Mom’s Credo

by Lillian Barden

In December of 1991, Lillian wrote her “Credo,” her statement of beliefs, in a class on Building Your Own Theology.  Here’s what she wrote:

I believe:

In the joy and promise of learning and questioning

That discipline and order are necessary for progress

That loving and touching are necessary for survival

In the ability of people to change and understand each other

That I am responsible for my own acts and their consequences

That we continue in some way that is unknown to me

In people’s basic goodness and helpfulness

That evil is created only by ignorance

That happiness is possible and attainable

That the joy of life lies in being of use to others

In the power of women to change the world

That only in community are we heard and believed

That the human soul finds its voice in music

That in language we can live forever

That laughter is the song of friendship

That to be honest is more important than to be believed.