Our Principles
Principles
We affirm and promote…
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
- Justice, equity, and compassion in human relationships.
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation.
- A free and responsible search for truths and meanings.
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregation.
- A responsibility to the larger community beyond ourselves.
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we area part.
- Individual and communal action that accountability dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions.
Sources
The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
- direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
- words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
- wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbours as ourselves;
- Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
- spiritual teachings of Earth-centred traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.