The Farm Community is comprised of many individuals,
each with their own vision and ideas about spirituality as it applies
to their daily life. It was founded on the principle that we
respect all religions and practices. There are many basic agreements that
were telepathically understood, however in an effort to avoid the creation
of dogma and ritual, no formal document exists that defines the spiritual
beliefs of The Farm.
Recently several members of The Farm Membership Committee endeavored to create
such a document, researching through previously published books and materials
to identify statements that could still ring true for most members of
the community. Although we make no claim that it represents every person
completely, we present it here to give you some concept of our original beliefs
and agreements.
As a church, we live in community and our reverence for life has
always been central to our ways. Within The Farm Community,
people could live together and pursue a spiritual path that includes,
but were not limited to, the following common beliefs and agreements:
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We believe that there are non-material
planes of being or levels of consciousness that everyone
can experience,
the highest of these being the spiritual
plane. |
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We believe that we are all one, that
the material and spiritual are one,
and the spirit is identical
and one in all of creation. |
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We believe that marriage, childbirth
and death are sacraments of our church. |
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We agree that child rearing and care
of the elderly is a holy responsibility. |
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We believe that being truthful and compassionate
is instrumental to living together in peace and as a community. |
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We agree to be honest and compassionate
in our relationships with each other. |
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We believe in nonviolence and pacifism
and are conscientiously opposed to war. |
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We agree to resolve any conflicts or
disagreements in a nonviolent manner. |
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We agree to keep no weapons in the community. |
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We believe that vegetarianism is the
most ecologically sound and humane lifestyle for the planet,
but that what a person eats does not dictate their spirituality. |
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We agree that livestock, fish, or fowl
will not be raised in the community for slaughter. |
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We believe that the abuse of any substance
is counterproductive to achieving a high consciousness. |
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We agree to strive for a high level
of consciousness in our daily lives. |
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We believe that the earth is sacred. |
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We agree to be respectful of the forests,
fields, streams and wildlife that are under our care. |
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We agree that the community is a wildlife
sanctuary with no hunting for sport or food. |
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We believe that humanity must change
to survive. |
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We agree to participate in that change
by accepting feedback about ourselves. |
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We believe that we, individually and
collectively, create our own life experience. |
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We agree to accept personal responsibility
for our actions. |
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We believe that inner peace is the foundation
for world peace. |