think about it...

 

Today I'm borrowing from David Pell's NextDraft newsletter. This makes so much sense to me:

When Rushdie was attacked, I was reminded of the words of his friend Chris Hitchens when the threat on Rushdie's life was issued—words that have a much broader meaning at this moment in America's history: I felt at once that here was something that completely committed me. It was, if I can phrase it like this, a matter of everything I hated versus everything I loved. In the hate column: dictatorship, religion, stupidity, demagogy, censorship, bullying, and intimidation. In the love column: literature, irony, humor, the individual, and the defense of free expression. Rushdie survived the attack. Hopefully, America will.

this agnostic goes to church

my church socks

the two ministers

the music director

Don't worry, it didn't take. Carlini is a Unity minister and he asked that
I go to the 100 year celebration of the SF church and I did and it was
fun and we were introduced to their brand new space at a remodeled
church down on Page Street. Unity is really a fine religion which
believes in and practices people today and not old doctrines. There is
a lot of singing and smiling, little God talk and no Jesus. I did love the
diversity and positive vibes and I might even return.

a first and a last

high atop the hill

beautiful grounds

not as fun as the musical

It's rare for non-believers to be allowed to tour the innards of a Mormon
Temple, but yesterday Marsha arranged it with free tickets and our open
minds. That part wasn't true, but to walk around inside this vast space
with huge crystal chandeliers, bad art and cool baptism rooms was an
education indeed. This temple sits atop a hill in Oakland and can be
seen from all over the East Bay. We couldn't take photos inside, alas,
but it was a memorable visit indeed.

the new me?

No worries, I'm not becoming a born-again. I just fell in love with this
church in Nevada City. Or maybe it was being with Ginger and the grand
daughter and the clear blue sky last Saturday, after all that smoke we
encountered on the drive from SF the day before. I will admit that I envy
people who embrace a religion because it brings comfort, I'm sure. But
for now I have my fireplace, my cat and wonderful friends helping me get by.
Deep breath. Gratitude. Ommmmmm.

my kind of pope

Liberals love this joyful, caring man. I was raised as a Presbyterian and
my parents didn't trust Catholics, Jews, Baptists or really anyone outside
their small all-white conservative GOP circle. Now I'm officially an agnostic,
but this Pope gives me hope. His critics say he is "too political" but only
because he doesn't believe in their politics. I see that he genuinely cares
about the poor and wants us to be loving toward one another. Hmmmmm,
sounds like the Jesus I used to know and love. Sweet Papa Francis.

don't say this...

...in Wichita:

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Plenty of kind, decent, caring people have no religious beliefs,
and they act out of the goodness of their hearts. Conversely, 
plenty of people who profess to be religious, even those who 
worship regularly, show no particular interest in the world 
beyond themselves.
-John Danforth, priest, ambassador, senator (b. 1936) 

But lordy, it needs to be said, doesn't it?