tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post8362629327357959252..comments2023-12-15T21:49:46.651+01:00Comments on Pluralist Speaks: My Service, and How a New Attender AppearedPluralist (Adrian Worsfold)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01922153724523820866noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-76892462649164005972012-11-28T20:30:13.353+01:002012-11-28T20:30:13.353+01:00Well, I appreciate the comments of course. I'm...Well, I appreciate the comments of course. I'm pleased that my effort - and I write my own prayers - are seen as co-ordinated and coherent. I think the problem isn't just individualism in that there are only so many points of coherence and variation, but rather Unitarianism as a kind of inherited easy-listening religion where it is neither one thing nor the other. People like me upset those who want a quiet life, to sing nice hymns and generally go unchallenged. I can debate a coherent Christian message too, though I'm not sure I'd want that every week, say from a minister dedicated to that point of view. That's a contradiction in itself, when such minister should have no test of belief. The worst 'easy-listening' or 'do not disturb' approach is a feature of religious demand well beyond Unitarianism too.Pluralist (Adrian Worsfold)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01922153724523820866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-2818261854213795002012-11-28T16:02:23.034+01:002012-11-28T16:02:23.034+01:00That's a shame. I suppose it's a question ...That's a shame. I suppose it's a question of what the needs of Unitarians are? And can they even be spoke about collectively?<br /><br />There is probably a contradiction to be found somewhere in people entering a church that proclaims individualism, then complaining that a fellow individual's sermon didn't meet their own particular needs. <br /><br />I have to say, before abandoning ship to the Quakers, I was of the Unitarian Christian / Free Christian / Classical Unitarian camp - basically something similar to the American Unitarian Conference theology. So we would disagree on the course of Unitarianism.<br /><br />However, for me, your service read (on paper at least) as a very credible alternative Unitarianism to Unitarian Christianity in terms of the substance and the worship around on it. It wasn't just a mish mash of pithey sayings, as often is the case with 'post-Christian Unitarianism' - it was well connected and inspirational. <br /><br />It probably helps that I also have great admiration for Carl Sagan and readily engage with his work.<br /><br />Anyway, it's a well done from me at least.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10663798316168079940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-55716085196601932242012-11-26T23:57:49.934+01:002012-11-26T23:57:49.934+01:00Not very well, to be honest. One said it met my ne...Not very well, to be honest. One said it met my needs but not those of others and another made a barbed comment about my brain and how it manages to stay together - she thinks she's being funny.Pluralist (Adrian Worsfold)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01922153724523820866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-4510038528463175072012-11-26T22:31:23.420+01:002012-11-26T22:31:23.420+01:00I liked your service a lot, Adrian.
Whether you ...I liked your service a lot, Adrian. <br /><br />Whether you agree with it or not, it had substance which is often what present-day Unitarianism lacks.<br /><br />I'd be interested to know how well it was received by the congregation?Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10663798316168079940noreply@blogger.com