Statement of Religious Beliefs
In keeping with their 501(d) tax status, the member communities of the FEC declare their religious beliefs. They have done so in statements that vary in their expression but are at core similar. Kauaʻi Permaculture Community will do the same. The pertinent sections of IRC 501(d) and a few examples of such statements are below.
From IRC 501(d):
- Apostolic organizations are not required to fit the “classical” mode of a religious organization, such as monasteries and convents. In Twin Oaks Community, Inc. (supra), the Court stated “Twin Oaks does not sponsor the formal services and liturgies of conventional religions, but rather focuses on creating an environment for the daily practice of its beliefs. Regular meetings are conducted for discussions and lectures on subjects that concern or affect its beliefs.”
- In Kleinsasser v. United States, 707 F. 2d 1024 (9th Cir. 1983), the Ninth Circuit made the following comments: “The only requirements for the exemption are that there be a common treasury, that the members of the organization include pro-rata shares when reporting taxable income, and implicitly, that the organization have a religious or apostolic character. Once this requirement of form is fulfilled, the exempt organization is unlimited as to function.”
Statement of Religious Beliefs - Twin Oaks
Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things
co possessed was cos own, but they held everything in common and distribution was made to each as any had
need.
From the Acts of the Apostles
The day will come when the idea of community will spread through the world. Gather together those of you
who share high ideals. Pool your resources. Buy land in the country. A simple life will bring you the inner freedom.
Harmony with nature will bring you happiness and peace of mind known to few city dwellers. In the company of
other seekers of the truth it will be easier for you to live in meditation and collective unity.
Parmahansa Yogananda -- Indian Mystic
There is a common unity or spirit which dwells in all of us. This unity of spirit is best cultivated in a
communal environment. All people are one in this spirit and equal in their rights to share its bounty.
All life is worthy of respect. We believe in the Gandhian principle of Satyagraha (nonviolence) and value gentle
and caring relations between people.
In living communally, every act and every moment of life can be seen as coming to harmony with ourselves, our
community and the holy earth we dwell upon.
The environment it around us is our greatest teacher. Therefore responsible stewardship and conscious
maintenance of that environment is our devotional service.
There is an interrelatedness between all being. What affects one affects all. Therefore the path to true harmony is
the reinforcement of group consciousness. The one moral principle we espouse is the love which springs forth from
self-control for the sake of others and blooms in deeds of kindness.
0ur one object of praise is our evolutionary education in the sacred art of living together.
Because we share a planetary unity we are one with each other. Whatever harms any of us harms us all. Therefore
we endeavor:
•To eliminate hierarchy in relationships between people.
•To practice non-violence in our personal, interpersonal and political lives.
•To respect and preserve the natural environment for the use of our own and other species, now and in the future.
•To eliminate classism, racism, ageism, patriarchy and other forms of oppression, both in ourselves and in other
people.
•To practice community of property, sharing all that we are and have and can produce with one another.
Statement of Spirituality - Acorn
We believe in the existence of a spiritual force that is part of all life and that this unity of spirit is best cultivated in a communal environment.
We believe in the equality of all people and strive to eliminate hierarchy in relationships between individuals and between groups of people. To implement this value we practice community of property, sharing all that we are and have and can produce equally with one another.
We are pacifists and, just as we reject violence in our lives, we embrace gentle and caring relations between all beings. What affects one ultimately affects all. We see the path to true harmony coming through the reinforcement of group consciousness. The moral principle that binds us is the love which springs forth from self-control for the sake of others and grows in acts of love.
Our environment reminds us of the cycles and balance in the natural universe and our conscious stewardship of the land is part of our devotional service.
Spirituality - Sandhill
We believe in the existence of a spiritual force that is part of all life.
We believe in the equality of all people.
We are pacifists and reject violence in our lives.
We try to recognize natural cycles and balances, and to lead lives that respect them.
We try to lead lives which celebrate life, love, growth, cooperation, and simplicity.
We try to be open to the ways of others, for there are many paths that lead to good.
Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things
co possessed was cos own, but they held everything in common and distribution was made to each as any had
need.
From the Acts of the Apostles
The day will come when the idea of community will spread through the world. Gather together those of you
who share high ideals. Pool your resources. Buy land in the country. A simple life will bring you the inner freedom.
Harmony with nature will bring you happiness and peace of mind known to few city dwellers. In the company of
other seekers of the truth it will be easier for you to live in meditation and collective unity.
Parmahansa Yogananda -- Indian Mystic
There is a common unity or spirit which dwells in all of us. This unity of spirit is best cultivated in a
communal environment. All people are one in this spirit and equal in their rights to share its bounty.
All life is worthy of respect. We believe in the Gandhian principle of Satyagraha (nonviolence) and value gentle
and caring relations between people.
In living communally, every act and every moment of life can be seen as coming to harmony with ourselves, our
community and the holy earth we dwell upon.
The environment it around us is our greatest teacher. Therefore responsible stewardship and conscious
maintenance of that environment is our devotional service.
There is an interrelatedness between all being. What affects one affects all. Therefore the path to true harmony is
the reinforcement of group consciousness. The one moral principle we espouse is the love which springs forth from
self-control for the sake of others and blooms in deeds of kindness.
0ur one object of praise is our evolutionary education in the sacred art of living together.
Because we share a planetary unity we are one with each other. Whatever harms any of us harms us all. Therefore
we endeavor:
•To eliminate hierarchy in relationships between people.
•To practice non-violence in our personal, interpersonal and political lives.
•To respect and preserve the natural environment for the use of our own and other species, now and in the future.
•To eliminate classism, racism, ageism, patriarchy and other forms of oppression, both in ourselves and in other
people.
•To practice community of property, sharing all that we are and have and can produce with one another.
Statement of Spirituality - Acorn
We believe in the existence of a spiritual force that is part of all life and that this unity of spirit is best cultivated in a communal environment.
We believe in the equality of all people and strive to eliminate hierarchy in relationships between individuals and between groups of people. To implement this value we practice community of property, sharing all that we are and have and can produce equally with one another.
We are pacifists and, just as we reject violence in our lives, we embrace gentle and caring relations between all beings. What affects one ultimately affects all. We see the path to true harmony coming through the reinforcement of group consciousness. The moral principle that binds us is the love which springs forth from self-control for the sake of others and grows in acts of love.
Our environment reminds us of the cycles and balance in the natural universe and our conscious stewardship of the land is part of our devotional service.
Spirituality - Sandhill
We believe in the existence of a spiritual force that is part of all life.
We believe in the equality of all people.
We are pacifists and reject violence in our lives.
We try to recognize natural cycles and balances, and to lead lives that respect them.
We try to lead lives which celebrate life, love, growth, cooperation, and simplicity.
We try to be open to the ways of others, for there are many paths that lead to good.