Evidence based social policy advocacy, Wrongful convictions, Tunnel vision in criminal investigations violate the fourth principle of Unitarian Universalists.

How does tunnel vision lead to wrongful convictions?

Unitarian Univeralists covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning and abhor tunnel vision and confirmation bias.

Does this mean that Unitarian Universalists would be better detectives and prosecutors? How can UU congregations advocate for fair and open minded policing and prosecutorial conduct in the jurisdications in which they reside? Should Unitarian Univeralists advocate for police and district attorney accountability boards to review their work and conduct?

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Ask Alexa - How can I become like a child to enter the kindgom of heaven?

Alexa: How can I become like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven?

You have to reclaim your innocence by shedding your social conditioning.

Alexa: How can a sane person believe in the virgin birth?

Believing in the virgin birth is not as hard as believing that there are three wise men.

Daily relfections, Day Twenty, Reach out and touch someone

Day Twenty

Reach out and touch someone

“Miracles are teaching devices for demonstrating it is as blessed to give as to receive. They simultaneously increase the strength of the giver and supply strength to the receiver.” ACIM, T-1.1.16:1-2

Are we separate or all part of the same Oneness? Some say that humanity is the Body of Christ. If we all are extensions of Love, then we share the same being. If we share the same being, what we do to a perceived other we do to ourselves. When we share, both the sharer and the person shared with are strengthened and blessed. This joining in Oneness, simply put, is a miracle.

There are many examples of the enrichment that comes from sharing such as telling a joke, singing in a duet, a quartet, a chorus, working with another, or many others, on any project. There is an Irish proverb:, “Many hands make light work.”

Back in the 1970s Bell telephone had a commercial which suggested that we “reach out and touch someone.”

As Unitarian Universalists we covenant together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and to accept one another and encourage each others spiritual growth.

Today, facilitate a miracle happening by sharing yourself with another in loving kindness in some small way.

Evidence Based Social Policy Advocacy, Criminal Justice, Wrongful convictions based on misapplication of forensic evidence

 The second largest factor in wrongful convictions in the 367 people exonerated by DNA evidence by the Innocence project was misapplication of forensic science with 45% of the cases, that’s almost half.

 24% of all wrongful convictions in the U.S. are based on faulty forensic science.

Not only do the “experts” get the evidence wrong, but the law poses tremendous barriers to getting the faulty evidence claims reviewed.

 Examples of faulty forensic science involves incorrect hair analysis, faulty arson evidence, wrong comparative lead bullet analysis, etc.

 Americans have become enamored with TV crime shows which show convictions based on forensic evidence which gives the viewers the satisfaction of the experts and detectives outsmarting the offenders, but what about when the experts are wrong and the “evidence” is not valid and reliable?

 As people of faith, Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. UUs can be helpful to wrongfully accused and convicted suspects when overzealous prosecutors misuse evidence in a fraudulent fashion to advocate on the suspect’s behalf to have the evidence accurately and impartially reviewed.

For more click here.


Editor's note:

I support the Innocence project with what little money I have. I encourage you to do the same. Click here.

Sunday Sermon, Third Sunday of Advent, Waiting For The Awakening. Love Is In The Air.

12/15/19 Third Sunday of Advent

Waiting for the awakening. Love is in the air.

Matthew 11:2-11 New International Version (NIV)

2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

    who will prepare your way before you.’[b]

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

What was John doing in prison? The gospel doesn’t say and you get the sense from the story that John didn't really care nor did anyone else. All John wanted to know was whether Jesus was the promised one. Is Jesus the real deal that everyone has been waiting for?

            When Jesus is told about John’s question about whether he is the promised one, the Messiah, Jesus, true to his teachings, doesn’t say one way or the other, he says to the messengers simply tell John what you’ve seen. As Jesus has said at other times,“By their fruit you will know them.”

Have Jesus’ teachingshealed? Yes, and there are plenty of examples. It’s the healings that have occurred, not who I am. Jesus communicates that John is asking the wrong question, it is not about identity, but about the healing shift in perception from the things of the world of the ego to the things of the world of Spirit.

After the messengers leave to go back to John to report on what they’ve seen in their interactions with Jesus, Jesus tells the people around Him that John is a great guy. John is wise in many ways and some might say one of the wisest but even at his wisest John isn’t any more important than they are.

The third Sunday of Advent is known as “Gaudete Sunday” which means “Rejoice Sunday.” We are taking time to rejoice that the symbol of our holiness is about to be born among us. We can sense it in the air. We don’t normally think of Phil Collins’ song In The Air Tonight as a Christmas song, but it should be added to the discography of the Christmas season.

John could sense the awareness of Love was increasing in the air and this is cause for great rejoicing.

Ask Alexa - What does it mean to be mature?

Alexa: What does it mean to be mature?

It means that you no longer are trying to please others to fit in, but you are true to yourself.

Alexa: Did you hear what the guy said when his bed partner asked him if he slept good during the night?

He said that he slept so-so because he made a few mistakes.