8/18/2019 The Universal Declaration of the Human Right to Direct Spiritual Experience

1/2

The Universal Declaration of the Human Right to Direct Spiritual Experience

We recognize the following:

Human beings are innately spiritual. The human quest for spiritual meaning and

experience is fundamental to the human experience. Personal spiritual experience isfurthermore understood to be one of the most intimate aspects of person’s identity senseof self and world!iew.

While the human quest for spiritual meaning and experience can be institutionalizedthrough the formation and continuation of religious traditions the dri!e for spiritualmeaning and experience is not limited to religious acti!ity or membership per se.

"eligious practice and membership is not identical to spiritual experience. "eligion as asocial institution pro!ides opportunity for li#e$minded people to gather together in

groups to collecti!ely express their beliefs in the context of shared practices. "eligion

pro!ides structures of ritual ceremony religious teachings and a community of similarly$oriented indi!iduals. Within the context of a religion persons may be affordedthe opportunity for direct spiritual experience but this is not necessarily the case. %s

direct spiritual experience is primarily an indi!idual matter the locus of spiritualexperience is necessarily the indi!idual and not a religious tradition or institution.

While religious membership and acti!ity is uni!ersally recognized as a fundamentalhuman right and is protected by law indi!idual pursuit of spiritual experiences has not

been afforded the same legal protections. This act see#s to correct this omission from thelist of uni!ersal human rights.

&ecause the locus of direct spiritual experience is the indi!idual protections for indi!idual spiritual experience must be afforded directly to indi!iduals rather than to theinstitutions in which they practice. %s a result protection for direct spiritual experienceis not limited to indi!iduals who are members of religious traditions but extend equally

to all indi!iduals regardless of religious affiliation or lac# thereof.

%ll practices that contribute to an indi!idual’s culti!ation of direct spiritual experienceare hereby affirmed to be protected by international laws recognizing uni!ersal human

rights with the condition that such practices do not !iolate any other uni!ersallyrecognized human rights of other persons such as the rights to life liberty and pursuit of

happiness.

'n recognition of this uni!ersal human right to direct spiritual experience it is herebydecreed that no go!ernment shall persecute or punish any indi!idual who chooses to

pursue the culti!ation of direct spiritual experience in a manner that is respectful of thehuman rights of others.

't is furthermore recognized that the uni!ersal human right to direct spiritual experience pro!ides a legal defense for those who would choose to pursue the use of entheogenic

8/18/2019 The Universal Declaration of the Human Right to Direct Spiritual Experience

2/2

agents in their quest to achie!e direct spiritual experience. While recognizing thatgo!ernments ha!e a !ested interest in reducing the impact of recreational drug use and

abuse within their territories drug laws in and of themsel!es are not sufficient groundsfor baring the legitimate use of entheogenic sacraments for personal spiritual experience.

The burden of proof for the limiting of any acti!ity that can be construed as theculti!ation of direct personal spiritual experience is clearly placed on any regulating body go!ernmental or otherwise. The uni!ersal right to direct spiritual experience will

be afforded to all equally without any interference by regulating bodies unless saidregulating bodies can demonstrate beyond any doubt that the acti!ities of any indi!idualis in !iolation of the fundamental human rights of another person or persons. (laiming

that an indi!idual’s practice such as might be the case with the use of entheogens isagainst any law is not sufficient grounds for disallowing the practice. The standard for

the burden of proof is to be )udged solely on how any gi!en practice !iolates the rights of others.