Freedom Pledge
The Pledge of Common Unity is a mutual commitment among the free citizens of our globally distributed commonwealth of liberty to live up to the shared ideals and principles by which we might perpetuate a free and pluralistic society of equals who mutually support one another's human agency, dignity, and flourishing in accordance with God's standards, righteousness, and justice for the nations.
The commonwealth model is inspired, in part, by two concepts. First, Thomas Jefferson's concept of an empire of liberty, albeit not as a physical state. Second, the concept of the Commonwealth of Israel as a spiritual union of diverse people, or what the Bible calls "spiritual Israel," without implying any replacement theology regarding physical Israel or the Jewish people.
Our globally distributed commonwealth is a commonwealth of the heart which is embraced through free association and our concept of citizenship. To us, citizenship is not defined in the same way citizenship in a country or political state is defined. First, our commonwealth is not a country or a political state. Second, it is our shared commitment to ideals and principles that is the basis of common unity. Third, the Pledge of Common Unity whereby we commit to act as fellow citizens of a globally-distributed commonwealth is a matter of personal conscience alone.
Our global commonwealth is first and foremost a globally-distributed Kingdom community that is open to all who respect and practice our common ideals and advance the common well-being of the whole community.
All people, regardless of faith, ancestry, or anything else are welcome to "come and see." Citizens of our commonwealth are not required to be Christians or even Peers of our spiritual nation. However, all citizens of our global commonwealth pledge to respect and honor central Upadarian beliefs and those who practice them and to apply our ideals and practices in a non-sectarian manner as a common standard of conduct.
The mandate of our commonwealth, as a global community of free people, is to protect and uphold the rights and safety of Christian refugees, to provide sanctuary and mutual comfort to all Peers of the Upadarian nation, and to promote and exemplify a free and pluralistic society of equals before our Creator based on shared human agency, dignity, and flourishing.
We strongly support one another as fellow citizens united around this pledge. We prefer one another in business and all other matters. Through such mutual support we build strong social, cultural, and economic connections.
Whether you are a Christian, a Peer of Upadaria, or a freedom-seeking individual, our global commonwealth seeks your well-being and will promote your happiness through mutual support and freewill participation.
The Pledge of Common Unity of The Upadarian Commonwealth
As a citizen of the Upadarian Commonwealth, I pledge to abide by the following ideals and principles:
THE FOUR CORE IDEALS
The spiritual constitution of our community is the four core ideals. As these ideals have worked well for any community of people who have used them, so too can they work for the success of any person, community, or nation that adheres to them.
Unum - Unity In Diversity
All of God's people are unique, special, and created with a purpose. In that, we can enjoy a diversity of styles, personalities, talents, and convictions while anchored in Yeshua. The balance between individuality and community is important; we need both individuality and community that does not compromise either. God blesses us, speaks to us, and uses us to help others through our natural condition of interdependence with Him and others.
Populum - Popular Sovereignty
Our Creator has restored individual sovereignty to His people. This sovereignty is the basis of Regency, a personal responsibility to oneself, God, and others that is recognized and upheld by the spiritual nation. The overlap of scrolls is where the populace joins and shares sovereignty. This ideal applies to individuals and groups such as families, communities, nations, and civilizations.
Demos - Democratic Equality
God has made us all free and equal. Through history we have seen prejudice, oppression, exploitation, and selfishness be used to divide and control entire populations. These controls are a paper chain that can break as we receive our birthright. When we get our self-worth from God and view others as equals in God's eyes, we make sure everyone has equal opportunity and is treated fairly according to one set of just principles that apply to all.
Regium - Rule of Law
God's laws are built into the framework of creation. They are redemptive in nature and easy to understand. The rule of law includes two primary aspects. One, God's order and justice are the basis of all law. Two, God is Love. Therefore, we conclude that laws are made for the good of all, by the consent of all, and carried through the love of all. The enforcement of laws, civil laws, God's laws, and rules governing personal relationships, both written and unwritten, must be even handed and redemptive.
THE FOUR CORE PRINCIPLES
1) THE SOCIAL VISION
Community builders continually seek the best and most effective methods of implementation.
Cooperation
We seek collaboration among Peers rather than competition within our immediate community and between our regional and national communities. We share in the work and rewards of community building efforts.
Sustainability
We seek to build structures and activities that achieve genuinely sustainable flourishing for all through direct or private and participatory ownership while relying on naturally renewable resources.
Consensus
We make faith-based decisions through a participatory decision-making process based on earned status and standing.
