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 congregants clapped their hands… And shouted, “Praise the lord!” Victory Pentecostal Church… “Jesus on the main line… Tell him what you want!” David Dunn followed his father… Into the ministry: “Pentecostal Fire.” David had a secret he had never told: His boyfriend, John, was not a Christian, What’s more: David didn’t want to be… A Christian either; he wasn’t sure what… He wanted to be, but he knew he wanted… To define himself —true freedom! Defining oneself, free from societal biases, Takes enough work to stay busy. Stay busy and keep your mind occupied. Life has a way of becoming boring when you do nothing. Boredom turns to misery if not alleviated. Plenty of poor, depressed souls can attest to that. Knowing these things: David started his journey. David posited: Mind is our most precious possession; Therefore, gaining wisdom is paramount. Without wisdom, kingdoms fall, and countries are crushe...