Dante named the damned and honored the virtuous. We continue this tradition. Some here may find redemption, but many will suffer this torment on earth: Our fiery blasts withering in a wide swath their ignorance and stupidity. Under this banner we proceed, "may the Lord see and avenge."
"To live within a just order is to live within a pattern that has beauty. The individual finds purpose within an order, and security - whether it is the order of the soul or the order of the community. Without order, indeed the life of man is poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
Anglican Rev. Philip Chester, vicar of St. Matthew's in Westminster, UK, has a modest proposal. He wants to change England's patron saint from St. George to St. Alban. The purported reason? Lack of clear evidence St. George existed. Umm, right. The real reason? St. George is associated with the Crusades and this could offend Muslims.
"We are sure St Alban is a real figure," barked Chester. Well, in that case go right ahead. What defense could we possibly muster against such compelling logic?
St. Alban was martyred in England in the early 4th century. He is a martyr because he refused to compromise his faith in the face of adversity. Apparently his faith offended someone. In dumping St. George because his presence might offend Musilms, Rev. Chester is proposing the Anglican Church do precisely what St. Alban died to avoid. How ironic, and sad.
Solitude
"Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom (SYRF) educates, organizes and empowers youth and young adults (ages 16-30) to put their faith into action and advocate for pro-choice social justice."Ok, I see, it's about 'pro-choice social justice.' And here I was thinking this had something to do with abortion. What a fool I am.
"[SYRF] lifts up pro-faith youth and young adult perspectives on reproductive choice issues and provides young people with tools and opportunities to advocate for choice on their campuses, high schools, congregations and communities."I'm trying to think back to my Catechism classes and remember my faith's 'perspective' on reproductive choice issues. Ok, now I remember--we can choose to have sex, or not. Seems pretty clear to me, but according to SYRF this line of thought is lacking somehow. I must need more 'tools and opportunities.'
"This experience was awesome, totally inspiring. I don't know if we made a difference today but it made me want to try again tomorrow." (This comment refers to the summit's lobby day on Capitol Hill.)Well, I have to say that if you feel the need to try again tomorrow, it means you failed today. Thank God for small favors.
"I met other young men and women who think like me, agree with what I have to say, and are struggling just as much."Wow! Sounds like all the makins' for a great dialogue. Just think how far Socrates could have gone if he only talked to people with whom he agreed.
"I was glad to learn more about pro-choice Christians because where I live it feels like an anomaly. But now I know!"Newsflash: (and may God forgive your pastor for not telling you this) there's a pretty good reason most Christians aren't pro-choice. Yes, you are an anomaly.
"The pro-life position is really a pro-fetus position, and the pro-choice position is really pro-woman. Those who take the pro-fetus position define the woman in relation to the fetus. They assert the rights of the fetus over the right of the woman to be a moral agent or decision maker with respect to her life, health, and family security." (Dr. John M. Swomley)Thanks for clearing that up, John. Silly me, all these years I've been 'pro-fetus.' Now I see the light.
These, then, become the guiding principles on abortion in Jewish tradition: a woman's life, her pain, and her concerns take precedence over those of the fetus; existing life is always sacred and takes precedence over a potential life; and a woman has the personal freedom to apply the principles of her tradition unfettered by the legal imposition of moral standards other than her own. (by Rabbi Raymond A. Zwerin & Rabbi Richard J. Shapiro)That's great, Raymond & Richard. I didn't know that self-centeredness and moral relativism lay at the heart of Jewish moral thinking. So that's how your faith has survived for thousands of years.
Unitarian Universalists have a deep and abiding reverence for life. But we recognize, also, that life is always lived in relationship. Thus, we maintain that moral decisions can never be made in a vacuum but are, instead, always made in the context of competing claims for attention to the quality of life. Women's choices in reproductive matters are morally complex. Such choices can be very difficult, even the occasion for grieving and a profound sense of loss. Nonetheless, the difficulty of such choices does not mean that they cannot also be a faithful and morally affirmative response to what a woman perceives to be holy and just. Women are, inherently, moral agents, as are all people, and they are capable of subtle and sensitive moral discernment. (by Reverend Dr. Rebecca Edmiston-Lange)Wow Rebecca. That statement is just as vague, mushy, and pointless as Unitarian Universalism itself. Rarely have I seen so many words used to say so little. Have you thought about spearheading the church's evangelization campaign?
