An Ethical Society
is a community of individuals
dedicated to making our lives and our world
more humane, more ethical;

Dedicated to the ideal
that every human being has worth and dignity,
and committed to a reverence for this world and all life.

Searching for a better understanding
of how the world actually is, what potentials exist,
and what yet must be done to build a better life:
through analysis and critique
of social and personal conditions,
through creative inquiry for realistic solutions
to heal pain, reduce suffering, and add to hope,
and through actively testing our conclusions in the world
by our own experience and the experience of others.

Committed in these tasks
to the fullest use of our reason and compassion,
and willing to accept responsibility
to act on our best thoughts and feelings,
recognizing that our actions and failures to act
affect our lives and those around us;

Knowing that building the good and the true
is far more important, interesting and useful
than to focus on whether we believe or disbelieve in
certain philosophical or metaphysical or religious ideas,
instead welcoming our diversity of thought as a strength
to further individual and community maturity.

For this community, this is our common vision,
the faith by which we strive to live.

(Jone Johnson Lewis: 1995, 2002)

Who We Are
The Ethical Society of Rockland County is a humanistic fellowship. We focus on human lives and relationships and explore what it means to live ethically as individuals, family members, and participants in the larger community. We have no creeds and no doctrines, but we are united by our belief in the worth and dignity of each individual and our commitment to working together to create a more just, humane, and peaceful world. We meet on Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. at Peace Through Play nursery school, 8 Amber Ridge Road, Chestnut Ridge NY, 10977 for talks by invited speakers, discussions, and fellowship. Ethical Sunday school is provided for the children. Friends and visitors are welcome at all of our meetings and activities.