Comments for Returning . . . http://www.returningblog.com A UU minister in the Land of Enchantment Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:41:57 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Phoenix Reflections: One Month Later by KokHeong McNaughton http://www.returningblog.com/?p=576&cpage=1#comment-9368 KokHeong McNaughton Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:41:57 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=576#comment-9368 Thanks, John, for posting this. I wasn't able to look at that chart yesterday, but now I can appreciate it here at home, taking my own time to follow the arrow. I'm an immigrant and now naturalized. We came to this country in 1972 and it was 13 years later before we became naturalized, through Mike's professional channel. On my own, I would not have qualified. I think of it as part of his white privileges rubbing off on me. Thanks, John, for posting this.

I wasn’t able to look at that chart yesterday, but now I can appreciate it here at home, taking my own time to follow the arrow.

I’m an immigrant and now naturalized. We came to this country in 1972 and it was 13 years later before we became naturalized, through Mike’s professional channel. On my own, I would not have qualified. I think of it as part of his white privileges rubbing off on me.

]]> Comment on Phoenix Reflections: One Month Later by Tweets that mention Phoenix Reflections: One Month Later « Returning . . . -- Topsy.com http://www.returningblog.com/?p=576&cpage=1#comment-9366 Tweets that mention Phoenix Reflections: One Month Later « Returning . . . -- Topsy.com Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:02:19 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=576#comment-9366 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rev. John Cullinan, John A. Cullinan. John A. Cullinan said: Phoenix reflections: http://www.returningblog.com/?p=576 [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rev. John Cullinan, John A. Cullinan. John A. Cullinan said: Phoenix reflections: http://www.returningblog.com/?p=576 [...]

]]> Comment on Why A General Assembly Boycott of Arizona Is Not An Option by Phoenix Reflections: One Month Later « Returning . . . http://www.returningblog.com/?p=503&cpage=1#comment-9365 Phoenix Reflections: One Month Later « Returning . . . Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:39:52 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=503#comment-9365 [...] I fell into the latter camp, believing our mission called us to be present rather than absent. I was very vocal on this matter. Our churches in Arizona were begging for us to come, were feeling abandoned by the thought of UUs [...] [...] I fell into the latter camp, believing our mission called us to be present rather than absent. I was very vocal on this matter. Our churches in Arizona were begging for us to come, were feeling abandoned by the thought of UUs [...]

]]> Comment on Who’s a Jihadist? by Believing, defining jihad, and other UU blogger concerns « uuworld.org : The Interdependent Web http://www.returningblog.com/?p=536&cpage=1#comment-9362 Believing, defining jihad, and other UU blogger concerns « uuworld.org : The Interdependent Web Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:17:49 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=536#comment-9362 [...] It appears frequently throughout the Qur’an and its commentaries, most often in the context of “struggling in the way of Allah.” In this sense, jihad is the struggle every Muslim goes through to live a correct life as [...] [...] It appears frequently throughout the Qur’an and its commentaries, most often in the context of “struggling in the way of Allah.” In this sense, jihad is the struggle every Muslim goes through to live a correct life as [...]

]]> Comment on A Most Dangerous Game, or “Mosque Ado About Nothing” by Betsy Davis http://www.returningblog.com/?p=523&cpage=1#comment-9358 Betsy Davis Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:22:39 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=523#comment-9358 wonderful John. Thank you. I have posted on my profile for as many as possible to read. wonderful John. Thank you. I have posted on my profile for as many as possible to read.

