A Natural Creed

Like anything that is lovingly nurtured (whether by man, God or Nature),

our philosophy, faith or ideology

is likely to grow and evolve over the years,

if we care deeply about what we believe.

Metamorphosing from larval limitations…

…..to the flightful freedom of winged wonders,

the beliefs we hold dear may take on a freer quality as our thinking matures.

My own Christian faith, born in 1987 (as you can read about in my book Coming Home for Good)…

…has been evolving over the years into an increasingly authentic and personal spirituality, that I love more than ever – less swayed by ecclesiastical pressure.

However, with its transitioning nature, I’ve found it more difficult in recent conversations to clearly express that faith.

So, to help articulate my theology, I’ve composed my own personal Creed, which I can adapt and add to as time goes on.

And maybe it’ll help others to reflect on their own spirituality too.

Here it is…

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A NATURAL CREED

I believe in Yahweh – ‘I Am’ – as God self-identified from a miracle of nature – the ‘burning bush’ – to Moses, way, way back…

I believe God is therefore Presence,

The Reality, the Present, the ‘Ground of Being’, the Now.

And that Yahweh is encountered in the Nowness of the moment whenever people – whether religious or spiritual or neither – engage lovingly and mindfully with the present.

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I believe Yahweh just is.

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I believe Yahweh is Trinity, Three-in-One,

And is therefore inherently Relationship – or Love;

That Yahweh is experienced in loving connections between people, and between people and things.

And that when people – whether religious or spiritual or neither – pursue reconciliation,

when they reach out to ‘the other’, or give selfless love,

they participate in the Love of Yahweh.

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I believe that Trinity is Mother/Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

together the Source of all life and all things.

I believe that science gives us wonderful insight into the origins and progression of the Universe and Life;

that the Biblical accounts of Creation are deeply inspired, allegorical myths that reveal much about the Source of the Universe and Life – and about human nature,

but that there may also be elements of literal truth in those ancient texts;

that we would do well to listen to science and religion and philosophy in order to best understand our place in the Universe;  

but that the origins of the Universe and Life remain a mystery and are probably weirder than any scientist or theologian can imagine!

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I believe that in Jesus, Yahweh stepped into human space and time,

That his life and teaching showed us what Love looks like,

emphasising the importance of the outsider and the underdog;

That his death and physical resurrection demonstrated the power of nonviolence to break cycles of violence, guilt, shame, addiction and even death itself.

I believe that when we align ourselves with Jesus,

We share in this love, life, and resurrection power.

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I believe that some who profess no Christian faith have found the life and love of Jesus by another name (or no name),

While some who say they follow Jesus are following a religious system.

That Jesus and Christianity are not always synonymous.

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I believe in the creative Holy Spirit,

Who awakens people of all faiths and none to Reality, to Love, to Yahweh;

Who mends our brokenness,

Inspiring us to be more fully ourselves,

So we can contribute the qualities of our unique personhood to our communities, our world.

I believe the Spirit continually energises Nature to unstoppably re-create and renew herself into new life.

I believe in the sanctity of all things – but particularly of living things;

That Nature is a beautiful and powerful expression of the wild love of Yahweh,

Continually revealing wisdom, love and truth, day after day to those who stop and take notice.

–

I believe that many of the thoughts, stories and faces of those who are poor or marginalised, or have experienced great suffering,

are rich expressions of Yahweh’s truth for those who will look and listen,

but that the rich and powerful and privileged are often blind and deaf to them.

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I believe there is an undercurrent of Love in every situation,

even the very worst of circumstances:

a spring of compassion and mercy running through the fibre of the universe (the presence of Yahweh),

from which we can draw strength when our own resources run dry.

And that, therefore, those who have suffered the most often love the most.

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I believe not just in “the communion of saints”, but in the very real oneness of humanity,

still being revealed and worked out in practice by those committed to community, unity, equality and inclusion.

I believe that the beginning and end of all things is Love,

Leading to ultimate reconciliation between all people and God.

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I believe that what we do is more important than what we believe,

but that more important than both are the motives, attitudes and intentions of our hearts,

behind the actions.

And that our hearts have the capacity to change – to make a brand new start,

even to miraculously metamorphose into a whole new person

– and that faith is key to this: faith in Yahweh, through Jesus, by whatever name.

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I believe that we all have the capacity to practise forgiveness and compassion,

expressing the heart of Yahweh.

I believe in the fundamental goodness of humanity

And that there is hope for everyone.

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(All photos mine)

As always, Comments are very welcome…