We are a community for people of all faiths or lack thereof - whether you identify as atheist, religious, spiritual or agnostic.
We are not a political organisation and do not align with any particular political party.
Everyone who shares the values outlined in this programme is welcome and regarded as an equally valuable member.
2)We do not have “leaders”; we only have individuals responsible for specific tasks.
3)As a group, we identify as secular, interfaith and non-esoteric, meaning we do not adhere to any particular religion. We neither pray nor submit to any higher power together. We do not favour any particular view on topics such as the existence of a soul or life after death. Nonetheless, we are open to secular, non-esoteric rituals such as music, affirmations, dance, and performances that do not necessitate belief in any particular god or religion.
4)We envision a world with the greatest possible reduction of suffering—physical, emotional, and psychological. With our actions, we strive to contribute to this vision. We critically evaluate the ethical nature of our choices and remain vigilant in questioning other people and groups whenever they act against this principle.
5)We know there are many aspects of this world that make it hard to keep up a positive outlook on life. Nonetheless, we would like to support our members in gaining such a perspective by eliminating factors of their environment and habits that make them unhappy. We see power in optimism and celebrating life whilst not ignoring injustice.
6)Helping others starts with helping yourself. We promote self-love and a lifestyle that supports personal well-being. We do not endorse (harmful) self-sacrifice for the greater good.
7)We are an egalitarian community and denounce all forms of discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, origin, sexual orientation, religion, physical ability, age, or any other characteristic. We equally discourage any form of hate speech or bullying.
8)We endorse personal freedom in decision-making for autonomous individuals, as well as self-expression, which should only be restricted when it causes harm to others. We advocate for sexual liberty within the confines of interactions between consenting adults and defend the right to autonomy over one’s own body. We aim to support the mental and physical health of our members and other individuals, but the definition of what is healthy remains up to debate.
9)We regard loneliness as a source of suffering. We aim to contribute to reducing loneliness for everyone affected by it, while upholding personal freedom in choosing whom to interact and spend time with. We acknowledge the benefits of modern individualism, which has freed many from the harmful influence of authorities and peers, such as abusive families. Nonetheless, we strive to offer a community of choice that provides a sense of belonging and mutual support.
10)We envision a society where everyone’s basic needs are met, and everyone has access to state-of-the-art healthcare, regardless of their ability or willingness to work. We promote fair conditions in the workplace, ensuring everyone’s health and well-being. We regard leisure time and the ability to experience pleasure as basic human needs. We value work that promotes the welfare of society and the advancement of technology and science. We remain critical of the idea of hard work as a virtue in itself, irrespective of its goal or context. We support access to education for everyone and back projects that provide education free of charge, as long as the content aligns with our values.
11)We encourage a sustainable relationship with our planet, aiming to minimise human and animal suffering for current and future generations.
12)We are a community with a multitude of opinions, which should be voiced empathetically. We do not dictate specific lifestyle rules for our members.
Whenever statements in this programme are kept vague, it is intentional, and their interpretation is left to our members.
13)We are a non-profit organisation. Membership in Opia is free of charge. We are open to attending external events together as Opia, which may involve a small cost. When a member cannot afford to participate, we strive to provide financial support whenever possible.