My journey into liberty of conscience began as I was leaving the door of the church behind. My inherent sense of freedom was calling from within, and I finally gave myself permission to heed its promptings. I began to think, to feel, to read, to challenge, and to express my innermost self. It was a both an agonizing and exhilarating time of my life, because I experienced confusion, fear, guilt and at long last triumph and joy!

I have conquered that part of myself which was programmed to believe that I should trust more in authoritarianism than in the wisdom I could acquire myself, or already had.

I have discovered that the kingdom of enlightenment is within me, and that each person has the capacity to discover that personal and sacred place for her or himself.

I am grateful for early Americans such as Roger Williams, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson who had the courage and foresight to separate church and state. I am indebted to psychoanalyst Eric Fromm who taught me to trust in myself, and to the philosopher Joseph Campbell who encouraged me to "follow my bliss." I am thankful for historians Fawn Brodie and Sam Taylor who jolted me out of my dogmatic reverie; for human sexuality researchers Masters and Johnson who helped me increase my pleasure; for Supreme Court Justices William Brennan and Thurgood Marshall whose decisions expanded social justice; for humorists Steve Allen and Woody Allen who keep me chuckling at our human foibles; for dedicated scientists who gave me a sense of rational order; and for gifted artists who reward me with lasting joy!

I now feel free enough to seek knowledge, beauty and love in whomever and wherever I choose. I see truth in the religious as well as the non-religious, for truth springs from many sources. And, it appears to me that the mystery of life is too awesome and complex for any of us to do any more than simply wonder at it. Anything else, as far as I am concerned, is presumptuous.

Life offers a multitude of opportunities, and I am delighted to have discovered my liberty of conscience to explore and experience that which I choose is best for me.

--Nancy Moore