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.
