Among the seven Principles that covenant Unitarian Universalist congregations, the seventh holds a unique and expansive place: "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part." This statement is both a spiritual affirmation and a profound ecological and philosophical truth claim, serving as a foundational ethic for modern religious naturalism. To understand its depth is to explore its scientific underpinnings, its theological implications, and its urgent call to ethical living. At its core, this principle moves beyond a mere acknowledgment of nature's beauty to assert a fundamental ontology of relationship. It posits that existence is not a collection of discrete, independent objects, but a dynamic, interconnected process. Is this true that all existence is interdependent? From a scientific perspective, evidence abounds. In ecology, the concept of the food web illustrates how energy and matter flow through systems, where the loss of a single s...
The last note the pianist played… Momentarily hangs in the air. Last sip of Bourbon and Cola— Cigarette smoke dancing clumsily… Up from the charcoal-colored ashtray. Tonight is ours to share and enjoy! Sitting across from you is… Better than I ever imagined. Our souls—drawn together like magnets, Positive and negative— Electric Charge. Taking your hand into mine… My love, an eternal flame, Burns bright and hot, Igniting my soul with passion, Telling my fortune, And writing it into the stars— An ethereal plan. I loved the idea of you… Before we ever met. Our love was meant to be. Kismet brought us together. I found my perfect lover… In the Universe. If I live for eternity, My heart will always be yours— Forever bound to you… By cords of love entwined, Strong cords that cannot be broken… By anybody. Eternity with you… Forever basking in the warmth… Of your embrace— Laughi...