The year is 1912 The Conciliation bill is up for debate in the English Parliament, success would mean women are granted the right to vote. Viscount Helmsley argued vehemently against the law as you can see below: “I maintain that the whole position and functions of Parliament would be altered… the fact of the two sexes sitting together in an assembly such as this would no doubt alter the whole tone and whole feeling of this Parliament. I do... Read more
Ok, we get it; Pagan activists are always posting about the immediate need for change. We act as if when people don’t fully engage immediately the issues of the day will fade from the public view and nothing will be accomplished. Individuals throughout the community are busy with their own lives and often can feel a little overloaded with community activism; couple this with those in the community that feel religion and politics should be kept separate and there is... Read more
Members of CUUPS across the nation are preparing to celebrate the wheel turning in our Samhain celebrations. For many of us, this is the time when the veil thins and we traditionally speak too and honor our ancestors in ritual, deed and celebration of the concept of the ‘Mighty Dead”. This aspect of belief among many CUUPS members enriches our connection to the manifestations of divinity that preceded us upon Gaia. The very fact that we seek connection with our... Read more
Sights, sounds, and even the air seems charged with divine presence here at The Parliament of the Worlds Religions. It is all a little overwhelming. Over the past few weeks I attempted to prepare myself for this event with ritual, grounding and research. The result of these efforts can only be described as abject failure. There is simply no way to prepare for the overflowing divine inspiration. As I search for words to describe my experience, I feel that... Read more
Sitting around the table at a recent CUUPS meeting I could not but help to start thinking about interfaith issues due to my impending trip to the Parliament f the Worlds Religions. On grand display were the very values that are held dear by the international interfaith community. Seated around our sacred table were believers in many different paths, no unity of religious belief existed, yet incredibly meaningful and insightful conversation ensued. This is the essence of the... Read more
Many within our CUUPS community spend a considerable amount of time fighting for Social Justice issues. These efforts clearly reflect our principles as part of the greater UUA Community. What is not always as clear is how effective these efforts are. Matters of personal responsibility and culpability stir great passion and animated debate not to mention defensiveness and retreat into a place where individual worldviews are not challenged. As a white male fighting for these causes it is... Read more
It is always an exacting experience to examine our own contributions to perpetuating oppressive cultural norms. What is personal inevitably triggers resistance to concepts that directly confront our own behaviors. This is a process of evolution of belief and social understanding. While my core beliefs have remained constant my insight into what those beliefs require in terms of actions and the compassionate support of others is in a constant process of maturation. I am guilty of Cultural Appropriation. This... Read more
It has been a long year for me as a Wildland Firefighter. Over the months I have witnessed Florida Panther habitat burning, fires encroaching on native peoples homes in Alaska, California ablaze and tens of thousands of acres of Idaho burning before my eyes. Smoke filled the air to such an extent that I found it hard to breath, to sleep, to accomplish my duties. Across America I have stood witness to the opening rounds of the conflict... Read more
Editors note: When my friend Byron Ballard named September “Women’s Voices Month” I thought long and hard about what I could as a man do to support the effort. My decision was to offer space on my blog for women I highly respect to write on any topic they wish with no input from me. Below you will find a guest post from Amber Roth, whom I admire greatly! When I started formulating ideas for this entry, I had... Read more
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