It’s been a while since I’ve rounded up the most interesting posts from the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere. From the last week or so:
Matthew Gatheringwater discusses the latest in liberal religious orthodoxy (see November 3, “The First Principle isn’t Enough”), and asks: “What doesn’t a belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person support?” I may take this up as the next Philocrites discussion topic later this month.
Tom Schade (“Prophet Motive”) wonders why the UUA is spending energy on rooting “under God” out of the Pledge of Allegiance: “The effort has become absolutist — seeking to make living organic societies and cultures adhere to disembodied abstractions.” Bingo.
Richard Hurst (“Universalist Sundays”) writes a thank-you letter to Dr. Laura about her helpful advice regarding homosexuality. He has some follow-up questions, though, including these:
1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day & age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? . . .
We should probably pose these questions to the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Anglican Church in Nigeria, now that I think about it.
Heather Janules (“The Chrysalis”) writes a letter to the editor of UU World — which raises the interesting question of whether I should actually wait to read it in the office! — and poses this riddle:
I am hopeful and confident that the United States will recognize same-sex unions as marriages within my lifetime. However, it is my hope that in the longer arc of history, there comes a time when “marriage” is defined only by the covenant made between those professing love and commitment to one another and not by the State.
This strikes me as wanting it both ways.
Finally, Warren Thompson (“Reflections”) does nothing on his site but collect inspiring quotations. Check it out!
Update.
I am now maintaining an annotated directory of Unitarian Universalist bloggers.