Hunger strike, abortion rights, saving the world, and loving God?
It was a lively week in the UU blogosphere. Some highlights:
Olga Flores, a UU leader and human rights activist in Bolivia, is one month into a hunger strike protesting government disappearances in her country. "UU Without Borders," the blog of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists, posts an update from Flores and a letter from the Rev. Brian Kiely, president of the ICUU, extending his support (June 4; Spanish-language news coverage is here).
A volunteer with a humanitarian relief group sponsored by the UU Church of Tucson, Ariz., that provides water to undocumented migrants crossing the desert was convicted of littering June 3 ("No More Deaths!" June 4). The Rev. Chip Roush comments wryly, "Helping to save people, and cleaning up other peoples' trash...they must be stopped!" ("The Yes Church," June 5).
When the governor of New Hampshire signed same-sex marriage into law June 3, the Rev. Ricky Hoyt wrote, "I'm glad that our culture has evolved to the point where same-sex marriage in New Hampshire is so boring that it can be reported in a short article on page 14 [of the Los Angeles Times], but until the laws change to reflect the culture's growing acceptance—in 44 states and nationwide, we can't go to sleep on this subject yet" ("One More Step," June 4). Media critic Dan Kennedy observes that 4.9 percent of the U.S. population live in the six states that have legalized same-sex marriage. If New York and California follow suit, however, 21.7 percent of the country will live in pro-gay marriage states ("Media Nation," June 4).
UUA President William G. Sinkford condemned the murder of Dr. George Tiller, who was one of only a handful of late-term abortion providers in the United States ("UUA.org," June 1). Tiller was shot to death while ushering at his Lutheran church. Orelia Busch from the UUA's Advocacy and Witness staff offers a prayer for Tiller ("Inspired Faith, Effective Action," June 1).
The Rev. Sam Trumbore writes, "I wish we could hear all the stories that Dr. Tiller heard because I think it would soften the hearts of those who protest at his doorstep" (June 2). (The online magazine Double X has been collecting stories of women who had late-term abortions.) Bill Baar objects to Trumbore's statement, "Life often doesn’t go as planned and pregnancies are the result," and writes: "There is a huge moral difference between a late term abortion to save a mother's life, and a late term abortion to resolve what Rev Trumbore calls those events in life that don't quite go as planned" ("Pfarrer Streccius," June 3).
Carole Joffe, author of Beacon Press's upcoming Dispatches from the Abortion Wars, writes: "In the abstract, late term abortions are understandably distasteful to many. When considered in the context of real women's lives, however, these procedures are essential" ("Beacon Broadside," June 4).
Ogre condemns Tiller's murderer: "If there's any justice for Tiller, it will be that people like Randall Terry and Bill O'Reilly have lives where they need someone like Tiller, and don't have him" ("Sparks in the Dark," June 1).
The Rev. Cynthia Landrum, who supports a woman's right to abortion, writes, "Part of me really does understand, I confess, the mindset that leads to things like the murder of Dr. Tiller this weekend" ("Rev. Cyn," June 2).
Army chaplain candidate David Pyle sees the shooters who killed Dr. Tiller and Pvt. William Long, an Army recruit who died in an attack on an Arkansas military recruiting station, as fundamentalists. "I don’t think the stated causes of these individuals are the real motivation for their action, just as I do not believe that the claimed religious views of most fundamentalists have anything to do with why they are fundamentalist" ("Celestial Lands," June 1). He also offers a definition of the fundamentalist mindset (June 3).
Jason Pitzl-Waters hosts a conversation about pagan views of abortion and women's reproductive choices ("The Wild Hunt," June 2).
Joel Monka was provoked by UUA trustee Linda Laskowski's endorsement of the Rev. Peter Morales for UUA president last week, and explains how her endorsement clarified why he's supporting the Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman: "Religion isn't about changing the world; it's about changing the man in the mirror—if you can save him, the world will follow" ("CUUMBAYA," June 3). He follows up with a post on the failure of UU churches to address personal as well as social sin (June 3).
Seminary graduate Elizabeth, who is not endorsing a candidate, responds to Monka. She takes issue with Peter Morales's statement: "The old religions lead to tribalism, violence, suspicion, hatred, and oppression. We need a religion that transcends divisions, religion that unites enemies, religion that points to a new future that includes everyone." Elizabeth writes:
Meanwhile, the Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons endorses Peter Morales ("RadicalHapa.com Liberation and Mutuality," June 5). Lizard Eater endorsed Morales last week, but adds a story about the conversation she had with the candidate when they realized that each has a child who was diagnosed with cancer ("The Journey," June 4).
The Real Anonymous, however, writes that "neither one of [the candidates] sounds like they have a driving passion to be President," and so opts not to endorse either one ("It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere," June 5).
UUA trustee Linda Laskowski looks at the Board of Trustees' legal right to fire the UUA president—a topic that has come up in some discussions of the board's shift to Policy Governance—but she observes, "The thought that we would ever get to that point is inconceivable to me" ("UUA View from Berkeley," June 4).
