Diversity -- open and affirming

WE ARE AN OPEN AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

Religious Diversity

At the Center for Spiritual Living, we support the premise that there are many paths to one God. We are an open and inclusive community that recognizes the common thread that permeates all of the main religious traditions – Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and others!

Ethnic and Racial Diversity

It is of no matter at the Center for Spiritual Living whether you are of a particular nationality or race. We believe that as creations of God, we are all equally part of and expressions of God. As such, we are all One. Black, Brown, Yellow, White, African, European, Asian, Latino, Polynesian, Indigenous/Native, and all other races and ethnic backgrounds are welcome at the Center for Spiritual Living.

Sexual and Marital Diversity

We do not believe in separation of any kind at the Center for Spiritual Living. We are all expressions of that divine nature that resides within each of us; the Center for Spiritual Living believes that God is continually expressing through us, and we support and embrace this expression in its many forms. LGBTQ and straight are supported equally!

Here is a link to the Diversity Commission page containing a short video from the Reverend Dr. Kenn Gordon from Centers for Spiritual Living (our home office), as well as others who are from diverse backgrounds:  http://www.diversity.csl.org/

Science is catching up to what our philosophy has taught for a very long time – that we have the power within ourselves to determine our reality, and we can change our experience of life by changing our thinking. At the Center for Spiritual Living, we learn how scientific principles can help us on our spiritual journey to a more fulfilling experience.

We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Centers for Spiritual Living’s open and affirming response to the United Methodist Church vote to exclude LGBTQIA Clergy and deny marriage to their LGBTQIA members.

We believe Oneness and Wholeness is the very nature of the Infinite, Omnipresence Divine Reality – God. Our philosophy, the Science of Mind, accepts and includes all life, all beings, and all creation as the very Body of God. We celebrate the diversity of life as the expression of the Infinite Nature and revel in the impulse of Love that bursts forth in every aspect of Life – from the different flowers in the backyard, to the variety of trees in our forests, fish in the seas, birds in the air, and animals that roam our lands. This is the expression of the Infinite, infinitely loving creation in all its glory. As the ancient mystic in the Hebrew creation story, Genesis teaches us all creation is originally blessed, for “it is good”.

Because of this deep faith in our oneness with all life, Science of Mind and Centers for Spiritual Living are open and affirming. We not only accept, but we also celebrate our uniqueness and our diversity, including LGBTQIA in our communities, we affirm our LGBTQIA clergy and we support all our clergy performing same-sex marriages.

We stand for each and every LGBTQIA person, no matter their faith path, religion, or spirituality. We believe profoundly in loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, which includes acceptance rather than judgment, loving words rather than hateful speech, and deep respect for how love shows up in each individual.

We live in a time when many faith traditions are struggling with doctrines from another time, doctrines which are often unwelcoming, particularly to the LGBTQIA communities. While religious principles may not change over time, religious doctrine must evolve and concepts of morality evolve – toward a greater capacity for love, compassion, and acceptance. While this may be a struggle for some, it is the right path to take, for no religion can be consistent to its principles and be moving away from love – to love God as God is understood, and to love one another are the greatest commandments of the scriptures of all religions.

To our LGBTQIA brothers and sisters everywhere:

You are precious to Life. You are a beautiful expression of Love. You are an outlet for creativity like no one else. You are blessed as you are. You are a blessing wherever you go. You cannot be denied or excluded from the Divine Presence. Your expression of personhood is beloved by the One, for it is unique and perfect for you.  You may be belittled, ridiculed,  or shamed for your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression but there is no truth to the names you may be called or the things you may be accused of… Only Love and Light emanate from the heart of the One, Infinite, Divine Life. And in that, you are absolutely included. Never doubt that you belong, in life, to Life!

We are committed to a world that works for everyone and ALL are welcome in support of this vision.

Dr. Kenn Gordon and the CSL Spiritually Motivated Engagement Committee