Don't Blow a FUUSE UUs!

This was just posted to the FUUSE web site moments ago.

It looks like the FUUSE web site can't handle embedded HTML very well.

Hopefully it can handle legitimate criticism of UU injustices, abuses, and hypocrisy much better. . .

Since FUUSE claims to be opposed to censorship my post should not be "memory holed.

Here it is with HTML working just fine. . .

:Unitarians have always stood for freedom of speech and expression,

Really? Then how do you explain this? Or this? Or this?

:and are alone among religious denominations in opposing Britain's ancient and discriminatory law on blasphemy.

Well I was quite literally alone in opposing the stunningly cynical and hypocritical Unitarian misuse and abuse of Canada's obscure law against disrupting a church service. I didn't have any fool for a lawyer but I fought the law and the law lost. . .

I dare say that the Unitarian Universalist religious community lost too.

:In all cases when charges of blasphemy have been brought to the courts, Unitarians have sided with the right to criticise and satirise religious ideas. Like Mark Twain, we believe that irreverence is an essential component of liberty.

Ya right. . . Unitarian Universalists can't stand it when I criticise and satirise their own injustices, abuses, and outrageous religious hypocrisy. Unitarian Universalists go to great lengths to censor and suppress my well justified irreverence.

:With new legislation against inciting religious hatred about to be introduced, it is even more urgent that the present Blasphemy law be scrapped, so that the new law will not in any way be seen an extension of the prohibition against the right to free speech.

Speaking of inciting religious hatred, what do you make of this? Click on the Google Groups search button while you are there. . . What about the many UU prohibitions against my right to free speech? UU "moderators" aka UU "memory hole" operators have repeatedly banned me from posting to UUA-hosted list serves. I am now permanently banned from posting to ALL UUA-hosted list serves. UU "moderators" have booted me off Beliefnet for months at a time. And let's not forget that highly unjustified permanent expulsion, and thus quite literal "excommunication", from the Unitarian Church of Montreal. . .

To underline the absurdity of UU censorship, to say nothing of other UU injustices, abuses, and hypocrisy. . . there will be an event on any given Sunday from about 9.30 - 11.30 am at the Unitarian Church of Montreal, 5035 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec, Soviet Canuckistan, just down the road from the Vendome Metro station. Some of my picket sign slogans are light-hearted and satirical in tone, but with an important point to make. . .

Comments

Valimagdon said…
"a free and RESPONSIBLE search for truth and meaning"

The responsible portion of your search for truth and meaning means that you should accept that you may not be right. It seems to me that you weren't being the most responsible on your search for truth and meaning, espcially towards other people.

Personally, I can appreciate the symbolism of the "eye of god" in the eclipse and the purpose of that to open men's minds to God's presence. However, asserting that this gnostic experience you had holds true not only for yourself but also for other people crosses the line. Belief based on reason is easy to share. Belief based on gnosis is not, which is why us as UU's put so much stock in reason as a tool for sorting out matters of faith.
Robin Edgar said…
Actually the responsible portion of UUs' search for truth and meaning means that UUs should accept that I may indeed be right. It seems to me that UUs aren't being the most responsible in their search for truth and meaning, especially towards other people. . .

:Personally, I can appreciate the symbolism of the "eye of god" in the eclipse and the purpose of that to open men's minds to God's presence.

Excellent. Your doors of perception are quite open it seems.

:However, asserting that this gnostic experience you had holds true not only for yourself but also for other people crosses the line.

Not at all. If the total solar eclipse "Eye of God" is intended by God to symbolize God's omniscience then that revelation holds true for ALL other people whether they choose to believe it or not.

:Belief based on reason is easy to share.

Most of what I am sharing is in fact based on Reason. I applied plenty of Reason in analyzing the gnostic experience itself and Reason tells me that the concept that the total solar eclipse "Eye of God" symbolizes God's divine omniscience could be arrived at by Reason alone.

:Belief based on gnosis is not, which is why us as UU's put so much stock in reason as a tool for sorting out matters of faith.

I hate to say so but most of the UU's I know make a complete mockery of Reason and not just when it comes to sorting out matters of faith.

