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| One Heaven Society of United Free States of Spirits |
you are here: > Home > Spirits
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About > Spirits > Elders
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In pre-Christian Western civilization and wisdom respecting native cultures, the
concept of an elder is a person valued for their wisdom, in part for their age and
in part for their experience and learning.
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Under modern western based society, the value and respect of elders has been diminished
largely because they are seen as representing an image of “out of date”
thinking and more significantly the breakdown of multi-generation family living
and small community systems. |
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Origin of word (Etymology)
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The word “elder” originates from the early 17th Century as an equivalent
concept to the Ancient Greek word πρεσβυτερος
[presbyteros] meaning “wise elder”. The English word is an extension
of the Old English word eald meaning “old”. |
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While the attempt in the 17th Century was to try and resurrect in western philosophy
the ancient system of respect for elder members of society, present day beliefs
still largely refer back to the original English root of the word which simply implied
“old”. |
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One Heaven definition of an Elder |
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Under the constitution of One Heaven, an Elder is defined as: |
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An Elder is a departed person, respected as a
guiding member of a family or group, having shown clear and unmistakable leadership
and positive moral leadership in their lives and elected to the office of Elder
at least once under the rules of a General or Great Conclave according to the Constitution
of One Heaven. |
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Therefore, the title of Elder is one of election. However, the importance of representation
of Elders is that it means local families and communities may elect individuals
who they believe represent those leading lights of their family and group traditions,
thereby respecting the memory of their ancestors and connecting their living community
to the spirit community of One Heaven. |
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Elders
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