Root and Source

Take 2

2009-04-25T21:52:00.000-04:00

I've moved again, this time to: www.rootandsource.info

Thanks

So long, farewell, well not really...

2009-01-28T17:55:00.002-05:00

I am migrating to a new site which you can find here

2009-01-26T20:12:00.008-05:00

I am reminded of the words of the great seventeenth century, Marathi poet-saint, Sant Tukaram, who said:

"One who befriends the poor and the oppressed, Recognise him to be a Saint, for God is with him." -- Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of the Republic of India

Dawn

2009-01-20T11:26:00.002-05:00

Sun arrives over the world

A new leader is made

Power given and received peacefully

Hope must now turn to action

America rising...God move our hearts

hands and minds to do what

we know is right.

God Save The King (or his Dream)

2009-01-19T12:29:00.005-05:00

This year I am going to try to celebrate the lives of humans who have embodied some of the religious principles of the AUC:

3. Free will is a gift from God. Religion should assist in the effort to find a path that exercises that gift in a responsible, constructive and ethical manner.

4. Conscious of the complexity of creation, of the limits of human understanding and of humanity's capacity for evil in the name of religion, we hold that humility, religious tolerance and freedom of conscience should be a central part of any religious experience.

7. Conscious of the spiritual and material needs of our fellow men and women, the evil they may be subjected to and the tragedies they may endure, works of mercy and compassion should be a part of any religious experience.

To that end, today we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King is known for his many words of wisdom, most famously his "I have a dream" speech. I'd like to post another quote of his, which I believe is tremendously relevant to humanity today:

Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Gracious and Wise Spirit, thank you for moving the hearts and minds of Great People. Thank you for giving us the hands, hearts and heads to do your work in our world. May we heed the teachings of the Great Ones, and do our part to bring progress, peace and prosperity to humanity and all Creation. Amen.

Excellence

2009-01-16T14:23:00.002-05:00

I know that for many people it's natural to call something like the survival of a plane landing in the Hudson river a "miracle" and to say that God was responsible personally. I don't agree, because the obvious question is-if some people didn't survive, did God let them die? What about all the crashes where no one survives?

Anyway, my real point is that it was not divine intervention that saved that crew & the passengers, it was the excellence of the pilot, the co-pilot, and the other crew members. These are professionals, highly trained, skilled professionals. You don't just board a plane and then take volunteers to fly it and manage the cabin. Pilots and flight attendants are sometimes forgotten when we buzz in and out of airports, but we ought to be grateful for their excellence.

We don't have to keep the divine out of this situation, we just have to reorient our gratitude: Thank you God, for the women and men who work so hard every day to take us from one place to another, safely, comfortably, and whose training and skill save us in emergencies.

2009-01-16T13:05:00.001-05:00

Elder's Meditation of the Day

"Our circle is timeless, flowing, it is a new life emerging from death-life winning out over death."--Lame Deer, LAKOTA

When we look at the world in the manner which the Great Spirit designed it, we can see why it makes sense to live in harmony with it: the trees grow and bear fruit, the fruit has seeds, the seeds fall to the ground, the ground grows new trees, old trees die to make way for the young. Any time we think we can interrupt this cycle or change it we will experience turmoil and confusion. The Human Cycle exists as the baby becomes the youth, the youth becomes the adult, the adult has children, the adult becomes the Elder, and the Elder teaches the youth. Elders go on to the Spirit World. Spirit comes into babies to produce new life. Flow into the flow. Be the path of least resistance.

My Creator and my Make, today, teach me to just flow with the river of life.

Khan!!!

2009-01-14T19:08:00.003-05:00

I was a little sad to read this tonight, as he was a warm, comfortable part of Americana. RIP Señor Montalbán, thanks for sharing your talent.

Is God the Supreme Being or the Supreme Monster?

2009-01-13T18:51:00.002-05:00

Um, if your "God" tells you this is OK to do, then you are worshipping a demon.

Got it?

Where everybody knows yours name

2009-01-05T09:29:00.002-05:00

I have worshipped in many different settings. In Catholic churches, Orthodox churches, Reform synagogues, low-church non-denominational churches, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, UU churches and a handful of Methodist churches.

My experiences include the big wide screen with all the song words/rock band/cool pastor/laid back auditorium style worship. I don't like it; every day I can go to a movie theatre, a rock concert, and I since I work in IT and work from home a lot, I wear jeans all the time.

When I go to worship-which is a key idea often missing from this style of church-I want to experience something outside the normal, quotidian elements of life. I'm not interested in dumbing down my worship experience. I want to know that I'm not in a movie theatre, or a shopping mall; I want something deeper.

It's sad, to me, that as our culture often progresses towards drive through, nutrition-less, throw-away everything we've decided religion ought to be just another quick-fix product. No thanks.

2008-12-31T15:27:00.002-05:00

No matter the tribal/sectarian/nationalist label, the battle is always between good and evil, even sometimes within each side of a conflict, simultaneously.

Spirit Wise, open our hearts and minds to do good in this world, and to end our senseless killing.

2008-12-30T20:26:00.000-05:00

Elder's Meditation of the Day - December 30

"Always remember that the Great Mystery is good; evil can come only from ourselves!" --Grandmother of Charles Eastman. SANTEE SIOUX

The Great Mystery is love, good and principle. He is a guiding Father. He doesn't play games. He knows only how to love. Sometimes, when things go wrong, we blame Him or others. Usually, if we are honest, we can see how decisions or things done in the past put us in a position to be hurt. It comes back to us. When this happens, it is not something the Creator caused, but something we, ourselves caused. Most of our problems are of our own making. When this happens, we should correct what we've done, ask the Great Spirit for forgiveness and pray for guidance in the future.

My Creator, bless me with Your good.

The Good News (Or maybe the best)

2008-12-24T22:46:00.001-05:00

I love a happy ending.

And a good guy.

Hey I'm not homophobic, I have gay friends (or at least I know a lot of men who dress up in fancy gowns)

2008-12-24T17:04:00.005-05:00

Is this man relevant to modern humanity? I mean really...the threat to the environment is akin to the threat gays pose to humanity?

God, save me from the stupider of your creations.

Ok, so maybe he is still relevant...

