Forrest Church, health care debates, tea party racism, and more

Forrest Church

The Interdependent Web notes with sorrow the passing of the Rev. Dr. Forrest Church on Thursday, September 24, of esophageal cancer.

The Rev. James Ishmael Ford has a post with several embedded videos about and by Church. ("Monkey Mind," September 25)

Michael Carnell discusses Church's impact on his life. "Personally this is very sad for me. Although I never met Rev. Church, he had a profound influence on my life." ("Postcards from Myself," September 25)

Karen Lowry Reed says that Church's words have been an inspiration to her:

His words, "Want what you have. Do what you can. Be who you are" have been at the top of my blog for a while now. They are there because they keep me focused on the here and now. ("Sew and Sow Life," September 25)

Jonah Eller-Isaacs remembers Church as a good friend filled with wisdom that helped guide him through the cancer treatment process:

our few meetings were enlightening, even as they moved into uncomfortable or difficult territory; how to be present with your family and dearest friends about your potential passing, how to come to terms with putting your own goals and ambitions on hold, how to live every day staring into the eyes of mortality. ("Groinstrong," September 25)

Pauline Park, an author and gender rights activist, as well as a member of Church's congregation at All Souls Unitarian Universalist in New York City, pays tribute:

Forrest was as beloved by family, friends, colleagues and congregants as any pastor of any American church. But unlike so many religious figures today, he was utterly without pretension. ("Pauline Park, Gender Rights Activist," September 25)

All Souls Unitarian Universalist in New York City has posted an online tribute to Church, in which people are free to share reflections, prayers, and condolences. ("All Souls NYC")

The UUA has posted an announcement and brief biography of Church, and his writings for UU World are online at uuworld.org.

The debate continues over health care reform

The Rev. Colin Bossen wrote to his senator:

What you fail to realize is that the reason for this is quite simple, our privatized health care system is the most inefficient in the world. The United States is the only major industrialized country that does not afford its citizens universal health care. ("The Latest Form of Infidelity," September 18)

Rev. Cynthia Landrum returned to writing about health care after taking a break:

Calling this a health care crisis in our country isn't really accurate--it's a health insurance crisis. Our health insurance system no longer does what we need it to do. It's broken. It always was broken, because it was the wrong answer to the problem, but the cracks in it have gotten wider. ("Rev. Cyn," September 24)

"UU Mom" discusses the perception that health care reform would bankrupt the country: "Reform, with an affordable, high-quality public option that can spur competition, is necessary to bring down skyrocketing costs. Also, President Obama's reform plans would be fully paid for over 10 years and not add a penny to the deficit." ("UU Mom," September 20)

"Ozdachs" argues that illegal immigrants are entitled to health care, too:

Sorry, I am not prepared to let children die or suffer because their parents snuck them across a political division. In fact, I am not up for letting anyone rot in the gutter when they’re sick or go without treatment for accidents. Not adults, not criminals, no one. ("Dangerous Common Sense," September 20)

'Tea Party' sparks discussions on racism

The Rev. Cynthia Landrum is pleased a health care forum was derailed:

We did get a bit derailed, however, by a local group that came in with an agenda, who wanted to ask their own questions not about national reform, but about reforming a specific situation at the local level. The group is called "The Community Board," and describes themselves as a "coalition of concerned citizens of Jackson, Michigan." Their concern is the lack of Black doctors in Jackson, and the way that Black doctors are treated in Jackson. ("Rev. Cyn," September 18)

Joel Monka's point that President Obama believes the criticism directed at him has nothing to do with race has caused some debate.

While not denying there were some racists out there, he was quick to point out the flip side- that there were those who voted for President Obama only because of his race as well.

