tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790458020172199921.post8362802694017366332..comments2024-02-05T02:09:05.867-08:00Comments on Musings and Essays: All the Other MinistersTom Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321976385624121972noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790458020172199921.post-30132179352544027622011-01-04T11:02:42.613-08:002011-01-04T11:02:42.613-08:00J @1, @2 - Wow. Well, most of those weren't e...J @1, @2 - Wow. Well, most of those weren't exactly the kinds of things I had in mind... I will address a few.<br /><br />One where I might find some common ground with you would be views on markets and capitalism. Some/many UUs talk as if all of capitalism is evil. But even there you and I probably diverge. As an economist, I view a market economy as a useful, efficient mechanism for creation of goods and services, but (along with Adam Smith) I think it needs oversight - sometimes a lot. There are entire economics courses on (inherent) market failure and appropriate government solutions for them.<br /><br />A second (with reservations) would be George Bush. Unlike some UUs, I don't think he was the devil incarnate. Contra some of your other comments, pre-9/11 it looked like he was actually on the road to comprehensive immigration reform. This is not just a politically liberal UU position; even as deeply theist an organization as the Catholics thinks that our current immigration system is immoral.<br /><br />Regarding pro-life: I can see someone having reservations about abortion; but I think we should be able to agree with Clinton that abortion should be "safe, legal, and rare." As UUs I think we treat ethical decisions as the responsibility of each person, and I don't think any woman takes the decision lightly.<br /><br />Finally, the existence and anthropogenic source of global warming are based on solid science. There are some questions about the magnitude, but these range from bad to horrible. It is a valid question as to whether this is the highest priority for a church - there are lots of other organizations focused on this issue. The moral question for a church would be a general examination of our consumption-focused culture - whether we are right-living.Tom Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02321976385624121972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790458020172199921.post-19700307488723029652011-01-03T10:31:57.127-08:002011-01-03T10:31:57.127-08:00What would get a minister excommunicated from the ...What would get a minister excommunicated from the UUA? <br />Being pro-life and loud about it.<br />Being against gay marriage.<br />Being against the inclusion of pagans, atheists and humanists within the UUA.<br />Being supportive of George W. Bush after 9/11.<br />Being against national health care.<br />Being against illegal immigration and sanctuary cities.<br /><br />Etc.Eruonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05317476118722276545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790458020172199921.post-15410165225885529282011-01-03T09:47:58.473-08:002011-01-03T09:47:58.473-08:00Hi Tom, great post.
I can think of multiple issue...Hi Tom, great post.<br /><br />I can think of multiple issues that are orthodox to the UUA and many of its members that would cause such a shunning. Be it denial of anthropogenic global warming alarmism, the need for a safe and secure national border, the benefits of capitalism and free market solutions etc. I would love to see such a minister(s) emerge!<br /><br />JEruonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05317476118722276545noreply@blogger.com