The Shakertown Pledge

toesontheground posted a link to The Shakertown Pledge. When I clicked and read it, I thought it deserved to have a post of its own.

I'm trying to imagine what my life would look like if I was able to truly live according to this code -- and what the world impact would be if many people did.

The Shakertown Pledge
Recognizing that the Earth and the fullness thereof is a gift from our gracious God, and that we are called to cherish, nurture, and provide loving stewardship for the Earth's resources, and recognizing that life itself is a gift, and a call to responsibility, joy and celebration, I make the following declarations:

1. I declare myself a world citizen

2. I commit myself to lead an ecologically sound life.

3. I commit myself to lead a life of creative simplicity and to share my personal wealth with the world's poor.

4. I commit myself to join with others in reshaping institutions in order to bring about a more just society in which all people have full access to the needed resources for their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth.

5. I commit myself to occupational accountability, and in so doing, I will seek to avoid the creation of products which cause harm to others.

6. I affirm the gift of my body, and commit myself to its proper nourishment and physical well being.

7. I commit myself to examine continually my relations with others, and to attempt to relate honestly, morally, and lovingly to those around me.

8. I commit myself to personal renewal through prayer, meditation and study.

9. I commit myself to responsible participation in a community of faith.


Shakertown Community,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The URL is: http://www.webofcreation.org/education/policystatements/shakertown.htm


This is a set of challenges to come back to time and again, to post like the old fashioned "household rules" to remind myself constantly of what I truly am capable of, if I am mindful and responsible.