I posted this on another thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3690866I'm going to add here - We've got this under control. We aren't vengeful people. We generally DON'T evangelicize - but I hope what I post below gives you peace. It comes from an after work 'service' that was held at my UU Church here in NJ today - but it comes from my heart . . .
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I write this as a Unitarian Universalist. I write this as someone who had a Catholic High school and University education because of the curriculum - not the faith. I write this as someone who has a Southern Baptist for a father (raised in that Church) and a Methodist for a mother (attended her church too!).
This isn't 'political'. This is about our faith. Our beautiful unorthodox coloring outside of the lines faith.
This is because we believe God is one, and supreme. This is because many many many UU's - well -we don't believe in the Holy Trinity. I certainly do not - I deny it.
I'm writing this because if Yeshua came back tomorrow - he would not be able to eat in the house of the man that opened fire on children's performance of Annie - in one of our churches. Why? Yeshua/Jesus was Jew - most likely - Orthodox. That man who opened fire on on our open and affirming and human loving church? He wouldn't know Kosher if it came up and punched him in the nose.
I'm writing this because in our church - it's AOK to believe that Arius was right, the council of Nicacea was wrong - and Christianity is the made up religion of a man - a feeble human being - named Paul (St. Paul) that hated and persecuted Jews. It's okay to say Jesus was a human being in our church. It's okay to believe the "Christianity" derives from a combination of "Pagan" religions.
And if you don't believe any of those things - we'll still invite you into our homes for a potluck supper. Oh yes - UU's - we believe in Potluck Suppers!
I would hate to see my 'home' used as a political tool for the Right - or - The Left. We don't have time for that. We have time to love other human beings, care for other human beings, and forgive those who persecute us. We're too busy worrying about the environment, planning our protests of the Genocide Olympics and polishing our chalices.
We have seven principles
Every human being has worth and dignity JUST because they are a human being. Even the horrible person who did this atrocious thing.
Equity, compassion and justice as one human being relates to another.
We have to accept each other - and accept/promote the spiritual expansion of another.
Freedom is the ability to look and find truth and meaning in this life.
The democratic process within our congregation (sometimes we've been accuse of being anti-the Pope and the Catholic hierarchy - we take our licks) and in this world at large.
We are one world - and we need peace, liberty, and justice for all;
We are all connected. Even though we may NOT want to be connected to this man
Where does this come from? It comes from drawing up Judaism, Christianity, and Earth Based Religions with a heavy dose of humanistic reason and science.
We are a strong people who go to the mattresses for the last, the least, the lost, the weakest (look up our 'Chalice' and what it drives from - you may be surprised).
And instead of wishing those people ill (and I KNOW you wrote with the BESTEST of BEST intentions) - burn a candle in your window tonight if you don't have a chalice you can light. Let that light represent:
1. Justice
2. Equality
3. Safety
4. Mourning for those who've been persecuted. Whether or homosexuals, minorities, women in this day and age. Ascetics in France 500 years ago. A small band of people who followed this guy called Jesus that had to run for their lives. The Native American child taken into an orphanage and beaten for speaking their native language.
5. Faith, hope, love, and happiness.
That would mean SO much more to the UU Community.
It would certainly mean a lot to me. This isn't going to shake us up in the least. Shit - if Arius could stand strong. So Can We! Yes We Can!
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I KNEW. I Just KNEW! That the D.U. Community would stand WITH us. Thank you. This is a very sad thing for many UU's. We just want to live and let live and be at peace. But I KNEW the DU Community would CARE what happened to 'us' . . .