The Church of Life

Adopted: [Date]

Our Core Beliefs

About the Purpose of Life

We believe that life itself is the source of meaning in the world. A world without life is a world without meaning - events would occur, but there would be no one to experience, interpret, or witness them.

By simply being alive - by existing, experiencing, and surviving - we fulfill our fundamental purpose. We are the universe becoming aware of itself. Our consciousness transforms mere existence into meaning.

Our existence is not a means to an end; it is the end itself. Therefore, our purpose is simply to live and survive. When we live, meaning exists. When we help others live, meaning multiplies.

About the Value of Life

We believe all life is important. It is life existing as a whole - not merely human life - that brings meaning to the world.

We do not claim to know whether human life holds greater value than other forms of life, nor do we presume to know when it may be right to sacrifice one life for another. These are profound questions we approach with humility rather than certainty.

We can only do our best - caring for life where we can, acknowledging the limits of our understanding, and acting with intention and compassion in an uncertain world.

About the Higher Power

We acknowledge that we exist within something greater than ourselves - a reality, force, or presence that we do not fully understand. Whether this is a personal God, an impersonal force, the cosmos itself, or something beyond our comprehension, we do not claim to know.

What we do know is that we are part of something vast and mysterious. We call this the “Higher Power” not to define it, but to acknowledge our humility before it. We seek connection with this greater reality through reflection, community, study, and wonder.

About Sources of Wisdom

We draw wisdom from many sources:

  • Sacred Scriptures - The Bible, and teachings from other traditions including Buddhism, and writings of spiritual teachers throughout history
  • Science - The discoveries of physics, biology, astronomy, and other sciences that reveal the nature of reality
  • The Cosmic Perspective - Understanding our place in the universe, on a pale blue dot orbiting one of billions of stars
  • Human Experience - The accumulated wisdom of philosophers, thinkers, and everyday people seeking to live well

We are not bound to any single tradition. We approach all sources as seekers - taking what resonates, questioning what doesn’t, and remaining open to new understanding.

About Community

We believe that humans are meant to journey together. We gather as a community to:

  • Support one another through life’s challenges
  • Seek wisdom together
  • Explore life’s deepest questions
  • Encourage each other to live fully and authentically

About How We Live

We follow three simple principles for living well:

  1. Sleep Well - Honor your body’s need for rest. Care for yourself so you can care for others.

  2. Eat Well - Nourish yourself properly. The body is the vessel through which we experience life.

  3. Help Others Live - Extend to others what we seek for ourselves. Support one another in the journey of living.

These principles may grow over time, but they form our foundation. We believe that caring for ourselves enables us to care for others, and that helping others live is central to our purpose.

About Seeking and Growing

We do not claim to have all the answers. We are seekers on a journey, drawing from scripture, science, and the wisdom of many traditions to navigate life’s questions. We welcome honest inquiry, respectful dialogue, and the humility to learn.

We believe truth can be found in many places - in ancient texts, in scientific discovery, in quiet reflection, and in the insights of teachers from Jesus to Buddha to modern scientists. We hold our beliefs humbly, always willing to grow.

Summary

The Church of Life is a seeking community united by wonder at existence, drawing wisdom from scripture, science, and many traditions. We acknowledge a Higher Power we do not fully understand, and we are dedicated to the purpose of living fully and helping others live.

This statement reflects the sincere and meaningful beliefs of our community as of the date adopted above.

For IRS Purposes

This statement of faith demonstrates:

  • Sincere belief in a Higher Power (transcendent reality beyond ourselves)
  • Religious purpose - seeking meaning, wisdom, and connection with the sacred
  • Sacred texts and teachings - Drawing from multiple wisdom traditions
  • Ethical framework for living (Sleep Well, Eat Well, Help Others Live)
  • Community focus on spiritual growth and mutual support

These elements satisfy the IRS requirement that beliefs occupy “a place parallel to that filled by God in traditionally religious persons’ lives.” The Church of Life’s approach is similar to Unitarian Universalism in drawing from multiple sources while maintaining sincere religious purpose.