DanceLessons

Hungry for Words

I finally figured out how to download podcasts on my Rhapsody MP3 player - and spent the better part of two hours driving around listening to six sermons from UU Berkeley.  UU Berkeley where you don't have to do it alone.   It means living life. And the invitation to be part of a faith community - whether it is your time for 'doing' or your time for 'being'.   The advantage of large congregations.  In my little church, a dozen of us stretch ourselves thin bringing the UU word to the Outer Banks.  Sometimes it is hard to remember that one can just 'be'.

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End of Faith

I’ve just finished reading Sam Harris’ End of Faith. I live at the end of the road at the Eastern end of North Carolina. I can’t find anyone to talk about this book. The standard reply from fellow UU's when I quote Harris’ concern about Islamic literalism is a fuzzy answer about moderate Moslems. And jihad is really a spiritual war. I start feel like I'm sounding like Franklin Graham.

Harris argues that moderate leaders who say the Koran is the literal word of god lend justification to the suicide bombers who believe it is right to kill the enemies of the faith. Which reminds me of Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857, always a controversial event in Mormon history. Brigham Young had harsh words for the enemies of the church. Granted that some of the refuges in Utah had fled from places in the east where they were terrorized and threatened. Perhaps literal interpretation of Brigham's words justified in their minds the killing of 120 emigrants who were passing through southern Utah on their way to California .

Just last month, t he LDS Church formally issued a statement: The truth, as we have come to know it, saddens us deeply. The gospel of Jesus Christ that we espouse, abhors the cold-blooded killing of men, women, and children. Indeed, it advocates peace and forgiveness. What was done here long ago by members of our Church represents a terrible and inexcusable departure from Christian teaching and conduct. We cannot change what happened, but we can remember and honor those who were killed here. We express profound regret for the massacre carried out in this valley 150 years ago today and for the undue and untold suffering experienced by the victims then and by their relatives to the present time. A separate expression of regret is owed to the Paiute people who have unjustly borne for too long the principal blame for what occurred during the massacre. Although the extent of their involvement is disputed, it is believed they would not have participated without the direction and stimulus provided by local Church leaders and members.

According to studies, Brigham Young attempted to stop or halt the massacre. See Religion in American History at http://usreligion.blogspot.com/2007/09/mountain-meadows-massacre-from-new.html.