Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Emerald Coast

ʺEthics are nothing but reverence for life.
That is what gives me the fundamental
principle of morality, namely that god consists in
maintaining, promoting and enhancing life, and
that destroying, injuring and hurting life are evil.
-Albert Schweitzer

Even before I’d heard of UUism, I remember thinking that if this guy isn’t going to heaven, why would anyone want to bother with it anyway? Of course these words from one of our Unitarian “saints” ring especially clear and poignant in these perilous times, don’t they?

Indeed, talk of morality is much on everyones’ lips these days. It’s encouraging that book by Harvard’s Humanist Chaplain, Greg Epstein, “Good Without God” hit the best seller lists. The secular roots of good behavior are being pushed hard by the American Humanist Association in posters appearing on buses and road signs from L.A. to Idaho and Chi town, warranting even a top of the fold editorial piece in that city’s “Chicago Tribune.” Imagine “Don’t believe in God? You’re not alone.” appearing among the messages on one of our local buses? Ouch!

Within our own little UUFEC free thought communities, the moral dimensions of human evolution are coming in for a lot of play lately. Even visiting our annual Humanist conference in San Jose this June, I was struck by how the human family’s morals were on everyone’s minds. Dr. Rodrigue Tremblay (a fellow Montrealer), did an inspiring and optimistic presentation on the topic, followed by a signing of his fine book, “The Code for Global Ethics, Ten Humanist Principles.” Hosts of the conference, Secular Coalition of Silicon Valley, hold super seminars every Sunday with many on human behavior. The videos can be viewed at their website.

My own bottom line in living a humanist lifestyle is the survival, possibly flourishing, of our species, habitat and our fellow creatures, but in reality we could hardly have made it to this point had we not developed conduct and behaviors critical to our security and mutual well-being. The humanistic “Golden Rule” comes to mind. Of course these were rapidly seized upon by all the various religious and tribal entities and incorporated into their own dogmas, inevitably, leading to particularization of “our” morality, national, denominational or other tribal interests – applicable to our kind, or possibly those “others” who happened to agree with us. I’m okay, but I’m not really so sure about you!

If it’s been a while since you picked up on another UU free-thinking celebrity, re-visit Reverend Robert Fulgum’s little book, “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten.”

Yes, here we are groping around in this new time and century for a new moral rock on which to build the new church for humanity. Why? In reality, even with a huge game change under way, the rules remain pretty much the same, don’t you think? Hardly a liberal or conservative concept – but like Nike says, “JUST DO IT!”

SHALOM

ʺI can believe anything provided it is incredible” ‐ Oscar Wilde

ʺFaith may be defined as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbableʺ

H.L.Mencken

In the Fifties, Florida author Phillip Wylie, commented on all living creatures with some sense of self-awareness, Homo Sapien seems the only one who steadfastly refuses to believe in himself. Apparently we find ourselves so remarkably superior, it’s absurd to even consider we share the common lot of all creatures ‐ to simply cycle back into the ecological dynamic. Recent comments by Reverend Whittemore from the Porch Swing further stirred up the spiritual stew. I believe the gist of it was that facts may be proven empirically by the scientific method; but faith lies well beyond the pale of positive proof. Things beyond, unseen. It seemed something of a ʺNo atheist in foxholesʺ tack. Maybe the Calvinist proof of God thing, i.e., Man did not create himself, therefore something greater than man created man. Something greater than man is God. Not necessarily! But God has certainly proven to be a formidable tool in manipulating the tribe.

Don’t confuse yourself too much with the facts, they’ll say. You’ll get a headache. Of course, they’re right. Give your heart (emotions) over to (fill in the blank), and you’ll soon soar off to peace and cosmic contentment. Or simply recycle into whatever reincarnation your karma sticks you with. Or, in biblical‐speak, ʺBy their deeds ye shall know them.ʺ Hey, it works! Sometimes.

