We need models of theological and religious conversation that take important questions seriously, but that don’t tell people that they must claim to believe things that they cannot believe.
Author: Chris Walton
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The question of empire.
The choice isn’t between isolationism and empire, as the all-or-nothing people on the political fringes want us to believe. The choice is between the responsible and irresponsible uses of American power.
If our religion is “liberal,” we will use the Bible in liberal ways — which means thoughtfully, critically, rationally, and spiritually
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Two views of just war theory.
Beth W. wrote: A premptive strike, according to the council of Catholic bishops, violates the just war theory. It sets a dangerous precedent. The last time we attacked Iraq, Iraq retaliated by sending missles to Israel. If we really care about Israel, we should think carefully. Once we have attacked Iraq, is it not true […]
The Quakers believed that righteousness would emerge from personal conscience; the Puritans believed that righteousness would be enforced (or “cultivated,” in the Unitarian version) by social institutions.
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Malevolent freedom.
Jay N. wrote: I know that malice is usually a second or, more dangerously, a third person perception. Still, I usually experience or see “sin” as having malice as an essential part. Chris Walton, is there a place for malice in your understanding of sin? What an interesting question! I think you are asking in […]
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An idea worth defending.
The Rev. David O. Rankin, in a ten-point statement of widely-held Unitarian Universalist beliefs, writes: We believe in the worth and dignity of each human being. All people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty, and justice — and no idea, ideal, or philosophy is superior to a single human life. While I […]
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Tragic freedom.
I think of sin and salvation primarily in terms of tragic contingency and creative freedom.
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How Unitarian Universalists can help.
Paula R. cuts to the chase: So here’s the question: If peace is the ultimate goal, if we want Israeli children and Palestinian children (and Lebanese children, heck, all children) to have a fair shot at a future, what power do we have to make that happen? Great question. I think the most helpful thing […]
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Want to help the Palestinians?
The ultimate irony for human rights advocates is that taking up the Palestinian cause by condemning and isolating Israel won’t help the Palestinians and will certainly harm Israel and the Jews.