It is very possible that I was a Baptist in a past life. Bear in mind that all I know about the Baptist church is what I have absorbed from the popular media and by word of mouth. I have never actually attended a service. My mental image is one where worship services are infused with deep passion, joyful singing and boundless enthusiasm. And therein lies the crux of my dilemma and possibly our denomination's dilemma. The religious right seems to have corned the market on exultant, jubilant, passionate worship."Now, while I am intimately concerned with the questions of meaning and the possibilities of direction in our lives, this doesn’t mean all has to be solemn. Frequently the theme should be lighter—we need laughter and celebration and song every bit as much as reflection. I think of Emma Goldman, who said, “If I can’t dance, I won’t join your revolution.” And I see our church as a dancing revolution. We are engaged in a dance within the mystery of the cosmos."
Which raises the question: what do we worship? We do not fling our arms up in the air during serive and shout "Amen" and "Praise Jesus"; we are Unitarian Universalists after all. We are a diverse people who have as many individual spiritual practices and beliefs as there are colors in the rainbow. Our 7 principles are heady intellectual ideals which, while being noble, don't tend to inspire in me the desire to dance and shout for joy. So, what do we worship? More to the point, why don't we celebrate more often, shout for joy more often, exualte more often when we worship together? I know that I hunger for that depth of feeling.
Is it possible to be an Evangelical Unitarian Universalist church without the bible thumping and in the absence of an agreed upon deity?
See, I'm a good UU....no answers. Just questions.
Peace
No comments:
Post a Comment