Ten Principles of Living in Community

         Many of you know I have been in a study group for the past two years.  We are diverse – Southern Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of Christ, Reformed   Judaism, Metropolitan Community Church, Presbyterian, United Methodist, and United Church of Christ.  As a part of our work, we went to the Balkans for 10   days.  We met with religious leaders, community leaders, community groups,  professors, non-governmental organizations.  We wanted to discover ways they were dealing with the war and what progress they were making toward living  together.  Hopefully, we could learn how to better live together here in our own community of Birmingham.
            The service part of our project was to write some principles to help us live together.  Please read these.  Write or email the church (martha@blueroof.org) with suggestions to make them more inclusive and more helpful.  Our group would appreciate your help.
            — Rev. Bud Precise

         Ten Principles For Living in Community:

1.      I want to live in a community where faithful people affirm the humanity of all God’s children.
2.      I want to live in a community where each person has the right to believe or not believe as conscience dictates.
3.      I want to live in a community where each person is free and encouraged to live his or her faith unhindered and unashamed.
4.      I want to live in a community where no person uses religion to gain advantage over others.
5.      I want to live in a community where religious and political leaders support the same rights for every person.
6.      I want to live in a community where regardless of faith or background, each person can experience the justice and mercy of the one living God.
7.      I want to live in a community where religious people and institutions encourage understanding, cooperation and respect.
8.      I want to live in a community where religious people reflect their faith by    caring for the poor and powerless.
9.      I want to live in a community where religion is an agent of healing and      reconciliation.
10. I want to live in a community where religion promotes the safety, dignity, freedom, and potential of every person as a whole human being.