Quaker Universalist Voice: Do humanism and universalism differ?

On Quaker Universalist Voice, the blog of the Quaker Universalist Fellowship, I have published a new post, “Do humanism and universalism differ?“

Here is an excerpt:

“This I know experimentally” does not refer to knowledge gained from replicable outer-world demonstration. It refers, rather, to a sure inward conviction, grounded in personal experience, which each person must become open to herself, though it can be pointed to and shared with others through the languages of art and religion.

Marsden warns us of the loss of the “dimension of meaning” when we limit what we believe we can know to the rationality of the ideologically secular.

Please visit QUV, read the post, and offer your comments.

Blessings,
Mike

Quaker Universalist Voice and its blog

Friends,

Since the beginning of 2012, I have served on the steering committee of Quaker Universalist Fellowship and been responsible for the blog on that group’s website, Quaker Universalist Voice.

Much of my blog writing since then has been directed that way for the past year, rather than toward this more personal blog of Quaker sharing. If you are interested in seeing some of my work there, check this blog’s Key Posts page.

Blessings,
Mike

Don’t know why I like this…

…but I do.

 

Chocolate Jesus

by Tom Waits
from the album Mule Variations (1999)
photograph by Richard Kalvar

I Dont go to church on Sunday
I Dont get down on my knees to pray
I Dont memorize the books of the bible
I got my own special way
Bit I know Jesus loves me
Maybe just a little bit more

I fall on my knees every Sunday
At zerelda lees candy store

Well its got to be a chocolate Jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate Jesus
Keep me satisfied

Well I dont want no Abba zabba
Dont want no almond joy
There aint nothing better
Suitable for this boy
Well its the only thing
That can pick me up
Better than a cup of gold
See only a chocolate Jesus
Can satisfy my soul

(solo)
When the weather gets rough
And its whiskey in the shade
Its best to wrap your savior
Up in cellophane
He flows like the big muddy
But thats ok
Pour him over ice cream
For a nice parfait

Well its got to be a chocolate Jesus
Good enough for me
Got to be a chocolate Jesus
Good enough for me

Well its got to be a chocolate Jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate Jesus
Keep me satisfied

Austin: 1922-2013

My relationship with my father has always been more complexly private than the one with my mother.

To some extent this is sadly true for many men and their fathers, at least in patriarchal cultures. There are societal and biological pressures on men—almost from birth on—expectations that they be “real men,” constantly testing and competing with and doubting each other.

But put all that aside.

From before I can remember, this loving, gentle man showed me the real Jesus, from the pulpit, but far more profoundly as a father.

He died in his sleep on January 16, 2013.

And so it is,
Blessèd be.

Michael

Sitting meditation