Our Core Tenets and Community Vision
Our founder, Rev. Dr. Garrison Steelle, designed the church to foster a welcoming community. To that end, there are ten core tenets that we observe.
- The universe gave us a shot at life; it is up to us to find the pleasure and beauty.
- Wisdom does not separate morality from personal responsibility.
- Freedom begins with the full understanding of consent.
- Life belongs to the universe and is not ours to own, damage, or control.
- Liberation is the elimination of greed, hatred, and ignorance.
- The universe gives us science so that we might understand.
- The universe gives us music so we might feel what is beyond ourselves.
- The universe gave us sex so we might explore the complexities of pleasure.
- The universe exists to support the fullness of this moment and does not promise anything beyond now.
- The universe creates in freedom, and nothing it has created exists outside its intended purpose.
The Steelle Creed
I Believe we exist in this universe, on this timeline, to serve a specific purpose, that our combined energy radiates throughout the universe, and that if we act together, we can change the world.
I Believe life is composed of energy and is constantly evolving; I am not the same person I was yesterday, and tomorrow gives me potential to grow. I am not static.
I Believe each person has specific needs, that meeting those needs helps us grow, and that one person’s needs do not exclude another’s. We give and receive in unison.
I Believe in the universal rights of all humans without diminution, that no government, organization, corporation, or other entity has any right to restrict, legislate limitations on, or deny any of those rights for any reason; and that denying human rights ignores human need.
I Believe that life is born of consent, created in pleasure, and delivered through pain, into a world of need, sustained through the care of community, and fulfilled in the receiving and giving of pleasure.
I Believe in the power of community, supporting the growth of myself and others, continuing education of the ignorant, and the absolute overthrow of tyrants through means provided by the universe, and that my participation makes a difference.
I Believe that I am sufficient to fulfill the purpose the universe gives me, that I have the strength to help others find their way, and that my energy continues to influence the universe even after my body’s demise.
The Legacy Of Rev. Dr. Garrison Steelle
The Founder and Leader of our church is well equipped for the purpose.
Garrison Steelle knows church.
Raised in the heart of the American Bible Belt, the child of a pastor in one of the world’s largest Christian denominations, educated in denominational universities and seminaries, and deeply committed to those institutions for many years, there is nothing about religious institutions that Dr. Steelle doesn’t know. Don’t bother asking him for a recommendation, however.
Dr. Steelle’s religious deconstruction began when the church he and his wife attended decided to excommunicate them because of his photography profession. Disillusionment continued as his wife suffered multiple mental issues that the church chose to address as “demonic possession” rather than a legitimate illness. As church after church turned Dr. Steelle and his family away, he came to a groundbreaking conclusion: The need for community is real, but the necessity of shaping that community around an exclusionary religion worshipping a mythical deity was more of an abscess than an advantage. The religion part needed to go.
At the same time, a therapist recommended that Garrison explore non-monogamy through the utilization of professional sex workers. While initially resistant, Dr. Steelle discovered a unique form of healing through the practice, one that helped him step away from the hurt of previous relationships and develop a stronger willingness to engage with marginalized parts of society.
Building from the ensuing life changes, Dr. Steelle initially founded the Church of Steelle in 2003. The initial purpose was to build a welcoming community around sexual openness, exploration, and engagement through education, conversation, and personal growth. During that period, the church grew to over 500 members.
The original Church of Steelle centered on its website and the regular, short posts Dr. Steelle made there. Members engaged in conversations, sharing experiences, photos, and thoughts about changes in society. Unfortunately, the website was hosted with a service provider based in Israel. As the political situation there became more restrictive, Dr. Steelle made the difficult decision to shutter the website, effectively closing the Church.
With this decision came a physical move to the American Midwest, an exploration of new physical experiences, further development of his photography, new relationships, and a strong return to academics. He achieved a master’s degree in business management and a doctorate in philosophy. He additionally furthered his education in the field of physics, human sexuality, and medicine.
Reopening the Church of Steelle comes at a time when there is a strong social need for a shift toward sexual identities strongly rooted in the concepts of consent and supporting mental health. Dr. Steelle feels strongly that the Church should be a place that is safe for people of all sexual identities, and that the Church has an obligation to provide political support for the protection of all LGBTQIA+ people. As more people develop blended identities that do not fit neatly into defined categories, there is a need for greater education and understanding around both the physical and emotional aspects of sexual identification and the need for fluidity as a person grows and changes through life.
One of the aspects of life that has dramatically impacted society since the last iteration of the Church of Steelle is the development of all manner of social media. While this allows for a greater level of connection than ever, at the same time it raises a number of risks, especially for marginalized communities. Dr. Steelle has observed an especially negative situation for people who might have previously shared erotic or artistic images of themselves either on various social media platforms or websites. The theft of images and the doxxing of individuals endangers lives. To address that situation, Dr. Steelle is simultaneously developing a new website: unrecognizable.com. The website will host nude and erotic imagery that is fully anonymous, with faces hidden and any other identifying marks, such as tattoos, obscured using artistic means. Dr. Steelle hopes to encourage continued artistic exploration without the risk of social ostracisation.
Lastly, this version of the Church of Steelle is embracing changes in banking laws to enable members to financially support the church through various means, including the eventual purchase of Church merchandise.
Dr. Steelle hopes that this new venture reaches more people than ever and that a community is established that provides support and healing to millions.
