Anticipating the next Sunday Forum, "The Unitarian Religion of King's Chapel," May 17, two parishioners have agreed to compose a statement on their personal faith. The following contribution is by Peter Sexton.

I am a Unitarian, not by birth, but by intellectual discovery. I trace the roots of Unitarianism back to Francis David and the Edict of Torda with, of course, some proto-Unitarians before him. I am interested in religion in general and I respect the efforts of religions to create community and attempt to understand creation and the nature or existence of god.

I am not "born again", nor do I need the promise of an afterlife to motivate myself. My personal conduct would not alter if I discovered there was or was not an afterlife. My religion is very personal and I attempt to highlight here some of the key principles for me.

• If there is a god, there is only one, and he is not "God the Bookkeeper" and in no way is anthropomorphic.
• Most religions attempt to describe god and creation but fail due to:
• Establishment prior to science being developed.
• When Genesis was written scientific principles were not understood. Genesis was written for people of the era when it was recorded.
• Contrary to the beliefs of Fundamentalists the Bible is not a scientific treatise.
• It is impossible to fully understand something not within ones dimensional constraints.
• For example, a two dimensional being in a comic strip can only speculate three dimensions but will never truly comprehend.

• No religion can claim an absolute monopoly on theological truth.
• In the course of history, prophets were Zoroaster to the Persians, Confucius to the Chinese, Buddha to the Hindus, Moses and the prophets to the Jews, and Mohammed to the Arabs.
• We are Christians because we consider Jesus the greatest prophet and Christianity is part of our culture.
• Mankind should honor all creation, reduce or soften the human impact on the earth, and be respectful of our entire environment.
• The life and teachings of Jesus Christ constitute the exemplar model for living ones own life.
• Members of non-Christian religions, deists, agnostics, et al. can adhere to the teachings of Jesus.
• Rev. Ed Lane remembers his mother saying, "Gandhi was a Christian."
• Some Habitat for Humanity, a Christian mission, tee-shirts quote Gandhi on the back.
• As Transylvanian Unitarians do, I celebrate Easter for the victory of Jesus's ideas, not resurrection.

• Physical science, chemistry, and biology are the real miracle.
• That light, magnetism and electricity are quantifiable and predictable are true miracles.
• Miracle of the gulls in 1848 in Utah is in actuality a natural event as are other generally supported miracles.

• Humans have the ability to exercise free will in a responsible, constructive and ethical manner with the assistance of religion.
• Human nature in its present condition is neither inherently corrupt nor depraved but capable of both good and evil.
• Though the authors of the Bible were inspired, they were humans and therefore subject to human error.
• The traditional doctrines of the Trinity, predestination, eternal damnation, and the vicarious sacrifice and satisfaction theories of the Atonement are invalid and distort the value of Jesus Chris to humankind.

The Unitarian Religion of King's Chapel | Save the Date | May 17th

Presented by Dr. Daniel McKanan, Senior Lecturer, Harvard Divinity School

After the American Revolution, King's Chapel became the first Unitarian Church in the New World. This lecture will examine the roots of Unitarianism in Europe and the evolution of religious tolerance and reason in faith and practice. How the Chapel adopted Christian Unitarian theology and its contribution to religious thought and post-colonial independence will also be examined, together with how this identity has been sustained even as American Unitarianism has expanded outside the Christian faith. 

Theology on Tap | Hymns & Theology | May 20th

Believer. Non-Believer. Confident. Curious. Join us for a lively theological discussion in a relaxed setting. On May 20th at 7pm we will be joined by our own Heinrich Christensen to discuss "Hymns & Spirituality" over hearty appetizers. Submit your favorite hymn ahead of time to Shawn (shawn@kings-chapel.org). We will look at old and new hymns alike. Anyone over 21 is welcome to join and purchase their own beverage. We will meet at Scholars (25 School St, Boston MA).

Boston Pride Parade | Save the Date | June 13th

March with King's Chapel in the Boston Pride Parade! Embarking from Copley Square, we will join the parade of thousands, passing by our Parish House and stone Chapel. The parade will end at City Hall Plaza in the heart of the Pride Festival. The 2015 Boston Pride theme is "#WickedProud: The 45th Anniversary."

New Members:  Interested in Joining King's Chapel?  Sunday, June 14

Anyone interested in joining King's Chapel, or getting more information about it, is urged to contact Joy or Shawn.  They look forward to talking with you.  This June, new members will join on the day we celebrate our Birthday:  June 14.

Habitat for Humanity Build | June 20th

Join the King's Chapel team to help build affordable housing in Boston. Contact Peter Sexton, petersexton@alum.mit.edu