Reform Taoism
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Reform Taoism is an organised religious movement based on philosophical Taoism, that does not believe in a god or deity; but in an impersonal force called the Tao. They have no established concept of an afterlife or in a soul.
Reform Taoism believes that the Tao Te Ching, their central text, was not divinely inspired but was written because Lao Tzu observed patterns in the world around him -- patterns that didn't require blind faith and acceptance of logical contradiction to recognize -- and realized that everything must be connected somehow. Reform Taoists uphold these principles in daily life.
Reform Taoism was founded by Michael Torley as an attempt to take Taoism beyond a pure philosophy, but differing from the religious Taoism of China.
At present, Reform Taoism has 236 members across the world based on the World Wide Web.[1]
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[edit] Tao
The concept of Tao (alternatively spelled "Dao") is Reform Taoism's most deeply held belief, and the foundation for the religion. The concept originated in ancient China as a basis for philosophical thought, and was later incorporated into a religious movement. The Chinese word "Tao" roughly translates as "Way"; for Taoists, it refers to a non-sentient, impersonal power that surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Tao regulates Natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It benevolently embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e., there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female).
Lao tzu is widely regarded as the founder of ancient philosophical Taoism. He taught that "The Tao that can be told is not the Eternal Tao; the Name that can be named is not the Eternal Name." In other words, the Way simply defies description. The only true way to seek it is through personal spiritual exploration and dedication.
[edit] Te
Te (alternatively spelled "De") is the "unfolding" of Tao. In other words, while Tao is the Nature of the universe and all within it, Te is the embodiment and manifestation of Tao within each of the Ten Thousand Things. Te is the virtue sensed in others who seem to be intimately tuned to their own Nature and their place in existence; it is the property possessed by those things (including humans) which are content with their own existence, and have no need for facade or pretense, jealousy or envy.
[edit] The Yin Yang Hands
The traditional yin-yang (or "t'ai chi") symbol represents one instant in the eternal cycle of change, a "snapshot" of the flow of Tao, in which Yang is embracing Yin and Yin is embracing Yang. By replacing the familiar dots with hand-prints, the t'ai chi takes on added meaning for Reform Taoists; it signifies the human religious approach to life, in which one embraces — and is also embraced by — the Tao. It also serves as a reminder that all have a responsibility to conduct our lives in accordance with the Tao, because actions have consequences.
[edit] Creedal Statement
"We believe in the formless and eternal Tao, and we recognize all personified deities as being mere human constructs. We reject hatred, intolerance, and unnecessary violence, and embrace harmony, love and learning, as we are taught by Nature. We place our trust and our lives in the Tao, that we may live in peace and balance with the Universe, both in this mortal life and beyond."
[edit] Beliefs
[edit] Abortion
Reform Taoists state that the choice to abort a pregnancy be avoided whenever possible and reasonable, but supports those who choose to have an abortion, providing that their reasons for doing so are made of sound mind.
[edit] Capital Punishment
Capital punishment is seen as an archaic, socially-brutalizing practice, and one that Taoists must strive diligently to abolish. Within the context of Reform Taoism, it violates the Creed, and it works to distance us from the benevolent harmony of the Tao.
[edit] Creation
RT essentially believes in the current theory of Evolution, although is open to other possibilities. The concept of a divine Creation (as it is applied within a theistic context), however, is seen as completely unreasonable. To assume that such an event occurred would imply not only that a sentient, creator deity exists, but that the deity invests a personal interest in Earth and specifically humans.
Rt holds the view that humans, as well as all other life and non-life in the Universe, were and are still being created as an act of sheer Natural process, nothing more.
[edit] Diet and Eating Meat
Reform Taoism does not take strong administrative stances on intensely personal issues like diet, sexuality, and abortion. It does not believe that such issues are appropriate for administrative proclamation, and must rightfully be left to individuals to resolve for themselves. Hence, regarding the consumption of meat, it is left up to individual Taoists to decide, for themselves, whether they feel that the killing of animals for food is "unavoidable" for them personally.
[edit] Evangelism
Reform Taoism encourages and condones only "silent" evangelism. Leading by example, "silently", and embracing those who inquire about its beliefs of their own volition.
[edit] Gods
Reform Taoism is an atheistic religion that does not believe in the existence of any god or deity. The Tao is not personified or anthropomorphized; it is, rather, the indefinable power that regulates and manifests all Natural processes.
[edit] Good and Evil
The spiritual goal of a Taoist is to reach a level of enlightenment at which he or she can perceive complementary forces as not simply flowing into each other, but in fact as one unified system. At a certain level of spiritual enlightenment, the distinction between complementary forces falls away, and one is left with the harmony and unity of opposites, the Tao.
[edit] Homosexuality
RT believes that the very fact that homosexuality naturally exists makes it an essential and integral part of the Tao. Love is only unnatural when it is denied and oppressed.
[edit] Intoxication
RT does not particularly condemn the use of potentially intoxicating or mind-altering substances, so long as such activity is practiced in moderation (and in accordance with applicable laws; it does not condone illegal activity). Specifically, individuals should not use such substances in sufficient quantity to disable their senses or reflexes — the body and mind must be kept healthy and strong, so that the Tao and its manifestations can be perceived and followed at all times. To intentionally dull the senses through intoxication and inebriation is in conflict with the Tao.
[edit] Meditation
Meditation is defined in RT as whatever type of introspection an individual uses to gain insight into Nature and the Tao. For some, this is a classic sitting meditation. For some, walking may be the key to concentration. Regardless of what form a person's meditation takes, Reform Taoists are careful to set aside time for meditation regularly, allowing us to constantly adapt to the world around us.
[edit] Nature
Rts act in the interest of the Natural world wherever and whenever possible, through ecological and environmental activism, as well as active protest against those who would carelessly damage Nature for their own gain. For Reform Taoists, nature is the key to understanding the Tao.
[edit] Prayer
Reform Taoists believe that the insight needed as humans comes from Nature and the Tao, not from a personal god. They therefore find the answers to personal problems through inner meditation and outer observation, not through prayer.
[edit] Qi
Reform Taoists believe that the basis for all natural laws is the existence of Qi, the "breath" of the universe.
Regarding the qi of human beings, while RT believes that it circulates within each person and flows between each person and his or her environment, RT does not presume to know whether Qi can be consciously or physically controlled (as through Qi gong practice or acupuncture).
[edit] Sexuality
Sexual instinct is one of our strongest ties to Nature as human beings, along with hunger, our sense of community, and other such attributes. As such, to ignore or suppress it would be to suppress one's ties to the Tao, and thus hinder the search for it. Therefore, if Natural impulses indicate a need for sexual activity, we should do our best (within the limitations of reason, civility, and rationality) to accommodate that need.
Reform Taoists believe that it would be a mistake to over-indulge in sexual activity. One's Natural impulses direct us very precisely as to when we require sexual activity, just as they tell us when we require food or water; we must simply learn to listen.
