Forums for April
April 3--Corporate responsibility. The Rev. Nate Walker has challenged Monsanto, the world’s largest producer of genetically engineered seeds and a leading manufacturer of agricultural chemicals, to adopt a sort of Hippocratic Oath in which the company pledges, in part, to use its expertise “to help and not harm people, animals, and the environment.” (UU World, Winter 2010, “Dinner with Monsanto,” page 38) How could such an oath be used most effectively? How could it best be enforced? What other means could be used to ensure corporate responsibility? Does your profession have its own ethical code?
April 10--Lying About Santa. “Santa is one of the few things that we actively lie about to our children,” he said. When the time of his refutation finally comes, “Santa is frequently the first domino” in a process that can continue all the way up to God. The result? “We, here in this room, are in a world that lacks belief profoundly.” -- “Beyond Belief: A Philosophical Proof of Santa Claus” --Lecture by Jamie Hook, December, 2009. Is Santa the first step in a slippery slope? Why do we lie about Santa in the first place?
April 17--Losing religion. In her book review essay examining a memoir written by a woman who renounced her Southern Baptist past and a man who eschews much of Catholic dogma while still choosing to remain Catholic, Kimberly French discusses the process of “losing” and “finding” one’s faith. “Losing your religion,” she writes, “is lonely and, usually, lifelong work.” (UU World, Winter 2010, “Bookshelf,” page 57)
What is your relationship to your childhood faith? If you changed faiths along the way, why? What impact have those changes had on your personal relationships?
April 24--On Forgiveness. Without a constructive answer to toxic anger, addictive cycles of revenge, and immobilizing guilt, we seem doomed to despair about chances for renewal. One answer to this despair lies in forgiveness. What is forgiveness? When is it appropriate? Why is it considered to be commendable? Some claim that forgiveness is merely about ridding oneself of vengeful anger; do that, and you have forgiven. But if you were able to banish anger from your soul simply by taking a pill, would the result really be forgiveness?
April 10--Lying About Santa. “Santa is one of the few things that we actively lie about to our children,” he said. When the time of his refutation finally comes, “Santa is frequently the first domino” in a process that can continue all the way up to God. The result? “We, here in this room, are in a world that lacks belief profoundly.” -- “Beyond Belief: A Philosophical Proof of Santa Claus” --Lecture by Jamie Hook, December, 2009. Is Santa the first step in a slippery slope? Why do we lie about Santa in the first place?
April 17--Losing religion. In her book review essay examining a memoir written by a woman who renounced her Southern Baptist past and a man who eschews much of Catholic dogma while still choosing to remain Catholic, Kimberly French discusses the process of “losing” and “finding” one’s faith. “Losing your religion,” she writes, “is lonely and, usually, lifelong work.” (UU World, Winter 2010, “Bookshelf,” page 57)
What is your relationship to your childhood faith? If you changed faiths along the way, why? What impact have those changes had on your personal relationships?
April 24--On Forgiveness. Without a constructive answer to toxic anger, addictive cycles of revenge, and immobilizing guilt, we seem doomed to despair about chances for renewal. One answer to this despair lies in forgiveness. What is forgiveness? When is it appropriate? Why is it considered to be commendable? Some claim that forgiveness is merely about ridding oneself of vengeful anger; do that, and you have forgiven. But if you were able to banish anger from your soul simply by taking a pill, would the result really be forgiveness?
posted by Donna | 5:26 PM
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