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Boundaries That Build Community

There are a few precepts that are required of all Sempiternal Harmonist. The purposes of these rules are to provide for orderly associations among the believers, and aid in the uplifting of Civilization. In addition, these precepts establish the Sempiternal Harmony as a religious movement as it might be defined in anthropological terms and modern legal jargon.

A. Love God and all of creation. Attempt to see the divine nature in all things.

B. Pray, meditate, and write at least one uplifting thought each day.

C. Study Scriptures of, and associate openly, lovingly and often with people of other religions.

D. Associate and form a close bond with people of the Sempiternal Harmony.

E. Do not participate in the murder or killing of any human being except for the purpose of protecting the life of another innocent person. Reconsider all justified killing such as that done in war, that done for production of food, and in the name of justice. Killing for war and food are matters of personal conscience. Killing in the name of justice is cultural and subject to the social norms of civilization and is reflective of its values. If one chooses to live in a society that has established capital punishment as a means of retribution for major crimes then he or she must make no statement against this practice. However, as a Sempiternal Harmonist, one should inform law makers of the positive benefits accruing to a society that chooses to not practice capital punishment. When killing is necessary the soldier, meat eater or member of the society which takes life will make a ceremony in remembrance of those whose life is taken.

F. Do not take what does not belong to you.

G. Do not make false statements. When a delicate conversation is required be compassionate and speak gentle words, yet be truthful. When one must ask a question, only ask a question which you are prepared to hear either a positive or negative answer.

H. Do not engage in sexual activity with anyone other than a spouse or committed partner as indicated in the following explanation. The sharing of sexual pleasure is a privilege. The primary function of sharing sexual intercourse is to create children. While God has provided a great source of pleasure in sexual intercourse it is to be a privilege within a committed relationship between a loving couple. The loving couple will manifest their love in holy matrimony before an assembly of their spiritual friends. The purpose of this rule is to bring to consciousness the importance of a loving nature of this great privilege. Here is the cup where love fills to overflowing. An exception to this precept can be guidance for those beyond child bearing age. When the possibility of the creation of children is no longer a function of sexual interaction, the committed couple in a deep loving personal relationship, and not married, may experience the blessing of sexual intercourse without fear of social stigma provided that they maintain their loving commitment to each other.

I. Do not use substances that alter one's personality, ability to work or ability to reason. You were born perfect. It is impossible to improve upon yourself with mind altering substances. Of course, if there is a medically diagnosed disorder and there is a medicine that can restore normal cognitive function then this provision does not apply.

J. Be employed to support yourself and your family. Live modestly, within your earned means, and do not use debt except to provide a dwelling and a single vehicle. If one is retired, nurturing, or disabled, he or she may provide services to charitable organizations.

K. Make family unity top priority. Child Rearing Families: A man and a woman will commit and marry in the full knowledge that they will bond in matrimony for life. Each member of the family must play a role that unifies the members into a state of spiritual oneness with each other. All members of the family will share responsibility for the various functions and chores in the family but the primary responsibilities are as follows. The mother of the family is the prime nurturer of the family, owns all family property, and is the spiritual guide. The father will be the prime securer, disciplinarian, and a spiritual guide for the family. Older siblings will help with the training and teaching of skills to the younger children. While children may attend public school the family is primarily responsible for the proper education, training in family traditions and values, and morality of the children. Younger children will be encouraged and trained to be respectful and receptive to the goals and efforts of the older members of the family. As the younger children reach the age of adolescence, their responsibilities will include training and teaching nieces, nephews and, later, there own children.

Non Child Rearing Relationships: Individuals will make a commitment to each other for love, support, security, and partnership in general. This relationship will be monogamous and may include celibacy when agree to by the committed individuals.

The above boundary is meant for new individual committed relationships where the individuals are raised as a Sempiternal Harmonist when children. New Sempiternal Harmony families are encouraged to adopt as many of the above guide lines as they are able to implement.

L. Treat others with compassion and kindness even though you do not receive compassion or kindness in return. Let go of anger and do not hold a grudge. When faced with a personal interaction where another person seems aggressive, argumentative or inconsiderate, treat the situation as a mirror reflecting your own actions. Very often other people are giving us back what we project. Through this kind of observation we can become more in tune with our own being and discover a new light of compassion and kindness.

M. Revere, honor and uplift children. More important than any other thing in the society of Sempiternal Harmony is children. Each child is the hope for human kind. It is the responsibility of every Sempiternal Harmonist to provide guidance, education, exemplify moral values, encourage spiritual understanding, and generally help parents prepare the children for their role in the family as well as in the community. This percept is so important that childless couples are asked to act as god parents for a specific child in support to the maternal parent's child rearing efforts. It is hoped that by centering on the child, a paradigm shift will take place that will lift all of civilization to a new sense of respect, honor and peaceful coexistence.