On the old billcraig.info web site I had a collection of manifestos that I liked and collected over time. Unfortunately, the collection has been lost with time. What I called manifestos at the time were more often than not really creeds. My favorite back then and still now is the Holstee Manifesto.
When I started doing what I call more meaningful work, I plotted a 42 x 80 inch version of the Holstee Manifesto and mounted it in the primary meeting area of my home. Whenever I had friends and colleagues over I would get them to sign in red beside the phrase that meant the most to them.
Over a few years there was more red ink than the original black ink of the manifesto original text. It was a great conversation piece.
I’m currently working on creating new creeds and manifestos for a couple of my initiatives. One called the Flourish Manifesto and the other Wellbeing Manifesto. I’ll focus on the Flourish Manifesto first, then the Wellbeing Manifesto.
To prepare I thought it important to differentiate between a creed and a manifesto.
Creeds and Manifestos are structured expressions of beliefs or intentions, applicable to a variety of contexts. Here’s a comparison:
Creed
- Nature: A creed, in a broader sense, can be understood as a formal statement of beliefs, principles, or ethical standards that guide the behavior and practices of an individual or group.
- Purpose: Its primary function is to articulate a foundational set of values or convictions, fostering a sense of identity and cohesion among those who share these beliefs.
- Context: While traditionally associated with religious faiths, the concept of a creed can be extended to any set of guiding principles or core values that individuals or groups live by, such as professional ethics or personal philosophies.
- Structure: A creed typically follows a concise, formulaic structure, presenting a series of statements that affirm the core beliefs or values. These statements are often declarative, starting with phrases like “I believe,” “We believe,” or simply enumerating the key principles. The structure is designed to be easily memorizable and recitable, facilitating a shared understanding and internalization of the values.
- Typical Length: Creeds are generally brief, aiming for succinctness to ensure clarity and memorability. A typical creed might range from a single sentence to a few paragraphs, rarely exceeding a page in length. The idea is to capture the essence of the belief system or values without unnecessary complexity, making it accessible to all members of a community or group.
Manifesto
- Nature: A manifesto remains a public declaration of policies, goals, or intentions, often related to political, social, environmental, or artistic agendas.
- Purpose: It is intended to inspire, motivate, and mobilize people towards a common goal or action, outlining a clear vision and pathway for change or innovation.
- Context: Manifestos are versatile documents that can be adopted by political movements, social campaigns, artistic communities, and even businesses to express a collective stance, ambition, or set of strategies aimed at influencing change or promoting a specific agenda.
- Structure: Manifestos are more varied in structure than creeds, reflecting the diversity of intentions and contexts in which they are used. A manifesto typically begins with an introduction that outlines the current situation or problem, followed by a declaration of principles or beliefs that guide the proposed vision or solution. The main body then details specific goals, demands, or actions, often enumerated or listed to highlight their importance and sequence. The conclusion reiterates the call to action, motivating readers to join the cause or movement.
- Typical Length: The length of a manifesto can vary widely depending on its purpose and scope. It might be as short as a single page, outlining a concise set of principles and actions, or extend to several pages if a more detailed explanation, background, and action plan are necessary. Regardless of length, a manifesto aims to be compelling and persuasive, drawing readers into a shared vision and mobilizing them towards action.
As progress is made I’ll update this post with the current state of the creed or manifesto.
After writing this I came across a partial copy of past creeds and manifesto. By definition, most of the these are creeds but often call themselves manifestos.
