The Kimdedian Creed:
a journey in what I believe

What follows is an attempt to try and put into words and statements my beliefs, my views, my opinions about this world. It is an exploration and a journey and as such will develop and change as time passes, as I learn more about this world and myself. Hence why I thought this a worthy project as it would help me explore what I actually belief and perhaps let other see that just because I have chosen, or been given, a label by this world that does not make me the same as everyone else.

So yeah, take what you will from this exploration, hopefully it will come together and perhaps give you more of an idea of what I am like and maybe even spark questions about your beliefs (and I’m not just talking about religion).

I have split this into different sections, (SPIRITUAL), (SCIENCE/KNOWLEDGE), (POLITICAL), (SOCIETY) for simplicity not because I think they should be compartmentalised.

So, I believe…

(SPIRITUAL)

• In an infinite God, beyond comprehension and yet knowable, triune in nature, in perfect self sustaining community with itself, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that God transcends any human concept of “gender” (note, I may use “He” from time to time, mainly due to limitations of my skills in English)
• that the Trinity is the perfect community, and as such Christianity should have community at its heart
• that in the beginning was God, creator, and sustainer of reality. He created a complex reality full of wonder, and in a way that we could see how this world works and be drawn ever deeper into its awesome mechanics, for God is a creative being and delights in creativity, be it artistic or intellectual
• that Jesus was a historical figure, and was in some way I cannot fully grasp was the physical embodiment of the “Son”, that he died on a cross, and was resurrected and “ascended” to return fully to the Trinity
• that God loves, cares for, inspires, guides, and challenges all people, regardless of wither or not they believe, as all people have a “touch of the divine”, that part that is “created in the likeness of God”
• that everyone is unique and has a purpose, place, and worth, and everyone is known by, and can know, God personally
• that God is here, not there, He is not remote and distant, God is an active part of this universe and is bound within it and yet not a part of it, He has bound Himself into its existence and takes pleasure in its existence and its workings
• that a personal relationship with God is not only possible but essential
• that no barrier should ever be put between God and man, all are welcome, that are no exclusions, God removed the barriers through Christ and we should never be responsible for putting those barriers back up, be they barriers of race, creed. Age, gender, or sexuality.
• there is only one Church, and it knows no border, no limits, it is not limited by a physical location and extends into the infinite and into heaven itself, it is not a denomination, it is not a place, it is not a set of beliefs or dogmas, it is the pure and unblemished “Kingdom”
• in the “Kingdom of Heaven” which is both to come and is here now, and that can be made real in this world, and that it is our duty and pleasure to make it real in this world through our actions and the will of God
• that there is a spiritual “dimension” to our world, and that it interacts in some way with ours, that is not to say that every alleged “spiritual” encounter/experience (for good or evil) is true or not explainable, we must be wary of jumping to the spiritual every time something happens, but equally we must not dismiss its influences which can be strong and never to be underestimated
• that prayer can change things, even the “will (or mind) of God”
• that “religion” should have no desire for earthly power and the pursuit for dominion over others is counter to the teachings of Christ and the bible that no one human should every have dominion, rule, or power, over another, especially not in the church, in this I mean that the idea of a role where one person has utter control over another’s belief and life is un-biblical as the apostles which were the leaders in their day were a group not a single person
• that many churches have become a perversion of what church was intended to be and through this has become a force for ill not good, it has developed an overly concerned view on “the state of the church” and focusing on numbers, size, dogma, and “returning to our values” when they should be looking forward and doing as their forefathers did and embracing the challenges of the world in their day and reforming the church into what it needs to be for this day and this age
• that everyone has a choice
• that all have sinned, and all will sin, but that all sins can be cleansed
• that only God has the right and ability to sit in judgement for through infinite understanding, infinite knowledge, and infinite wisdom, His judgements are always just and true despite what we may think and that many who enter the gates we will not have considered “worthy”
• that the sacrifice and redemptive power of the Cross and Resurrection extend throughout time and across boundaries that humans put in its ways and that the forgiveness is offers is open to all
• that miracles, signs, and wonders, still happen today, however that many alleged miracles, signs, and wonders are either misinterpreted, faked, or worse
• in moments of perfect beauty and that these are glimpses of the perfect
• in worship, and that worship goes beyond singing and into other forms, the creative, the intellectual, the physical, the practical, the private, the public, worship is life not an hour on a Sunday
• in the priesthood of all believers so that all may serve and be served by each other,
• that all can, and should, have a voice within the Church, so that they may share what they believe God is saying to them and the church
• that the bible is the inspired word of God, there were many other holy texts not included and those that were chosen for a reason but that does not automatically deny texts outside the bible, the new testament it is worth mentioning is mainly letters between people, as such why should we ignore other texts which may be just as inspired by God
• that everything must be tested, no matter its source, and if found unworthy ignored, there should be reasoned discussion and debate about all issues, and that such things should be done in a spirit of seeking new truths, and understanding others, and while we may disagree that should not make us enemies or cause undue friction, however too many in the church would much rather ignore facts and debates because it makes them think, or because its inconvenient, or clashes with their world view, and too often say “well prove it” and then ignore or deny the proof
• that if there is an apparent contradiction in scripture it is there to help us find out something more, something deeper about God and our relationship to Him
• that although we should fear God, yet also we should not worship or follow out of fear. (NB: This is a really complicated issue and I have only just begun to really start unpacking it, but basically it relates to “beginning of wisdom is fear of God” and all the times God says “be not afraid”… like I say a complicated one)
• that creativity goes beyond what most consider art and extends throughout our being in reflection of the creative and imaginative creator
• that “if you don’t have [faith] you can’t understand it, and if you do… no explanation is necessary.” (Kira)