THIS is traditional marriage folks

2008-12-23T21:10:00.001-05:00

God help us.

Powerful

2008-12-23T11:05:00.001-05:00

Elder's Meditation of the Day - December 22

"From Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, there came a great unifying life force that flowed in and through all things-the flowers of the plains, blowing winds, rocks, trees, birds, animals-and was the same force that had been breathed into the first man. Thus all things were kindred, and were brought together by the same Great Mystery."

--Chief Luther Standing Bear, SIOUX

"The Great Spirit has six things that make up this life force. They are life, love, intelligence, soul, principle, and truth. These are the reasons the life cycle continues. None of this can be altered by man, but we can have access to these powers any time we wish. Just think about it-anytime I have a need I can access one or more of these powers."

Oh Great Mystery, let me know how to use these powers. Today, let me love life, let me know truth, let me live by principle, and let me follow Your intelligence.

The Moment

2008-12-21T15:09:00.000-05:00

O God, our home and also our long way; our rest and our ongoing courage; our haven and our saving hope, we praise You for this mortal life.

We praise You for the flow of time on which all things pass;

We praise You for the spirit in us greater than the flowing tide;

We praise You that there are grand moments better than a thousand days;

We praise You that in the greatness of life, the hearts of young and old come very close together, and even the distant ones come back.

We praise You that in high moments, when hearts are full, there is Someone to praise.

--Vivian T. Pomeroy

Please don't make me quote the dirty verses

2008-12-21T14:48:00.003-05:00

The bible is one of the dirtiest texts I've ever read; sexually explicit, violent, even a bit kinky. Of course that's not the thrust (no pun intended) of the work but still, it's in there. So reading this makes me just want to stand up in that church and preach a sermon about harlots with donkey-hung lovers (it's from the bible!).

What a bunch of fruitcakes...

A blessing

2008-12-16T16:21:00.000-05:00

May the Spirit surprise you
like a dove from above,
or a swallow from below,
but now and then like a blue wren!

Seasons of Creation

Cheap Shot

2008-12-16T13:07:00.002-05:00

The likelihood that God impregnated an unmarried Jewish teenager, and nobody noticed until after the son she gave birth to was killed and a new religion started in his honor, is pretty slim. But still, for many people around the world, Mary is an enduring symbol of divinity, motherhood, saintliness, etc. So this cover for Playboy is a cheap shot for attention at a time of the year when Mary is especially under the spotlight. I'm not prude, but as I've said many times here, desecrating what is sacred to others is unnecessary and immature.

Choose wisely

2008-12-13T22:44:00.003-05:00

I don't like Sarah Palin. I don't hate her, mind you, but I don't find her to be pleasant, intelligent, or capable.

But nothing she has done or said warrants this happening. If this is indeed arson, I hope the arsonists are caught and brought to justice. Shame on those who attack sacred places.

Is this really shocking?

2008-12-11T16:25:00.002-05:00

I have never bought that Bush et al are truly Bible bangers; they use it to herd the conservative religious masses to vote for them. That's it. It's obvious, at least I always thought so...

Let's hold hands

2008-12-10T13:07:00.003-05:00

"Come forward and join hands with us in this great work for the Creator."

--Traditional Circle of Elders, NORTHERN CHEYENNE

The Elders have spent years learning to pray and communicate with the Great Spirit. Their job is to pass this knowledge onto the young people. The Elders have told us we are now in a great time of healing. The Creator is guiding them to help the young people figure this out. We must get involved and participate. We should pray and see what it is the Great Spirit wants us to do. We need to sacrifice our time to help the people and to be of maximum use to the Creator. Every person is needed to accomplish this great healing.

Creator, whisper what You want me to do. --White Bison

Pay attention

2008-12-06T11:05:00.003-05:00

"And that, I guess, is what it all boils down to-do the right thing, everything goes fine; do the wrong thing, everything's a mess."
--Robert Spott, YUROK

The Elders say every person is born with free will and every person has a specific purpose to accomplish during their life time. When our life is relatively free from obstacles we are walking the path of God's will. If our life is full of obstacles, we are not doing the will of God. Often, the Great Spirit guides us through a system of coincidences. We need to pay attention to coincidences. If we are aware of these, we often can recognize the path which God is showing us. We need to pray and ask Him to show us the path in terms we can understand.

Oh, Great Mystery, let me recognize the coincidences.
--White Bison

More from Pastor Allaboutme McHypocrite

2008-12-05T19:02:00.001-05:00

Well 2000+ years after the (alleged) event, and now finally Rick Warren is here to tell us the "Purpose of Christmas." I am in the wrong business...

One more reason I hate this time of year...

2008-12-05T11:57:00.003-05:00

In a country with a church on nearly every corner, and religious programming all over the proverbial dial, I don't understand the need to put up nativity scenes, ten commandment tablets, etc. It's not like there are folks wandering around wondering, "gee are there any Christian organizations around here?"

But just as baffling to me is the need for the atheist organization in the link above who felt they needed to put up a sign of their own next to the nativity scene outside WA state's legislature. It's one thing for them to want equal airtime, but to be nasty about it is just wrong. I agree that religion can have negative side effects, but not every religious person (such as yours truly) is an anti-science, superstitious moron. 1 and 0 are not the only numbers...

This just in: atheist sign found in a ditch. Baby Jesus is so proud!

Yeah, what they said

2008-12-03T22:18:00.001-05:00

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Thanks to PeaceBang for putting this up on her blog.

Thanks

2008-11-27T21:29:00.002-05:00

I am thankful for my life, my family, my friends, my dogs, and my partner.

Does it make you feel better?

2008-11-26T17:44:00.010-05:00

Hiding in the shadows, killing innocent people-does it make you feel better Azam Amir Kasav? Does it further your cause, whatever it is? Will you go to the families whose children were killed, and tell them why you did it? Do you think God is proud of you?

Here are a few of the people you murdered, in case you wanted to see the tangible, flesh-and-blood impact of your selfish cowardice:

Trees

2008-11-23T20:41:00.005-05:00

Be still, my heart, these great trees are prayers.

-Rabindranath Tagore

Refreshing

2008-11-19T10:28:00.000-05:00

"In the cove, and the lakes, and mountains, there is the Creator's peace, and the madness of ego has no place there."

