CAN ETHICS BECOME RELIGION?

BY SANDY BOTTOMS ON CULTURE

If a religion is a system of beliefs, a way of life, a community and a culture rolled into one, then could a church of ethics form and even become wildly popular?

The Church of Ethics has the benefit of thousands of years of history to learn from. It can avoid the pitfalls of the other popular religions. Members can gather and discuss major ethical dillemasin our world, and somehow, the wisdom generated in those discussions would find its way into our smaller, everyday ethics. The congregation comes together around good deeds as well, and passes the collection plate for various charitable projects. Progressive marriages are performed there, without traditional values or constraints. Interfaith marriage, same-sex marriage, and really, any kind of marriage could happen there.

The Church of Ethics seeks to undo what other religions have done. No judgments are passed on anyone's lifestyle or personal orientation. The Church of Ethics will help you make moral choices. But those morals are situational.

Maybe God enters into the discussion. Maybe not. Maybe God is not even necessary in this Church. Maybe there is no Heaven or Hell either, just the right life, and the wrong one. Without a strict moral code or reliance on traditional values, the congregation relies on one another to advise and consult on their way to a more ethical life.

Take money out of the picture as well. And clergy. Take away any hierarchical structures that lead to false moral judgments. Take away any high-horse. Take away all worship. We don't worship anything but strong ideals and solid decision-making.

Many corrupt government officials and senior-level business types have belonged to traditional Judeo-Christian Churches. Their membership in these organizations wasn't enough to keep them out of jail.

There will be music. Music is a unifying element in our culture. The congregation will sing hymns that celebrate the beauty and power of ethics. The pillars of this Church are Honesty, Integrity, Kindness, Charity, and Self-Knowledge. We use classic and contemporary texts to provide insight. But nothing like a bible. There is no reason to constrain our choices based upon what is said in some book.

There will be recruitment to this Church. There will be knocking on doors. There will be billboards. This is a religious-type movement, but the Church doesn't need your money. It does not require your weekly participation. It does not restrict you from joining another Church. This Church will not preach to you. It will not bring you closer to any higher purpose beyond what is possible in this life.

This Church does not try to compete with other Churches. This Church does not badmouth other churches. But if there is corruption, this Church will expose it. And if corruption lies in other religions, then the Church of Ethics will bring it up in Sunday's discussion.

The Church of Ethics will not try and convert you. The whole idea of conversion is problematic. Rather, this Church will help you examine the events of the past week. It will help you look ahead at future choices. It will work with you on your own terms.

This Church will not become political. Though politics inevitably fall into the discussion, this Church remains fiercely nonpartisan. This Church will help you develop your own philosophy. And that philosophy goes well beyond political ideology.

This Church, I believe, will form. And the congregation will form, and grow. The purpose is to understand ethics and celebrate the right life. The purpose is to help you look within, and to act upon your convictions. This Church will come to take the place of other Churches for some. And the Church will also exist alongside the others. Having multiple choices is what it is all about.This Church will form, and it will provide what others may not.

So can Ethics become Religion? It is only a matter of time. Until then, we plead that Religions become Ethical.