If UUs had used Reason in their response to my complaints about Rev. Ray Drennan's intolerant and abusive clergy misconduct this conflict would have been settled years ago. . . If UUs had used Reason in dealing with this conflict they would have avoided making a complete mockery of UU principles and ideals as they quite evidently have done.
Valimagdon said…
I disagree. The "responsible" part means that you should always be willing to question your own beliefs, to constantly check and test them for correctness. Part of UUism is the individual's spiritual journey. I don't have to think that you're right anymore than you think that I'm right. The "rightness" of our spiritual beliefs to each other is something we almost seem to sidestep, as really, according to our UU faith, we're all "right", but no more "right" than the guy sitting next to me in the pew.

Gnosis is a personal experience, as such, it can never be translated properly. You can't expect other people to get as hyped about what you feel has happened. This is why we, as UUs, tend to look upon gnosis skeptically, especially when it is tried to be held as truth to persons other than the one who had the gnostic revelation. I'll say it again: gnosis is personal. Don't expect me to understand on the same level that you do, and don't try to impose your revelations on my own.

I try to keep an open mind; Illumination is a hobby of mine. My doors of perception are quite open, believe you me. Thank you.

I am not a person who worships the same God that you do. Therefore, your "truth" about God does not apply to me, except if you were to call me "wrong" in my beliefs, a thing which is most un-UU. I appreciate the symbolism, but as just that: symbolism, and as something having great spritual meaning to you.

I suppose you don't know enough UUs then. Most of the ones that I know employ a great deal of Reason in thier belief-making.

You assertions about eclipses and thier relation to God almost smack of dogma and your vehemence in thier truth smacks of religious fanaticism. These are things that we don't tolerate in the UU church(yeah, i know, we're supposed to be all tolerant) very well at all. Some of it is based on our history at the hands of other religions, some is based on our commitment to a free and open spirtual search and dialougein community, but mostly for the individual. When that free and open spiritual journey for the individual is imposed upon by another's spiritual journey, then suddenly, its not free and open anymore. You get what I'm saying?
Anonymous said…
What does your family think about all this work you are doing? Are they supporting you?
Robin Edgar said…
Hi Anonymous,

Do you think that I would be able to keep doing "all this work" if I did not have a reasonable level of moral support from my family and friends? I have as much support as I need and then some. Nobody I know is very impressed with how the UU religious community has responded to my legitimate grievances.

Allah prochaine,

Robin Edgar
Robin Edgar said…
Hi Valimagdon,

Yes I get what you are saying but I don't completely agree

The "responsible" part means that every UU, not just me, should always be willing to question their own beliefs, to constantly check and test them for correctness. That is precisely what I am asking UUs to do. I am asking UUs to question and reassess their present beliefs for correctness. Most UUs point blank refuse to do so however. Be assured that I have done and continue to do just that in terms of my own beliefs. So far I stand very much by what I have already said.

:Part of UUism is the individual's spiritual journey. I don't have to think that you're right anymore than you think that I'm right. The "rightness" of our spiritual beliefs to each other is something we almost seem to sidestep, as really, according to our UU faith, we're all "right", but no more "right" than the guy sitting next to me in the pew.

What you just said here pretty much totally contradicts what you said in your first paragraph. . . I agree that plenty of UUs "sidestep" a genuinely RESPONSIBLE search for truth and meaning, not only in terms of religious beliefs but also in various other forms of truth and meaning.

:Gnosis is a personal experience, as such, it can never be translated properly.

I agree that I cannot "translate" the whole gnostic experience that I underwent but I most certainly can "translate" the "communication" that I have received via that gnostic experience. I have done so within the limits of my ability to do so. I have made the information available to UUs and others. Most UUs have chosen to willfully ignore that information and rather too many have chosen to attempt to discredit me and deny my revelation(s).

:You can't expect other people to get as hyped about what you feel has happened.

I don't expect other people to get as hyped about what you feel has happened. I just expect them to enter into a genuinely RESPONSIBLE search for the truth and meaning of what I am claiming as a genuine and significant revelation of God and to then be willing to question their own beliefs, to constantly check and test them for correctness in light of my claimed revelation of God. . . So far most UUs have obstinately refused to do so.