The Deist Review

Hi, I'm Pastor Allaboutme McHypocrite

2008-11-17T21:11:00.001-05:00

Why do these people make so much money lying and deceiving? I am in the wrong business...

2008-11-17T13:18:00.003-05:00

Well, I won't even bother with the obvious historical examples of a less-than-pro-life RC, but I think this priest is asking a bit much. Obama is not the Abortionist in Chief; pro-choice candidates aren't off to encourage more abortions, and if voting for a candidate who is pro-choice is a sin, then is having friends who are pro-choice also a sin? What about voting for a candidate who slaughters thousands of Americans for purely selfish political reasons?

Welcome Wanda

2008-11-16T16:12:00.002-05:00

I have loved Wanda Sykes for a long time; her sharp wit is unique, and she has this air of self-confidence that is unique. Recently she came out as a lesbian, and married her partner in CA before the insidious Prop 8 took CA into the dark ages.

Congratulations Wanda to you and your wife!

Courtesy of PeaceBang

2008-11-15T23:51:00.003-05:00

Thank you Mr. Olbermann. I believe Love is a gift from God and that God's Love is the most powerful force in the universe; use it, don't oppose it.

An appeal

2008-11-14T13:22:00.002-05:00

After reading this story, my bleeding heart started dripping especially heavily, and I am asking readers of this blog to give a little something to this organization to help kids in Afghanistan. I cannot imagine the life this girl lives, and if we can do anything to lighten her burdens, we should do so. Please give if you can.

When the walls fell

2008-11-10T18:28:00.002-05:00

Eternal Spirit, life of our minds and breath of our being: strangely do we walk though the days of our years, unseeing, unhearing, inattentive, though the glory of life is all about us. We wrap ourselves up in the petty and trivial, shutting out life’s promise. We are afraid of life—and its mighty claim upon us—and we wall ourselves in, thinking to be safe.

Break down our walls, O God! Blow upon the barriers we have built to keep us paltry. Let them all be swept away!

-A. Powell Davies

Ding! 15 minutes are up!

2008-11-07T14:00:00.002-05:00

Enough with the Palin bashing/analyzing/blaming. It's over; McCain-Palin did not win the election. The general public doesn't need to hear about acrimonious mandarins whose own careers are now in limbo. I mean for a group that flies the Jesus flag every chance they get, they seem awfully prone to gossip, betrayal and general nastiness.

And while I'm venting, let me say that Michelle Obama is an accomplished, educated, intelligent person. She is not America's Next Top Model-so let's put a lid on all of the focus on what she's wearing. Crikey, women are more than just walking dress up dolls...

Look honey, we finally got those gays but good!

2008-11-05T18:38:00.004-05:00

Elle Glover and Ben Hansen dance at the California Proposition 8 election night party in Newport Beach on Wednesday. Proposition 8 amends the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. (Mark Avery / AP)

Awe, that's sweet, dancing the night away while destroying civil rights-Jesus must be proud!

It is finished; We the People

2008-11-04T23:05:00.006-05:00

I am cautiously optimistic that the end of a dark, backward, damaging era has come. I love my country, warts and all; I know Obama is not the messiah, and I am not a Democrat, but I think that there is at least the opportunity for the kind of change we need as a country to move forward and re-establish a firm foundation for our future. We deserve better, and we ought to do better, than we have done in the past few decades. It's time to step up America. We have done what no other modern nation has done-we have looked past sectarianism and elected our own leader in spite of our past struggle with racism, hatred, and division. We have taken a big step into the future.

To Senator McCain, your condemnation of the booing and other negative shout outs from your supporters in public is deeply admirable and I respect you for speaking up for a bigger cause than mud-slinging.

The Union and the Constitution forever!

Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow RIP

2008-11-04T18:57:00.002-05:00

There are times when I wish God would just start smiting the evil, moronic, destructive people who use God as an excuse for their debauchery.

I am sorry that you were the victim of human stupidity twice Aisha, and I pray you rest in peace.

Hypocrisy, thy name is Colson

2008-11-04T17:22:00.005-05:00

Here's what I don't get: Senator McCain is divorced and remarried, technically making him and his wife Cindy adulterers (well not in my book, but in the Bible's New Testament). Half of American marriages end in divorce; Reagan was divorced. And, perhaps not shockingly, Mr. Colson himself is divorced (and a felon).

So does that mean they (the opponents to gay marriage) want marriage defined as a union of one man and one woman, easily dissolved so that each may then unite with another man or woman as suits them? Is marriage in America to be defined by the whims of hypocritical heterosexual convenience? Since Colson et alia don't live their marriages as religious sacraments, but rather as civil contracts, one cannot help but wonder why preventing same-sex couples from having those same contracts is so important? Must be a money maker there somewhere...which brings me to another thought.

Why does the LDS and the KofC so freely spend large sums of money on this type of thing, but don't seem to address real issues with their massive amounts of money? How many bridges could have been repaired with their contributions to the Prop 8 nonsense? How many homes could have been built for the poor? How much healthcare? How many families who have hit hard times and are in foreclosure could have been rescued? What is wrong with these people?

Again, I am an Illinoisan...

2008-11-03T17:14:00.002-05:00

RIP Madelyn Dunham, and thanks for all the hard work you did raising your grandson.

All Soul's Day

2008-11-02T09:09:00.002-05:00

With undoubted roots in pre-Christian cultures, and subsequently imported into to Christian practice, today is the day to remember the dead in many parts of the world.

It's important, I believe, to remember the contributions of those who have gone before us and to be thankful for the foundations laid for us to build on. It's also a time to remember, fondly or otherwise, those who we've lost.

God, ultimate hope of all souls, may those who have departed this world find in You peace, rest, and eternal bliss. May the wrongful understand the error of their ways and truly repent, and may we all imitate your kindness and mercy. Thank you for your love and presence in our lives.

I'm an IL Native...

2008-11-01T22:02:00.000-04:00

RIP Chris Durbin

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T19:16:00.006-04:00

Traditional Scottish Prayer

From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!

It's OK Ma'am

2008-10-31T14:21:00.001-04:00

I think that hereditary heads of state are as logical as hereditary accountants (with thanks to Mr. Paine).

