Communal Effort
Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.
One might be forgiven for thinking that this principle was birthed out of any number of sources other than Burning Man. On one hand, it appears to come from radical socialism or communism, on the other hand, it could be found at the heart of a religious community. It has the call to participation and co-creativity found in any healthy, supportive group.
I believe that humanity cannot create anything without at least some small smudge from the fingerprints of God. Imago Dei (the image of God) is imprinted upon all people. This imago dei is infused throughout our personalities, passions, desires, dreams, feelings, thoughts, and creative processes. Whenever a new cultural movement occurs, this imago dei has, by default, infused itself into the development of the culture, and its social fabric. This is not to say that everything we do is purely infused with the nectar of divine perfection, rather, it is to say that despite the foibles, the greed, the empty expressions of rebellion (Note: not all rebellion is empty, in fact, much of it is divine), the selfishness, and the stupidity of men and women 'God stuff' is inherent to our activities.
The sixth principle of Burning Man hints at these all invasive fingerprints of God: "We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction." In every place of human interaction, the Burning Man community seeks to be a support, and a protective force for each person, and for their productivity and and creativity. It is as though the all invasive omni-present love of God is the modus operandi of Burning Man. Like a church, it seeks to be a benefit to every member, and makes the effort to be there in all social interactions, leaving no social stone un-turned in the protection of peaceful cooperation.
I believe that humanity cannot create anything without at least some small smudge from the fingerprints of God. Imago Dei (the image of God) is imprinted upon all people. This imago dei is infused throughout our personalities, passions, desires, dreams, feelings, thoughts, and creative processes. Whenever a new cultural movement occurs, this imago dei has, by default, infused itself into the development of the culture, and its social fabric. This is not to say that everything we do is purely infused with the nectar of divine perfection, rather, it is to say that despite the foibles, the greed, the empty expressions of rebellion (Note: not all rebellion is empty, in fact, much of it is divine), the selfishness, and the stupidity of men and women 'God stuff' is inherent to our activities.
The sixth principle of Burning Man hints at these all invasive fingerprints of God: "We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction." In every place of human interaction, the Burning Man community seeks to be a support, and a protective force for each person, and for their productivity and and creativity. It is as though the all invasive omni-present love of God is the modus operandi of Burning Man. Like a church, it seeks to be a benefit to every member, and makes the effort to be there in all social interactions, leaving no social stone un-turned in the protection of peaceful cooperation.
"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
If you would like to help this ongoing missional effort, you can donate at to The Gathering as a tax-deductible donation to our ministry. Please mark your donation "Burning Man."
If you would like to help this ongoing missional effort, you can donate at to The Gathering as a tax-deductible donation to our ministry. Please mark your donation "Burning Man."
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