Now I know some of you are saying, "Yeah, we've heard you and CC both say these things before, and just because you've got some pundit to quote doesn't make any of you right- who was it, George Will or Charles Krauthammer? Actually, it was President Obama who said those things. ("CUUMBAYA," September 19)

Monka also weighs in on the "Tea Party" debate:

My position has been that of course there are racists; it is a human failing and all the protestors are human beings (to the best of my knowledge, but that's a different conspiracy theory), but the opposition to healthcare reform is genuine, as evidenced by past opposition when Presidents Nixon and Clinton tried it. ("CUUMBAYA," September 23)

Dave says that negative and hateful rhetoric leads to violent action:

Ideologues who inspire violent action through radicalizing propaganda have been with us for many decades, even centuries. The fact that, in recent years, the more action-prone of the people who violently respond to these exhortations are increasingly confined to the fringes of American politics doesn't mean there isn't still serious culpability on the part of those who indulge rhetoric that winds up unhinging people. ("Orcinus," September 20)

UU World fall ad

Greta Christina, a non-UU atheist, responds to the controversy surronding the FFRF ad in last issue's UU World (which we've been covering here the last three weeks), defending the decision to not run it in future issues:

Let me put it this way. Would it be reasonable for the magazine of an atheist organization -- or an atheist blog, for that matter -- to reject an ad saying, "Atheism is immoral, atheists will be condemned to hell if they don't repent, the only true path is the path of Jesus"? ("Greta Christina's Blog," September 14)

Growing the UU faith

Joel Monka thinks that Unitarian Universalists are looking at the issue of growing the faith the wrong way:

Most of the discussion was about how to get people in the doors; I maintained that the problem wasn't getting people to visit- I can't think of a Sunday we haven't had visitors- the problem was getting them to keep visiting. That, I believe, is the problem- after all, if the average UU congregation picked up a single new member a week, they'd double their membership in two years. ("CUUMBAYA," September 22)

Michael thinks that the stale stories congregations tell are keeping them from growing: "It is not surprising that these stories, then, often serve to limit our congregations' effectiveness in living out their mission in the world, and thus limit their growth." ("The Arc of the Universe," September 22)

Around the blogosphere

Michael W. Brown says that world peace is not possible without a reconciliation between world religions:

If it is true that the huge social problems of the world need religious cooperation to be overcome, or at least the cessation of the conflicts between religions that exacerbate these problems, then interfaith involvement becomes a kind of moral imperative. ("My No Hell Space," September 21)

David Pyle discusses the inherent dangers in a culture built on notoriety:

What concerns me, as I have said before, is when this concept of notoriety through outlandishness is connected to violence. It begins with such things as “backyard wrestling” (where teens and adults beat one another bloody so they can film it and become “famous”)… but it does not end there. ("Celestial Lands," September 21)

In response to an open question by PeaceBang, DairyStateDad wonders what Jesus really meant when he said "Judge not,": "Judge not..." is in fact a far more demanding prescription than it seems at first blush -- and I think that's exactly what it is supposed to be." ("DairyStateDad" 9.21.09)

Wade G discusses the nature of biases:

But there is one common response that I feel compelled to comment on myself. It often happens that someone in these exchanges will start talking about "biases." The general argument seems to start something like this: everyone has a point of view, no point of view is completely objective, methods and systems are created by individuals who cannot be objective, and so no one can be completely objective and neither can any method or system. Therefore all methods and individuals are biased in some way.

I don't really have too much of a problem with that. But then it seems to be taken one step further and the assumption seems to be made that individuals and methods are equally biased. As if bias is some sort of binary system - on or off, biased or not biased and everyone is on the "biased on" switch. ("The Evolution of the Mystery," September 18)

"Lizard Eater" mourns the passing of the soap Guiding Light and reflects on what is has meant to American culture:

But today, as the curtain drops on Guiding Light, I wonder what this will mean for Broadway. GL was one of three New York based soaps. They drew in professional stage actors who wanted a steady paycheck, and fed them back to the stage, as the actors took leaves of absence from the soap in order to star in a play. For young actors, they were the ultimate summer stock, grooming them for the stage.
Soaps have been this quietly subversive force in our culture. Amidst all the multiple divorces, far-out story lines, people coming back from the dead, there were story lines about AIDS, abortion, homosexuality. This wasn't HBO. These were shows playing to middle-American housewives. ("The Journey," September 18)

"Chalicechick" says the internet is not all bad:

I hear often that the internet isolates us and makes us narcissistic antisocial parodies of our former selves, but it also enables half a dozen guys to get together and be like "You know what would be awesome? Let's make a parody of 'Fight Club' set in the late 1910's - early 1920's" and achieve that and put their efforts where the world can find them.

