Has anyone heard of the Ethical Culture Movement, or are you a member of this society? I had never heard of it before, but have been browsing some websites and came across this one:
http://www.aeu.org
It catches my interest because it is a specifically non-theistic, secular-humanist type of group that still considers itself to be spiritual, and still respects other faiths. Here is their "vision," from the website... keep in mind this group has been around for over a 100 years, and they have chapters in most major cities.
Quote:
An Ethical Society is a community of individuals dedicated to making our lives and our world more humane, more ethical;
Dedicated to the ideal that every human being has worth and dignity, and committed to a reverence for this world and all life.
Searching for a better understanding of how the world actually is, what potentials exist, and what yet must be done to build a better life: through analysis and critique of social and personal conditions, through creative inquiry for realistic solutions to heal pain, reduce suffering, and add to hope,
and through actively testing our conclusions in the world by our own experience and the experience of others.
Committed in these tasks to the fullest use of our reason and compassion,
and willing to accept responsibility to act on our best thoughts and feelings,
recognizing that our actions and failures to act affect our lives and those around us;
Knowing that building the good and the true is far more important, interesting and useful than to focus on whether we believe or disbelieve in certain philosophical or metaphysical or religious ideas, instead welcoming our diversity of thought as a strength to further individual and community maturity.
For this community, this is our common vision, the faith by which we strive to live.
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I can't find much to argue with in their "vision." I mean, part of me thinks it could be kinda hokey/watered own, but if I set my cynicism aside... why not? I read all these studies for my work that say going to church and having a religious life improves people's quality of life, increases social networks, and betters your mental health... but these studies never leave much room for atheists and those who don't want to subscribe to a religion for their own reasons. I believe there ought to be a communal substitute for going to church with a mainstream religion and having to sign up for all that jazz (well, the TFP is a pretty good one, actually)... this seems like a decent alternative.
Thoughts?