Text Box: As a community that accepts and encourages the exchange of different thought and general tolerance, We acknowledge and welcome any religion or philosophy, so long as such systems of thought abstain from destructive tendencies and endorse a natural lifestyle. Variety is an essential part of growth and evolution, and we smile upon the growth and independent thought as beneficial product of natural living. While the government and community of West of Eden give no official endorsement of any religion or philosophy beyond that of natural law, several popular religious and philosophical trends have become prominent facets of our life and have contributed greatly to the community's success. Below are listed some of the West of Eden's more popular religious and philosophical beliefs. Text Box: Pantheism Believing that the universe and earth itself is diving, pantheist within the community often blend their beliefs with that of Christianity, Judaism, and a myriad of other religious systems. Pantheist within the community celebrate the natural cycles of life and value the earth as a piece of the universal soul. In addition, pantheist tend to have a greater sense of personal freedom and have done much to sustain the democratic government of the community. Text Box: Rousseau The teachings of this 18th Century philosopher have become popular among the inhabitants of West of Eden with his urge for man to return to happiness within his "state of nature." In addition, many of the politicians elected within the community have turned to Rousseau's political writings, such as Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, to guide them in the ways of government. Text Box: Transcendtalism/Thoreau Similar in many ways to Pantheism the Transcendentalist movement and writing thereof have become popular literature among the our people. Seeking to gain a better understanding of God and reality through an examination of the natural world, Transcendentalist writers, especially American Transcendentalists such as Emerson and Thoreau, have emphasized the necessity us to truly enjoy their landscape and the beauty of nature. Text Box: Christianity/Islam/Judaism/Buddhism/Hinduism As would be expected, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism remain popular religious choices among many of the our people. Of those who choose these religions as their main way of spiritual worship, most adopt a more nature-centered dogma than those one might experience outside of the our community. Text Box: Wicca While still one of the less popular religions, even in our community, Wicca, a form of neo-pagan religion, has become more accepted among the our inhabitants more than in many outsiders. Often mistaken as a form of witchcraft or Satanism, Wicca is actually a ritualized form of earth-centered religion which shares many similarities with the ceremonies performed by the Ancient Greeks and early Celtic peoples. Text Box: Taoism Centered around the attainment of peace and enlightenment through becoming one with Tao, or the force of nature, Taoism is the most popular train of philosophical thought within the community. Those who closely follow Taoist philosophy seek to find balance in their life between order and chaos, and seek to find happiness through accepting nature. An essential teaching within Taoism is the We Wui, or "The Path of Least Resistance." Much like the growth of the plant or the current of water, finding We Wui allows the Taoist follower to "act without acting," or to act without effort.

1