:This is why we, as UUs, tend to look upon gnosis skeptically, especially when it is tried to be held as truth to persons other than the one who had the gnostic revelation. I'll say it again: gnosis is personal.

If someone has a gnostic revelation of God that communicates a Truth that is universal, and thus a Truth that applies to all human beings whether they choose to believe that Truth or not, UUs are flaunting their claimed principles and ideals if they refuse to respond in responsibility to that revelation of God. Do you and other UUs really believe that the gnostic revelations of Jesus, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mohammed and numerous other historical prophets were meant only for them? How can UUs claim that "Revelation Is Not Sealed" and then willfully ignore, contemptuously dismiss and even maliciously attack contemporary claims of revelation of God?

:Don't expect me to understand on the same level that you do,

I don't. I do however expect you and ALL other UUs to undertake a genuinely responsible searcxh for the truth and meaning of my claimed revelation of God and attempt to understand it on a level that you can understand it. UUs who willfully ignore, contemptuously dismiss and maliciously attack my claimed revelation of God make a complete mockery of UU principles and ideals. . .

:and don't try to impose your revelations on my own.

I am not trying to "impose" my revelations on you or anyone else. I am simply saying that it is an important revelation of God that, if "valid", applies to all people; thus UUs, and indeed other human beings, should respond in genuine responsibility to this claimed revelation of God and be willing to question their own present beliefs and check and test my claimed revelation of God for its "correctness" aka its truth and meaning. So far most UUs, including UU clergy and top UU leaders, have obstinately refused to do so.

:I try to keep an open mind; Illumination is a hobby of mine. My doors of perception are quite open, believe you me. Thank you.

It is clear to me that your mind is quite genuinely open but the same cannot be said about many, if not most. . . of the UUs that I know. If UUs were genuinely open to "new truth" "revelation" and "prophecy" as they so hypocritically claim this Emerson Avenger blog and a whole lot of previous postings to the internet about UU intolerance and abusiveness would not exist. N'est-ce pas?

:I am not a person who worships the same God that you do.

I am a Unitarian. There is only One God as far as I am concerned. We do in fact believe in the same God we just may have different beliefs about that God. OTOH If you are a polytheist and believe in a multitude of Gods then that is another matter. All monotheistic religions believe in the same God they just hold to different beliefs about that One God.

:Therefore, your "truth" about God does not apply to me, except if you were to call me "wrong" in my beliefs, a thing which is most un-UU.

Wrong. My "truth" about God does apply to you, and indeed every other human being, if it is in fact an objective Truth about God. I do not know what your specific religious beliefs are but you most certainly are "wrong" if you believe that any universal objective truth does not apply to you just because you choose not to believe it. For instance you can choose to believe that you can walk on water but give it a try some time and see how far you get. . . You may fervently believe that fire can't burn you but just stick your finger in a candle flame and see what happens. Do you understand what I am saying here? Genuine objective truth applies universally regardless of what people may believe. Personal belief cannot and does not create objective truth. Aldous Huxley once said, "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." Likewise "facts" or "truths" do not cease to exist simply because they are disbelieved or denied by people. . .

I dispute that it is "most un-UU" to suggest that you or anyone else is mistaken in their religious beliefs. Unitarians are best known for telling Christians that they were mistaken in their belief in the doctrine of ther Trinity. N'est-ce pas? Did not a "famous UU" say that Christians "have the right to be wrong" about the Trinity or words to that effect?

:I appreciate the symbolism, but as just that: symbolism, and as something having great spritual meaning to you.

I am quite gratified that you "appreciate" the symbolism. The symbolism is there for anyone who witnesses a total solar eclipse, or views a good image of a total solar eclipse, to see and respond to. If that cosmic symbolism is part of God's "plan" for humanity, as my "gnostic revelation" of God claims, then it is by no means meant for me alone. My researches indicate that various ancient cultures perceived the religious symbolism manifested during eclipses and responded to this cosmic symbolism in their religious beliefs and practices. Just on the level of ancient religious history and cultural anthropology my claimed revelation of God deserves the respect and attention of UUs but so far it has often been willfully ignored, contemptuously disparaged, and even maliciously attacked by UUs.

