This work is dedicated as a labor of love to the great wisdom teachers
who have left their footprints across trackless eternity
and to the others who, like Mohandas K. Gandhi,
have given their lives to show us how.

For thousands of years, human kind lived in local communities based on parishes, neighborhoods, villages, or clans. However, for the last half millennium, the nation-state, that institution which relies on compulsory taxation for its source of revenue and which maintains a coercive monopoly over a given territory, has attempted to supplant these natural social aggregations. Today, practically the whole world, has adopted the credo that the State is necessary for the welfare of humanity.

We, of Free-of-State believe otherwise.

The State is actually an anti-social organization, whose agents and employees kill and steal from those who do not willingly submit to its rule.

Person by person, family by family, we wish to divorce ourselves from the State. We wish to become food – shelter – and clothing self-reliant and independent. We seek to avoid public services whenever and wherever possible. We choose to trade with our like-minded friends, neighbors, and co-operators, using barter or our own media of exchange, not the State’s.

We chose to withdraw from the slavery of the State’s system of taxation. We chose to withdraw from participation in State elections and politics because we know that such involvement gives a stamp of legitimacy to the State. As communities of New men and New women grow and become strong they will experience less and less interference from the State. As the Free-of-State communities grow stronger, the State will grow weaker.

Ages of experience testify that the only way society can be improved is by the method of each one doing his very best to improve him or her self. As Gandhi put it, “be the change you want to see in the world.” This is the quiet or patient way of changing society because it concentrates upon bettering the character of men and women as individuals. As the individual units in society change, the improvement of society will take care of itself. Again with Gandhi, “if one takes care of the means the end will take care of itself.”

We hope to teach and assist people all over the world in building co-operative, sustainable, and responsible communities. We pledge ourselves to live by the precepts shared by all the world’s religions and ethical philosophies: Do not kill. Do not steal. Revere life. Do no harm. Do all you have said you would do. Abstain from greed and covetousness. Use your time, energy, and wealth wisely to make the world a better place for all.

Free-of-State-org wishes to serve as a beacon of light to those who chose individual growth via voluntary and peaceful methods. Light your candle at our fire and go forth to bring brightness to yourself, your family, your community, and your world.

For brief overview, please click topmost link of menu bar What One Can Do.