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Life More Abundantly by Andrew Kerr (May 25, 2008)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises his followers "life more abundantly" if they understand his message. In a similar vein, the god Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita promises "fullness of joy" to those who understand religious truth. What is this "fullness" and "abundance" about which so many religions speak? Can we as freethinkers find religious truth in these statements even outside the dogmas of specific religions? While we enjoy the abundance of life in nature, so striking in late May, let's gather together to explore the abundance of life possible to us as human beings.
Readings from Edna St. Vincent Millay, Mary Oliver, and Kahil Gibran.
Walking, Planting, and Free Thinking: Some Summer Thoughts by Andrew Kerr (Frühlingsfest - June 2008)
The movement of each season prompts movements in our own thoughts and feelings. What religious work does summer have to offer to us? We'll explore Thoreau's teachings in his wonderful essay "Walking," then turn our attention to the farmer and gardener's work of planting, all to put together a summer religious message. We will see that summer offers the religious possibilities of both 'wildness' and of 'pastoralism.'
Establishing the Religious Question by Andrew Kerr (July 27, 2008)
The separation clause states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Many Americans see the separation of church and state as fundamental to American democracy. How did the Founders arrive at the separation of church and state? What are we to make of the separation clause in light of the religious character of American society? Generally speaking, the courts have understood religion as an answer. What might the separation clause mean to religion if religion is understood as a question rather than merely as an answer?
Readings in the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution. W. Whitman's "I Hear America Singing".
Play: A Freethinker’s Philosophy of Vacation by Andrew Kerr (August 24, 2008)
In the Hindu tradition, the world is ‘lila,’ the play of God. There is the dance of the god Shiva, whose dance creates and orders the world, but by turns destroys it as well. Given these images, what does play mean? Studies show that many animals, as well as humans, need to play. What religious insights can we gain from play? For many of us, August is the time for vacation. Perhaps our exploration of play can help us to have the vacation we really want and really need.
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