*service 2007-12-09 *faith On-Site Coordiantor: Nancy Lee (303-499-4104) Worship Associate: Neal McBurnett Speaker: Rev. Becky Topic: Faith Moderator: Neal McBurnett Accompanist: Sara Ushers: David Roederer & Julie Ford Audio: Shane Storm [vs Doug Barr?] FAA: Rev. Becky Music: Choir MS: Margaret Significant UUCB Events: UU&U, 5:00 Vespers Hayden: 1. Neal please acknowledge Steve Storm who will use the mike to make an announcement about Coffee Ministers for the months of January, February, March and April. .... 3. Steve Van S. please be in the earth room in your coffee/barista apron when Steve S. makes his announcement. 2007-11-26T17:12:59-0700 December 9: Faith - Is it Reasonable? Faith is an essential element in all of our lives; some may disagree. Today we will discuss what constitutes faith; how we all live with faith and how it is as prevalent as love and hope in our daily lives. This season is one of faith. Let us speak of faith within the Unitarian Universalist context. Worship Associate: Neal McBurnett "In actual life every great enterprise begins with and takes its first forward step in faith." ---August Wilhelm von Schlegel Reflection: On Faith and Reason Neal McBurnett Reflection: Faith Beyond Reason Rev. Becky Gunn Today you can think of me as your Moderator, or your Worship Associate, or your Service Associate, or your Facilitator. None of those titles capture this role quite the way I'd like, but I have faith that our ongoing process will come up with a good way to introduce ourselves. 2007-12-07T16:26:33-0700 My reaction to the way the word faith is often used is pretty negative. There is a focus on unquestioned belief by a set of "true believers" in some sort of dogma. But why is it that "true believers" so often ignore the plain truth? When faced with a contradiction between good, solid science and writings that are thousands of years old, I'll go with the science. I also have seen a history of abuse of faith by fundamentalist clergy and other authority figures. For example I think most of us have a pretty strong urge to search for meaning in life. It is very common for religions to assert that they have the answers to such questions. [.....] This is in contrast to the fourth UU principle: "A free and responsible search for truth and meaning". And I hate it when people tell other people how or what to think. OK - I just wanted to get that bit of reactionary ranting off my chest. It is a pretty knee-jerk response, and comes from the "victim" perspective. And I'm slowly learning that when I view myself as a victim, I don't make much progress or grow. And therin lie many of the lessons of faith for me. easy knee-jerk responses to get you on my side. now for the harder part. intellectual vs heart victim vs responsibility On the other hand, we all know that science doesn't have good answers for so many of the deepest problems we face. stuckness vs flow And often we need to make decisions. Oh how I put them off. And there lies the growing edge of faith for me. ....figure out, state my thesis.... faith in action and creativity. Enough diatribe. creativity. positive views. looking inward. personal faith. how can we harness flow, expansiveness - via faith objective vs subjective central question: faith in what? faith vs what, under what circumstances? vs reason? science? open mind? no vs despair? yes. distraction? yes. endless indecision? yes. faith... in church? in process? in self? in love? faith... when in despair? when being creative? c.v. consciousness, truth faith for religions focussed on afterlife hope vs responsibility Positive views vs judgements. [that's the point! hendricks. angels] faith as a tool in troubled times came out of more scary and confused times in history faith in self - "I can get through this - I have before" "your mind is not your friend" Failing of many UUs, including myself, not enough faith in their own creativity and power. Relax. Fun. frequent importance choosing in the absence of evidence puts you back in control hip, foot, throat, etc uus - endless committee - importance of decision making in a religious context - about community and self-responsibility intro So let me tell you my story of faith in action. In this case, faith in the placibo effect. A matter of confidence and character. personal story of pain and faith in doctor engstrom Summer of 1995, long complicated story of hip pain when I walked. Bursitis/one foot shorter/ rest. New home, new role, no friends. Holly recommended good doctor, finally made appointment. Explained my pain, theories, concerns. Really liked him, and his attitude. "We can deal with this." Started walking again in moderation, and it all pretty quickly just went away! Portland - great place to walk. Faith that when uu's address a loaded topic like faith, the result will bring the best of wisdom and science to the most human of concerns. **Closing Hymn: #108 "My Life Flows on in Endless Song" **Opening Hymn: #1012 "When I am Frightened" closing December 9: Faith - Is it Reasonable? "In actual life every great enterprise begins with and takes its first forward step in faith." rose will open terminology vs "belief", "commitment" (adams), "character" (TC) "trust" "confidence" "conscious", "community", "perseverence", "inspiration" To have faith involves an act of will. ahh - principles - faith in them? in process? Faith is belief in inspiration, revelation, or authority. Rationality is belief based on reason or evidence. Faith as underlying rationality: In this view, all human knowledge and reason is seen as dependent on faith: faith in our senses, faith in our reason, faith in our memories, and faith in the accounts of events we receive from others. [?] I'm talking about terms like "people of faith", "faith-based initiatives", "deepen our faith", "faith community". people of faith == safe community in which to grow is uuism a faith? or philosophy, subject to change? amber's talk quotes from tj, mlk, (adams) in email talk with eric