The year was 1946, the place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.;
the event, the United States Junior Chamber National Convention. Visitors came
from Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and the Philippine Islands. It was
here that the idea of a JCI Creed was born.
Past President of the Ohio Junior Chamber and National Vice President of
the United States Junior Chamber C. William Brownfield realized at this
convention that the organization did not have a Creed. He was inspired by the
devotion of Junior Chamber members "to the purpose of serving mankind in a
thousand different ways, right down at the grass roots where freedom lives or
dies."
Brownfield saw Junior Chamber as "the potential for a new force in the
world, one capable of changing the balance between victory or defeat for our
chosen way of life in a time of crisis."
The actual writing of the Creed took place in July 1946 during a drive from
Brownfield's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, to his coal mine in New Lexington, a journey
of about 75 minutes. He started that journey with a firm conviction in his mind
to work on the Creed. It was during that trip that the following words came to
mind and were put on paper:
That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations.
Economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise.
Government should be of laws, rather than of men.
Earths great treasure lies in human personality.
Service to humanity is the best work of life.
In 1950 the first line, "We believe that faith in God gives meaning and
purpose to human life. " was added.  Since it was written,
Junior Chamber members all over the world recite the Creed at local, national
and international meetings and functions. During that time there has been much
discussion of the interpretation of the Creed. The author himself said,
"Every Member is free to interpret the Creed in the light of his own
conscience."
The following interpretation is based on Brownfield's own views and what is
commonly believed and understood to be the meaning of the Creed to the
organization.
"We believe..."
Everyone must believe in some ideal, principle or philosophy. To believe is to
practice what is believed to be true.
"That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life."
"God" here does not refer to any specific religious God, but to a
supreme omnipotence. It does not matter who or what your God is; the line is
just saying that you must believe in something. Brownfield interpreted it in
this way: "The Junior Chamber membership, drawn from many religious
backgrounds, is united by a common bond of faith; that man lives by the will of
(his/her) God, that Gods will for man is good; and that the life worthwhile is
lived in harmony with His eternal plan."
"That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations."
This line breaks down all the boundaries that have been imagined by mankind. It
simply means that all men and women are equal. It respects allegiance to ones
country, but, at the same time, reinforces the idea that man is a citizen of
the world. Brownfield put it this way: "Man-made boundaries have been
drawn and redrawn, separating the human race into many nations. But across
these unnatural divisions there has been an intercourse in art, science, commerce
and religion; evidence of mans universal brotherhood; proof that man himself,
not his territorial divisions, is of basic worth."
"That economic justice can best be won by free men through free
enterprise."
The operative words here are "can best be won." Junior Chamber
members believe that man should be free to use his skills and abilities to the
limit in improving his economy. Brownfield expressed it this way: "Where
economic improvement has been greatest, man has been free to follow his dream
of making a personal fortune by doing something never done before, or by doing
it better." He also said, " the system of self-development through
private enterprise could be adapted with variations to suit local conditions in
many parts of the world."
"That government should be of laws rather than of
men."
This tenet of the Creed simply means that no one should be above the law, and
that the law should be the same for all people, no matter what status they hold
in society. The government must be based on constitutional law, accepted and
ratified by a majority of the people. The power to change laws and elect
governments should remain in the hands of a majority of the people. Abraham
Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, spoke of a government
"of the people, for the people, and by the people." This line of the
Creed crystallizes what President Lincoln was talking about so many decades
ago. Brownfield expressed the meaning this way: "In a free society, the
fundamental law is derived from the people. It is they who hold the final
authority."
"That earths great treasure lies in human personality."
Every individual has a separate and unique personality. That is the main
difference between humans and other creatures of the world. That uniqueness
makes the human personality earths greatest treasure. It cannot be duplicated
nor can it be made. Brownfield's views on this line are: "True treasure
lies in the hearts of men. There is about us a vast field of opportunity for
cultivation of the human personality. Its not the quantity nor the length of
life that gives it zest, but the quality of living, the achievement we make in
terms of human progress."
"And that service to humanity is the best work of life."
This final tenet of the Creed is the logical culmination of the preceding
lines. A person who believes in the Creed will most definitely find service to
humanity to be the best work of life. Note the word humanity. Brownfield's
interpretation of this line of the Creed is: "The life lived unselfishly
grows richer, deeper and fuller. Joy is more enduring and peace of mind, more
certain. The world looks at the contribution such a life has made and marks the
one who lived it as a benefactor of the race; yet he knows in truth the greater
benefit has been his own."
No matter what a members interpretation of the Creed may be, he or she should
always practice what he or she believes. Many unsuccessful attempts have been
made to change the Creed, but it has prevailed through the years and continues
to be as the covenant that holds the organization together. Many members have
made the Creed their guide in life. Brownfield aptly summarized his
interpretation of the Creed when he said: "Only in the deed can the world
become flesh."
Taken from the
U.S.
Jaycees Website.
