JOIN WHAT?
This week the message was on the connection between Unity and Truth. As always, there is a lot of material that ends up on the cutting room floor. Some of it is great stuff, but I just can’t find a way to bring it into Sunday morning.
Since my standards are much lower for you guys, here is some of what did not make it:
“Unitarian Universalism is a caring, open-minded religion that encourages you to seek your own spiritual path. Our faith draws on many religious sources, welcoming people with different beliefs. We are united by shared values, not by creed or dogma. Explore our website and discover Unitarian Universalism. We invite you to join us.”
www.uua.org/visitors/index.shtml
I didn’t make that up. It is on their website. For nearly 200 years Unitarians have believed in . . . pretty much everything. They have unity right there in their name so you know they will accept pretty much anything.
Two anecdotes come to mind. The first is from Garrison Keillor (I love Prairie Home Companion), who tells the story of trying to distract a Unitarian minister by arguing with her. He complained, “I was unsuccessful. She just kept agreeing with everything I said.”
From the sublime we turn to the ridiculous. In a Simpson’s episode, Lisa is at a church ice-cream social and is offered some “Unitarian flavored” ice cream by Rev. Lovejoy. “It’s just plain vanilla.” Lisa complains. “Exactly,” responds the reverend.
Perhaps I enjoy these stories more than I should. But I believe we should all keep an open mind to humor, especially when it is meant as a commentary and not slander. And one has to wonder exactly how you define a group that has the inclusion of many (perhaps conflicting) religions as a core value.
They are united by unity. Isn’t that like gluing glue to more glue? “We invite you to join us,” they graciously offer. I have one question. JOIN WHAT?
The thing that unites Christians is also right there in the name – Christ. When you join us at Levittown Christian Church you will be united with a church that recognizes the presence of the Kingdom of God wherever Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. And there it is folks - both unity AND truth.