I'd call that about a wash. ("Chaliceblog," September 18)

Jeff Liebmann talks about the essential male experience of the old-fashioned barbership:

Now, some of you may be thinking that this is a rather old-fashioned notion of manhood, bordering on the macho sexist, or at least insensitive and unenlightened. But, Ron's is not a place of judgment or intolerance. We talk about our families and relationships, but I have not once heard a disparaging remark made about another person based on anything except that person's character or actions. Ron, an unassuming and gentle man, is a Delilah sheering the pretense of bravado and bluster away from dads, mates, brothers, and sons in a bastion of raw, honest maleness. ("uujeff's muse kennel and pizzatorium" September 19)

Kenneth Sutton contributed to today's post.

Public violence, atheism, UU singing, and more

Responding to public violence

Police violence: Following a September 10 police raid on the Atlanta Eagle, a popular gay bar, "Kinsi" posted about a subsequent protest rally sponsored by Atlanta-area Unitarian Universalists:

It was just . . . amazing . . . standing in that crowd, holding up the huge signs I made, all Standing on the Side of Love themed. ("Spirituality & Sunflowers," September 14)

Julianne Lepp also has a post with photos of UU demonstrators ("A Journey of Ministry," September 13). The Rev. Anthony David, who spoke at the rally, posted his comments and a video ("Thousand Voices," September 17). The UUA's Standing on the Side of Love campaign also has a summary post (September 16).

Abortion killing: After the murder of anti-abortion activist James Pouillon on September 11, "Smijer" pointed to a post on liberal blog "Daily Kos": "all I can do is quote and add a 'me, too'." ("Tête-à-Tête-Tête," September 12)

Bill Baar challenged UU bloggers: "The UU blogosphere lit up for [the murder of abortion provider Dr. George] Tiller but so far seems pretty silent for Pouillon." ("Pfarrer Streccius," September 13)

Paul Oakley responded to Baar; there's an interesting conversation in the comments about abortion, life, and personhood:

Bill and I disagree on several things, but there is no question his challenge is fitting. We have a word for the use of violence, killing, intimidation, and threats with the aim of achieving political goals: terrorism. The fact that many, even most, UUs are more sympathetic to the person and politics of Dr. Tiller in no way diminishes the fact that the killing of Mr. Pouillon was equally a terrorist act, equally to be decried. ("Inner Light, Radiant Life," September 13)

"Ogre" contends the parallel with Tiller isn't apt:

The analogy breaks down, the cases are only loosely similar. I've seen nothing (which may only mean that I've not seen it) suggesting that this killer was associated with pro-choice groups or attended a church or participated in some other group that demonized Pouillon and talked about how good it would be if he were to be dead. ("Sparks in the Dark," September 13)

Patrick Murfin argues for less vitriol:

While it is true that neither side can be wholly responsible for their most delusional supporters, both sides need to tone down the rhetoric which empowers the loonies among us. We are drifting to civil war in this country. That drift is made easier by the fact we don’t even see each other as human beings any more, just monsters promoting some hideous evil. And who doesn’t want to “wipe out evil.” ("Heretic, Rebel, a Thing to Flout," September 14)

Freedom from religion

"Goodwolve" has a deeply personal response to the Freedom from Religion Foundation ad in UU World and the online controversy it ignited, which we've been covering here the last two weeks:

I am disgusted. No, disheartened. No, just plain frustrated with people. Yep, most people. Why do a FEW squeaky wheels get what they want? They are not the mostly silent majority. And the level of their feverish tone just drives me insane. What am I talking about? Many things - here is just one recent example:

The UU World had an ad on the front cover of it's magazine promoting an organization that works for the separation of church and state. They work for freedom from religion in the public space. This is a cause near and dear to my heart. I live in a region where Christian theology is part of every aspect of life - remember in my area: Atheists can't hold public office, they pray before Quorum Court meetings and my politicians resemble Republican Christians more than their Democratic peers. And so that separation - and the FIGHT for it - is relevant to my everyday life. ("MoxieLife," September 12)

After dozens of comments, on September 13, she asks, "So, is all this sharing good for us?"