:I suppose you don't know enough UUs then. Most of the ones that I know employ a great deal of Reason in thier belief-making.

I know plenty of UUs and can say that most of the ones that I know employ a great deal of false logic in their belief-making and erect very solid walls of obstinate willful ignorance and deep denial when confronted with "new truth", "revelation" and "prophecy" of various kinds, not just the "new truth" of my claimed revelation of God by any means. . .

:You assertions about eclipses and thier relation to God almost smack of dogma and your vehemence in thier truth smacks of religious fanaticism.

Give me a break. Any "vehemence" that I have displayed in defending the truth of my claims is due primarily to the "vehemence" of UUs in their contemptuous and even malicious dismissal and rejection of my claimed revelation of God. I dare say that Rev. Ray Drennan's and other UUs' malicious labeling of Creation Day as a "cult" and me as "psychotic" or otherwise "insane" smacks of anti-religious fanaticism. That is precisely why I absolutely refuse to let UUs get away with their "vehement" attacks on me and my perfectly legitimate and very well-founded monotheistic religious beliefs.

:These are things that we don't tolerate in the UU church(yeah, i know, we're supposed to be all tolerant) very well at all.

Show me where I have been guilty of any genuine "religious fanaticism". I doubt very much that you can do so. Then be so kind as to explain just why it is that the well-documented anti-religious intolerance and bigotry, and yes. . . "fanaticism" of Rev. Ray Drennan and other fundie atheist UU bigots has in fact not only been tolerated by most UUs but has even been effectively endorsed by top level UUA officials.

:Some of it is based on our history at the hands of other religions,

What about my history at the back-stabbing hands of UUism?

:some is based on our commitment to a free and open spirtual search and dialougein community,

What commitment to a free and open spirtual search and dialogue in community? I am still waiting for UUs to responsibly live up to that purported "commitment" of UUism.

:but mostly for the individual. When that free and open spiritual journey for the individual is imposed upon by another's spiritual journey, then suddenly, its not free and open anymore. You get what I'm saying?

I do and I disagree with some elements of what you are saying. You even appear to completely contradict yourself at times. I have not "imposed" anything other than demanding that UUs live up to both the letter and the spirit of their own claimed principles and ideals. The UU search for truth and meaning is indeed supposed to be free and open but it is also supposed to be RESPONSIBLE as you have pointed out. I have said it before but it bears repeating that UUs seem to be very free with the Truth but far from responsible with it. . .

What about my own free and open spiritual journey? Can't you and other UUs see that Rev. Ray Drennan and other fundamentalist atheist UUs imposed their rather fanatical atheistic beliefs on me by contemptuously dismissing my religious beliefs as being nothing but "silliness and fantasy", my revelatory "gnostic exoerience" as "your psychotic experience", and even maliciously labeling Creation Day as "your cult" and even snidely suggesting some connection between Creation Day and the notorious "Solar Temple" suicide cult? Suddenly my free and open religious journey was not so terribly free and open anymore was it? You get what I'm saying? Can't you see that I am fighting for my own and indeed other God believing people's religious freedom within UUism?

Allah prochaine,

Robin Edgar
Anonymous said…
Interesting. I am an atheist. Glad to know your family supports you. I spend my time learning about many things - your revelation is simply not one of them. This doesn't make me a bad Unitarian Universalist. You should not take offense. There aren't enough hours in the day to investigate every revelation people put forth for our consideration.

One thing you aren't doing is building a community of believers. I can't think of any prophet in the past that neglected that.
Robin Edgar said…
Hi Anonymous,

:Interesting. I am an atheist.

No problem. I don't have a problem with atheists in general just the intolerant and bigoted anti-religious fundamentalist ones. . .

:Glad to know your family supports you.

Thanks.

:I spend my time learning about many things - your revelation is simply not one of them. This doesn't make me a bad Unitarian Universalist. You should not take offense.

I do not take offense at what you have said here however as a Unitarian Universalist you really should be doing what valimagdon suggests above. You should not arbitrarily dismiss my claimed revelation but apoproach it with a genuinely open mind in a sincere effort to responsibly determine its level truth and meaning.

