I received a politically offensive email the other day, forwarded to me by a friend who is quite conservative. This is not a close friend, but a member of a group of people I care about.

I have received other emails from among this group which made me aware that we were in very different arenas when it came to social and political ideologies. I’ve never been certain how to respond, and I think that’s a problem a number of us struggle with on occasion.

With my family, and had I close friends with whom I differed so radically, I would just get mad and draw the discussion to an end. While I’ve spoken before on the immaturity of such behavior, and the loss involved in not listening empathically to “the other,” for me it is sometimes simply the best course of action, particularly in these politically charged times. But with friends who are not close enough for such rugged reactions, I’ve been uncertain in my responses.

The last time this occurred, it was especially difficult because I was one among a number of people to whom the email had been addressed. If I did not respond, I felt they could fairly assume I agreed with the sentiment, and if I did respond, I feared I would embarrass the sender, a gentle and well-intentioned but (in my view) misguided soul. After much thought, and several revised and discarded theses on the topic, I finally responded as follows: “As someone who is at the far liberal end of both the political and religious spectrums, I can’t say I agree with these sentiments. But I love all of you who are my conservative friends.” That message allowed me to keep my integrity, and my friends.

The message I received the other day, however (from a different sender), was simply too vicious to sidestep. In ugly terms, it talked about the suspected religious affiliation of one of our presidential candidates, and the danger that posed to our country. We who did not agree with the bigotry were labeled bleeding heart liberals, as well as cowards.

I began my three paragraph response as follows: “As I have said, I love my more conservative friends. But I am a liberal and my heart does bleed.” I then went on to speak my truth -- not in hopes that I would change minds. I knew that was not going to happen. I spoke my truth because to do otherwise would have been dishonest. And cowardly. And damaging.

I am a liberal who would not hesitate to vote for a conservative candidate should I think he or she the best choice for an office. I would base such a decision on the candidate’s history, record, platform, the other candidates in the race, and maybe even just on my sense of the person. But I would not base it on religion. Religion has no place in the political process. But even if it did, all scare tactics aside, it would be an unreliable indicator of a candidate’s worth or effectiveness.

I ended my email response by saying “I know we disagree on this…”

Sometimes you have to let your friends go.

Dear Members and Friends,

The holes in the wall of separation of church and state are getting larger. More and more faith-based projects are funded by tax money with ittle regard to the curricula of these projects. Many are schools with a religious agenda, and many are social service agencies with hidden agendas.

Some charter schools teach intelligent design and creationism with no mention of evolution as an alternate theory. Many of the schools are operated by evangelicals who subscribe to this formula written by the Grace Evangelical School of Theology: "The Fall took place in the beginning of human history, and all individuals born since then suffer these same consequences, are fallen, sinful and lost and are in need of salvation."

What is needed is an avowal of faith in Jesus, and correspondingly a direct response from Christ. The whole world of Biblical criticism and scholarship is ignored. Faith-based institutions can undermine the mission of the church or school which is sponsoring social or educational services, may be coerced into taking part in religious activities as a price for receiving help. They undermine democracy with their authoritarian methods and philosophies.

There is a movement to establish a theocracy in place of our democracy as a way to create "the good society." This frightens me. These theocrats are religions Nazis who justify bombing abortion clinics in the name of the sanctity of human life. This revival of religious conservatism serves the interests of some politicians in the coming elections. An uprising against the liberal intelligentsia began in the 50's and later gave us Ronald Reagan as the hero of the religious right. Christian television channels began to proliferate, and conservative research institutes were established. The movement toward a theocracy is strong and noisy.

Leaders in the liberal religious movements will have to see the danger to our democracy, and the implications of a growing fascism. Imbedded is intolerance is violence, and the daily paper reminds us of the price being oaid for religious intolerance. In the grit depression Sinclair Lewis Grote, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

In spite of the challenges of our times, let us rejoice and be glad that our time is now when we can be healers and reconcilers. At this time of reurrection of the glories of our planet let us give thanks for our fifty years of holding up the faith that sustains us.

Love and happy Spring!

Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: In Ancient Times

If man was made in the image of God, then woman was made in the image of Goddess. Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: In Ancient Times is an empowering class that connects women to the Goddess within them. It will be held in one intensive woman-filled week, May 5-10 (excluding Tuesday), 7-9pm nightly.

Cakes for the Queen of Heaven is a powerful and popular UU program that was created by Shirley Ranck in 1986. The title comes from the book of Jeremiah 7:17-18 in the Bible, wherein God speaks to Jeremiah, saying:

“Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough to makes cakes to the Queen of Heaven and to pour out libations to the other gods, in order to anger me!”