Or, maybe tarring and feathering?

2008-10-31T10:31:00.001-04:00

Read this.

I just don't understand why, in a free, democratic political system some people have to behave so stupidly. If you don't want Barack to win, vote for someone else. Jeesh...

Wherica?

2008-10-29T15:24:00.002-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I purged this blog of most political posts because 1. I have already voted and 2. this election, and all that has come with it (financial mess etc.) are giving me a great deal of agita. However, after reading some of Tina Brown's new foray into the online world I came to a long-dormant realization. The America I was raised to believe in, the one that I have always expected, has been split by political spin doctors into some odd, radical pieces that don't, I believe, really exist.

I am not a member of any political party; in fact I think political parties are detrimental to democracy, but that's another post. I like making money. I like business. I work for a very (less than 10 employees) business. I also like bridges that don't collapse when I drive over them, and elderly persons who aren't reduced to eating cat food or stealing from my garden (well, if I had one). I don't think I have to compromise common decency to make a profit. I don't think a world where everything is given to us by the government is a good thing. I don't think a world in which every man is for himself is good either. In other words, I don't see a contradiction in working hard, achieving one's goals, and still living in a society whose government provides value for money.

It seems impossible right now, but I do hope for a better America, that operates from a reasonable center and not from ridiculous fringes.

Children are off limits

2008-10-27T18:44:00.004-04:00

Hoping against hope, I wanted badly for Jennifer Hudson's nephew to be safe and alive. He is not.

RIP young man, your life was too short.

God, root and source of body and soul, we ask for boldness in confronting evil.

Time is up

2008-10-20T18:32:00.005-04:00

Some things are best avoided; strolling through a bad neighborhood with a big visible wad of cash, trying to reason with politicians, and proselytizing in some parts of the world. This woman was killed for preaching Christianity in Afghanistan. We've all had an annoying knock on our door from someone who wanted to share their faith with us, but it's easy to just tell them to bug off. Apparently the Taliban, not content with blowing up Buddhas and outlawing kite flying, felt that "just say no" wasn't enough, so they shot her dead. Now I think that preaching in Afghanistan is unwise, but not worthy of death.

The people of Afghanistan and their government must be willing to put these folks out of business for good. It's time for the rest of the world to get out, and let the place rot if that's what Afghanis want. Sometimes sink or swim is the best policy...

RIP Gayle Williams.

A reminder, from a great human being

2008-10-11T17:56:00.002-04:00

As partisanship and sectarianism overwhelm us, let's pray and then do better (from Capek's Flower Communion; "these" refers to flowers):

Infinite Spirit of Life, we ask your blessing on these, your messengers of fellowship and love. May they remind us, amid diversities of knowledge and of gifts, to be one in desire and affection, and devotion to your holy will. May they also remind us of the value of comradeship, of doing and sharing alike. May we cherish friendship as one of your most precious gifts. May we not let awareness of another's talents discourage us, or sully our relationship, but may we realize that, whatever we can do, great or small, the efforts of all of us are needed to do your work in this world.

Norbert Fabian Capek (modified for modern language; emphasis mine).

And the congregation said...

2008-10-10T17:24:00.001-04:00

Nice idea, and my friend is a volunteer for Komen, putting together the info packets. If you are in ATL, check out this event.

Quelle surprise (not)

2008-10-06T20:59:00.001-04:00

Reality strikes again.

Good bye Cool Hand

2008-09-27T11:13:00.000-04:00

RIP Paul Newman.

Congratulations

2008-09-23T20:27:00.001-04:00

Mr. Aiken!

2008-09-22T22:28:00.002-04:00

They don't even have souls for crying out loud!

Do you measure up?

2008-09-12T21:28:00.002-04:00

Adults are expected to behave themselves, to be honest, to be helpful, and to be responsible. Nothing destroys that ideal more quickly than a national election. Between candidates and their talking-head supporters, the truth, common courtesy, and generally good behavior are given an unwritten "pass."

Hold yourself, and those running for office, as well as their courtiers, to a higher standard. Don't let the excuse of politics justify misbehavior. Remember, kids are always watching...

Shireen Kachwalla, RIP

2008-09-12T10:41:00.002-04:00

A former colleague of mine, and the same age, died last weekend. May you rest in peace Shireen.

It's not just a cologne anymore

2008-09-07T18:06:00.002-04:00

I have a friend, and former boss, who had the great honor of having her youngest daughter christened by this wonderful man...and he is quite right not only about the Church, and religion as a whole, but also politics in the West. We are so focused on the wrong things and the public-the voters & seats in the pews-continue to enable this dysfunctional leadership. I really hope we wake up and turn around before my lifetime is over...

What do you want?

2008-09-06T17:51:00.001-04:00

God has given us everything already; we just don't realize it yet.

Give

2008-09-01T16:05:00.004-04:00

Please

So be it

2008-08-28T14:27:00.001-04:00

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 28

"With prayer and good intentions, we make our lives sacred and so come to balance."
--Don Jose Matsua, HUICHOL SIERRA MADRE MEXICO

Only through prayer can we make spiritual changes that are permanent. You have told us that all life is sacred. Today I intend to serve you, my Creator. Allow me to overcome temptation, and if one comes along, let me see the lessons that will give balance. You have told us that all life is sacred. Let me see today with a sacred eye. Let me see beauty in all things.

My Creator, let me know what You would have me be today. Let my intentions be honest, respectful, humble and loving.

I haven't done a damned thing with my life

2008-08-27T20:41:00.006-04:00

Good night and God bless Del, thank you for giving so much.

Wow

2008-08-26T19:58:00.001-04:00

Some interesting insight into the recent Knoxville UU Church shooting.

I especially find this to be well-said:

"I do affirm the worth and dignity of every person, but I never promised to affirm the worth and dignity of every idea. Some ideas are oppressive and not well thought out. They lead to violence and injustice and really bad behavior. I try to argue with respect and kindness, but it’s hard when the person you’re talking to acts like a jerk."

Dear Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

2008-08-26T16:46:00.002-04:00

“

بنى آدم اعضاء يک پیکرند
که در آفرينش ز يک گوهرند
چو عضوى بدرد آورد روزگارد
دگر عضوها را نماند قرار Of one Essence is the human race
thus has Creation put the base
One Limb impacted is sufficient
For all Others to feel the Mace

”

—Saadi (1184–1283)

Why are Bahai's still being persecuted in the Islamic Republic?

