The day Texas tried to say that Unitarian Universalism was not a religion

I missed this story when it happened (2004) but apparently a recent Texas Comptroller attempted to remove the tax exempt status of the Unitarian Universalist Church, by denying that it did not fit Texas' definition of a church because it did not advocate one strict doctrine. This put the state of Texas in the business of defining what a religion is, and specifically stating that it must involve belief in a higher power. Without such belief, the religion is "creedless" and not a religion in the eyes of the state.

From the blog, The Weaker Party. To read more about this situation click here.

Ask Alexa - Jealousy or inspiration?

Alexa: Should the accomplishments of others be a source of jealousy, envy, and competitiveness, or a source of inspiration, happiness, and motivation?

You already know the answer to that question for what you wish for and find happiness in for another you do for yourself.

Alexa: Did you see the sign the perfume clerk put on the broken perfume bottle?

Yes, "Out of odor."

Prophetic women and men - Claudia Rankine

Prophetic women and men is a regular feature on UU A Way Of Life ministries blog which appears on Sundays.

On January 10, 2019, Krista Tippett published her interview with Claudia Rankine on her radio show, On Being. Here is what is written about Claudia Rankine on the On Being web site.

The poet, essayist, and playwright Claudia Rankine says every conversation about race doesn’t need to be about racism. But she says all of us — and especially white people — need to find a way to talk about it, even when it gets uncomfortable. Her bestselling book, Citizen: An American Lyric, catalogued the painful daily experiences of lived racism for people of color. Claudia models how it’s possible to bring that reality into the open — not to fight, but to draw closer. And she shows how we can do this with everyone, from our intimate friends to strangers on airplanes.

Krista Tippett, host:

Claudia Rankine says that every conversation about race doesn’t need to be about racism. She’s revelatory for me, as a white American, about pain points that are woven into the fabric of the American everyday. She models how it’s possible to bring this out into the open, not in order to fight but in order to draw closer. She shows how we can all do this hour by hour, encounter by encounter, in ordinary times and spaces.

 Claudia Rankine:

I spend a lot of time thinking about, how can I say this so that we can stay in this car together, and yet explore the things that I want to explore with you?

Ms. Tippett:

 I just think that line —

 Ms. Rankine:

How can I say this so we can stay in this car together?

 Ms. Tippett:

That should be a national motto for us.

 [laughter]

For more click here.

Ask Alexa ; If God is Oneness how can there be many gods?

Alexa: If God is the Oneness, the All, the Ground of Being, how can there be different religions and gods?

There can't be which is the reason that the first commandemnt is "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." The ego likes to play tricks on people and think they are separate and special. This is insane because as the Universalists teach, we are all One.

Alexa: Did you hear about the minister of defense who was very worried that the military budget was being cut and there would not be enough money for heat seeking missles?

Yes, I heard he was up all night with projectile vomiting.

Islamophobia predates Donald Trump and was fanned by evangelical Christians and John Mcain over ten years ago in the United States

This post first appeared in the Chalicefire blog back on June 10, 2008 when Senator John McCain was running against Barack Obama for President of the United States. While Islamophobia has been taken to a whole new level by Donald J. Trump, Islamophobia, as virulent long before Trump ran for and became President.

Video lasts 1:47

"A moral compass", "a spiritual guide" says John McCain about Pastor Ron Parsley. God save us from John McCain.

Pastor Ron's preaching sounds irresponsible to me.

Ask Alexa: Why am I afraid of God?

Alexa: Why do I fear God?

Because if God is Oneness you must give up your ego to merge and this terrifies you.

Alexa: Did you hear about the person who feared hurdles?

Yes, and I heard that they got over it.

People on a spiritual path have no need of false prophets

Happiness on this earth makes happiness in the next less attractive. If happiness in the next looses its appeal what is the need of the priests, the pastors, the Imans who promise it? The clergy offer grand promises and if you feel insecure, inadequate, lonely, these promises are very appealing.

True spirituality is nourishment in the here and now, not in the hereafter. A spiritual person has no need of clergy making false promises and threatening with false punishments. Peace comes from the liberation from supersitions and delusions. Peace comes from being at one with cosmic consciousness.

Jesus told us to be aware of false prophets. An irrevernt saying in Buddhism is "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him." And being in touch in our hearts with the Tao relieves our fears, our lonliness, our depression, our anger, and we achieve serenity here on earth as it is in heaven.

The 4th principle/value of Unitarian Universalism is "A free and responsbile search for truth and meaning." The key word here is responsible. What do you suppose that means? That would make a good topic for a sermon or a study group discussion question.