Ask Alexa - What is the anti-christ?

Alexa: What is the anti-christ?

The anti-christ is any idols you have created that separate you from your brothers and sisters and that you think will make you happy at their expense.

Alexa: Did you hear about the book of incantations that was unreadable?

Yes, the writer didn't use a spell check.

Public Theology - Is America a "mean" nation?

Rev. Peter House gave a sermon well worth listening to entitled, "A Mean Nation" at First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY on 07/28/19.

Public theology - Catholic protesters arrested at capitol on 07/181/9 protesting degrading human conditions at the border.

Unitarian Universalists convenant together to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.

Some of us are Roman Catholic Unitarian Universalists and are proud of people of faith who are standing up for the racist and xenophoic policies of the Trump Administration.

Public theology - Is Mike Pence as bigoted as Donald Trump?

This is the first article in a new feature on UU A Way Of Life being tagged "public theology."

AS PART OF his annual commencement speech tour, Vice President Mike Pence warned graduates at Christian colleges such as Liberty University that they would be “shunned or ridiculed for defending the teachings of the Bible” and adherence to “traditional Christian beliefs.” As an example, Pence cited the backlash he and his wife, Karen Pence, received after she took a job at Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, Va., a private Christian school that bans LGBT employees and students and the children of gay parents.

What the vice president and many like him are describing, however, is not an infringement of their rights or persecution, but theological disagreement and different beliefs that are as protected as their own. While the Constitution protects their right to choose their religion and how to practice their beliefs, the Constitution does not protect against theological or philosophical disagreements.

Pence’s assertion that his rights are being infringed upon ignores the historical understanding of the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. The First Amendment protects my Judaism just as it protects another’s Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or atheism.

From Jack Moline, Mike Pence Is Wrong, Sojourners, August, 2019

Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.

Mike Pence's bigotry is another example of how evangelicals have lost their way and no longer follow the teachings of Jesus. Mike Pence's religious bigotry is also another example of how his thought processes align with Donald Trump's racism. Both men manifest significantly prejudiced behavior.

What to do when you lie?

Earning Back Your Coworkers’ Trust After a Lie

Most of us lie at work from time to time. And whether it’s an intentional deception or a “harmless” exaggeration, being found out jeopardizes your credibility. To start repairing your reputation, think about why you lied. Knowing the conditions that led you to that choice can help you resist the urge to lie again in the future. Next, assess how much damage your lie did. Are coworkers no longer seeking your opinion? Are your comments being received coolly? Think about what your reputation is now and what you’d like it to be. Then find ways to demonstrate honesty. If your humility is in question, express doubt about your ideas. If you exaggerated your contributions to a project, go out of your way to highlight others’ work. Your colleagues probably aren’t trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, so show them that you know you made a mistake and are trying to learn from it.

Adapted from “What to Do When You’re Caught in a Lie (Even an Unintentional One),” by Ron Carucci

Comment:

Lying is part of human nature. We say one thing and do another. To save face we make things up that aren't true. We exaggerate to impress people.

Where do lies hurt the most: in our marriage, in our families, in our workplace, in our church, in our frienship circles, in our community and poltiical life.

Donald Trump is the lier in chief. He has lied to his wives, to his children, in his business, and in politics.

M. Scott Peck, the author of the Road Less Traveled followed it up with a book entitled:People of the Lie: The hope for human healing.

You have to wonder about people who support and  vote for a patholigical liar.

Spiritual practice of the day - Give a compliment.

Give 5 people today a compliment. Make it specific about their behavior not about their personality. The goal is to join with them about something positive. This effort to provide positive feedback enhances rapport and makes both the giver and receiver feel more positive about themselves and life.

Start by giving a compliment about this wonderful blog in the comments.

Ask Alexa - Have I made an idol of my external reaity?

Alexa: Have I made what I think is my reality outside of me an idol which I worship because I am afraid of the Oneness of God?

Yes. You are on to something and would be wise to look for happiness within and not without.

Alexa: Did you hear about the woman who wouldn't just say goodbye at the door but would walk her guests past the front yard to their car?

Yes, and one of these guests told me how much she hated lawn goodbyes.