(SCIENCE/KNOWLEDGE)

• in the scientific view of the universe in that it is governed by the laws and theories of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics
• that all life evolved from a common ancestor and that the theory of evolution and its associated theories should not be seen as against scripture, but rather as further proof that we are a part of nature and that we are all one people
• that through cosmological forces where upon stars are born live and ultimately die creating new elements that we are, in a very literally sense “made of star stuff”, not is some hippie way but a literal, chemical way we are literally part of this universe is a very physical sense
• that there is true beauty and wonder within the quantum world, its complexity and impossibilities are utterly beautiful, if hard, to even try and fully comprehend
• that the theories of quantum and Newtonian physics (I think that the term for macro physics) can be united and are not at odds with each other
• that science evolves and develops and that we are not yet close to fully comprehending everything, there is still much to learn, see, explore, and understand
• that science has the ability to completely understand the physical universe, for God created a complex, intelligent, and intriguing universe so we can explore it and by that see His love for us
• that science cannot answer the why, for that is not its intent and no scientific theory or study can prove, or disprove, the existence of, or the need for, God, it is not within the realm of science but rather philosophy and theology
• that trying to deny science with religion is blind stupidity and an insult to God’s creative power, and the to deny religion with science is folly and not a part of scientific enquiry.
• in the need for human progress and endeavour, to explore, to understand, to create
• we must be careful that as we progress we do not lose the things that matter most, such as, community, personal identity, personal liberty, the human spirit, love, joy, peace
• that we have shafted this world and are in danger of causing un-repairable damage to our ability to survive on this planet
• that nature will survive our passing, it is more resilient than one species, however that does not give us the right or excuse for what we have done to it
• in the likelihood of life on other place, and the possibilities of it being sentient
• in the need to expand into space, to see new worlds, to venture into the unknown
• that “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” (Albert Einstein)
• that “there are more things in heaven and earth” than can be “dreamt of in your philosophy” (Shakespeare)
• that “We are all connected; To each other, biologically, to the earth, chemically, to the rest of the universe atomically” (deGrasse Tyson)
• that “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” – Carl Sagan

(POLITICAL)

• in one person, one vote, and that each vote should be counted and reflected in the government
• in the power of revolution, and that one “man” can change the world
• in the right to freedom of speech, belief, lifestyle, and privacy
• that we heading ever closer into the world of “1984” and we are doing so because we falsely believe less freedoms will give security, and that the statement “if you’ve got nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear” is somehow justified, and not, as I believe, dangerous and ill-informed
• that we should be involved in our governments and call them to account when they act against the will of the people they should not be blindly trusted and should be held accountable to series of checks and balances, and a set of strict guidelines for how they must act
• that rhetoric and ideology are all well and good but the actions, and inactions, of a government speak louder
• that governments do what they need must to try and keep the status quo and maintain the established power and influence of the current system
• that elected officials work for the people and NOT for lobbyists or corporations
• that there is NOT a global conspiracy, in whatever form this takes, at least as far as such things go
• that “people should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people” (V)

(SOCIETY)

• that all humans are one people, one species, and that divisions across “race”, “creed”, etc, are man made
• that we are all created equal, and we should strive towards equality in all things, despite our differences and even if we don’t not accept those differences it is right and proper that all should be treated equally, in life, in belief, and in the law of man, none should be treated differently than another for any reason, neither given preferential treatment, nor denied
• in social justice and that is our duty to speak out for the oppressed, the voiceless, the downtrodden, and against those, be they individual, corporate, or governments, who would seek to use, oppress, and control others
• that there is an apparent unwillingness to help our fellow man if it inconveniences, or seems like to much effort, or that it would “do no good anyway”, we would rather sit back and do nothing either through ignorance, aparthy, or ennui
• that those who have should help those who have not
• in the need for community, and that communities dwell in ever larger communities
• that living in and changing communities is more effective for changing those communities than any current form of government and when done can bring about greater and more profound change
• that reality TV, the cult of celebrity, and the blind pursuit of becoming famous, is a dangerous disease corrupting our society and driving attention away from the real needs and issues of the world, they are our “bread and circuses” entertainment to keep the masses placated
• we need to reassess our views on wealth, income, and the way we treat those with, and without, it is not right that in the 21st century we still have those in this world that cannot have enough food to eat or a place to call home
• that the majority of the news media, and the media in general, are lying to us and twisting the news to fit their, and those who own them, views and ideals so that we can blindly accept their opinions as facts, their news as truth
• we must educate to inspire and create a desire to learn and know, not force feed facts just to pass exams
• that “we need not be afraid of those who are different, we can embrace that difference and learn from it” (G’Kar)
• that “The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.” (Nietzsche)

CHANGE LOG:

2009-07-27 – edited the above to reflect some changes as discussed, and add a couple of new pieces
2009-08-11 – a small edit expanding a couple of entry’s, nothing really new
2009-09-11 – a series of edits across the board including some rewrites for clarity
2009-11-11 – small edits and additions
2010-05-06 – couple of additions to political section (being election day and all)
2010-06-30 – one small addition in spiritual
2010-07-04 – various edits throughout
2010-09-01 major edit and clean up of the text, merged some bits together (actually done over a few days off-line)
2010-09-05 – some small edits and an addition or two, and reworked introduction’
2011-09-06 - been a year,  couple of small changes and fixed some formatting