The Rev. Victoria Weinstein posts a letter from a former UU who gave up after their congregation's Sunday services "had degenerated into a carnival-like atmosphere with antics such as guess the minister’s weight, someone turning cartwheels on the stage, and songs from the Rocky Horror Picture Show." The letter-writer continues:
Lizard Eater launched a rich conversation by asking:
Terri notices that people in her congregation are slowing down as the church year comes to an end. She comments on the spiritual growth that small, lay-led services can still provide during the summer months: "It only takes a few gathered together to create a church—a place of personal salvation, a balm for the weariness of the soul—but it takes those few to be fully present" ("UU Intersections," June 2).
Diggitt, in a comment at "CUUMBAYA," responds to UU World's cover story on Unitarian Universalists in Africa:
Religious education director Kari Kopnick reminisces about going to her first UUA General Assembly and LREDA Professional Days shortly after taking the job. "I swear I would have sat myself right down and cried big crocodile tears of surrender if not for my first General Assembly" ("Chalice Spark," June 3).
Elsewhere: Rebecca Hecking mourns the death of environmental spirituality author Thomas Berry ("The Sustainable Soul," June 4). Lizard Eater is surprised by her reaction to the best-selling religious novel, The Shack ("The Journey," June 3). The Rev. Matt Tittle is writing every day for 60 days about "a moment of grace that I experienced the previous day" ("Keep the Faith," June 1). And furniture-maker Doug Stowe announces that one of his tables has been purchased by the Historic Arkansas Museum for its permanent collection ("Wisdom of the Hands," June 4).
Bolivian hunger strike, water in the desert, marriage in N.H.
Olga Flores, a UU leader and human rights activist in Bolivia, is one month into a hunger strike protesting government disappearances in her country. "UU Without Borders," the blog of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists, posts an update from Flores and a letter from the Rev. Brian Kiely, president of the ICUU, extending his support (June 4; Spanish-language news coverage is here).
A volunteer with a humanitarian relief group sponsored by the UU Church of Tucson, Ariz., that provides water to undocumented migrants crossing the desert was convicted of littering June 3 ("No More Deaths!" June 4). The Rev. Chip Roush comments wryly, "Helping to save people, and cleaning up other peoples' trash...they must be stopped!" ("The Yes Church," June 5).
When the governor of New Hampshire signed same-sex marriage into law June 3, the Rev. Ricky Hoyt wrote, "I'm glad that our culture has evolved to the point where same-sex marriage in New Hampshire is so boring that it can be reported in a short article on page 14 [of the Los Angeles Times], but until the laws change to reflect the culture's growing acceptance—in 44 states and nationwide, we can't go to sleep on this subject yet" ("One More Step," June 4). Media critic Dan Kennedy observes that 4.9 percent of the U.S. population live in the six states that have legalized same-sex marriage. If New York and California follow suit, however, 21.7 percent of the country will live in pro-gay marriage states ("Media Nation," June 4).
Dr. George Tiller's murder and abortion rights
UUA President William G. Sinkford condemned the murder of Dr. George Tiller, who was one of only a handful of late-term abortion providers in the United States ("UUA.org," June 1). Tiller was shot to death while ushering at his Lutheran church. Orelia Busch from the UUA's Advocacy and Witness staff offers a prayer for Tiller ("Inspired Faith, Effective Action," June 1).
The Rev. Sam Trumbore writes, "I wish we could hear all the stories that Dr. Tiller heard because I think it would soften the hearts of those who protest at his doorstep" (June 2). (The online magazine Double X has been collecting stories of women who had late-term abortions.) Bill Baar objects to Trumbore's statement, "Life often doesn’t go as planned and pregnancies are the result," and writes: "There is a huge moral difference between a late term abortion to save a mother's life, and a late term abortion to resolve what Rev Trumbore calls those events in life that don't quite go as planned" ("Pfarrer Streccius," June 3).
Carole Joffe, author of Beacon Press's upcoming Dispatches from the Abortion Wars, writes: "In the abstract, late term abortions are understandably distasteful to many. When considered in the context of real women's lives, however, these procedures are essential" ("Beacon Broadside," June 4).
Ogre condemns Tiller's murderer: "If there's any justice for Tiller, it will be that people like Randall Terry and Bill O'Reilly have lives where they need someone like Tiller, and don't have him" ("Sparks in the Dark," June 1).
The Rev. Cynthia Landrum, who supports a woman's right to abortion, writes, "Part of me really does understand, I confess, the mindset that leads to things like the murder of Dr. Tiller this weekend" ("Rev. Cyn," June 2).
Army chaplain candidate David Pyle sees the shooters who killed Dr. Tiller and Pvt. William Long, an Army recruit who died in an attack on an Arkansas military recruiting station, as fundamentalists. "I don’t think the stated causes of these individuals are the real motivation for their action, just as I do not believe that the claimed religious views of most fundamentalists have anything to do with why they are fundamentalist" ("Celestial Lands," June 1). He also offers a definition of the fundamentalist mindset (June 3).