2) THE SOCIAL ETHIC
Believers and community builders agree to abide by a common social ethic.
Wellbeing
The wellbeing, agency, dignity, and flourishing of each citizen is respected and upheld. No harm will be permitted to be done to any member of our community.
Justice
Honor is given to whom honor is due and discipline to whom discipline is due according to God's law and the framework of guidelines and principles of the community with truth, love, grace, and a redemptive spirit.
Autonomy
Each person is a free and spiritually sovereign individual created in God's image, joining themselves to a community by freewill participation. Citizens are free to join and participate as they agree to community frameworks of guidelines and standards. Citizens are free to leave at any time.
3) THE FREEDOM VISION
Upholding the freedom of all people while respecting their basic human dignity in tolerance and acceptance of their humanity is a primary commitment.
Virtue
Civil and moral virtue, mutual respect, and self-respect are the basis of human dignity according to God's righteous standards, which is for the common good.
Liberty
Liberty is best expressed in the original spirit and intent of the US Bill of Rights as applied without prejudice or favor to all human beings whose rights come from God. Rights from God are conveyed through inherent spiritual sovereignty, or regency.
Independence
We believe in a just, fair, merit-based marketplace that is totally free and competitive. Democracy based on both direct ownership and mutually owned entities is the best assurance of material independence from the control of others.
4) THE PROSPERITY VISION
The community economic model is based on the four conditions.
Investment
Every citizen who participates has equal and fair access to allocated investment capital based on their ability to pay and the merit of their ideas.
Land
Land purchased in common for the benefit of the community will be equally accessible and any external private user will compensate the community for that use.
Ownership
Profit sharing from mutually owned business projects will be based on level of participation and contribution to the economic enterprise. Contribution may include time, money, resources, expertise, guidance, etc.
Protection
Every citizen will have access to knowledge, resources, and tools by which they can protect their rights, persons, and personal and family wealth.
The commonwealth model is inspired, in part, by two concepts. First, Thomas Jefferson's concept of an empire of liberty, albeit not as a physical state. Second, the concept of the Commonwealth of Israel as a spiritual union of diverse people, or what the Bible calls "spiritual Israel," without implying any replacement theology regarding physical Israel or the Jewish people.
Our globally distributed commonwealth is a commonwealth of the heart which is embraced through free association and our concept of citizenship. To us, citizenship is not defined in the same way citizenship in a country or political state is defined. First, our commonwealth is not a country or a political state. Second, it is our shared commitment to ideals and principles that is the basis of common unity. Third, the Pledge of Common Unity whereby we commit to act as fellow citizens of a globally-distributed commonwealth is a matter of personal conscience alone.
Our global commonwealth is first and foremost a globally-distributed Kingdom community that is open to all who respect and practice our common ideals and advance the common well-being of the whole community.
All people, regardless of faith, ancestry, or anything else are welcome to "come and see." Citizens of our commonwealth are not required to be Christians or even Peers of our spiritual nation. However, all citizens of our global commonwealth pledge to respect and honor central Upadarian beliefs and those who practice them and to apply our ideals and practices in a non-sectarian manner as a common standard of conduct.
The mandate of our commonwealth, as a global community of free people, is to protect and uphold the rights and safety of Christian refugees, to provide sanctuary and mutual comfort to all Peers of the Upadarian nation, and to promote and exemplify a free and pluralistic society of equals before our Creator based on shared human agency, dignity, and flourishing.
We strongly support one another as fellow citizens united around this pledge. We prefer one another in business and all other matters. Through such mutual support we build strong social, cultural, and economic connections.
Whether you are a Christian, a Peer of Upadaria, or a freedom-seeking individual, our global commonwealth seeks your well-being and will promote your happiness through mutual support and freewill participation.
THE FOUR CORE IDEALS
The spiritual constitution of our community is the four core ideals. As these ideals have worked well for any community of people who have used them, so too can they work for the success of any person, community, or nation that adheres to them.
Unum - Unity In Diversity
All of God's people are unique, special, and created with a purpose. In that, we can enjoy a diversity of styles, personalities, talents, and convictions while anchored in Yeshua. The balance between individuality and community is important; we need both individuality and community that does not compromise either. God blesses us, speaks to us, and uses us to help others through our natural condition of interdependence with Him and others.
Populum - Popular Sovereignty
Our Creator has restored individual sovereignty to His people. This sovereignty is the basis of Regency, a personal responsibility to oneself, God, and others that is recognized and upheld by the spiritual nation. The overlap of scrolls is where the populace joins and shares sovereignty. This ideal applies to individuals and groups such as families, communities, nations, and civilizations.
