Evidence Based Social Policy Advocary - Criminal Justice

Today , UU A Way Of Life, is beginning a new feature, tagged, "Evidence based social policy."

Unitarian Universalists have a long history of advocating for social justice. This advocacy activity is generated from its second principle, the affirmation and promotion of justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.

The first topic chosen is criminal justice.

Here at UU A Way Of Life, we are long time supporters of The Innocence Project which has a history since the late 80s of advocating for prisoners who have been falsely accused and punished for crimes they did not commit.

At UU A Way Of Life we encourage people to support the work of the Innocence Project and to work for changes in State laws that contribute to wrongful convictions.

Further, there can be no more important office that oversees the operation of the criminal justice system than the office of your County and State district attorney.

District attorneys are the key policy making decision makers who decide who gets prosectuted and who doesn't, and how prosecutions are managed.

Most citizens are only vaguely aware of how their District Attorney's office is run. As Unitarian Univeralists we can be more curious about the operation of our District Attorney's offices and how the policies of our local District Attorney's impact how cases are charged and prosecutions are conducted.

Number of DNA exonerations to date (12/07/19) since 1989 achieved by The Innocence Project, 21 from death row, = 367

In how many states = 37

With what average number of years served in prison = 14

Average age at wrongful conviction = 26

Average age at exoneration = 43

Number of people out of the 367 who confessed to crimes they did not committ = 41

To be continued

Ask Alexa - What is the role of the arts?

Alexa: What is the role of the arts?

The arts are a creative force to bring the unknown into conscious awareness and experiencing art is a form of meditation.

Alexa: Did you hear about the guy who was hit in the head by a bottle of soda?

Yes, but he wasn't injured because it was a soft drink.

Daily reflections, day fourteen, Setting the stage for miracles to occur.

Day fourteen

Setting the stage for miracles to occur.

“The use of miracles as spectacles to induce belief is a misunderstanding of their purpose.”
 ACIM, T-1.1.10

A miracle in the world of Spirit occurs in the mind not in the world of the ego. A miracle is not a supernatural phenomenon which defies the physical laws of nature but is an experience of Love..

The common meaning of the term “miracle” is magic. It is an external act that defies usual expectations. “Miracle,” in the sense that is spiritual, refers to a healing in the mind when a person experiences an awareness of the divine Love which brings joy and peace.

The “miracle” is an epiphany when the light bulb goes off in our mind and we see ourselves, and the world, in a larger, clearer, more luminous way.

Miracles happen more frequently that we recognize when we come to a new understanding that opens our heart rather than shuts it down. We say, “Oh, yes, now I see,” and the world of our experience is expanded and we experience a new found joy and oneness with other people and things.

Can we perform miracles? No, they are given to us by the Tao, the Spirit of Life, God, our Higher Power, the Transcendent, Mother Nature, whatever we call the animating force of the Universe. However, we can create the circumstances which make miracles more likely to occur.

The circumstances under which miracles are more likely to occur are adopting an attitude of curiosity rather than judgement, the willingness to love rather than attack, the dropping of resentments and grievances and forgiving rather than blaming, the willingness to listen instead of telling.

Opening our minds and hearts to the Divine Spark in others is a choice we have. Today, look for the Divine Spark in the people you meet and interact with, and focus on that, and miracles will occur.

Could Viginia finally be the state that passes the ERA admendment?

38 States are needed for ratification.

For more click here.

Unitarian Univeralists covenant together to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. Will the UU churches in Virginia and other states encourage their elected congress people in their states to vote for the passage of ratification of the ERA?

Ask Alexa - Is the whole of existence my family?

Alexa: Is the whole of existence my family?

Yes, don't limit yourself because Unitarian Univeralists affirm and promote a love for the interdependent web of all existence.

Alexa: Did you hear about the ice cream social held on the front lawn on a cloudy day?

Yes, they brought out the ice cream sundaes with ice cream, syrup, whipped cream, and cherry, but they held back on the sprinkles.

My Kind Of Church Music, Getting Ready For Christmas Day, Paul Simon

Daily reflections, Day thirteen, Need not think alife to love alike

Day thirteen

Need not think alike to love alike

“Miracles are a kind of exchange. Like all expressions of love, which are always miraculous in the true sense, the exchange reverses the physical laws. They bring more love both to the giver and the receiver.” T-1.1:1-3

Francis David, the Unitarian pioneer, said that we need not think alike to love alike. It is this loving alike which is miraculous. 

When we love another, we also experience the love in ourselves. It is the Love of God which is passing through us to the perceived other and it reinforces the Love which is within us of which, when we extend it, we become even more aware.

It is like singing in a chorus or telling a joke when the audience laughs, our efforts are reinforced and amplified.

The miracle is the shift of our perception from separation to Oneness. It is in this shift in our perception from separation to Oneness that we feel more whole, fulfilled, complete, and it brings a sense of joy and peace.

Today, intentionally share a loving thought, word, experience with another and see what happens to the other and to yourself.