Unitarian Universalist principles include “the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large,” but the need for democracy is much deeper. Not only is it a mechanism for realizing other U-U principles, it is also basic to the survival of humanity. … read more.
In 1939 Albert Einstein signed a letter to President Roosevelt explaining the possibility of a nuclear bomb. In 1945, after two of them were used to obliterate Japanese cities, he regretted the letter and began campaigning for international restrictions on nuclear weaponry. Unfortunately, though many … read more.
We generally feel that labeling and categorization of people is bad, but I have learned that sometimes it is valuable. In a recent sermon joshua schwartz explained that the autism label helped in self understanding, and after that service, in break-out room discussion, participants noted … read more.
(Using the visit of the magi to advocate that religious traditions should accept input from other traditions, leading to a review of the six broad sources from which Unitarian Universalists look for guidance and inspiration.)
The Zoom link and Order of Service will be provided … read more.
Democracy is sacred to Unitarian Universalists. This is concretely expressed as one of our values: “The right of the conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large”. But democracy is not a simple word, it is a complex … read more.
This past year we experienced a great pandemic, perhaps the twentieth or so in recorded history, and it continues. Like previous disease pandemics, it was accompanied by a pandemic of illogic, untruth and selfishness. Let us work, during this new year and new presidential administration, … read more.
My education would lead one to believe modern civilization developed in Europe, after the Middle Ages, and then spread to most of the rest of the world. I have learned that this is a big distortion. I now conclude that civilization has been progressively developing … read more.
In 1847 a young Quaker woman became the first internationally acclaimed American astronomer. Maria Mitchell was the product of ripples through time which I will trace, beginning with her immigrant ancestors. One of them, Peter Folger, even learned Native American languages to properly negotiate and … read more.
There are times when we long to return to normal. If we are smart, we realize it will not be the old normal but a new normal. So, what will change and what will be the same? We cannot always know what will change, but … read more.
In my younger days I was perplexed by the mystery of whether the many species of life originated by evolution, as my school books said, or by separate creation, as my church said. This led me to the mystery of how one answers such a question. In tackling those two mysteries, I realize I was choosing between two world views. I was choosing the possibility of advancement instead of idealization of the past; I was choosing progressive change instead of quick fixes; I was choosing the ability of any individual to learn and con-tribute, instead of submitting to authority. And I have found grandeur in this view of life.