God tells Jeremiah that if the people do not stop this worship and turn only to Yahweh, a great catastrophe will befall them. After a few years of this warning, they became afraid and stopped. Shortly after that, of course, they became captors of Babylon, and Jerusalem was burned to the ground. The people felt betrayed and told Jeremiah, “When we poured out libations to the Queen of Heaven, we had enough to eat, we had no war, and when we stopped doing that, we went hungry and we died by the sword and through famine.” (Jeremiah 44:18)

When the original Cakes for the Queen of Heaven came out in 1986, it changed the lives of women everywhere and helped the UU Women and Religion movement bring about the removal of sexist language in UU literature and the addition of the seventh principle, respecting all creation. Now, it is time for further revision of that story.

Cakes: In Ancient Times by Shirley Ann Ranck, weaves the stories of ancient Goddesses and matriarchal worship with major concerns of women today. This 5-session women’s religious education curriculum) is an awesome way to connect with the Woman within you. It will deal with major relationships in your life (including that fun mother-daughter one) and give you the resources and the challenge to use your power to change the world…because you can!

Class Information: This 5-session class is open to anyone 14 years and older. Classes will be held in one intensive woman-filled week, May 5-10 (excluding Tuesday). Cost for this class is $10 (to cover cost of supplies). We need to know how many are coming, so please register by emailing your name/address/phone to DRE@buuf2.org or fill out a registration form at BUUF and give to Teresa or put it in her mailbox in the office. This class will be open to the public. Payments will be collected at the first class.

This curriculum was published by UU Women & Religion. You can read more about it on their website: http://www.uuwr.org/store.htm#curricula

BUUF Teachers Are Superheroes

We have the world’s best RE teachers at BUUF! Our regular children’s teachers are Gloria Weberg, Sharon Roberts, and Harvey & Tricia Johnson. Emily Hecht has also made herself available as back-up teacher and has assisted me in class. These people are smart, talented, and committed to giving children a headstart in life through fun activities, heartfelt lessons, and lots of love. The year is coming to a close and none of them have ever missed their assigned Sunday to teach…wow! We have learned about a lot of UU Superheroes this year, but the true superheroes are these committed people.

As you can see by the calendar below, I have given these folks some Sundays off in April, so that they can enjoy services and spend some time with their families. Not to fear! The children will not be forgotten. Children who are in service on April 6 & 13 will have craft and music time to enjoy. We’ve got some special crafts planned for those who attend and we have an end-of-the-year musical to begin working on. On April 20, we will have Earth Day activities, hopefully spending part of that time outdoors. If you have an Earth Day activity you would like to share with the children, please let me know. Spring is an exciting time!

As this year draws to a close, it is my hope that we can begin next year with even more people who are willing to give a little of themselves so that children can learn the principles of UU. The more teachers we have, the easier it will be for everyone. If you are interested in teaching children or leading the teen class next year, be sure to talk to me about it.

Students Work on Garden Project

Students at MLK Freshman Academy (where Emily is teaches) have been working on a plan to improve a downtown Benton Harbor green space which has been left rather barren. The space is downtown at the corner of Pipestone and Main Streets.

“Our students are trying to gather economic and physical support to make this beautification project a success,” Emily states. “I know a few of you like to garden and we could use your expertise, labor as well as donations.”

Planting will take place on May 17. If you can give a donation, contact Emily at ehecht10@yahoo.com.

RE Calendar of Special Dates

April
6 – No classes (Spring Break)
13 – No classes (Spring Break)
20 – Earth Day class
27 – Lesson 20: Ralph Waldo Emerson

May
4 – May Day celebration (outdoors, if possible—dress for the weather!)
11—Lesson 21: Celebrating Ourselves as Superheroes!
18—Inter-Generational Service: Superheroes, Unite!
END OF 2007/08 SEASON

What We Teach Children:

One or more of the following seven principles are the backbone of every lesson we teach:

• Each and every person is important
• All people should be treated fairly and with kindness
• We should accept one another and keep on learning together
• Each person must be free to search for what is true and right
• All persons should have a voice in the things that concern them
• We work for a peaceful, fair, and free world
• We care for our planet earth, and treat all creatures upon it with respect, as we share the same home.

Jim Dalgleish April 16 Josephine Miller April 25 Evan Lefever April 25

The BUUF book club April meeting will be held on THURSDAY, April 3 at Gloria's. We will be reading We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates. May will be another opportunity to share poems and in June we are considering A Thousand Splendid Suns as our selection. Date has not been determined and will be scheduled aournd the Cakes course.

A Tun Fime Hus Wad Ay Ball!

The Third Annual BUUF Cabaret has come and gone, and a fun time was had by all. We had music, poetry, jokes, readings, a monolog, word play including two Spoonerisms (that’s spoo Tunerisms) and a speech-affected fairy tale by Sue Betz. We also had some great characterizations. We saw some sides of people we don’t usually see, which is always fun, and we had some good snacks and fellowship, as well. The next morning people were already talking about what they want to do for next year’s Cabaret.

Thanks to all those who helped, especially Dave Sarra for setting-up and creating a great Cabaret atmosphere, and Gary Cook for emceeing.

Next year – same time (give or take), same place! It’s never too soon to start planning…