Dignity

I would like to explore some principles that a specific church adheres to.  These may be familiar to some of you and they may not to others.  They are great principles for ANYONE to follow.

“The inherent worth and dignity of every person.”  Annie Dillard wrote “We are here to abet creation and to witness to it, to notice each other’s beautiful face and complex nature so that creation need not play to an empty house.”  Annie is an American author who has published works of poetry, essays, prose, and literary criticism.  Annie taught for 21 years in the English department of Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Connecticut.  


While these statements or principles of faith that this denomination shares are not forced upon anyone, they are words that describe how we CAN CHOOSE to live with each other in life.  Hourly, daily, weekly and throughout time.


There is power to have words to live by.  Some choose an entire doctrine based on their religious affiliation while many others are picking and choosing theirs.  Some people have told me that they pick and choose theirs as it allows them to have a slate of principles that are authentic, meaningful and important to them.  


Some may say that that is not a good method, to pick and choose the principles of how you should live your life.  You should follow the ones laid before you in the Bible, by God.  The challenge I have with that  is that if you ask 7 people to interoperate a passage you will get at least 7 different answers.  Even within the ten commandments there is “wiggle room” for someone to think more or less, or read into or not so far into the words chosen.


As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “A religion that ends with the individual, ends.”  This Principle is a way in, the beginning or entry way to justice and compassion, in the world, in your community and in your relationships.


You have a right to expect that your worth and dignity will be respected.  And that’s the truth. You can’t be guaranteed your worth and dignity will be respected in every moment; we are, after all, human. But you have a right to expect your worth and dignity to be respected – and to ask for it, respectfully, when you believe it is not being respected.


Affirming the worth and dignity of every person usually begins with oneself.  We also have a responsibility to affirm the dignity and worth of others. Even as we advocate for ourselves, we are called to respect the experience of others, particularly those with whom we are in conflict.


I found myself shaking my head or scratching it when I see example of intolerance, injustice, and acts that are based on principles of love, especially when made by those representing an organization, a place of worship, a church or a denomination that is supposed to embrace, uphold, teach and preach us all that tolerance, justice and acts of love is what is needed to make this a better place to live in, for everyone.  Without exception.

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One lesson at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals