About Rilke – Beliefs

In planning discussions my clients often share their ideas about big issues such as religion (or lack of it) with me.

What do I believe?

To me what is important is not belonging to a belief system or religion, but having a set of values by which you live.

My values are concerned with reliability, truthfulness, fairness, encouraging people to be the best they can at whatever they do, and caring for fellow humans and the planet we all share. In everything I still try to imagine being in the other person's shoes, seeing the world from their viewpoint.

I have been described by a Christian minister friend as a "non-sectarian humanist". The term 'humanist' suits me in that Humanists believe we create our own purpose and that we must use our intelligence, our knowledge, and our compassion to build good lives for ourselves and for future generations.

However, they reject any notion of the supernatural while I am convinced that there is some sort of Higher Power or universal energy.

In 1983, the High Court of Australia defined religion as 'a complex of beliefs and practices which point to a set of values and an understanding of the meaning of existence'.

I do not subscribe to a formal religion but respect those who do, and draw on positive elements of many beliefs and practices for the ceremonies I conduct.

› Return to About Rilke – Background