Above Photo:  An Old Tree with Powerful Roots

The full title of this book of Essays is: Nature’s Path of Continuing Creation: Finding Life’s Purpose & Meaning in Nature, Science, & History. Our Secular-spiritual Practice is opposed to biblical, fundamentalist, “creationism.”  Our online Essays can be thought of as Chapters in our book.  Our website is at “www.ContinuingCreation.org.”  

Everything in this website-book is free to all readers.  We carry no ads.  We ask for no contributions.  Most of our Essays can be read independently of each other. However, we expect this Book will soon be available as an eBook on Amazon Kindle devices, and possibly from other eBook publishers as well, and these versions will likely bear a modest fee.   

 

1. Nature’s Continuing Creation is not a religion; it is a Path, a Way, a Discipline, and a Practice.
2. We recognize the Continuing Natural Creation of the Cosmos – star by star, creature by creature, invention by invention, book by book, song by song.
3. We are Participants and Co-creators in Continuing Natural Creation’s dynamic patterns of Growth, Organization, and Development.
4. Nature’s Continuing Creation is the Set of Interlocking Creative Processes at work within the Universe, and for us, particularly here on Earth.  These processes include the formation of the chemical elements, molecules, living things, consciousness, culture, science, and technology.
5. Nothing is designed by a supernatural “God” who stands outside, above, or before.  Natural energy flows can empower components to self-organize, evolving into greater wholes. The sun’s energy, flowing into green leaves, is used in photosynthesis to construct trees.  Energy in the nectar of flowers flows through bees to create hives, honey, & baby bees.  Jet fuel and oxygen combine in a combustion that can propel airplanes.
6. We recognize the evolution of nature, creatures, species, ecosystems, civilization, and ourselves. Similar evolutions may also be happening on thousands of other planets and moons in our Milky Way Galaxy.
7. We seek and find Life’s Purpose and Meaning by engaging with Nature, Science, and History.
8. We experience awe and gratitude, but we do not recognize supernatural beings, supernatural powers, prayer, original sin, or an afterlife.
9. The only real miracle is Nature’s Continuing Creation itself.  Nature’s Continuing Creation creates wholes that are greater than, and different from, the sum of their parts.
10. Humans are born with a mix of competition and cooperation.  There is no “original sin.”  We recognize and follow morals and ethics that have evolved over millennia.
11. None of us is more valuable than an ecosystem. That’s why we seek sustainable living.
12. Our Purpose in Life is to contribute to constructive progress in our relationships, culture, science, and technology.
13. A Fulfilled & Happy Life positively and creatively contributes to family, community, progress, sustainable technology, and justice.

For Comparison — Below Are Principles from Earlier Western Spiritual Paths:

The “Apostles’ Creed” of Christianity:   “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again. He ascended into heaven. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”


The Orientation of The Religious Naturalist Association (RNA): “Naturalism is the view that all that exists and all that occurs is due to natural processes. Religious Naturalists believe that the beauty, wonder, and scientific understanding of nature are essential foundations for our pursuit of personal wholeness, social coherence, and planetary sustainability.”


The “Seven Principles” of Unitarian Universalism:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
6. The goal of a world community… with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
   
   

The “Six Sources” of Unitarian Universalism:

1. 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.
2. Words and deeds of prophetic people, which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love.
3. Wisdom from the world’s religions, which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life.
4. Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
5. Humanist teachings counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science and warn us against the idolatries of the mind and spirit.
6. 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.
   
   

Reverend Late Michael Dowd’s “Eco-Credo:”   

• Reality is My God
• Evidence is My Scripture
• The Epic of Evolution is My Creation Story
• Ecology Is My Theology
• Integrity Is MY Spiritual Path
• Fostering Fidelity to Our Future Is Our Mission (In 2008, Rev. Dowd authored “Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science & Evolution Will Transform Your Life & Our World.”)

_____________
Note: J.X. Mason belongs to a Unitarian Congregation and to the RNA.