Demos - Democratic Equality
God has made us all free and equal. Through history we have seen prejudice, oppression, exploitation, and selfishness be used to divide and control entire populations. These controls are a paper chain that can break as we receive our birthright. When we get our self-worth from God and view others as equals in God's eyes, we make sure everyone has equal opportunity and is treated fairly according to one set of just principles that apply to all.
Regium - Rule of Law
God's laws are built into the framework of creation. They are redemptive in nature and easy to understand. The rule of law includes two primary aspects. One, God's order and justice are the basis of all law. Two, God is Love. Therefore, we conclude that laws are made for the good of all, by the consent of all, and carried through the love of all. The enforcement of laws, civil laws, God's laws, and rules governing personal relationships, both written and unwritten, must be even handed and redemptive.
THE FOUR CORE PRINCIPLES
1) THE SOCIAL VISION
Community builders continually seek the best and most effective methods of implementation.
Cooperation
We seek collaboration among Peers rather than competition within our immediate community and between our regional and national communities. We share in the work and rewards of community building efforts.
Sustainability
We seek to build structures and activities that achieve genuinely sustainable flourishing for all through direct or private and participatory ownership while relying on naturally renewable resources.
Consensus
We make faith-based decisions through a participatory decision-making process based on earned status and standing.
2) THE SOCIAL ETHIC
Believers and community builders agree to abide by a common social ethic.
Wellbeing
The wellbeing, agency, dignity, and flourishing of each citizen is respected and upheld. No harm will be permitted to be done to any member of our community.
Justice
Honor is given to whom honor is due and discipline to whom discipline is due according to God's law and the framework of guidelines and principles of the community with truth, love, grace, and a redemptive spirit.
Autonomy
Each person is a free and spiritually sovereign individual created in God's image, joining themselves to a community by freewill participation. Citizens are free to join and participate as they agree to community frameworks of guidelines and standards. Citizens are free to leave at any time.
3) THE FREEDOM VISION
Upholding the freedom of all people while respecting their basic human dignity in tolerance and acceptance of their humanity is a primary commitment.
Virtue
Civil and moral virtue, mutual respect, and self-respect are the basis of human dignity according to God's righteous standards, which is for the common good.
Liberty
Liberty is best expressed in the original spirit and intent of the US Bill of Rights as applied without prejudice or favor to all human beings whose rights come from God. Rights from God are conveyed through inherent spiritual sovereignty, or regency.
Independence
We believe in a just, fair, merit-based marketplace that is totally free and competitive. Democracy based on both direct ownership and mutually owned entities is the best assurance of material independence from the control of others.
4) THE PROSPERITY VISION
The community economic model is based on the four conditions.
Investment
Every citizen who participates has equal and fair access to allocated investment capital based on their ability to pay and the merit of their ideas.
Land
Land purchased in common for the benefit of the community will be equally accessible and any external private user will compensate the community for that use.
Ownership
Profit sharing from mutually owned business projects will be based on level of participation and contribution to the economic enterprise. Contribution may include time, money, resources, expertise, guidance, etc.
Protection
Every citizen will have access to knowledge, resources, and tools by which they can protect their rights, persons, and personal and family wealth.
The Pledge
I pledge, as a citizen of our global Upadarian Commonwealth, to respect and honor the beliefs, values, and practices contained in these ideals and principles, as applied in a non-sectarian and pluralistic manner.
I will uphold Upadarian agency and the dignity of all fellow human beings. I will strive to preserve the sanctity and strength of our collaborative, trust community of which I am a valued citizen. I will respect the life, liberty, and happiness of others, especially that of fellow citizens of our global commonwealth.
I will not undermine, ridicule, or disrespect those who practice the Upadarian lifestyle or Christian beliefs. I will behave with equity, decency, and fairness toward all other citizens, preferring them in all matters as much as possible, to promote the common well-being and happiness of all fellow citizens in as much as lies within me.
I will uphold Upadarian agency and the dignity of all fellow human beings. I will strive to preserve the sanctity and strength of our collaborative, trust community of which I am a valued citizen. I will respect the life, liberty, and happiness of others, especially that of fellow citizens of our global commonwealth.
I will not undermine, ridicule, or disrespect those who practice the Upadarian lifestyle or Christian beliefs. I will behave with equity, decency, and fairness toward all other citizens, preferring them in all matters as much as possible, to promote the common well-being and happiness of all fellow citizens in as much as lies within me.