tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.comments2018-08-06T04:17:17.957-05:00Dupage UU Church - Naperville, IllinoisAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13696702276573978770noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-79179841537693416952015-05-17T09:04:36.639-05:002015-05-17T09:04:36.639-05:00I see a distinction being made between optimism an...I see a distinction being made between optimism and hope, but not between hope and faith. How do you define the difference (if any) between hope and faith?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901701940820803592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-48243955576237883952014-11-11T23:36:44.254-06:002014-11-11T23:36:44.254-06:00Robert Wuthnow could improve on his statement: a...Robert Wuthnow could improve on his statement: a spiritual practice is a set of behaviors done intentionally and routinely to electrify the spiritual impulse that animates all life. <br /><br />He defines "spiritual" with "spiritual" leaving it unclear as to what he is really talking about. Of course, a practice is some thing repeated, e.g., piano practice. Impulse is a motivator. A spiritual impulse is an emotional one. A spiritual practice will shape your values and your commitment to live up to them. This is the same as character transformation. That's my take-away. Thanks for the topic.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13107212920450631476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-13322014786995821582014-09-11T08:52:29.945-05:002014-09-11T08:52:29.945-05:00Hot dogs, drink and s'mores will be provided b...Hot dogs, drink and s'mores will be provided by the Youth RE committee. Please bring a dish to share.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16287437911483304289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-63291110944908160292014-06-21T15:39:22.830-05:002014-06-21T15:39:22.830-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Steve Finnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12863026367048527526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-31851029883855105472013-05-13T09:17:35.986-05:002013-05-13T09:17:35.986-05:00I got in touch with Steve Tiwald, who runs the Gre...I got in touch with Steve Tiwald, who runs the Green Earth Institute and have some information.<br /><br />2013 CSA Guide posted by The Local Beet-Chicago at http://www.thelocalbeet.com/2013/04/01/introducing-the-2013-csa-guide-whats-new-whats-old-in-community-supported-agriculture/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01491323839030906104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-64262225763131526602013-05-11T14:54:49.851-05:002013-05-11T14:54:49.851-05:00Is there a list of farms (at least, for Chicagolan...Is there a list of farms (at least, for Chicagoland) with similar programs? I have been looking for something similar closer to Hyde Park.Galinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04822431568756585781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-76476231620059267132013-05-08T21:46:23.013-05:002013-05-08T21:46:23.013-05:00So... how did it go? Any recommendations to pass a...So... how did it go? Any recommendations to pass along? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-82468255666944264582013-04-06T00:01:09.111-05:002013-04-06T00:01:09.111-05:00Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.glasshillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00383065075528384085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-80460576963837371312013-03-18T11:53:02.378-05:002013-03-18T11:53:02.378-05:00Great post, thank you!Great post, thank you!jeda21https://www.blogger.com/profile/09831275044710234107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-81426635007243742412013-02-27T19:23:40.387-06:002013-02-27T19:23:40.387-06:00Your perspective is an interesting one, and I don&...Your perspective is an interesting one, and I don't disagree. The bible is full of misogyny and slaughter and contradictions as well. For example, god commands: "You shall not murder" yet commands murder on many occasions. I cannot reconcile the contradictions and so I pick and choose what to believe. Nevertheless, when I consider the time during which the Book of Esther was written, I find it remarkable that the brave acts of two women were noted. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02240333830227703488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-1778334311656699512013-02-27T15:31:10.238-06:002013-02-27T15:31:10.238-06:00Many scholars believe that much of the bible is hi...Many scholars believe that much of the bible is historical fiction, from the creation story to the exodus story to the miracles throughout. The purpose of these stories often seems to be a Rorshach test where readers "find" the meaning they were looking for before they started reading. If the moral of this particular story is the importance of defending one's values, it strikes me that there is a great deal of "noise" that must be waded through (condoned sexism, condoned slaughter, etc.) before stumbling across the desired message. Of course, it's all subjective. To me, the "defend one's values" message is a minor eddy in the larger whirlpool of misogyny and slaughter. <br /><br />Perhaps the appeal of this holiday will diminish over time, similarly to how Columbus Day is losing its luster as people become aware of the atrocities he participated in after discovering the new world. In any case, we can do better. MLK. Ghandi. Aren't their stories at least as impressive as Esther's, without all the retributive slaughter?