Requiescat in pace

2008-08-20T19:49:00.002-04:00

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs of OH, the 153 victims of today's Madrid plane crash, and Steven Sabock, a mental patient who died from neglect in a NC mental hospital.

Some people just have a way with words

2008-08-20T10:59:00.004-04:00

“Curiosity is the foundation of true education, the love of life, of prayer. Come and see the unfolding of what is new in every moment, the uncovering of layer after layer of reality, of love, of light. Pray as you are drawn to pray, not as someone has told you how to pray. The ancient 'illuminative way’ of prayer is seeing the extraordinary reality of God in the ordinary, detecting the movement of the sacred within the mundane. Gather all that you see outside yourself and bring it in to see up close, to magnify the Lord, to see God blazing behind the starfish, the shell, the petrified wood." from Grace's Window: Entering the Seasons of Prayer by Suzanne Guthrie ISBN: 1-56101-124-X

"God lies in loving, delighted ambush throughout my days, wanting to wrap and weave around and through my entire life. . . . For God is a lover who wants me." From A Place Like Any Other: Sabbath Blessings by Molly Wolf ISBN: 0-385-49955-8

And yet that darn Katrina made it through

2008-08-19T20:41:00.002-04:00

This is why I have so much trouble with friends who are surprised I believe in God; this kind of magical, storybook thinking is nuts and paints the rest of us with the color of crazy.

God is not a superhero

2008-08-18T19:15:00.003-04:00

Or a cosmic vending machine, into which you can put a spiritual dollar and choose the "treat" you want.

I understand that in difficult times we aren't always rational; it's easy to become emotional and indeed desperate enough to look for help from any quarter. However, this kind of magical thinking starts us down a dangerous path; one minute we expect God to overrule natural laws (which are impressive enough-no supernatural miracles needed!), the next minute we look for signs in election outcomes, or threaten violence against those who don't share our beliefs, or think that by blowing ourselves up in the midst of innocent people we will go straight to heaven, replete with all the material items we lack here on Earth.

Excellent

2008-08-15T17:12:00.003-04:00

Eternal spirit, creator of all,

help us to nurture in each person the deep and unshakable understanding of the blessing of their being. Let none ever doubt that they are that special, that loved, that magnificent. Let the truth of it be known at our core, far past our culture’s thin veneer of meaningless affirmations. Help us to know the real thing by its failure to be drawn in to pettiness or self-aggrandizement, by its constant reminder that the God that makes one of us beloved makes us all beloved. May the power of that be-loved-ness be a source of great strength, so that we might meet its demand that we work for justice. May it fuel our courage to live and work for and with others. May we find the path to peace by making our home in the landscape of compassion.

Amen.
From Pastor Prayers

Unsung

2008-08-14T17:30:00.002-04:00

Buchenwald liberator dies, aged 83.

You bore a heavy burden for many years but the good you did was incalculable.

Rest in the eternal love and peace of God, Mr. Hoyt, and thank you for being God's hands in this world.

"Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds."

-Buddha

Pot, here's kettle: Chapter 125

2008-07-29T09:56:00.003-04:00

Iran's President is making more noise (keep in mind, the Iranian president is not the highest office in Iran; the country is really ruled by clerics headed by a Supreme Leader) about how awful the world of "the rich countries" is and how the US et al are mean and uncaring (big paraphrase). So it's more than a little hypocritical to read this.

Now I'm not blind; the US and the rest of the world are far from perfect. Our foreign policy is awful; the Bush administration and the Congress have run up a huge deficit by traipsing around the world playing GI Joe (while ignoring the needs of troops & their families when they return). Europe is struggling to define itself, and to understand how to implement the separation of religion and state, while at the same time preaching tolerance but not practicing it (France and Turkey's obsession with Islamic headscarves for example). The Middle East is a mess, with sheiks and kings and dictators hoarding all the money and putting blame for society's ills on everybody else. And the Islamic Republic of Iran is far from paradise itself.

It's time the world's leaders stop spouting stupid, pointless rhetoric about how better country A is than country B. First, one ought to clean up one's own backyard before complaining about the neighbors too much.

Senseless

2008-07-27T12:28:00.004-04:00

Knoxville church shooting coverage

Healing and hope to the Knoxville TVUUC.

Goodbye, Ma

2008-07-22T13:54:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the laughs.

Christians are cannibals!

2008-07-21T20:31:00.003-04:00

Which of course, is an absurd way to refer to the Christian practice of communion/the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Just as absurd, is the seemingly undying belief that gay=pedophile.

Let's be clear-gay adults have a sexual attraction to other adults of their gender. Straight adults have sexual attraction to adults of the opposite gender.

Pedophiles have sexual attraction to CHILDREN. Specifically, prepubescent children. Some pedophiles prefer boys to girls or vice versa; some have no preference. Most are men.

Hebephilia is the sexual attraction of an adult towards a pubescent child. Ephebophilia is the sexual attraction of an adult towards an adolescent. This would include, from a legal perspective, an 18 year old male and his 17 year old girlfriend having consensual sex...another topic.

Pedophiles and hebephiles use their naturally superior power and influence to have sexual contact with children. Gay and straight adults who use power to have sex with an unwilling adult participant are called rapists; those who have consensual sex are, well, normal.

Got it Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart? Can't blame your legal problems on gays...

O God, open the minds of those who lie and deceive. Bring them into your heart, and replace their hate with understanding and truth.

Reason-still a 4 letter word

2008-07-16T12:27:00.003-04:00

This is disgusting; and it demonstrates just how some religious/cultural traditions can be incredibly irrational. With the stamp of God's alleged approval, people feel free to do destructive things.

God gave us brains, not a book of magic words. Anything which contravenes human ideals of the best, kindest, highest, most compassionate, is not from God. Women are not just baby-making, penis-housing, soulless creatures. My God, it's 2008 and these people are still worried that the best way to make their daughter a "success" is to marry her off so she can be someone else's problem. Does it not occur to them that she might be educated, have a career, and live like a HUMAN BEING?!

