by Ginna Hastings
As we gather today to worship in our own fashion I cannot help but think that other people of other religions might think that we are not worshipping. We are not bowing down before a cross or a Buddha or some other representative of a godhead. Though we do pray at times, we are not reciting ritualised prayer. Our readings are inspiring but not always traditionally recited words. We have no creed. We do have an order of service – most times we gather. But we do have our 7 principles, the foundation of our “faith” – the moral principles that guide us in our lives, choices, decisions and self expression. These are:
• The inherent worth and dignity of every person
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Inherent in all these principles is a moral outlook: a desire that we humans treat each other and our Earth with respect, allow one another to make our own spiritual and moral decisions, and seek peace and liberty for all humans. Inherent in these values is an outlook that all humans have an equal value, and it’s up to us to preserve this planet Earth.
Ginna’s considerations of how everyone’s right to worship is fostered by the separation of church and state can be read here.
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