I submit that to understand religion, particularly as practiced in the West, we need a basic understanding of group dynamics: to wit, what sociologists call the “ingroup” and the “outgroup.” Group cohesion and cooperation were essential to the survival of prehistoric Homo sapiens. We have evolved to instinctively assign artificial positive qualities to “our” group […]
Little Celebrations #5: Liturgical Quotables
It is good to gather with friends of the heart, to breathe in sparkling spirits which dwell in enlightened community. Greeting and appreciation to those who are new to us. Thanks also to those who have journeyed together year after year. Let faith, wisdom, and commitment blend in this place. Let us come together as […]
Reflections on Wind and Trees
“The world offers itself to your imagination,” wrote poet Mary Oliver. On good days, we can journey through the poem. It’s a big danged poem, but after awhile it kind of starts to make sense. Wandering the hills of southern Indiana, where I live, I marvel at the wind and trees. A microburst of wind heedlessly […]
Little Celebrations #4: Liturgical Quotables
We come together as flame in a living Chalice. We are the fuel: hearts and minds in community. We are the oxygen: the breath we share in words, music, tears, and laughter. May the heat of our passion and com-passion, our hope, our faith, our honest striving light this beacon, and may it guide us […]
Can an Atheist Have a Spiritual Conversation?
While I was away on my five-week “Great Western Pilgrimage,” my better half, Kate, entertained a longtime friend from the east coast. The friend appreciated that I was a minister, now retired. Upon hearing about my “Gentle Atheist” website, though, she was plainly taken aback. “How can a minister be an atheist?” She asked. “How can […]