:There aren't enough hours in the day to investigate every revelation people put forth for our consideration.

Of course one needs to prioritize one's time but, in that the revelation I am claiming presents a cosmic "Sign of God" that is intelligently designed into God's Creation I do think that it is worth a few hours of your time to seriously consider its merits. Also, as I have stated above just from the point of view of understanding humanity's religious history it is worthy of the respect and attention of open-minded atheists. N'est-ce pas.

:One thing you aren't doing is building a community of believers. I can't think of any prophet in the past that neglected that.

I can think of a few. I am not trying to start a new religion although I may be forced into it if foolish UUs continue to ostracize me and shun me. I am just trying to deliver a message or two that I received.
Valimagdon said…
My problems w/ some of your tactics, and why I accused you of bordering on fanaticism is b/c some of your tactics have seemed kinda heavy handed, insofar as your seeming demands that people, esp UUs, take time to analyze and review your expiereince and beliefs.
"anonymous" is right. You can't honestly expect all UUs to give up time to study your specific revelation, nor can you even expect it of them. At least they can take a look, say "no thanks, this just isn't for me, sorry" or at least say honestly "i'll look at it later when I have the time." Outright dismissal w/o research, on the other hand is different. You're right, that isn't being responsible. I'd probably say that anyone who does is a bad UU too. Sorry you've been so maligned by those kinds of people; but have faith! There's more of us UU's out there that AREN'T like that!(at least in my experience.)

UUism has many parts, and often they end up contradicting each other. The ones that come into play here are the individual's spirtual journey(which we affirm and promote), and the goal of beloved community(which we also affirm and promote). Or more simply put, "How can I stand to sit next to this guy in service when his faith beliefs are diametrically opposed to mine?" It's easy tho: 1st, you need a heavy dose of tolerance, 2ndly, you need to believe that there is a possibility that you might be wrong, and 3rdly, you need to have faith that the guy next to you is is doing the same.

I'll agree, the Unitarian Church of Montreal probably did cross the line in tossing you out and treatign you with such scorn. In fact, there's no "probably" about it, they did. However, I am amazed and saddend at the strengh of your seeming vendetta against all UUs, based on a bad experience at one church and w/ a few officials. Please don't judge us all for the actions of the few.

I have read your material online, and the articles about your persecution etc. I've devoted time and thought to this. I've clicked on your links.(tho I don't much like the google ones. they're kinda annoying, sorry) I'd love to enter into a dialouge w/ you about it. (consider this an open invitation to come to my church....if you ever make it to St. Louis.) Please don't think that all(or even the majority) of UUs are like the few bad experiences that you've had. I have had similar experiences, but also very different ones as well, w/ UUs.

You have to admit, tho, that people are more likely to dismiss your claims b/c they are similar to alot of "whacko ideologies" (sun cults, the illuminati, the "old religions" etc). There's just no good place for a good Sun Cult in these modern times, you know?(joking, joking. don't take offense :-p) I get the same kind of responses when I put forth some of my own beliefs, just b/c they come from a "bad" or "crazy" source. (see here: http://www.livejournal.com/community/unitarian_jihad/75103.html#cutid1) However, notice how some people were willing to discuss it, or at least contemplate it before throwing it out? There's hope! (for more good spiritual dialouge, go here: http://www.livejournal.com/community/unitarian_jihad/76200.html You can find out a bit more about my own spirtuality there too, if you're interested)

So um...yeah. Sorry you got fucked over by your church, brother. We're better than that, as a whole, tho. If there's no other church in your area, I'd suggest you give the Churh of the Larger Fellowship (www.uua.org/clf/) a try, or, if you're 18-35, the Church of the Younger Fellowship (www.uucyf.org) Good luck in your cause, but please don't bring my movement/organization down with it.
Valimagdon said…
Oh fuck, the links didn't work. Lets try this again:
1st one:http://www.livejournal.com/community/unitarian_jihad/75103.html
2nd one: http://www.livejournal.com/community/unitarian_jihad/76200.html
Lets hope this works, this time. *bashful face*

Also, feel free to visit my blog on here on Blogger; its my project blog, and deals w/ my faith. If you have time, that is. :-)
Robin Edgar said…
Hi valimagdon,

My alleged "vendetta" is NOT against ALL UUs. I name the names of the individual UUs that I have had a "bad experience" with and I try not to over-generalize when speaking about my "bad experience" with UUs. OTOH I have had a very "bad experience" not just at "one church" but with top UUA and CUC officials who are supposed to responsibly deal with the kind "bad experience" that I and other UUs have had. I have also had a "bad experience" with many if not most of the UUs that I have encountered on the internet includingh no shortage of UU clergy. . .

