No. Members are not bound by any community creed or dogma. Rather, Ethical Societies emphasize the importance of developing a clear personal philosophy that makes your life understandable and meaningful. Learning to benefit from a diversity of viewpoints is one of the challenges of membership. Members encourage each other to think freely and to disagree without being disagreeable. A saying often used in Ethical Culture is "Deed before creed" sometimes expressed as "Diversity in the creed, unanimity in the deed."

Ethical Societies serve as religious congregations in which members can build a community of friends, find inspiration and purpose, provide moral education for their children, celebrate the seasons and life events, and clarify their world views. Professional Ethical Culture Leaders fill the roles of religious clergy, including meeting the pastoral needs of members, performing ceremonies, and serving as spokespeople for the congregation

ESWoW is a new and growing congregation, with members in various locations. We are still learning and trying to find ways that we can do things together, especially celebrating life events, and providing moral education for children of members. We are open to your ideas.

One of the principles of Ethical Culture is to "Act to bring out the best in others and thereby bring out the best in yourself." Consider this idea as you interact with others on the ESWoW website.  We appreicate robust conversation and questioning which gives us all an opportunity to learn and develop our thinking.  

Please:

• Use respectful language
• Use your own words, or link to an outside article
• Discuss the ISSUES, not each other
• No personal attacks

ESWoW reserves the right to suspend participants from lists who violate standards and rules put forward by the ESWoW; we haven't had to do that yet, and hope we never have to take such a drastic step.

Please see the attachment below for a user's guide.

1. Visit the site.

2. Click "Create a new account."

3. Learn. Play. Share. Grow.