Steve Caldwell picks up on comments from "MoxieLife" contrasting another ad on page 13 that refers to "the anti-faith theology of Bishop John Shelby Spong":

I'm thinking it would be very interesting to use Spong's theses for a values-voting continuum activity in an adult religious education setting. With the theological diversity in found in Unitarian Universalist congregations, it would be an interesting discussion to have.

Of course, it's interesting that an ad perceived as "attacking religion" generates multiple complaints to the UU World staff while an ad promoting a book that attacks the ideas of non-theist philosophers and a leading liberal Christian theologian's work goes unnoticed by our readership...

Although we Unitarian Universalists are officially non-creedal and covenental (although the idea of what "covenant" actually means isn't the same for all of us), does the acceptance of the ad for Gibson's book in UU World imply that some non-theist theological and philosophical ideas are being pushed out the door in current-day Unitarian Universalism? ("Liberal Faith Development," September 12)

Hemant Mehta commented on the ad in a September 10 post at Friendly Atheist.

(For what it's worth, UU World has no preferential policies for ads with particular theological viewpoints. As business manager Scott Ullrich explained, the FFRF ad should have been modified or rejected not because it spoke up for the rights of atheists but because the ad "seems hostile to all religion"—including Unitarian Universalism.)

Changing the debate

Jess Cullinan thinks the FFRF ad raised a false debate:

This question has been asked on both sides: “If you believe in God, why do you go to the Unitarian Universalist church when there are so many other places you could go? And, “If you don’t believe in God, why do you go to church at all, much less a Unitarian Universalist church?”

I really think these are the wrong questions, stemming from a false dichotomy: “Is there a God, or isn’t there one?”

The answer is really, simply, but oh-so-complicatedly, “Yes. There is, AND there isn’t.” ("Jess's Journal," September 16)

The Rev. Cynthia Landrum wrote an essay on her own theological self-identification vis-a-vis atheism. I won't quote from it, because it deserves to be read as a whole. ("Rev. Cyn," September 17)

"Chalicechick" writes about the diversity within atheism:

One of the things I find fascinating about the theism-atheism debates I see is that atheism really is a pretty varied thing. We all get that there are a billion types of theists, but that there's quite a lot of theological diversity within atheism too seems to elude people. ("Chaliceblog," September 17)

Joyce Dowling posted a video of the "I am Theist, You are Humanist" song to uuplanet.tv. (September 14)

UU singing

The Rev. Dan Harper proposes (and solicits) advice for improving singing in congregations--after, that is, throwing out a number of disclaimers:

So how can we get congregations to sing better? I’m not a very good musician, but I’m a pretty good teacher, and if you think like a teacher the obvious thing to do is to teach your congregation how to sing. Once you have that big, broad goal, you can break it down into manageable chunks. Now I admit that I have never taught a congregation how to sing well enough that they spontaneously sing in harmony, but I have taught smaller groups how to do so, and there’s an obvious progression of steps to take. ("Yet Another Unitarian Universalist," September 13)

Seminarian Kim Hampton decries the lukewarmness she sees in UU singing:

I know I’m on a rant these days, but I’m looking towards next year when I have to do my internship. And I have to say, the prospect is not that thrilling. If I have to sit through another group of UUs sing “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and do it badly, I’m gonna scream. Hell, if I hear another group of UUs sing “Spirit of Life” (a song I hate beyond measure) or “Blue Boat Home” (a song I love) half-assedly, I’m gonna scream even louder. I want a UU church that knows what it is, be it hot or cold. This lukewarm mess is driving me bonkers. ("East of Midnight," September 13)

Paul Oakley commented in the long comments thread to Hampton's post:

Of course, the recent publicity regarding All Souls–Tulsa has led a lot of UUs to question whether UU WASP culture is preventing our growth as a denomination. After all, growing portions of the American landscape are not WASPs. So each congregation has to decide how to fulfill the needs of its longterm members while not shutting themselves off to people who are not organic participants in WASP culture but who are perfectly attuned to UU philosophy.

And then in response to comments, Hampton has another post:

I’m going to put it in the simplest language that I can.

Sing like you mean it!!!!!!!!!

