Commentary on "A 'Dear John' Letter to Unitarian Universalism"

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This post is written in response to this insightful, thought provoking post on Wondertwisted:

http://wondertwisted.com/2011/08/06/a-dear-john-letter-to-unitarian-universalism/

While stating up front that (on paper) Unitarian Universalism may well best represent my spiritual views, I have observed many of the issues discussed in the above blog post firsthand. Like the author, I have considered returning to a much more liberal version of Christianity than the one I came from, which would be one that does not condemn non-Christians, believes in many alternate paths to the divine, and does not preach that unbelievers go to Hell. 

It is surprisingly difficult to reconcile my old ways of Christian thinking with the much more inclusive view I have now. Part of me feels like doing so would mean picking and choosing my religion from a belief system that doesn't really allow for that. While I don't personally feel a need to find "salvation," (unless salvation means aligning the intention of my soul with the manifestation of my self-reality during this lifetime), I certainly understand the appeal for rediscovering a sense of being "saved." If there is a such thing as salvation, I hope that such a spiritual/physical/self-manifesting alignment will lead me to that place of intellectual comfort and heartfelt peace. 

In any case, there are a lot of difficult truths revealed in the "Dear John" post linked above. As far as the next step on my spiritual journey is concerned, I guess I'll either have to find a way to be the change I want to see in Unitarian Universalism, or perhaps, start holding Druid circles on the Mesa somewhere.

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What Easter Means to Me

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there." ~Clarence W. Hall

I like this quote. Of course it will mean different things to different people. I like the symbolism of Easter. I personally believe that Jesus was at least a great teacher. I am open to the possibility that he may have been more than that. I might learn the truth of this mystery when I die. 

I do believe that there are many roads to heaven, salvation, enlightenment (whatever your chosen word for the highest achievement possible for the soul). Christianity may be one of those paths, but I'm not certain of that. It might also be the one and only path which leads to an eternal heaven. For me, personally, there is no way to know these answers on this earth. 

I am no longer concerned with my lack of solid faith. I am honest about my genuine and sincere efforts to understand as much as I can, my cynicism and doubt about any one religion's truth, as well as my inner sense of spirituality and hope. But that hope is not for an afterlife, or for a God that I can anthropomorphize, or for answers to the mysteries of life that I can understand. 

My hope is that we humans can see that no matter what is waiting for us on the other side, we have the opportunity right here and now to create a more loving and compassionate world. I like the symbolism of Easter. It means that the legacy of our lives, our words and our efforts in life do not end with death.

 

Pastor Terry Jones' Plan to Burn Qur'ans

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I fully support freedom of speech, but burning copies of the Qur'an on 9/11 is a bad idea. No matter how you look at it, it is wrongheaded and destined to fan the flames of divisiveness and violence. Pastor Terry Jones says his "message" is not intended for "the moderate Muslim," but his planned action (burning copies of the book considered holy by all Muslims) is inconsistent with that claim.

 

 

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Unitarian Universalist's Retreat - Pine Song near Vallecito Lake

 

The afternoon drive to Pine Song Camp.

 

 

We saw this rainbow later on during the drive.

The Rav as it should be, eclipsed by the wilderness.

Our tent was right on the Pine River.

View of the sunrise from our tent on Saturday morning.

Flowers alongside the Pine River

The facilities at Pine Song Camp were simple and beautiful.  

We had a couple of workshops in this space.

The worship service on Sunday was really wonderful.

Coffee setup at about 6:30am, before many were awake.

Saturday's continental breakfast was simple and satisfying.

That afternoon the campers shared a delicious potluck dinner.

Sunday's buffet breakfast was an elaborate affair. 

Burned out remains of a house, not far from Pine Song Camp.
Another abandoned building in the background.

There was an "office" built under the ground level.

Ant lions were living in the sand in this front section.

We found old cattle evaluation records in here.

They were dated between 1960-1962.

 View from inside the abandoned building.

Pine Song Camp was actually at about 7500ft.  

This reading is from where we stopped for lunch on the way back.

The sight that greeted us when we arrived back home on Sunday.