Don't forget that quite literally hundreds of UUs, indeed probably a few thousand UUs now. . . have seen my protests at the Unitarian Church of Montreal, or in front of 25 Beacon Street, or at CUC and UUA GAs, or have read my numerous posts to various UU internet forums and have done absolutely nothing to take steps to ensure that my very serious grievances are finally redressed with genuine justice, equity and compassion.

What am I supposed to think of UUism as a religious community or "institution" when the vast majority of the UUs that I have encountered have abjectly failed, or have even obstinately refused, to practice what they preach? I see some very serious failings in UUism and not just those that directly effect me. I intend to continue to expose and denounce UU injustices, abuses and hypocrisy until such time as UUs responsibly deal with these issues. The best thing UUs can do to avoid having me "bring down" UUism is to start to "live up" to UU principles and begin clean up the mess that UUs have quite evidently made.

The purpose of this blog is to convince UUs to take action to properly redress the injustices and abuses that I am exposing and to stop being such hypocrites who stubbornly refuse to walk what they talk and thus make a complete mockery of their own claimed beliefs, principles, and ideals.

This is my Unitarian jihad. . .

Allah prochaine,

Robin Edgar
Valimagdon said…
So the greater community gets an "F-" just because they fail to pick up and act on the plight and cause of a single man? That seems pretty self-important to me, sorry Robin. There are other causes that are much more important than yours, ones that can positivley affect a much much greater number of people than just a single person. If, once we get done with those, we still have some time left over, we'll get to you. Chill out, man. This shit takes time, grassroots, ya know?(and you're doing a fine job w/ the grassroots, even if you are ending up alienating your audience w/ your often negatory remarks. you often end up coming across as a self-important ass. THAT'S CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, cuz I still love you anyway) Well, grassroots, and the fact that there are 3282435082082438 other causes that we "HAVE" to support "RIGHT NOW". Goddess knows I've got my plate full enough w/ UU stuff as it is! *urgh* soooo muuuuch woooooork....and thats not even counting the non-UU social action projects I've got going on.

What did Spock say? "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the one". And I know you probably see your cause as benifitng the many by pointing out hypocrisy in the church and helping transform the faith...but we're already working on it, trust me. (or at least we are in my district and in the UU Young Adult movement at large)

Btw, are you going to be @ GA2006? It's in my hometown, and maybe we can chill for a bit then, if that's allright w/ you.
Robin Edgar said…
:So the greater community gets an "F-" just because they fail to pick up and act on the plight and cause of a single man?

Why not? If a majority of UUs fail or refuse practice what they preach, the "greater community" clearly doesn't practice what it preaches and thus deserves an 'F'. In any case I have now seen no shortage of other UU injustices, UU abuses and UU hypocrisy etc. which provide cause to give the greater UU community an 'F' for 'failure' to walk the talk of UUism.

:That seems pretty self-important to me, sorry Robin. There are other causes that are much more important than yours, ones that can positivley affect a much much greater number of people than just a single person.

Believe me I am not the only Unitarian to have the kind of "bad experience" that I am talkin about. Anti-religious intolerance and bigotry in various forms is quite pervasive throughout UUism. My case may be unique and hopefully a worst case scenario but I have seen plenty of other testimony from God believing people who have had their own "bad experience" of UUism.

:If, once we get done with those, we still have some time left over, we'll get to you. Chill out, man.

Don't worry I am have already been frozen out by corpse-cold Unitarians. . . To those people who have commented on my picketing during cold winter days I usually respond that it is actually quite a bit warmer than being inside the Unitarian Church of Montreal. . .

