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Growth
The Rev. James Ford, writing at Monkey Mind, wondered if young adults are looking for neo-traditional liberal religion: “I’ve been inundated with a literature of growth that assumes people want pulpits taken down, pews removed, and organs burned. Rather, what it looks like I’m seeing in the actual real people who are coming into church I’m at least tentatively characterizing as neo-traditionals.” (January 22)
Sarah MacLeod of Finding My Ground discussed Unitarian Universalism with a religiously unaffiliated former Hindu: "I'd encourage each Unitarian Universalist to seek out [someone without religious affiliation] and engage him or her in this discussion. Listen with an open mind to criticisms of our current model, ideas about a more appealing model, and the needs that rest behind both." (January 21)
Gun violence
At Rev. Cyn, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum wrote about how her relatively conservative congregation views gun violence: "I see a willingness among our gun owners and second amendment believers to put in sensible reforms. And I see a willingness among our reform advocates to leave room for gun ownership for our avid hunters." (January 17)
Writing at Huffington Post Religion about her family experience with gun violence, the Rev. Marilyn Sewell called for a change in the gun culture: "How can we shift consciousness in a violent and gun-saturated culture? Cultural change takes time, but we can begin with the rule of law, the way we ended slavery, the way we gave women the right to vote, the way we integrated public schools." (March 29)
Other blogging
Guest posting at Raising Faith, the Rev. Jill Jarvis answers a question about humanist pastoral care: "Humanism is not (should not be) just an absence of certain beliefs. If it ultimately can't help you find meaning and comfort through the joy and suffering of life, I'd advise exploring other alternatives. Naturalistic humanism works for me, but the wrestling has taken years, and if you're doing it right, is never over." (March 28)
The Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein wrote at PeaceBang: "I think the Internet is really good for liberal religion. Liberal religion is about interpreting, evolving, being open to the cross-pollination of ideas and theologies. Liberal religion has inquiry at its heart and delights in challenge (or should!)." (March 16)
At The Lively Tradition, the Rev. Tom Schade began a series of posts about UUA history and its position relative to American political and theological currents over the last 50 years: "I believe that we are in a changing social and political situation and that our thinking about the world around us is dangerously outdated. I believe that UUs are internally focused, anxious, and timid. I want to build up a collaborative conversation about these issues." (February 15)
This article appeared in the Summer 2013 issue of UU World (pages 69).