What is Ethical Culture?
The Ethical Society is a fellowship of people who seek clarification of the values of life and a faith to live by. They cherish freedom of the mind and freedom of conscience. Their affirmation is the worth and dignity and possibilities of every person. The common ground is the concern with the relation of human beings to one another.
(American Ethical Union)
Due to the Ethical Society’s open character, the definition of the Ethical Culture movement is not clear-cut. It is an ethical, educational, and religious society; however, this movement offers a different and
more flexible interpretation of its beliefs.
The Ethical Culture possesses all the attractive aspects of belonging to a community but eliminates those facets that many oppose to in a religious denomination. The Ethical Societies have no commandments, established rules, rituals, or doctrines. Neither do they claim or worship any supernatural being or state that there is an absolute truth. Nor do they believe in reincarnation or in any kind
of afterlife.
The Ethical Culture movement is focused on living a meaningful life and its ultimate mission is to create a world in which all could live a happy life. Those who believe in the ethical principles regard supporting other human beings and doing good in the world their duty and goal
in life.
The basic viewpoint is one of freedom for the individual to work out one's own personal formulation of one's attitude toward the unknown and the mysteries of life, such questions as the nature of ultimate
reality and death. (qtd in Wolfgang Saxon)
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