Jason Pitzl-Waters hosts a conversation about pagan views of abortion and women's reproductive choices ("The Wild Hunt," June 2).
Presidential endorsements and saving the world
Joel Monka was provoked by UUA trustee Linda Laskowski's endorsement of the Rev. Peter Morales for UUA president last week, and explains how her endorsement clarified why he's supporting the Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman: "Religion isn't about changing the world; it's about changing the man in the mirror—if you can save him, the world will follow" ("CUUMBAYA," June 3). He follows up with a post on the failure of UU churches to address personal as well as social sin (June 3).
Seminary graduate Elizabeth, who is not endorsing a candidate, responds to Monka. She takes issue with Peter Morales's statement: "The old religions lead to tribalism, violence, suspicion, hatred, and oppression. We need a religion that transcends divisions, religion that unites enemies, religion that points to a new future that includes everyone." Elizabeth writes:
I often feel so frustrated at the sense that we (Unitarian Universalists) somehow have what the world needs—like, somehow Christianity or Islam or Buddhism isn’t cutting it. For me, it is that Unitarian Universalism is where I need to be. And I welcome others in joining me and my fellow Unitarian Universalists in the journey to try to do the hard work of love and justice. This is where I am, but it isn’t because other religions somehow aren’t good enough. ("Elizabeth's Little Blog," June 3)
Meanwhile, the Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons endorses Peter Morales ("RadicalHapa.com Liberation and Mutuality," June 5). Lizard Eater endorsed Morales last week, but adds a story about the conversation she had with the candidate when they realized that each has a child who was diagnosed with cancer ("The Journey," June 4).
The Real Anonymous, however, writes that "neither one of [the candidates] sounds like they have a driving passion to be President," and so opts not to endorse either one ("It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere," June 5).
UUA trustee Linda Laskowski looks at the Board of Trustees' legal right to fire the UUA president—a topic that has come up in some discussions of the board's shift to Policy Governance—but she observes, "The thought that we would ever get to that point is inconceivable to me" ("UUA View from Berkeley," June 4).
Circus worship, surprised by 'The Shack,' and loving God?
The Rev. Victoria Weinstein posts a letter from a former UU who gave up after their congregation's Sunday services "had degenerated into a carnival-like atmosphere with antics such as guess the minister’s weight, someone turning cartwheels on the stage, and songs from the Rocky Horror Picture Show." The letter-writer continues:
Every week there [were] skits with people dressed in silly hats or animal costumes. One Sunday morning they had a belly dancer on stage. During one service members were invited to come up on stage and show off their tattoos. On a couple of Sundays, the minister tossed a beach ball into the audience and invited parishoners to bat it around during the service.In response, other commenters discuss the merits of different styles of UU worship ("PeaceBang," June 5).
Lizard Eater launched a rich conversation by asking:
[H]ow would your church respond if someone said, "I love God"? Would they recoil? Giggle? Direct the person to the closest Unity or UCC church?She follows up with a second question: "If you love God...would you admit it?" (June 1)
I thought about the phrase in terms of my own life. Would I personally say "I love God"? ("The Journey," June 1)
Terri notices that people in her congregation are slowing down as the church year comes to an end. She comments on the spiritual growth that small, lay-led services can still provide during the summer months: "It only takes a few gathered together to create a church—a place of personal salvation, a balm for the weariness of the soul—but it takes those few to be fully present" ("UU Intersections," June 2).
Diggitt, in a comment at "CUUMBAYA," responds to UU World's cover story on Unitarian Universalists in Africa:
Here is a group that almost denies the existence of homosexuality although it lives with AIDS on a daily basis, and which embraces polygamy. Yet we are considering an outreach to it because of its acceptance of the message of Universalism. I predict this will be a thorn in our side; the African Anglican communion has brought little joy to American Episcopalians or to Canterbury, for that matter. (June 3)OD/HR Min, whose blog examines the process of UU ministerial formation, offers three recommendations for performance-based ministerial examinations ("Calling Ministers," June 3).
Religious education director Kari Kopnick reminisces about going to her first UUA General Assembly and LREDA Professional Days shortly after taking the job. "I swear I would have sat myself right down and cried big crocodile tears of surrender if not for my first General Assembly" ("Chalice Spark," June 3).
Elsewhere: Rebecca Hecking mourns the death of environmental spirituality author Thomas Berry ("The Sustainable Soul," June 4). Lizard Eater is surprised by her reaction to the best-selling religious novel, The Shack ("The Journey," June 3). The Rev. Matt Tittle is writing every day for 60 days about "a moment of grace that I experienced the previous day" ("Keep the Faith," June 1). And furniture-maker Doug Stowe announces that one of his tables has been purchased by the Historic Arkansas Museum for its permanent collection ("Wisdom of the Hands," June 4).
posted by Christopher L. Walton at
8:06 PM
