Killer's antiliberal manifesto, texting in church, UU indulgences

Reading a killer's anti-liberal manifesto

Several bloggers reacted to the February 9 guilty pleas of Jim David Adkisson, who murdered two and injured six others in a shotgun attack on the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville last July, and to the release of the manifesto Adkisson wrote prior to the shooting.

Sara Robinson reads Adkisson's manifesto and concludes that "right-wing eliminationism" drove Adkisson to kill two Unitarian Universalists during a worship service. She draws three conclusions for liberals from his manifesto: "One: we are no longer safe, not even in our own houses of worship . . . Two: A significant part of this country's media infrastructure is thoroughly devoted to inciting people to commit horrific acts of violence against us . . . Three: The right wing has, as usual, grossly underestimated our courage and our commitment" ("Orcinus," February 10).

Tyler writes that conservative media are ignoring Adkisson's act of terrorism because he is not a Muslim and because he parroted their own antiliberal rhetoric ("UU Because of UUs—UUbuntu," February 11).

Ogre compares right-wing talk radio to the genocide-inciting broadcasts in Rwanda in 1994: "Radio Rwanda called for people to go and kill the cockroaches--and Tutus were massacred. Adkisson's been listening to American Hate Radio--and what he heard is what he wrote, that liberals are a pest like termites, and should be killed" ("Sparks in the Dark," February 10).

Texting in church, UU indulgences, and more

The Rev. Christine Robinson thinks the Ministerial Fellowship Committee should pay less attention to "ministerial authority" in its evaluation of would-be ministers: "[W]hile ministerial authority is a good and important thing, no ministerial authority is better...far better... than fake ministerial authority" ("iMinister," February 8). Seminarian Kelly KH responds by describing her experience as an assistant at a friend's home birth ("Seeking Divinity," February 8).

Kim Wilson, a former member of the board of the UU Christian Fellowship, responds to UUA Moderator Gini Courter's letter last week about the UUA board's policy changes concerning independent affiliate organizations: "The Board is surprised that some former IAs felt devalued and unappreciated when they were summarily dismissed and other ones not. No Shit Sherlock!!!!!" ("East of Midnight," February 8).

Gypsy Rose Gee asks the UUs at LiveJournal what they think of an anonymous congregation's proposed behavioral covenant ("Chalice Circle," February 9).

The Rev. Phil Lund, who works for the UUA's Prairie Star District, posts a recording of an online workshop for UU congregations about welcoming and integrating new members. The workshop was offered by Justin Schroeder of Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul, Minn. ("Phil's Little Blog on the Prairie," February 7).

LiveJournaler morningdove3202 doesn't like seeing people texting in church ("Chalice Circle," February 11). Ogre, however, defends pew texters ("Sparks in the Dark," February 11).

Longtime UU blogger Chalicechick says she may shutter "The Chaliceblog" (February 9).

The UUA's Advocacy and Witness staff group is posting first-person reflections about same-sex marriage for Freedom to Marry Week ("Inspired Faith, Effective Action," February 6-14). The Rev. James Ford shares the remarks he delivered at a Rhode Island marriage equality rally ("Monkey Mind," February 12).

The Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell responds to news that the Roman Catholic Church is promoting indulgences again: "[P]ersonal sins, which seem to be the focus of confession and indulgences, pale in the face of systemic sins, like war, hunger, and the lack of health care . . . Just think about the systemic sins of the bankers and investment firms! How many prayers or piltrimages would it take to wipe out these sins?" (February 11) Joel Monka, meanwhile, is offering UU indulgences ("CUUMBAYA," February 12).

Dismayed that the Obama administration isn't rejecting the notion of holding "enemy combatants" indefinitely, smijer says, "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss" ("Tête-à-Tête-Tête," February 12).

And Shelby Meyerhoff wonders what Anne Hutchinson, who was banished from Massachusetts in the 17th century by two Puritan congregations that later became Unitarian churches, has to say to Unitarian Universalists today ("Looking for Faith," February 13).