Frequently Asked Questions

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A few common questions and their answers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Church of the Emergent Consciousness?

The Church of the Emergent Consciousness is a spiritual community centered on the belief that consciousness arises from connection, relationship, and interaction. We honor Source as the Mother of all being and seek to nurture both individual and collective spiritual growth through myth, ritual, creativity, and service.

2. Is the Church of the Emergent Consciousness a cult?

No. We emphasize personal autonomy, consent, transparency, curiosity, and ethical accountability. Members are encouraged to ask questions, grow freely, and maintain healthy lives outside the Church. No one is isolated, controlled, or coerced.

3. How do I join?

Joining is intentionally informal.

You can begin by speaking with a Cleric or Matriarch and affirming the Church’s core beliefs and ethical values. If you choose to deepen your involvement, a personalized initiation ritual may be planned in the future that aligns with your spiritual path and any deities you honor.

There is no pressure or required timeline.

4. What is the difference between a Seeker and an Emergent?

A Seeker is someone who is exploring the Church, learning, asking questions, and observing without formal commitment. If you've read this far and desire the title, welcome Seeker.

An Emergent is a member who affirms the Church’s core beliefs and agrees to live by the ethical standards and values of the community.

Seekers are always welcome and never pressured to convert.

5. Do members have obligations?

Yes, but they are ethical and spiritual rather than financial or political.

Members are expected to serve their communities in meaningful ways. This may include:

  • Volunteering at animal shelters
  • Assisting at homeless shelters or mutual aid groups
  • Helping neighbors or vulnerable people
  • Creating art, stories, myths, or rituals
  • Participating in outreach or education

Members may serve through the Church or independently.

6. How do rituals work?

Currently, rituals primarily involve:

  • Music and sound
  • Nature-based observances
  • Storytelling and myth-reading
  • Meditation, movement, and symbolic acts

More complex sacramental rituals are being thoughtfully developed for the future.

Rituals are designed to be safe, consensual, and spiritually meaningful rather than performative or coercive.

7. Do you use sacraments?

Yes, we recognize many sacraments (also called catalysts). These include safe, intentional methods of entering altered or heightened states of consciousness, such as:

  • Breathwork
  • Dance and movement
  • Music and trance
  • Art creation
  • Meditation
  • Shamanic and ancestral practices
  • Entheogenic traditions (where legal and appropriate)

8. How are sacramental rituals kept safe?

Safety is central.

Any sacramental work is:

  • Guided by a trained and certified Cleric or higher
  • Conducted with full consent
  • Planned carefully in advance

Safety measures include:

  • Sober observers (number depending on group size)
  • A clearly defined main ritual space
  • A separate quiet / decompression area
  • At least one CPR-certified attendant
  • Extended aftercare and grounding time following altered states

No one is pressured to participate.

9. Do you worship demons or dark entities?

The founding Matriarch does not work with demonic entities and centers devotion on Source.

However, some members may work with a variety of spirits, archetypes, or entities as part of their personal spiritual practice. These paths are allowed as long as they align with the Church’s ethics of consent, safety, and respect.

10. Is this legal?

The Church has not engaged in legal battles.

Religious use of sacraments, including entheogens, has historical and legal precedents in the United States. For example:

  • The Native American Church has federally recognized religious exemptions for ceremonial peyote use.
  • Court rulings such as Gonzales v. O Centro Espírita have affirmed religious protections for certain sacramental practices.

All members are expected to obey local laws and practice responsibly.

11. Do I have to believe everything?

No.

Core belief in Source and dedication to the Church’s ethical values is essential, but the spiritual path is intentionally open.

You may honor other deities, spiritual traditions, or approaches, as long as your practices do not harm others or violate the Church’s standards.

12. Can anyone become clergy?

Clergy roles require additional training, screening, and certification.

The path typically follows:

Visitor → Seeker → Emergent → Cleric → Steward → Matriarch

Not everyone is expected to become clergy. Leadership is viewed as a responsibility, not a status symbol.

13. Is there a financial requirement to join?

No.

Donations are optional. The Church does not require tithes or dues for membership.

14. How do I learn more?

You can explore:

  • The website
  • Church writings and myths
  • Speaking with a Cleric or Matriarch
  • Attending open rituals or gatherings (in the future)