God save us from our own stupidity...

Tony Snow, Dr. DeBakey RIP

2008-07-12T08:02:00.002-04:00

I'm not fan of the Bush admin, but I hate cancer even more. Tony Snow was far too young to die, and he fought cancer more than once. May he rest in peace.

Dr. Michael DeBakey, who died aged 99, was the preeminent master of modern heart disease treatment. He created everything from a main component of the heart-lung machine, to the commonplace operations to repair the aorta. He invented many surgical instruments and other medical devices. His contribution to the profession of medicine is profound; he treated presidents, royalty, celebrities and everyday people as well as those with no means. Thank you Dr. DeBakey for your contributions to humanity and may you rest in a well-earned peace.

Didn't anyone read the declaration of Independence?

2008-07-10T18:57:00.003-04:00

Two events, the refusal of Karl Rove to testify per a Congressional subpoena, and the Bush Administration's promulgation of Congress' law (one which, I might add, Sen. Obama chose to vote for-undoubtedly for the "scary terrorists around every corner" vote) protecting telecoms that helped the government spy on American citizens, demonstrate for the millionth time that we are not a nation of equality before the law. Once more we lose credibility-abroad and at home-by doing what is ethically wrong but politically expedient.

Shame on Congress, the President, and Karl Rove (whose cocky "I'm special" attitude is disgusting). What is the point of having a justice system, if we just flush it down the toilet when it's not convenient to government ends?

Hi, I continue to be irrelevant

2008-07-09T19:05:00.003-04:00

Jesse Jackson continues his legacy of being irrelevant to, well, everything. Sen. Obama is apparently not "black enough" a comment levied against more than one of my own friends, by people who want, apparently, to create a monolithic definition of being black in America.

I really wish Martin Luther King Jr. hadn't been killed, so that his reasonable, human-rights for all-centered voice could be heard above the din of dingbats who have as their motive nothing but self-promotion.

2008-07-04T12:40:00.002-04:00

Spirit of Life & Wisdom,

Our country was founded on high ideals; we have not always lived up to them. Today, on the day we celebrate our country's birth, open our hearts and minds to remember our duty to be better, kinder, more responsible citizens. We have a compass, inherited from those people who came before us-let us use it wisely.

May Your generosity be our guide, may Your wisdom be our example, may your love burn in our hearts. Amen.

Happy Birthday Mr President

2008-06-27T17:46:00.001-04:00

Nelson Mandela turns 90 today; I wish him a happy birthday and many more years of life.

More from Rev. Applebee

2008-06-26T23:21:00.001-04:00

"[Unitarianism] is an attitude of the soul. Primarily it is the attitude of the soul towards God. We try to express this by the phrase, "Love to God." This is the first and great commandment, according to a very high authority. But the Unitarian must think of God as lovable before he can really love him. To him God is first of all the Father of infinite tenderness. That is why the Unitarian rejects the grim God of orthodoxy. You cannot really love a God who condemns the vast majority of his children to eternal damnation because they have not accepted a theological doctrine of which most of them have never even heard. You may profess to love such a God with your lips; but he is not really lovable. The Unitarian loves God because to him God is lovable. To him God is in very fact infinite love; and he will trust that love to the end."

--Rev. John Applebee
May Memorial Church, 1914

The Bible is not a car owner's manual

2008-06-24T18:32:00.007-04:00

Today we hear from Dr. Dobson of the well-known Focus on the Family organization, and his displeasure with Senator Obama's understanding of the Bible. Obama had questioned, two years ago at a meeting of Christians, which Bible passages ought to be used to govern the country. He referenced slavery and the OT prohibitions on eating shellfish as examples of what would not be acceptable, and the Sermon on the Mount as "so radical" it would make the Defense Department unnecessary. I don't know about that conclusion, but Dobson is complaining that Obama has a poor understanding of the Bible, and that he shouldn't be bringing up "antiquated" OT passages that are (somehow?) no longer relevant now that we have the NT. But therein lies the eternal (usually Protestant) problem: which bits of OT are keepers (for Christians) and which are not? How can we (as was discussed in the comments of my last post) make sense of a God who is called Love, and who also gives instructions for raping, pillaging, and enslaving? How in the world is a God whose genius is so limited, that the only way to mend the (alleged) rift between himself and humanity was to impregnate an unwed teenage Hebrew with his son, who is also God, and then torture that son to death-worthy of worship?

Catholics have an advantage in this case, because they rely on the Church as the authority that decides what to believe and what is relevant. How the Church comes to these decisions is too complex for this post, but Protestants have replaced one Pope with a million others and Dobson is just another one.

Take wisdom from wherever you find it; but don't treat the Bible (or other scriptures) as if they are the rationally written "how-to" books of modern times.

I'll end this post with a thought from the Brahmos, a reformist "Hindu" sect with long ties to Unitarianism:

We consider it to be blasphemy and an insult to the Majesty of Heaven to claim Divine inspiration for any act opposed to the dictates of reason, truth, and morality.

Calling Canterbury

2008-06-23T09:44:00.002-04:00

I have a simple solution to the never ending complaining by some factions in the Anglican Communion over female clergy and gay clergy. Join the Roman Catholic Church-you can keep all the pagentry, you can even use an Anglican rite approved by the RC. And for those RC's who aren't happy with Rome's stance on these same issues, cross over to Anglicanism. There are even Anglicans who are "more Catholic than Catholics" in their worship. See? Problem solved.

"If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God."--Anglican Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu.

Traditional Marriage

2008-06-15T09:13:00.002-04:00

Traditional marriage, is quite an interesting concept. Let's look at some longstanding traditional marriage practices:

Marrying one's cousin (Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip; Isaac & Rebekah (of Genesis fame, the Bible book not the band; Jacob & Rachel & Leah of the aforementioned Genesis fame)
Taking multiple wives (early LDS followers, current FDLS followers, Muslims [optional], various tribes around the world).
Taking consorts/concubines: (just about every powerful ruler in recorded history, some more obvious than others; a nice recent example is the newly deposed King of Nepal's grandfather's mistress, who has been kindly allowed to continue living in the Royal palace in spite of Nepal becoming a republic).
Marriage sans clergy: For a long time in Christian Europe, marriages were essentially contracted when a man and a woman either said "I marry you" with or without clergy or witnesses or "I will marry you" which made for a betrothal which didn't turn into a marriage until consummation.
Marriage based on caste/color/ethnicity/race: You don't marry someone outside the "group"
The requirement of a dowry-very traditional!
And the Bible, the OT especially, is full of wonderful examples of traditional marriage. From a man being made to marry his rape victim, to how to treat ones' wives and consorts, the Bible is the definitive source of "traditional" marriage.

