Truth For Your Journey

ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION
The Words of CKjr

Peacefulness, Truthfulness, Choice: The Measure of a Self-Owned Life

 May individuals live in such a way as to be free to pursue the life they most desire? A simple path to follow that will minimize or even eliminate friction and conflict with others? 

Establishment of Religion
Establishment of ReligionNon-Coercion is the Way to Own Your Life

 Can trust be built back into our societies so that we may know with certainty the truth of our relationships and our obligations, and begin to conduct our life in that truth? 

Establishment of Religion
Establishment of ReligionFully Informed Consent Will Build Trust

 Can we truly be free if we are not able to choose our relationships in the way we believe to be morally fit? At the same time, we also allow others the same freedom of choice. 

Establishment of Religion
Establishment of ReligionVoluntary Association: Free to Be Yourself

Understanding our present predicament hinges on understanding the toxic role coercion plays in our personal and cultural interactions.

  •  09/08/2022 12:45 PM

Compassion is nurtured in our heart when we see others' choices in a non-coercive light. By freeing them from coercion, we free ourselves.

  •  07/20/2021 07:55 PM

Why do we have a separation of church and state? Looking more closely, we see the danger of monopoly power as it plays out in secular and religious life.

  •  06/27/2021 11:13 AM

There is a fundamental and dangerous misunderstanding of the symbolism used in admonishing us to "turn the other cheek."

  •  05/29/2021 03:19 PM

CKJr examines the question of State vs. the Individual. What does Establishment of Religion say about bodily integrity and collective responsibility?

  •  09/03/2020 02:50 PM

The idea of a "world religion" for each person on the planet isn't strange or absurd. It's already a fact of life and undeniably true.

  •  08/15/2020 11:15 AM

There once were two friends of very different and peculiar personalities. Adam and Zed saw the world in two ways.

  •  03/11/2020 12:45 AM
The Nine Principles image
THE FOUNDATION OF ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION℠

  1. Establishment of Religion is a clearly defined system of moral and ethical principles, as offered by CKjr. It is given for our time, while addressing 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.

  2. 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 the Three Tests of 1.) PEACEFULNESS as expressed through non-coercion; 2.) TRUTHFULNESS as expressed through fully informed and meaningful disclosure, and; 3.) CHOICE as expressed through the right of voluntary association. Together, they form the core of Establishment of Religion teachings, and the reason for its revelation at this critical time in human history.

  3. Establishment of Religion does not claim to be antecedent to, nor superior to, any other religion or spiritual path. Adherents of this path are free to practice any religion or no religion; to be theist, deist, atheist, agnostic, monotheist, polytheist or syncretist. At the same time, it resolutely proclaims itself 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 do the works of coercion against others. CKjr does not claim any special quality that distinguishes him from other rational human beings, but instead proclaims the uniqueness of the message at this time, a new emergence of old Truths.

  6. This message may be conveyed through aphorism, parable, humor, social commentary, political critique, art form, or any other method that seems appropriate to the labor of engaging an interested hearer in the task of self-examination of personal belief and the adoption of the principles set forth here.

  7. We take this opportunity to 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.

  8. We bring this message as an offering to the world, wherever this message may be heard. It will be given freely at all times and in all places. No material benefit may be exchanged for it, but hearers may, by voluntary consent, provide support through independent underwriting of the costs of any reasonable method of outreach, including publication in print or electronic media. This support is to be regarded as their personal donation of effort and material resources and at no time will any Establishment of Religion entity or person be entitled to accept any gift, donation, tip, compensation, emolument, perquisite or other pecuniary benefit from the sharing of this message. Such awards are to be considered as antithetical to the original intent of the revelation. No material resources are to be held in reserve or accumulated for the purpose of advancing the work.

  9. As we announce the primacy of the message and our ability to independently offer this new understanding without fear or favor, Establishment of Religion will be conducted as a No-Profit Movement. We will not collect funds of any type or apply for favorable tax treatment with any government agency, nor will we be able to provide tax exemption to those who offer their own material support. Establishment of Religion is a body of practitioners bound together by their voluntary association and shared, sincerely held belief in the Three Tests of this path as the touchstone of required duty. We will not incorporate nor petition any secular or religious authority for the privilege of offering the teachings 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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Yes it is!
  • As expressed in The Nine Principles: "Establishment of Religion is a clearly defined system of moral and ethical principles, as revealed by Universal Intelligence through CKjr. It is an expression for our time, addressing age-old questions of moral action and social responsibility as experienced in contemporary life." So from a functional perspective, it very definitely is a body of true 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.
Considering yourself to be among the Body of Believers 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 we seek, and all we will ever ask of you.
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.
Yes, we do. It is titled AFFIDAVIT OF TRUTH REGARDING RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND PRACTICE and Demand for Discovery for Any Requirement Infringing on the Free Exercise Thereof. It approaches exemption from the position of the primacy of individual religious belief over all but the most urgent collective needs.

We feel it is appropriate to offer such a document, considering the central role non-coercion holds in our beliefs. We hope it may help to support those who are seeking to avoid the radically coercive mandates to vaccinate currently being attempted.

We suggest reading the prefacing remarks posted just before the document. By doing so, one may have a better understanding of the role such objections play in the overall goals of Establishment of Religion.

You may view and download the document in several print formats here.
CKjr is the Name in Spirit given to a male of American birth who has spent more than 45 years in the pursuit of Truth.  The fruits of that long search are the teachings offered in the Establishment of Religion writings on this website. It is not important to provide more information on the personality of CKjr as it only serves to focus on the person passing along the message rather than on the message itself, where it should be.

The Buddha remarked, "I am only a finger pointing at the moon. Do not mistake the finger for the moon." True paths emphasize the message; personality cults emphasize the messenger.
One of the unique characteristics of Establishment of Religion is that it's brought forth from twin sources. Tanto is a given Name in Spirit that suggests "of or in fullness of life", while it means "so much" in Spanish.

Tanto's contributions are of a friendship with CKjr that goes back decades, brought together by the same spiritual pursuit. He and CKjr have traveled together in Life and it was of no great surprise that their separate journeys would intertwine in a most unusual nexus when the teachings began to unfold.

Tanto wishes to remain in obscurity at this time and focus on providing a vital analytical counterpoint to the stream of teachings from CKjr that at times can be daunting to properly interpret.
Because we live in a society where many people are still operating from the mindset of coercion, fraudulent misrepresentation and actions hostile to voluntary intercourse, Establishment of Religion℠ has a service mark applied to protect the long-term purity of its message, and the no-profit nature of its mission.

While we would prefer not to have to resort to such artifice for enforcing fair play, until the majority of humankind accepts the principles of honesty and true dealings, we must make use of this expedient to achieve the goals that have been set out for us.

  • Austin, TX, USA