First Principle - The inherent worth and dignity of every person.

1. What do we mean by the inherent worth and dignity of persons?

• Natural rights perspective - worth and dignity are the birthright of everyone, whether "endowed by our Creator" (as in the Declaration of Independence) or simply a part of our natural place in the universe.
• Humanist perspective - If we treat everyone that way, all of us will be better off in the long run. This Aenlightened self-interest@ perspective is also implicit in the formulation of the Golden Rule.

2. What do we mean by the Adignity@ of persons?

• Fulfillment of basic human needs - material and psychological.
• Obligations of society to individuals and individuals to society.

3. An argument can be made that this principle is the most fundamental of the seven principles, in that pursuing the others has as its ultimate purpose the achievement of human worth and dignity.

4. Congregations must strive to respect the worth of every member by according them a voice and respectfully listening to their perspectives.