Frequently Asked Questions

Q) Why is Gathering of the Ways organized as a cooperative corporation?

A) This organizational format allows us all to be owners, to have a share in any profits and encourages us to work together in building relationships with God -- focusing upon the things we have in common and putting our differences behind us!

Q) Why is Gathering of the Ways primarily focused on the Internet?

A) The Internet has proved to be a new way to fund spiritual and religious organizations, authors, ministers and teachers – allowing them to fund themselves through sale of their books, teaching materials, seminars and related products on the World Wide Web instead of having to ask for contributions. Also, on the Internet, the outreach touches people all over the world. The founders of Gathering of the Ways note that the Internet is a matrix that is a metaphor for the millions of believers who are connected worldwide as elements of the Mind/Body of God.

Q) With the obvious differences in religions, spiritual teachings and approaches to God which have caused wars throughout the ages, how can this cooperative avoid conflicts among members?

A) If a list were compiled of all of the things religions and faiths believe in, there is much more that they agree upon than their points of difference. And most people of faith stress unconditional love. By working together to make the world a more loving place, areas of difference can be narrowed by discussion and exchange instead of provoking senseless conflict.

Q) Why do you encourage businesses to be members of the co-op?

A) It provides ways for businesses who believe in a more loving and spiritual world to support that movement and profit by allowing people to recognize that support in buying their products at the co-op Storehouse. Also, co-op members contribute 10 percent of total sales to Gathering of the Ways as a means of supporting the work.

Q) If Gathering of the Ways is a profit-making co-op corporation, what do you do with any profits?

A) They go to pay dividends to co-op members who are also stockholders and thus support their work. Also, it is the intention of the cooperative to help fund scientific research into spiritual realities, thus helping narrow the gap between science and religion.

Q) Why is Gathering of the Ways incorporated in Oregon?

A) In addition to the fact that Oregon’s cooperative corporation law is understandable, simple and direct, it allows Gathering of the Ways to be headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, one of the world’s centers of innovative spiritual thought, located near to California’s Mount Shasta, which attracts spiritual seekers from all over the world. By locating Gathering of the Ways in the Ashland/Mount Shasta area, it is also a goal to build the area as a center for Internet marketing to help create incomes for spiritual seekers wanting to live in the area.

Q) Where did the name, Gathering of the Ways originate?

A) In the early 1980s, Peter Caddy, co-founder of the world-renowned spiritual community of Findhorn in Scotland, formed a non-profit organization called Gathering of the Ways in Mount Shasta. In addition to attracting spiritual seekers to the Mount Shasta area, the organization created summer workshops featuring innovate spiritual leaders from around the world. Although that organization has been dissolved, the new co-op is dedicated to its purpose of bringing people together to recognize and worship the power of God as the rock-foundation of human life and existence.

If you have additional questions that were not addressed here,
visit the Contact Us page and use the "Comments/Questions" box.


	Frequently Asked Questions Q) Why is Gathering of the Ways organized as a cooperative corporation? A) This organizational format allows us all to be owners, to have a share in any profits and encourages us to work together in building relationships with God -- focusing upon the things we have in common and putting our differences behind us! Q) Why is Gathering of the Ways primarily focused on the Internet? A) The Internet has proved to be a new way to fund spiritual and religious organizations, authors, ministers and teachers – allowing them to fund themselves through sale of their books, teaching materials, seminars and related products on the World Wide Web instead of having to ask for contributions. Also, on the Internet, the outreach touches people all over the world. The founders of Gathering of the Ways note that the Internet is a matrix that is a metaphor for the millions of believers who are connected worldwide as elements of the Mind/Body of God. Q) With the obvious differences in religions, spiritual teachings and approaches to God which have caused wars throughout the ages, how can this cooperative avoid conflicts among members? A) If a list were compiled of all of the things religions and faiths believe in, there is much more that they agree upon than their points of difference. And most people of faith stress unconditional love. By working together to make the world a more loving place, areas of difference can be narrowed by discussion and exchange instead of provoking senseless conflict. Q) Why do you encourage businesses to be members of the co-op? A) It provides ways for businesses who believe in a more loving and spiritual world to support that movement and profit by allowing people to recognize that support in buying their products at the co-op Storehouse. Also, co-op members contribute 10 percent of total sales to Gathering of the Ways as a means of supporting the work. Q) If Gathering of the Ways is a profit-making co-op corporation, what do you do with any profits? A) They go to pay dividends to co-op members who are also stockholders and thus support their work. Also, it is the intention of the cooperative to help fund scientific research into spiritual realities, thus helping narrow the gap between science and religion. Q) Why is Gathering of the Ways incorporated in Oregon? A) In addition to the fact that Oregon’s cooperative corporation law is understandable, simple and direct, it allows Gathering of the Ways to be headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, one of the world’s centers of innovative spiritual thought, located near to California’s Mount Shasta, which attracts spiritual seekers from all over the world. By locating Gathering of the Ways in the Ashland/Mount Shasta area, it is also a goal to build the area as a center for Internet marketing to help create incomes for spiritual seekers wanting to live in the area. Q) Where did the name, Gathering of the Ways originate? A) In the early 1980s, Peter Caddy, co-founder of the world-renowned spiritual community of Findhorn in Scotland, formed a non-profit organization called Gathering of the Ways in Mount Shasta. In addition to attracting spiritual seekers to the Mount Shasta area, the organization created summer workshops featuring innovate spiritual leaders from around the world. Although that organization has been dissolved, the new co-op is dedicated to its purpose of bringing people together to recognize and worship the power of God as the rock-foundation of human life and existence. If you have additional questions that were not addressed here, visit the Contact Us page and use the "Comments/Questions" box.