ALIANTHA

Aliantha is a group of people in the Washington DC area dedicated to personal growth, honest relationships, and supportive community

For more information email info@aliantha.org   
Declaration of Openness
(Anti-Cult Declaration)

Considering the tremendous harm done to innumerable individuals who have been controlled by various groups and religions,
Considering the vulnerability of many people not sufficiently experienced to defend themselves from the control of others,
Considering the tendency of leaders to be corrupted by exclusive dependence on them for truth,

We hereby resolve that our organization will maintain a philosophy of openness.

1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FALLIBILITY
We acknowledge that we do not have all the answers, or the only answer.
We acknowledge that in spite of our best efforts to find the truth, we may still be wrong.
We acknowledge that we are subject to unconscious biases that can cause us to distort the truth.

2. OPENNESS TO CHANGE
We commit to being open to constructive criticism, both from inside and outside our membership.
We commit to defending free speech to support that criticism.
We commit to reevaluate our philosophy or beliefs when new relevant thought emerges.

3. RESPECT FOR COMPETING PHILOSOPHIES
We recognize we can always learn from others' beliefs.
We recognize the sincerity and efforts of those who have drawn conclusions different than ours.
We recognize that being different does not make us superior.

4. RESPECT FOR INTELLIGENT BELIEF
We encourage our members to be informed of other beliefs and philosophies.
We encourage our members to question what we believe.
We encourage our members to follow their own sense of right and wrong.

5. RESPECT FOR VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
We will not pressure anyone to unwillingly participate in group activities.
We will not coerce anyone to join us, nor pressure anyone to remain with us.
We will not look down on anyone who chooses not to be a part of our group.

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Written for Aliantha.org. Copyright 1999 by Gene Long. Last modified November 2000.
Permission is granted for use by any organization in its entirety as long as credit is given.
Suggestions for modification are welcome. Please submit comments to info@aliantha.org 

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