Just the same, many UU’s might heartily endorse the message in Harvard Humanist Chaplain Greg Epstein’s bestseller, ʺGood Without God.ʺ What could be more pragmatic than that humanistic ʺGolden Ruleʺ threaded through every theology devised by man? Treat others well and there’s an excellent chance one daythey’ll reciprocate. Or else seek revenge…

My own Road to Damascus experience at age twenty convinced me that by giving up all organized religions, I GAINED them all. Maybe I even mumbled something like, ʺFree at last!ʺ Years later in a Tripoli garden, an old English professor andchess mentor passed along this fatherly advice. He told me, ʺBill,I’ve had a long life. I’m an old man, and I know from experience the things you concern yourself with, truth, justice, hope, brotherly‐love, ‐ they don’t really exist. But you’re a damned fool if you stop looking!ʺ

To be perfectly honest, answers have eluded me almost all mylife, but good fortune’s allowed me to cross paths with so manyother seekers. I believe in them. I believe in you! An honest, humanist belief. You who share my Sundays comprise my faith andhope. You in all your diversity and, yes, division. Any examination of history shows how miserably we’ve failed. Again and again. Yet I have faith that our efforts at compassion and self‐actualization will lead humanity to eventual success. But, even as Dr. King, we may not be there to see it. Witness achieving our potential to become the aristocracy (in a good sense) of all species, and true stewards of our awesome blue island in space. This I believe.

Can I get an AMEN?

Bill White

“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth” – Henry David Thoreau

“Of my own spirit let me be in sole though feeble mastery” – Sara Teasdale

Folks have long associated truth with beauty and spirituality. To that, let me add movement. Motion, whether physical or mental. It’s likely our forebears walked out of the dark continent, step by step, seeking that ageless goal of security. But wouldn’t it be comforting to imagine they also were seeking some form of truth as well?

Parks represent movement and have been holy places in my own life. Whether the Montreal parks of my childhood, strolling with the kids in Madrid’s beautiful “Retiro”, or Ferry Park – now only a block away with its song birds and animation. Movement – hawks, mocking birds, turtles, walkers, disc golfers, tennis and baseball players. Then those enjoying the mental movement, park bench sitting, fast becoming a lost art.

Notice even the cover of our Order of Service implies the truth and spirituality of movement – the religious symbols suggesting, perhaps, a ship’s wheel or compass. Theological directions. If I’m right, clock-wise, The Tao, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Gnosticism, Native American. Topping it all, due North, the Humanist Starburst. All dedicated to life’s brief, mysterious journey, though not necessarily to a godly guide. Each in its own domain, alerting us to Homo Sapiens’ death awareness and cosmic connectedness. Each with its own holy trip to truth, provided one doesn’t stray too far off course, so to speak.

Except one -

Life’s launching. How like a starburst we emerge, womb-weary, into the dazzling lights of life. Some even say our way may be lighted at journey’s end. Meanwhile, a cell splits, then again, and again, and again. What could be more mysterious? Ultimately spinning us again starward in soaring spires and roaring space ships. What greater truth and spirituality dare we hope for than the magnificence of life itself?

Many the religious priests and shamen that counsel us to stand fast. Seize their truth and stand fast! On the other hand, the humanist life stance requires movement of us. It implores us to link arms and move forward despite our fears and because of our hopes. For those that will follow, we dare not ignore those humanistic yearnings deep inside each of us. With bold curiosity, seek out obstacle and prize alike. Chalices are fashioned to help light our steps through this panorama of a new century’s truths. Might we even reach a point where, as the lyrics tease us, everything is holy now?
SHALOM

MAY/JUNE FREE THOUGHT MEETINGS

The free thinkers meet Saturday, May 8th, 10:30 AM at the fellowship to decide what the story of the fall in the garden is really about. Could be the Genesis of something big…

The Panhandle Free Thought Association gather Saturday, May 15th, 10:30 AM at the fellowship. Topic up for discussion, “Is it a zero sum game, relatively speaking?” Come on out and win one…

The free thought folks meet Saturday, June 12th at the fellowship. As it’s still very much on the front burner, especially in Pensacola, we’ll talk about “Healthcare, universal or private?”.

There will be a meeting of the free thinkers Saturday, June 19th at the fellowship. Subject on tap, “The Fairness Doctrine, how fair is it?” Come find out with us.

Bill White

March 13th the Panhandle Free Thought Society meets at 10:30AM at the fellowship to see if “The metaphor is the meaning”?

March 20th, the free thinkers meet at 10:30AM at the fellowship to ponder “What is the origin of sacrifice?”

