The Core Principles of Your Faith/Church (Jesus Christ, ritual, moral)

[jonny]

I thought this would be interesting and I thought of it while reading another thread.

If your religion or church has a set of articles, principles, etc (I really don't know what to call them), post them here. I think it would be interesting to compare what differences there are between the different religions.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'll post the LDS Articles of Faith as an example. Every member of the church is supposed to memorize and recite these before turning 12 and graduating from Primary. This should give you an idea of the stuff that I am looking for. #13 was always my favorite - even if I did recite that we belive in following the "abomination" of Paul for quite a few years.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Please note - this isn't a debate forum!!! If you want to debate the main tenants of anyone's faith please start a thread in the appropriate forum.

[Faint]

Live for pleasure and happiness.

[Green Gaia]

Unitarian Universalism

We don't have to memorize them, but post them enough times on a forum, and you'll have them memorized.

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• 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.

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 neighbors 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-centered 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.


My church rewords it this way:

Love is the message of this church, and service is its law.
This is our great covenant together – to dwell together in peace,
to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.

El amor es el mensaje de esta iglesia, y el servicio es su ley.
Esto es lo que pactamos unos con otros – habitar juntos en paz,
buscar la verdad con amor, y ayudarnos unos con otros.

We say it in Spanish as well because of some workers in the greenhouse next door come over sometimes for the service.

[Melody]

Originally Posted by jonny

If your religion or church has a set of articles, principles, etc (I really don't know what to call them), post them here. I think it would be interesting to compare what differences there are between the different religions.

I don't have a religion but the "principles" of my faith are pretty straight forward:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

--Matthew 22:36-39

[Aqualung]

Another basic principle of our faith that sets us apart from most other faiths is the corporeal nature of the Father and the Son.

[Darkdale]

Any spiritual path demands certain standards of conduct for its followers, and Asatru is no exception.

We do not have a list of "thou shalt nots" in Asatru, and even a simple list of our virtues is not easy to assemble. However, by studying the epic tales and poetic lore of early Germanic culture we can deduce the traits our ancestors valued in themselves and others.

Here, then, is a partial list of these qualities, adapted from We Are Our Deeds: The Elder Heathenry, Its Ethic and Thew, by Eric Wodening (Available from Theod, PO Box 8062, Watertown, NY 13601):

Industriousness - Be productively engaged in life. Avoid laziness. Strive to accomplish good things.

Justice - Let equity and fairness be your hallmark. Treat others in accordance with what they deserve, and give each person a chance to show his or her best.

Courage - Fear is natural, but it can be overcome. Train yourself to do the things you fear, both physically and morally.

Generosity - An open hand and an open heart bring happiness to you and to others. The miserly are never happy.

Hospitality - In ancient times, travelers were greeted with food, drink, and a warm place by the fire. See that your guests never want.

Moderation - Enjoy all good things, but do not overindulge. No one admires a glutton or a person who cannot control his or her appetites.

Community - Cooperate with kin and friends, do your fair share, and remember your responsibilities to others.

Individuality - Although we belong to a community, we are also individuals with distinct personalities and clearly-defined rights. Respect the individuality of others, and insist on the same in return.

Truth - Be honest and straightforward in all your dealings. Avoid deceit and deception.

Steadfastness - Learn to persist, to endure in the face of adversity without discouragement. Do not be blown about by every changing wind.

Loyalty - Be steadfast in your commitment to others and to yourself. Have a true heart.

Wisdom - Learn from your experiences. Grow in the understanding of the world, and of the human heart. Comprehend as much of the universe as you can in the years available to you.

There is nothing complicated about these twelve traits, yet they provide material for a lifetime of growth. To the extent you develop them in yourself, you will stand high above the crowd!

pretty straight forward.

[Jaymes]

Simplicity, patience, compassion.

[Feathers in Hair]

Hmm... Mine are pretty much up to the person, but here are a few I hold to be core principles.

The belief on the divine in nature.
Celebration of the divine in all genders.
Respect for elders, ancestors and spirits.
Respect for the paths of others.
Awareness of social and environmental issues. (Hopefully, a willingness to work toward improving them, too.)
Possibility of an afterlife. (Usually in the form of reincarnaiton.)
A direct and personal relationship with divinity.

[Crystal Red]

Nothing is true, everything is permissable

Order is just the prevailing form of chaos

There's another one but I forget on Thursdays, I'll get back to you tomorrow.

[michel]

Being Baptized, believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we might be forgiven our sins. Add to that observing the ten commandments, repenting our sins, and try to emulate Christ's life on Earth as far as we can........


Oh, and have a bit of fun, as long as it is clean.

Originally Posted by Darkdale

Any spiritual path demands certain standards of conduct for its followers, and Asatru is no exception.

We do not have a list of "thou shalt nots" in Asatru, and even a simple list of our virtues is not easy to assemble. However, by studying the epic tales and poetic lore of early Germanic culture we can deduce the traits our ancestors valued in themselves and others.

Here, then, is a partial list of these qualities, adapted from We Are Our Deeds: The Elder Heathenry, Its Ethic and Thew, by Eric Wodening (Available from Theod, PO Box 8062, Watertown, NY 13601):

Industriousness - Be productively engaged in life. Avoid laziness. Strive to accomplish good things.

Justice - Let equity and fairness be your hallmark. Treat others in accordance with what they deserve, and give each person a chance to show his or her best.

Courage - Fear is natural, but it can be overcome. Train yourself to do the things you fear, both physically and morally.

Generosity - An open hand and an open heart bring happiness to you and to others. The miserly are never happy.

Hospitality - In ancient times, travelers were greeted with food, drink, and a warm place by the fire. See that your guests never want.

Moderation - Enjoy all good things, but do not overindulge. No one admires a glutton or a person who cannot control his or her appetites.

Community - Cooperate with kin and friends, do your fair share, and remember your responsibilities to others.

Individuality - Although we belong to a community, we are also individuals with distinct personalities and clearly-defined rights. Respect the individuality of others, and insist on the same in return.

Truth - Be honest and straightforward in all your dealings. Avoid deceit and deception.

Steadfastness - Learn to persist, to endure in the face of adversity without discouragement. Do not be blown about by every changing wind.

Loyalty - Be steadfast in your commitment to others and to yourself. Have a true heart.

Wisdom - Learn from your experiences. Grow in the understanding of the world, and of the human heart. Comprehend as much of the universe as you can in the years available to you.

There is nothing complicated about these twelve traits, yet they provide material for a lifetime of growth. To the extent you develop them in yourself, you will stand high above the crowd!

Hey, that sounds good, Dardale.