Religious Left

by Mindy Boggs The Huntsville Times We cannot simply dismiss the recent Knoxville Unitarian church shooting with "There's another lunatic among us, and you just never know, so let's beef up security in the parking lot." No, we need to do much more than that. We need to examine "public opinion" and the people and institutions who "shape" that opinion. You do not have to be "crazy," or the town lunatic, to commit murder, as this man did. You just have to believe strongly enough about something. When someone places all responsibility for society's ills (or their personal ills), as they define them, on a group of people who share a different ethnic background, religion, or political beliefs, one may come to hate this group so much, it triggers the desire to commit a crime and "sacrifice" oneself, along with the "guilty" ones. Generalizing, stereotyping, blaming can lead to ideological fanaticism. When we hear it, read ...

By DUNCAN MANSFIELD, Associated Press Writer The York Daily Record KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—An out-of-work truck driver (Jim D. Adkisson) accused of opening fire at a Unitarian church, killing two people, left behind a note suggesting that he targeted the congregation out of hatred for its liberal policies, including its acceptance of gays, authorities said Monday. Adkisson's ex-wife once belonged to the church but hadn't attended in years, said Ted Jones, the congregation's president. Adkisson remained jailed Monday on $1 million bond after being charged with one count of murder. More charges are expected. Four victims were hospitalized in critical condition. full article

Weddings have been suspended at a 300-year-old church in north London in protest at "unjust" religious marriage rights of same-sex couples. Newington Green Unitarian Church will only conduct a ceremonial blessing for both heterosexual and gay couples who have legally wed in a civil ceremony. The church's minister, Andrew Pakula, said the church's committee voted unanimously in favour of the decision. The church in Islington suspended full wedding ceremonies from 30 March. It said it would continue to bar full weddings until the law was amended. Mr Pakula said: "When we realised the extent of the injustice in the existing civil partnership law which completely prohibits any connection between religion and civil partnerships, we decided it just wasn't something we could take part in. Mr Pakula added: "Historically churches have been major perpetrators of injustice for gay and lesbian people and as a church that welcomes people of all sexual orientation, a...

Unitarian Universalists have a long history of supporting gay rights . Many congregations marry same-sex couples in the church or bless their unions, including the Fairbanks fellowship. Becoming a Welcoming Congregation isn’t so much a change in policy, but a reaffirmation of beliefs. “It means that we’re open and you can come to Mass and be who you are,” said UUFF member Jana Perce. “We’re not a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ church.” In recognition of its new status, the UUFF will also fly a rainbow flag every Sunday, and a stained glass rainbow-colored flaming chalice, the symbol of Unitarians, now hangs in one of the building’s windows.