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901701940820803592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-618669326188574092013-02-27T13:41:49.487-06:002013-02-27T13:41:49.487-06:00Many scholars believe that the story of Esther is ...Many scholars believe that the story of Esther is historical fiction -- a tale with a suspect story line that accurately describes customs and notable figures of the time. One custom was to treat women as property, which is what makes this story remarkable: It features brave acts performed by two women. At the risk of death for challenging the king, Vashti defies her husband to defend her principles. Esther, too, risks her life to advocate for her fellow Jews. I may be all wet, but I believe the purpose of this story is to highlight the importance of defending one's values even, sometimes, at risk of harm.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02240333830227703488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-91774642745365098582013-02-27T09:38:46.854-06:002013-02-27T09:38:46.854-06:00Speaking of cross-dressing, Jon Stewart may not al...Speaking of cross-dressing, Jon Stewart may not always comport himself to the letter of the seven principles, but these clips are uncannily timely:<br /><br />http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-26-2013/crazy-stupid-dov<br /><br />http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-26-2013/crazy-stupid-dove---the-war-on-purimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901701940820803592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-53155261248930049442013-02-25T17:18:30.146-06:002013-02-25T17:18:30.146-06:00Interesting blog. I think the reason young Jewish ...Interesting blog. I think the reason young Jewish boys and girls like this story is a) you get to wear a princess/queen dress costume or king costume, possibly cross-dress, and make lots of noise in a place where parents tend to shhhhh you, and b) finally, there is a female with some power, and some kind of justice for a Jew, in a world of tiresome persecution. Yes, like much of the bible, it is riddled with contradictions, sexism, amoral decrees, and often ridiculous requirements (the prettiest virgin--OY!), but I liked Emmy Lou's focus on the need to speak up to power.Karen Peckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13424449328292669851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-55542484114066938552013-02-13T17:22:24.071-06:002013-02-13T17:22:24.071-06:00Well said, sir. Not surprisingly, I had a similar...Well said, sir. Not surprisingly, I had a similar journey, through different circumstances, but have ended up at a very similar place.<br /><br />For me, while the journey started in my youth, it wasn't until just prior to meeting you that I chose to seek out a more 'spiritual' and 'enlightened' path that led me to Taoism, Chinese Martial Arts, Buddhism, Secular Humanism, the Dalai Lama, various Rinpoches, and more. <br /><br />It is ironic that as we delve deeper into the 1's and 0's of things in our professional lives, the esoteric and philosophical are what reign supreme in our personal ones.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your insights, Paul - I'm honored to know you and to share many of the same perspectives you do.Dave Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11774011275701482305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-59614709324834033612013-01-20T22:47:42.529-06:002013-01-20T22:47:42.529-06:00I prefer the simplicity of the children's vers...I prefer the simplicity of the children's version. I'm a big fan of the simple explanation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01491323839030906104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-57009393350468599432013-01-09T14:52:42.991-06:002013-01-09T14:52:42.991-06:00I didn't know there was a children's versi...I didn't know there was a children's version. I think I may like it better than the... adult(?) version. I especially prefer the third principle: "keep on learning together" is much more intelligible and inclusive (for me, as a humanist, anyway) than "encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901701940820803592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817262490042841260.post-85659317591416070942012-11-29T16:41:22.454-06:002012-11-29T16:41:22.454-06:00This is a great idea. I am looking forward to rea...This is a great idea. I am looking forward to reading a lot of interesting posts. But please use spellcheck.<br />Asteroidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07328834089942393279noreply@blogger.com