United Religions Initiative
Since 1996, thousands of people
have shared their visions and worked together to create the URI. It is an
organization for global good rooted in shared spiritual values. People from many
different cultures and perspectives are working to create an organization that
is inclusive, non-hierarchical and decentralized; one that enhances cooperation,
autonomy and individual opportunity. This co-creative work offered by people of
many cultures is producing a unique organization composed of self-organizing
groups which operate locally and are connected globally.
URI’s Charter has been spoken into being by a myriad of voices from around the
world. Its essential spirit, values and vision are expressed in the Preamble,
Purpose and Principles. Together, they inspire, ground and guide all URI
activity.
Preamble
– the call that inspires us to create the URI now and continue to create it
everyday;
Purpose – the statement that draws us
together in common cause;
Principles – the fundamental beliefs that
guide our structure, decisions and content;
Preamble
We, people of diverse religions,
spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions throughout the world, hereby
establish the United Religions Initiative to promote enduring, daily interfaith
cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of
peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.
We respect the uniqueness of each tradition, and differences of practice or
belief.
We value voices that respect others, and believe that sharing our values and
wisdom can lead us to act for the good of all.
We believe that our religious, spiritual lives, rather than dividing us, guide
us to build community and respect for one another.
Therefore, as interdependent people rooted in our traditions, we now unite for
the benefit of our Earth community.
We unite to build cultures of peace and justice.
We unite to heal and protect the Earth.
We unite to build safe places for conflict resolution, healing and
reconciliation.
We unite to support freedom of religion and spiritual expression, and the rights
of all individuals and peoples as set forth in international law.
We unite in responsible cooperative action to bring the wisdom and values of our
religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions to bear on the
economic, environmental, political and social challenges facing our Earth
community.
We unite to provide a global opportunity for participation by all people,
especially by those whose voices are not often heard.
We unite to celebrate the joy of blessings and the light of wisdom in both
movement and stillness.
We unite to use our combined resources only for nonviolent, compassionate
action, to awaken to our deepest truths, and to manifest love and justice among
all life in our Earth community.
Purpose
The purpose of the United Religions Initiative is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.
Principles
1. The URI is a bridge-building
organization, not a religion.
2. We respect the sacred wisdom of each religion, spiritual expression and
indigenous tradition.
3. We respect the differences among religions, spiritual expressions and
indigenous traditions.
4. We encourage our members to deepen their roots in their own tradition.
5. We listen and speak with respect to deepen mutual understanding and trust.
6. We give and receive hospitality.
7. We seek and welcome the gift of diversity and model practices that do not
discriminate.
8. We practice equitable participation of women and men in all aspects of the
URI.
9. We practice healing and reconciliation to resolve conflict without resorting
to violence.
10. We act from sound ecological practices to protect and preserve the Earth for
both present and future generations.
11. We seek and offer cooperation with other interfaith efforts.
12. We welcome as members all individuals, organizations and associations who
subscribe to the Preamble, Purpose and Principles.
13. We have the authority to make decisions at the most local level that
includes all the relevant and affected parties.
14. We have the right to organize in any manner, at any scale, in any area, and
around any issue or activity which is relevant to and consistent with the
Preamble, Purpose and Principles.
15. Our deliberations and decisions shall be made at every level by bodies and
methods that fairly represent the diversity of affected interests and are not
dominated by any.
16. We (each part of the URI) shall relinquish only such autonomy and resources
as are essential to the pursuit of the Preamble, Purpose and Principles.
17. We have the responsibility to develop financial and other resources to meet
the needs of our part, and to share financial and other resources to help meet
the needs of other parts.
18. We maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct, prudent
use of resources, and fair and accurate disclosure of information.
19. We are committed to organizational learning and adaptation.
20. We honor the richness and diversity of all languages and the right and
responsibility of participants to translate and interpret the Charter, Articles,
Bylaws and related documents in accordance with the Preamble, Purpose and
Principles, and the spirit of the United Religions Initiative.
21. Members of the URI shall not be coerced to participate in any ritual or be
proselytized.
SOURCE: United Religions Initiative
Read Jack Kinsella's "The United Religions Zone" by clicking HERE.
Read my poem entitled "Brotherhood of Men" by clicking HERE.