There is much to reflect upon with the recent passage of health care reform, Florida's still-hurting economy, and the continuing scandal among our Roman Catholic cousins. Some days it just does overwhelm....
For now, my focus is on a favorite word:
liberal. It is a good word, much maligned by our coarsened and divisive political speech of the last generation. At root, it is about liberty. It is about the opening of the mind to ideas, the heart's compassion, and the hand toward new creations.
Liberalizing is the stance of history. The record is clear. While not inevitable, the trend of human society is toward opening and including. Sadly, there are retrograde moments, whole eras when societies regress, becoming less mature and more concerned with conformity and orthodoxy. You don't have to work hard to make the case that we are in the midst of some kind of hyper-reactive state. This manifests in the emphasis on doctrinal purity in all arenas of thinking [both the left & right wings politically], the anxiety-raising focus on security ["the current threat level is 'orange'"], and the hate speech toward out-groups and minorities [there has been an exponential rise in identified hate groups since the 2008 election].
Folks who think of themselves as liberal are appalled but often reticent to confront the tendency toward orthodox conformity, lest they think themselves as intolerant. Yes, respecting other's perspectives and convictions is part of having an open mind; however, that does not equate with passively enduring superstition, untruth and simple nastiness.
The Free Church is often describe as hosting "liberal religion." It is our ministry: to keep opening minds and hearts and hands to serve more broadly. It's not inevitable; we have to work at it. Put differently, there is much ministry needed; there is an vital place for Unitarian Universalism.
"These are the best of times," said Emerson, "if we but know what to do with them." So let us be alert and wise. Let us give clear strong voice to the liberal spirit in all our work.
Blessings, Rev. Kenn
Come hear Gini Courter, UUA Moderator, one of the most knowledgeable and articulate voices in our Unitarian Universalist world as she takes us through "The Challenge Ahead."
