'Leper status,' social media and ministry, Istanbul, and more

Religion and theology

David Pyle discusses how his bout with swine flu got him thinking about "leper status":

Unlike some people our society treats as "contagious", my H1N1 will go away soon... but for the disabled, for those with HIV, for those with PTSD, for those with the results of chemo-therapy, and even those in hospice, they will not shed their leper status so easily... even though I am much more contagious than many of those who live with this stigma daily. ("Celestial Lands," October 10)

"The Naked Theologian" talks about the Rev. Dr. Forrest Church and his mid-career embrace of transcendental universalism:

The Universalist strand of his faith tradition, with its promise of shared salvation, held particular appeal for Church, especially when integrated with Emersonian transcendentalism. Christian became an important part of his religious identity and he adopted the label of Christian Universalist. As such, he made room in his theology for many religious approaches. ("The Naked Theologian," October 11)

Thomas R. Beall recounts his recent experience at a Quaker meeting:

We sat for one hour with no more than five people speaking for a total of perhaps 10 minutes. Most spoke of peace - peace in the world and the inner peace that we all must find before peace on Earth can be achieved. This was a powerful message for me. ("Living the Prophetic Imperative," October 11)

"Politywonk" wonders if atheism as a faith system has changed:

And all of these sources have led me to wonder: maybe nowadays atheism has moved on, too. Maybe it is based in spirituality rather than critical thinking, just as faith is these days. ("PolityWonk," October 13)

Politics

The Rev. Kit Ketcham ("Miss Kitty") posts a letter to the editor of the South Whidbey Record in favor of Referendum 71, a domestic partnership law, asking people to carefully consider their votes this year:

When we cast our ballots, we take each others’ lives in our hands, in a sense. Successful and unsuccessful candidates for office find their lives and responsibilities changed. Referenda and initiatives also change people’s lives. If we vote one way, we may better our own lives but trash someone else’s. If we vote another, we may improve others’ lives but may have to adjust to changes in society. Therefore, I urge us all to VOTE TO IMPROVE OTHERS’ LIVES. ("Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show," October 15)

Jacqueline Wolven criticizes the current health care debate, saying that instead of talking, Congress should be doing:

So, if anyone is listening to me - I advise them to shut up and get to work. Stop trying to get consensus. Stop trying to get everyone's ideas. Just go do what you want to do. Someone will be happy and someone won't, but if they keep at it like they are now no one will really be happy with what is produced. ("MoxieLife," October 16)

Around the blogosphere

The Rev. LoraKim Joyner believes labeling a person automatically shifts perceptions of them:

I've been thinking about this and here's what goes on for me. If I use the word "jerk" or categorize people in any way, even just in my thoughts, I shift. My heart constricts and I am less open to listening, empathizing, and connecting to other people and the dream of the way I wish to live. ("Beyond Wrongdoing and Rightdoing," October 14)

The Rev. Cynthia Landrum talks about how social media has enhanced her ministry:

Having a blog is a way for me to write more extensively on issues that concern me as a minister but which are not things either large enough, broad enough, or otherwise appropriate as sermon material. ("Rev. Cyn," October 14)

"Strange Attractor" discusses friendship and the all-important connection:

If I were to sum up my sense of spirituality in one word, it would be "connection". It may not be why I am here on this planet, but it is why I can cherish my time here. I am connected to so many things and some of them much more strongly than this one, but life is a little more whole after re-establishing my connection to [a friend I'll call] Space Vixen. ("Strange Attractor," October 15)

The Rev. W. Frederick Wooden is keeping a running blog of his trip to Istanbul, including pictures. ("Aside from the Obvious")