Find Us and Ye Shall Seek.

08May08

Another thought-provoking ad from the Unitarian Universalists. Love it!

If you’re searching for a spiritual home where questions are as welcome as answers, find us. We are a loving, open-minded religious community that is guided not by a set creed or dogma but by a free and responsible quest for truth and meaning in our lives. There is a religion that welcomes your search. Discover Unitarian Universalism.“

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“My God is better than your God.”

08May08

Still another great ad for the Unitarian Universalists. Man, these guys just get it.

Is this any way to talk about religion? Maybe you yearn for an open-minded, spiritual community where people respect each other’s beliefs and worship together as one faith. Where no one’s idea of God is better than another’s. Welcome to Unitarian Universalism.“

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Is GOD keeping you from going to CHURCH?

08May08

Another great ad promoting the Unitarian Universalist Congregations…

Maybe you’re uncomfortable with the idea of God — or at least someone else’s idea of God. Yet maybe you yearn for a loving, spiritual community where you can be inspired and encouraged as you search for your own truth and meaning. This is a church, you ask? Welcome to Unitarian Universalism.“

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When in doubt, pray. When in prayer, doubt.

08May08

A great ad, promoting the Unitarian Universalists Congregations…

If you have more questions than answers when it comes to faith, you’re not alone. Many of us yearn for a loving, open-minded spiritual community that is guided not by a set creed or dogma but by a free and responsible quest for truth and meaning in our lives. There is a religion that welcomes your search. Discover Unitarian Universalism.“

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Dissolving Distinctions of “Us” and “Them”

08May08

I have been reading, enjoying and learning from the example of Rev. Matt Tittle, whose controversial blog posts about liberal religion have challenged me toward a new understanding and practice of love and “tolerance”.

While we have heard much in recent years about the subject of tolerance, to “tolerate” someone is to miss the ideal. In the Christian scriptures, Paul wrote that we should actually strive to “esteem others higher than ourselves.” A far cry from merely tolerating a person, this new ideal requires that we carefully consider the opinions, beliefs and choices of others as if they are better than our own.

In short, we must discipline ourselves to ignore our first judgements and impressions of an individual – which are almost certainly wrong, in most cases – and purpose instead to adopt the posture of a “learner” with regard to anyone and everyone we meet. Rather than quickly labeling an individual, categorizing and summarily writing them off because of obvious differences, we need to search instead for our commonalities. Indeed, we should purpose to discover the unique characteristic(s) of God in them.

On the topic of dissolving the distinctions between “us” and “them”, Dr. Matt writes…

As long as there is an ‘us’ and a ‘them’, then there is not equality, there is not affirmation and advocacy. I often tell my congregation that their goal should be to ‘help’ no one. Because if they are just ‘helping’ then they are not leaving themselves open to being helped and transformed. If I am with the ‘least among us‘, then I am among the least.”

Not only does Dr. Matt teach this, but if you take the time to read his gentle and careful responses to the many angry “Christians” who react to his blog posts, you’ll find that he practices it as well. I admire the way he responds to and lovingly embraces each reader, whether they agree or violently disagree with him. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself asking, “just who is the most like Christ?”

I’m reminded of my good friend, Rick Spencer, who often says, “My circle is big enough to include you, whether you choose to include me or not.”

Rev. Dr. Matt Tittle is minister of Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church in Houston. He is also a former university professor, retired naval officer, marathoner, and triathlete.

Rev. Dr. Matt Tittle’s Blog: Keep the Faith

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