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Camping Morning Glory

We went out to Big Sur this past Sunday to meet other members of the UUCMP congregation at their annual camp-out. This was the scene captured by my cell phone at about 9am on Sunday morning. We enjoyed a pancake breakfast and wonderful conversations with friends.

Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism

The following comments were posted as a response to a friend's post discussing Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism entitled: "A Buddhitarian?" I thought that it would be fitting to post my comments here as well, because I've never really taken the time to write this anywhere else before. Read the post on his fantastic blog (linked above) for the background on this discussion.

Here goes:

I am drawn to many aspects of Buddhism and find that the philosophy is generally in line with what I've found to be true about life in my own experience.

I love the fact that people whose personal beliefs lean towards Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Paganism and many other religions can come together in one place, to acknowledge a shared search for individual truth. I almost wish that the UU church didn't have its roots so deeply immersed in Christianity. Then, at least, its origins would be more in line with its current diversity, and its greatest credential, which is that anyone, from virtually any background, with just about any conceivable set of well-guided beliefs, can participate in a truly meaningful way as a member of the church, provided that they are guided by the seven principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Unitarian Universalism works best for me when I think of it as less of a religion, and more of a "Way". A "Way" for like-minded individuals from any religious background, who are able to accept and overcome their differences and work together for the common good of all of humanity.

I haven't found any other avenue that provides as much freedom for diversity and differing views within a framework with as much potential to positively affect the world we live in. At the same time, I do yearn for more spiritual mentorship and guidance, and I may have to go elsewhere to find it.

** Now that I've copied the comment I made, I would change the last paragraph to read:

"I've found no other avenue that provides as much freedom for diversity and mutual discovery within a framework that displays as much potential to positively affect the world as I understand it. At the same time, I do yearn for more spiritual mentorship and guidance, and I may have to go elsewhere to find it."

The great thing about the Unitarian Universalist church is that if I do discover a new spiritual truth that has meaning to me, there will always be people in the congregation who will want to hear about it, and who will rejoice with me that I've learned something that is true for me, regardless of whether or not they would identify the same thing as being true for them.

That there is no great truth may be the greatest truth, greatest fear, and greatest disappointment of them all... but only God knows the answer to that one, and they are the greatest keeper of secrets.

Sunday

Today I went to church at the local UU church and caught up with some old friends for the second time in a year. It was nice to be with them again. I went to lunch with the church lunch group and had some interesting converstations about tick bites and treatments and "tick bites gone bad". I then went to Aiken with a friend to watch "The world's only known singing CIA agent" and that performance was FANTASTIC. Check out his website at: http://davelippman.com What an inspiration! I had the opportunity to sing one of my songs to some of the people there and they liked it. That is always an incentive.

Current Mood: artistic
Current Music: Louis Armstrong / Frog-I-More Rag

What I'm Welcoming Into My Life

The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Penninsula, of which I am a member, has a ceremony each year in which the participants write down the things that we want to let go of in our lives on one piece of paper, and the things which we wish to welcome into our lives on another. The piece of paper on which we have written the things we wish to let go of is placed in a container where a fire is burning; and each paper burns alongside the things that everyone else in the congregation wishes to let go of in the coming year. The paper with things we welcome written on it goes home with us, so that we can glance at it from time to time and remember what it is that we are inviting into our lives.

Today I want to share what I chose to welcome into my life in 2005 during that ceremony. For those of you who know me, I'd ask you to help me to remember, during those times when it seems that I'm forgetting, what I have written. If you see me losing sight of my chosen path, please guide me gently, (if I'll allow you to), in the direction that I have proclaimed to myself, and now to others, that I want to go.

Welcome 2005
As this year begins, I make room and welcome into my life...

a smile on my face

art, music, dancing, playing, and relaxation

spiritual awakening and meditation

healthy living

deep, meaningful, lasting love

peace and acceptance within my soul

new relationships that teach me, help me grow and make life fun

old relationships that prune me and sustain me

thrifty spending that makes the impossible possible

learning that makes me a better human being

all aspects of real committment,
whether scary, challenging, difficult, joyful, rewarding, or inspiring.