So to those Californians who are going to cringe tomorrow as Ellen and Portia et al. marry legally, just remember, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

This is why I post stuff from those who came before us

2008-06-11T10:32:00.007-04:00

Praying as UUs

My comments relate to your recent article “Praying as Unitarian Universalists” (Spring 2008). How can you separate prayer and God? One can bend and twist the meaning of “prayer” in any way you want, but it will always snap back into its historical position alongside God. Many, maybe even most UUs, have cast aside the idea of an interventionist God. Why then, should we hold fast to a word that supports an idea in which many of us no longer believe? If some congregations feel the need to have a period of silent reflection, why not simply call it that?

Harvey and Jackie Erikson
Moline, Illinois

The above is a letter sent to the UU publication "UU World." Contrast the letter writers' attitude towards the "p" word with more of Rev. Applebee's presentation to the May Memorial church in 1914:

Prayer is not mere petition; not the mere asking for things, though it has been reduced to that low estate. We do not ask that rain shall be sent or withheld. We do not ask that the beautiful order of nature shall be set aside for our personal gratification. We are quite content to leave the universe in the care of God, assured that he knows best. It is well that man cannot by his prayers change the order of nature. If he could, hopeless chaos would result. All this is not prayer. Prayer is oneness of the soul of man with the spirit of God. It is one form of that very love to God which is the essence of the religious life. It is divine communion, which merges naturally, and of spiritual necessity, into gratitude. It gives strength and courage, patience and peace. This has been the witness of all men of supreme religious genius.

Nearly one hundred years ago, Unitarians were clear (this is not the only written example) that prayer is not asking for God to grant our wishes, but something else, something deeper. We have a tradition to dip into, to guide us, not bind us-but to provide us with guidance. If (almost) a century ago our faith rejected the idea of a cosmic genie intervening in the natural processes to meet our individual desires, then why don't we talk about this in UU congregations? With all the discussion over the past few years about faith language and the center of the UU faith, I find it sad that so many in the pulpits & pews are ignorant of the ideas put forth by those whose foundation we build on today.

2008-06-09T11:25:00.014-04:00

Unitarianism is an affirmation of the things that divinely are.

Therefore it is not atheism. It seems ridiculous to Unitarians even to say this. For almost a hundred years God has been preached from this pulpit of May Memorial Church by the men who have led its members into the higher life. God, and nothing else, has been preached and lived here; which latter is the more essential. Unitarianism is steeped in faith in God. "God is. God is here. God is now." cried Edward Everett Hale. And his whole life showed that he meant just what he said. The present reality of God, here on earth, now in this twentieth century, is the fundamental faith of Unitarianism. And yet somehow the idea has got abroad that Unitarianism is a Godless faith, whatever that may be. It is related that a rigid orthodox lady once went into a strange church, where a man she did not know was preaching. As she left the church she said, "I wish that atheist Theodore Parker could have heard that sermon." She had been listening to Theodore Parker himself. The story may or may not be true; but it is typical. Let it be declared once and for all, with what power one man may have, that while Unitarianism may not accede to some particular doctrine about God, it has faith in God. The reality of God is the foundation stone upon which its whole structure is reared. Unitarianism is saturated through and through with the spirit of God.
--Rev. John H. Applebee
May Memorial Church 1914
Published by the Woman's Alliance of
May Memorial Church, Syracuse, N. Y.

A new source of fuel

2008-06-05T09:24:00.002-04:00

It is easy, for me at least, to get pessimistic about things when energy costs along with other daily costs are rising (especially since I've been laid off). But the fuel that drives our lives is not gasoline, it's attitude. We cannot control gas prices individually, but we can control our attitudes. By taking time through the day to engage in the practice of gratitude we can put a high-quality fuel in our brains, and change the way we behave and feel. We can also establish a strong and happy link with God by practicing gratitude.

Eternal Spirit, today remind me to be grateful for the many blessings I have; do not let me overlook even the simple things. The little birds on the deck pecking at bird feed, the flowers bursting through the hot soil, the presence of the tall green guardians of different sizes, shapes and leaves-all reminders of You.

Slutbucks? Might need to buy stock in that...

2008-05-30T18:38:00.002-04:00

More silliness that replaces reason and responsibility...how oft I recall the passages in the Gospels wherein Jesus preached against Norwegian mermaid depictions. Happily he didn't talk about the poor, I mean jeesh that would be embarrassing!

Say Three Hail Hillary's and call me in the morning

2008-05-30T14:35:00.002-04:00

I realize that religion and politics are not easily separated; for example, a clergy person who is passionate about "loving God and loving humanity" might feel the need to speak out against political leaders who ignore or take advantage of the less fortunate. Better yet for that person to act-not protest or sign a petition or something to that extent, but roll up his/her sleeves and make real progress.

However, when it comes to the religious leaders who have spoken out/endorsed the current 3 presidential hopefuls, it seems to me that they are more interested in themselves and getting attention than in doing anything substantive for the common weal.

The recent comments deriding Hillary Clinton made by a catholic priest who preached at Obama's home church last Sunday reiterates this point. I will say that the conduct of all 3 Senators in denouncing such juvenile behavior speaks to the collegial nature of the Senate and says a lot about each of their characters.

Rachel Ray, Talk Show Host, TV Chef and now Donut Munching Islamic Terrorist

2008-05-30T10:41:00.003-04:00

I wish people got this upset about wasteful government spending, the quagmire in Iraq, inflation, or anything else of substance. Anyone (like say, blogger Michelle Malkin whose motives are suspect in my opinion since she makes money from driving traffic to her site) who thinks this (admittedly often) annoying little TV pixie is a secret supporter of Islamic terrorism is frankly, off the beam. This ranks right up there with folks who waste time and money trying to change city seals because they have a cross in the background, or changing the word "history" to "herstory" because "his" is masculine (never mind that the French word, l'histoire, from which we get the English word history, is a feminine gendered word).