:This shit takes time,

Don't I know it. I just celebrated the tenth anniversary of Rev. Ray Drennan's attack on me on November 9th, the sixth anniversary of my excommunication on November 22nd, and I will be celebrating the 5th anniversary of my false arrest in just a few days. . . This particular UU shit takes time because UUs are past-masters at institutional stonewalling, cover-up, and denial. . .

:grassroots, ya know?

Grassroots, winter boots it's all the same to me. . .

:(and you're doing a fine job w/ the grassroots,

I think so. I expect more "bad news" for the Unitarian Church of Montreal any day now as a result of this latest UU boo-boo.

:even if you are ending up alienating your audience w/ your often negatory remarks.

If my remarks about UUs are often "negatory" it is precisely because UUs give me plenty of good cause to be "negatory" towards rather too tory UUs.

:you often end up coming across as a self-important ass.

What me worry? ;-)

:THAT'S CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, cuz I still love you anyway)

I'll keep it in mind.

:Well, grassroots, and the fact that there are 3282435082082438 other causes that we "HAVE" to support "RIGHT NOW".

You and other UUs don't "HAVE" to support my cause "RIGHT NOW". I am more than happy to continue to clutter up the interconnected web of the internet with more negatory remarks if that's what UUs would prefer, as would seem to be the case so far. . . ;-) I am only think of UUism's best interest when I suggest that it would be much better for UUs to settle this dispute sooner rather than later. I really quite enjoy my Unitarian jihad "alternative spiritual practice".

:Goddess knows I've got my plate full enough w/ UU stuff as it is! *urgh* soooo muuuuch woooooork....and thats not even counting the non-UU social action projects I've got going on.

Goddess knows alright. . .

:What did Spock say? "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the one".

Indeed he did. I expect that Stalin, Mao and other totalitarians would probably agree with him. . . Quite evidently the Totalitarian Church agreed with him. . .

:And I know you probably see your cause as benifitng the many by pointing out hypocrisy in the church and helping transform the faith...

You got it.

:but we're already working on it, trust me.

I see little evidence of UUs working on the injustices, abuses and hypocrisy in the church that I have been pointing out for years now.

:(or at least we are in my district and in the UU Young Adult movement at large)

I am more concerned mith "my district" as well as the "greater community" of UUism. First we take Montreal, then we take Beantown. . .

:Btw, are you going to be @ GA2006? It's in my hometown, and maybe we can chill for a bit then, if that's allright w/ you.

Maybe but I wasn't exactly planning on it. OTOH If that's an invitation I just might take you up on it. I am thinking about heading down to Times Square later this month though.

Allah prochaine,

The Dagger of Sweet Reason
indrax said…
:What did Spock say? "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the one".

Indeed he did. I expect that Stalin, Mao and other totalitarians would probably agree with him. . . Quite evidently the Totalitarian Church agreed with him. . .


Now wait just one minute.

You can ignore me, you can poke fun at my bad drawings. You can badmouth my church, and you can push your own semi-scientific theology.

That I can handle.

But I'm not going to stand by and let you malign the name of Spock.

<
:-|
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(pointy ears)
Robin Edgar said…
Sorry Indrax but let's face it Spock kind of put his foot in his mouth with that one. . . ;-) Actually I am sure that you cam imagine that the ever so rational Spock is the Star Trek character that I most identify with. OTOH Most UUs probably see me as a Klingon having a bad hair-day! ;-)
Robin Edgar said…
BTW Indrax I didn't really poke fun at what you call your "bad drawings." I actually thought that it was a pretty darn good crude drawing of your stereotypical Hallowe'en widebrimmed conical witch's hat. . . ;-)

The rest of your crude drawings are just fine by me too!
indrax said…
I don't see how Spock put his foot in his mouth. Keep in mind that he was giving his life to save the ship at the time.

I know you weren't poking fun, but I needed another phrase to round out the rant. Tempo and all that.
Robin Edgar said…
Well in that context I would have to agree that the statement does make perfect sense and is quite noble. OTOH however at face value, without that context, it could very easily be interpreted as endorsing the proverbial "tyranny of the majority" hence my suggestion that that Stalin, Mao and other totalitarians would probably approve of Spock's words.