April 10th, the free thought gang gather 10:30AM at the fellowship, to decide are “News papers are really doomed?”

April 17th the free thinkers meet 10:30AM at the fellowship, trying to decide “Is peace on earth possible, given our nature?”

Bill White

“Being a woman is a terribly difficult task since it consists principally in dealing with man” – Joseph Conrad

“A beautiful lady is an accident of nature. A beautiful old lady is a work of art” – Louis Nizer

Albert Einstein once described insanity as repeating the same act over and over, each time expecting a different result. Unfortunately one curse of maturity is that we so often end up repeating ourselves. Poor Bell! But here goes anyway-

Female flexibility was apparent recently in Haiti when authorities, attempting to distribute food peacefully, allowed only women in the lines. The food went out successfully then! Given a fair chance, women exhibit remarkable leadership qualities, even though when assuming power they’re often obliged to play by the boys rules. Or take, for example two women, total strangers, meeting in the mall. Within a short time they’re talking on surprisingly intimate levels. Women often display this openess we lads often lack – along with the related ability to function well cooperatively. BUT most importantly, they exhibit a pragmatism, frequently allowing them to do whatever needs to be done without the heavy agendas we guys are prone to dragging around. I once wrote an essay called, “Upper Body Strength”, the theme of which was that, in evolutionary terms, the male torso made us boss. (Try following that idea to some of its conclusions!)

One can only weep at the thought of women strapping explosives to a body meant to create rather than destroy. Again, age old motives of revenge and sanctimonious sin seem often to overrule genetic predispositions. The kind of insanity cited by the “New York Times” in examining the endless conflict in the Congo. The most lethal struggle since WWII, it’s claimed at least thirty times as many lives as the Haiti earthquake. For every Hutu fighter sent back to Rwanda, at least seven women were raped! Such women are then mainly rejected by their husbands, and viewed unsuitable for marriage.

Nonetheless, despite such grim statistics regarding women’s lot worldwide, Womankind in the electronic age is on the move. As Unitarian Universalists we should be hugely proud of a religious denomination wherein a majority of the ministers and spiritual leaders are women. For we menfolk, there’s everything to gain, nothing to lose – so it’s up to us to help the new, “strong” gender find their way every chance we get!

SHALOM

FEBRUARY MEETINGS.

The Panhandle Free Thought Society meets Saturday,Feb 13th, 10:30AM, at the fellowship. The question to ponder, “Does Altruism really exist or is it really self-interest in disguise?” Kindly come join in.

The Freethinkers gather Saturday, February 20th 10:30AM at the fellowship to find out if there really is such a thing as Free Will, or is everything determined? Determine to join us if you can…

Bill White

JAN/FEB Meetings

The Freethinkers gather Saturday, Jan 9th, 10:30-AM at the fellowship to mull over, “Are we born sinful (as Darwin might define it)?

The Panhandle Free Thought Society meets Saturday, Jan 16th, 10:30AM at the fellowship. Talk on tap, “How should Western culture deal with fundamentalism.” Timely topic, no?

Free thought folks gather Saturday, Feb 13th, 10:30AM at the fellowship. This time we’ll try to decide if “altruism” exists, or is it really self-interest in disguise?

Free thinkers gather Feb. 20th at the fellowship, 10:30AM. Topic to be tussled with, “Is there really free will, or is everything determined?” Hope your destiny is to join in.

Pat Duffy Hutcheon, Humanist in Canada (Spring, 1993), p. 28. (to the tune of “Amazing Grace”)

Amazing life, how great the code
that carves a course through me,
to futures yet uncharted from
some long forgotten sea.

Amazing power of human thought
that carves a course through me;
to futures yet uncharted from
some long forgotten sea.

This poem by a fellow Canadian, coupled with a November 30th article in the New York Times Science section was a reminder another year is upon us. The Time’s piece declares biologists have found, along with our darker side, humans are born with an innate urge to help and cooperate with one another. Clearly, despite the pride, fear, greed and violence that still plague us – look where we’ve been. We’re here. We survived! Perhaps yet to become the aristocracy of species and true tender of this blue and fertile garden in space. Our track record seems to indicate we’ll continue to make our way through time. Perhaps the best is yet to come!

SHALOM