Sybrenology's five pillars
Respect yourself and other people.
Respect is the fundamental cornerstone of Sybrenology. It means to treat others well, to honor their differences and their individuality, and to not hate, harass, belittle, devalue, limit, ridicule or restrict others based on your values and beliefs. It is equally important to not allow such treatment of yourself.
Respect beliefs other than your own, and the people that hold them.
It is unlikely that you will ever find someone who believes exactly as you do, On matters of religion and spirituality, politics, personal morals and values, heritage and culture, we all have slightly different outlooks and beliefs. We do not need to see eye-to-eye to respect each other or recognize that one person's beliefs are as valid as another ...or your own. Similarities make us human but differences make us individuals. It is our shared humanity that makes it possible to respect our individuality.
Respect the freedom of others to make choices, even if you would not make them for yourself.
We are each individuals. We are free to make our own choices and live our lives in a way that is meaningful to us. In your life, you will cross paths with those who have made different choices than you have made ... perhaps even choices you don't think they should have made. Their choices are right for them. They may not be right for you. You do not need to love as they love, live as they live, worship as they worship or vote as they vote in order to respect them as an individual.
Respect the the history and culture of other peoples, as you expect them to respect your own.
The history of the world, our nations and even our own communities is often complex. It was formed in times when people were confronted by issues that differ from those we face today. It was defined by people who did not have them same information we have today. For better or for worse, however, it is our history. It is possible to celebrate and learn from it at the same time. Attempting to silence it, however, is futile.
Our varied cultures are inextricably intertwined with the histories in which they were written. They often form who we are collectively and what we believe as individuals. Respecting and understanding that relationship is critical to respecting the individual.
Respect, and acknowledge, your own limitations.
The world we live in is changing quickly. The issues we are confronted with today are neither the same ones we faced 20 years ago, nor the ones we will face 20 years from now. It's natural to seek the familiar, and the comfortable, and to wish things could stay the same. Change isn't easy and may not always feel necessary to you. That's alright. Allow yourself to acknowledge these feelings, but do not to use them as an excuse to disrespect others who may feel diferently.