatly in need of what true religion tries to impart: compassion instead of indifference; cooperation instead of the projection of naked power; persuasion instead of coercion; and a healthy appreciation for virtue rather than the mindless pursuit of pelf and privilege.
Further, we believe the sphere of government action is a natural fit for religion's influence. After all, religious inquiry has preoccupied human thought from the earliest days of civilization.
While we respect and appreciate value in the principle of separation of church and state, the fact is today's Church of State demands unwavering loyalty, blind faith in its goodness, our willingness to allow it unlimited license to punish any and all it finds lacking, and the sole and exclusive right to determine guilt and innocence.
The Church of State is the only church the parasitic governing class will allow influence in our secular society. It is in their interest to assure there will be no serious questioning of the moral character of our political class as true religion might pose, and no strict calling to account for their actions.
Establishment of Religion refuses to be silenced in our critique of the rot at the heart of our political leadership. As we do not seek tax exemption, we are free to offer our thoughts on any topic we consider worthy of comment, without the censorship IRS rules would impose. That leads us to cast our eyes toward government, a target-rich environment for those seeking an object crying out for fundamental reformation.
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