Sing as if you actually think that music in worship is not just for the professionals. Sing as if you actually enjoy being around the group of people that you’re with. Sing as if you actually think that music is an important part of worship. (September 14)

Dave Belden, meanwhile, wrote about our Fall cover story about All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa on the Tikkun magazine blog:

As a Unitarian Universalist (UU) who loves to go to Christian services in the black gospel tradition–for their emotional depth and warmth, even though I am pretty allergic to Christian theology–it was a delight to read this article about the largest UU congregation in the country teaming up with a black (universalist Christian) congregation. ("Tikkun Daily Blog", September 13)

Healthcare debate

The Rev. Fred L. Hammond posits a reason for the conflict:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence [sic], promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

I was having a friendly debate the other day on facebook about a quote by Ayn Rand and indirectly about the health care debate that is raging in this country. One of the participants placed this quote from the preamble of the US Constitution into the conversation. I suddenly realized that the current polarization that is occuring in this country is when stripped of its emotionalism of fear is based on how we interpret this preamble. ("A Unitarian Universalist Minister in the South," September 12)

The Rev. W. Frederick Wooden posits an unlikely solution:

But it could be fixed if we - Congress actually - did something even my Republican Representative and I agree would do the job. It won't happen, though.

Raise taxes. Yep that's it. But this is unthinkable. We have become a knee jerk anti-tax nation that will not shoulder its own burden because taxes are bad. I admit they feel bad, but we now consider them to be bad, evil, wrong. and anti-American. ("Aside from the Obvious," September 12)

Standing on the Side of Love

"Chalicechick" challenges the expansion of the UUA's "Standing on the Side of Love" campaign beyond marriage equality, setting off a very long, substantive comment thread: "What if evangelicals started saying they were "Standing on the Side of God"?" ("The Chaliceblog," September 14)

Bill Baar thinks "It's so fundamental, and for so many people God is Love, that it really seemed a universal slogan for me." ("Pfarrer Streccius," September 16)

Around the blogosphere

"Lizard Eater" ponders human nature:

The Husband and I were talking about this last week. Do you think Pure Evil exists? he asked. In the person of another? I clarified. Yes, he said.

I don't think that I do. There always seems to be some tiny fraction of a person's soul that still houses something besides evil. ("The Journey," September 11)

Captain Thomas R. Beall, USN (ret.), wants UUs to move on the peacemaking study action issue:

Why can’t we just say “no” to war? Why must we take so many years to decide whether “... the use of any and all kinds of violence and war to resolve disputes between peoples and nations...”[i], is right or wrong, making that question the subject of countless “intellectually stimulating” discussions around the post-worship coffee pot, endless soul-searching about whether embracing pacifism will alienate UU's in the military or defense industry, or simply a means of forging closer connection amongst ourselves in small group ministry sessions? Why can’t we, as a religious community that makes respect for the interdependent web of life a cornerstone of its faith, simply reject war, end this interminable discussion and begin the real work of establishing a just and lasting peace on Earth? ("Living the Prophetic Imperative," September 12)

The Rev. Mary Wellemeyer urges a different response to the economic downturn:

I say it's not consumer thrift that's the problem. I say the shift is an opportunity. Greater thrift creates an opportunity for the people and institutions who make loans to think anew about what they are doing. This is a time for investment in a new way of life, and the savings creates a funding source. Invest in green technologies, in farms closer to places where people live, in neighborhoods where people can get what they want by walking or riding a bike, in railroads that move things more cheaply, in all those things that will make real a different way of life. Invest in ways to recycle materials and reclaim waste for profitable use.

Let's not go back. Let's make art and put on plays, read poetry and do sports, go walking just for fun, hang out in coffee shops and go to church. Let's fix the equipment we already have so we won't be throwing so much away. Let's build a society where consumer goods are not the be-all and the end-all, but rather tools to enrich our relationships with one another or tools to our enjoyment of our own minds and bodies. Let's go on saving and letting the saving turn into investments that can undo some of the damage we have done to the planetary ecology on which our lives depend. We can have a nice life without so much stuff. A nicer life, even, if we open our eyes and look around at the possibilities. ("A Larger Faith," September 11)

"Lizard Eater" has a post where people are sharing which UU preachers with podcasts they listen to. ("The Journey," September 14)

And to honor the fine tradition of internet foolishness and to show how UU bloggers are part of a much larger interdependent web, there's always room for cat blogging. ("CUUMBAYA," September 17)