Why are people so bloody obsessed with silly, vapid things?

Requiem for a feline

2008-05-26T20:28:00.000-04:00

Rest in peace, sweet Satchel.

The most expensive gift ever

2008-05-25T19:12:00.002-04:00

I hate war. I maintain, and it's hard to refute this, that the US has not engaged in military activity since WWII that was legitimate (with the possible exception of our mission in Afghanistan, but having totally mucked that up I'm not hopeful). By legitimate I mean a war we engage in to defend our territory. Japan, a nation-state, attacked the US on December 7th 1941. No other sovereign country has attacked us since then.

Currently we have a government (Congress AND the President) who have allowed our country to get stuck in an irrational, pointless (literally-there is no point to it, because our justifications keep changing or are at best amorphous) expensive war. Technically, constitutionally, it's not even a war. Congress has not declared war since WWII.

The part of Arlington cemetery that is used for soldiers currently serving is not part of the official tour of the cemetery. I think that too says something profound: we hear people constantly say that "they" (the soldiers) died to keep us free (from what currently I cannot imagine since we have not been attacked by a nation-state since 1941) but we aren't allowed to see their coffins come back from the Middle East, and we can't see their honored places of rest in the nation's cemetery. I guess that the government is afraid that if we pull back the curtain too far, we might just start giving a damn about the men and women who serve-not we the people, if we are honest with ourselves-but the agenda of the government. We just might stop paying taxes, stop electing anyone not dedicated to ending the killing of our young soldiers, making a greater demand on our elected public servants to focus on things like, say, fixing roads and bridges and levies and not spending so much time trying to convince a country that was perfectly happy to have a dictator at its helm for 24 years without doing a goddamned thing to get rid of him. I have a friend, from college, who left her husband in the US and quit her academic career to return to Burma (from which she had been expelled and made a stateless person, in the US at the mercy of our government) to re-join its resistance (the movement lead by Aung San Suu Kyi). Was there ever anything like this in Iraq? Aside from the Kurds, who just wanted to be left alone to govern themselves, I don't think so. The US is giving Iraq a gift it never wanted.

A very expensive gift.

For all the women and men, and their families, who have served in the military, I thank you. I can't imagine what you have given. For all the souls departed who served in the military, I pray that you rest in eternal peace. For all those souls, living or dead, who bear the responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, and killing, I pray God gives you the justice you have earned.

Maybe I should contemplate a big career move

2008-05-22T20:20:00.002-04:00

So McCain has rejected John (Rev.) Hagee's endorsement after Hagee made some stupid remarks about the Holocaust. I've seen Hagee on TV, he is fire and brimstone with a lot of weird OT themed backdrops. As far as I am concerned, he is yet another person who has used religion to make himself wealthy by playing on others' fears and ignorance. What I really don't understand is how this man, who is very much a fundamentalist, can be so successful when he was defrocked by his former denomination, the Assemblies of God, for divorcing his first wife (which as we all know, Jesus said was a big no-no). I just don't understand fundamentalist (or, to be frank Christian) soteriology...

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Enforcer of the Faith

2008-05-17T20:18:00.002-04:00

This is especially disturbing for me, because I have friends who came here from Iran to escape being persecuted for being Baha'i. Iran's Islamic Republic should serve as a strong reminder for Americans who long for some kind of Christo-republic. Religion and politics always end up with someone being burnt/imprisoned/murdered.

Growing up

2008-05-14T15:20:00.001-04:00

Our culture has a misguided notion that when a human being reaches a particular calendar age, our expectations for good behavior vanish under the excuse that "he/she's and adult."

Being an adult implies being responsible, respectful, having integrity, and choosing the right thing over the wrong thing, when given a choice.

Sadly, this man doesn't meet those criteria. In my mind, his behavior is childish and cloaked in the "adults can do whatever they want" mentality. Feigning surprise that anyone would be offended by his t-shirts is silly. Shame on him.

Educate me

2008-05-13T21:18:00.005-04:00

From White Bison:

"But the great spirit has provided you and me with an opportunity for study in nature's university, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, and the animals which include us."
---- Walking Buffalo, STONEY

What we really need to learn is how to live life. Nature is the greatest university when we want to learn about balance, harmony, the Natural Laws and how to live life. But we will never learn unless we spend time in the "living university." Nature is full of examples, lessons, and exercises about life. Nature will help humans learn. Nature will help humans heal. Nature will help with Medicine, knowledge and healing. The reason our Elders are so wise is because they have attended the right educational system - nature's university.

Great Spirit, help me to become wise.

Doing God's work

2008-05-03T23:20:00.003-04:00

Or, another chapter of "Nero fiddles, Rome burns."

I have had considerable interaction with Methodism, and it has always been in my experience a mainline, sensible Protestant group without much care for fighting over small issues. In fact, my partner spent this morning at a Methodist church feeding the homeless, a large part of this particular congregations' social work in the community. Oh, and its membership is largely GLBT, but lots of straight families have joined because they want their kids to grow up in a congregation with a diverse membership. Gee, imagine, a religious community where God's love for humanity is central to worship and practice and the church is a conduit for that love to the community at large.

Serving God

2008-05-01T20:33:00.002-04:00

"We cannot serve God in the manner we serve those who cannot do without such service; and, therefore, the only idea we can have of serving God, is that of contributing to the happiness of the living creation that God has made. This cannot be done by retiring ourselves from the society of the world, and spending a recluse life in selfish devotion." [emphasis mine]

-Tom Paine, "The Age of Reason" [link at left]

I have been re-reading TAOR which I do at least once a year it seems, and I often find a passage in it that I may not have hit on before. Above is one such passage; it calls on us to practice what we Unitarians called practical religion-love to God and love to humanity. If you love God, and want to serve God, go out and do something ethically useful. Paine's idea reaches a little further, however, than our normal view of practical religion because he extends the duty of humanity to all of creation. Given the issues we face today with the environment etc., it seems particularly germane. Ironically it was written more than 200 years ago...how long 'til we start following this advice?