Tag Archives: 1-SERMONS

LIVING OUR TRUTHS IN LOVE

The Rev. Robert Eddy Posted on by

The Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly three years ago adopted “by more than two thirds votes of the delegates voting” a statement on war and peace. I compare this statement – with which I agree – with a statement made by the assembly of Unitarian Churches in 1917, supporting “the war to end all wars” and denouncing ministers who refused to concur. The last Unitarian to serve as President of the United states, chaired that meeting. I also explore briefly Civil Resistance as an alternative to war.

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CIVIL WAR? NOT!

The Rev. Robert Eddy Posted on by

The title is a bit misleading, deliberately. As we were observing the 150th anniversary of the beginning of America’s most costly war (at least 250,000 dead) I examine whether any war can be “civil” in the sense of respectful of one’s adversary. Write me directly if you would like to discuss this.

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IF NOT RELIGION, WHAT?

The Rev. Robert Eddy Posted on by

UUism is certainly not hostile to the best in Christianity as exemplified in the authentic life of Jesus of Nazareth and in millions of his followers. Some of us here accept the answer the greatest Christian theologians give to the great questions but not all. Some of here accept the answers some great Buddhist teachers give to the great questions. Some of us here accept the answers some of the great Greek philosophers or modern philosophers give to the great questions – but not all. As a group we accept no theologian’s or philosopher’s answers. If we did share a common religion or philosophy we would not be UU’s. Diversity is essential to the uu way of being religious. It is not answers that unite us, but the questions we consider most important and the methods of seeking answers. That’s why we recite a covenant each Sunday rather than a creed.

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LIVING WITH MY AGING BRAIN

The Rev. Robert Eddy Posted on by

People who suffer from malfunctioning brains are still people. The higher brain functions are not a definition of living. In fact, it would be better if we gave up the words “normal” and “impaired” when talking about brain functioning. As the mother of an autistic child suggested some time ago the words, “common” and “quirky” are more useful. Many people on what is now called the “autism spectrum” have astonishing brain power not exhibited in “common” people. Oliver Sacks in his many books has introduced us to many of these people.

The fact is that the aging process may be altering our brains in ways that put us in touch with possibilities that we could not experience when we were younger. And we don’t need an iron rod or a massive stroke to get in touch with them.”

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COSMIC UNIVERSALISM

The Rev. Robert Eddy Posted on by

If your standard of truth is a book: the bible or the Koran – then there’s no resolution. But if you believe that the search for ever more consistent explanations and ever better predictive formulations is the best human minds can do then there is plenty of room for civil discussion.

For myself there is no way to derive ethics from cosmology. I call myself a Humanist because to me there is nothing more important than being humane; refusing always to treat persons as things; trying always to be kinder and more effectively compassionate where you live. Loving your neighbor – meeting the needs of the person left suffering in your path – be he of your tribe or not.

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YOU’VE GOT ANSWERS? I’VE GOT QUESTIONS!

The Rev. Robert Eddy Posted on by

Journalists are trained to ask five questions: Who, What, Where, When and Why. I have four additional questions for those who have all the answers whatever labels they attach to themselves: Christian, Jew, Moslem, Secular Humanist, Atheist.

My questions were designed to help UU’s respond to Fundamentalist Christians but the same questions should be asked of any who confuse the intensity of their convictions with the veracity of those convictions.

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