]]> Comment on A Most Dangerous Game, or “Mosque Ado About Nothing” by Loretta Conklin http://www.returningblog.com/?p=523&cpage=1#comment-9356 Loretta Conklin Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:06:00 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=523#comment-9356 Thank you so much for the insight....I was torn on what was right and fair regarding this issue.I am going to post your insights on my page because I believe every American deserves to know the truth.I am a christian and I believe we all have a right practice whatever religion we choose. I believe if one takes the time to read your passage they too will have a better understanding of the truth and may have a change of heart. Thank you so much for the insight. Thank you so much for the insight….I was torn on what was right and fair regarding this issue.I am going to post your insights on my page because I believe every American deserves to know the truth.I am a christian and I believe we all have a right practice whatever religion we choose. I believe if one takes the time to read your passage they too will have a better understanding of the truth and may have a change of heart. Thank you so much for the insight.

]]> Comment on A Most Dangerous Game, or “Mosque Ado About Nothing” by Mark A. Boyle http://www.returningblog.com/?p=523&cpage=1#comment-9357 Mark A. Boyle Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:22:33 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=523#comment-9357 Wonderful, John!!! Wonderful, John!!!

]]> Comment on Why A General Assembly Boycott of Arizona Is Not An Option by Robin Edgar http://www.returningblog.com/?p=503&cpage=1#comment-9321 Robin Edgar Fri, 14 May 2010 14:46:02 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=503#comment-9321 "I think the board recognized this is a complex and fast changing issue" All the more reason *not* to recommend a boycott AFA*I*AC. Far better to "wait and see" and maintain the future presence in Phoenix AZ for possible public protest actions in Phoenix and other suitable actions if needs be. “I think the board recognized this is a complex and fast changing issue”

All the more reason *not* to recommend a boycott AFA*I*AC.

Far better to “wait and see” and maintain the future presence in Phoenix AZ for possible public protest actions in Phoenix and other suitable actions if needs be.

]]> Comment on Why A General Assembly Boycott of Arizona Is Not An Option by Rob Smith http://www.returningblog.com/?p=503&cpage=1#comment-9320 Rob Smith Fri, 14 May 2010 06:33:46 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=503#comment-9320 Robin, not as far as I know. A number of us found out about the call, and were able to listen in. There had at least been some ground work talking to ministers and the district leadership, but nothing as far as engaging the congregations. While I disagree with their discussion, I will at least say that I think the board recognized this is a complex and fast changing issue and that was part of the reason they made a recommendation but put the final word back in the hands of the congregation delegates at GA 2010. I'm also glad to say that word seems to be spreading fast about the May 29th rally, and it seems like we will have people from many UU congregations across the country and people from the UUA here in Phoenix that day. If anyone is interested in joining us, and needs support for home stays or local transportation you can contact us on our Facebook page and we'll get you connected with the right people! Click on my name for the facebook link, or I'll see if it let's me paste it below: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chandler-AZ/Valley-Unitarian-Universalist-Church-Chandler-AZ/185294219237 Robin, not as far as I know. A number of us found out about the call, and were able to listen in. There had at least been some ground work talking to ministers and the district leadership, but nothing as far as engaging the congregations. While I disagree with their discussion, I will at least say that I think the board recognized this is a complex and fast changing issue and that was part of the reason they made a recommendation but put the final word back in the hands of the congregation delegates at GA 2010.

I’m also glad to say that word seems to be spreading fast about the May 29th rally, and it seems like we will have people from many UU congregations across the country and people from the UUA here in Phoenix that day. If anyone is interested in joining us, and needs support for home stays or local transportation you can contact us on our Facebook page and we’ll get you connected with the right people!

Click on my name for the facebook link, or I’ll see if it let’s me paste it below:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/.....5294219237

]]> Comment on Why A General Assembly Boycott of Arizona Is Not An Option by Jillian N. Kong-Sivert http://www.returningblog.com/?p=503&cpage=1#comment-9319 Jillian N. Kong-Sivert Fri, 14 May 2010 05:59:02 +0000 http://www.returningblog.com/?p=503#comment-9319 I really think you're onto something with you "cheap grace" analogy, coming as it does on the heals of the wonderful discussion in spring 2010 of UU World "Can Unitarian Universalism Adapt to a Changing Society?" In it, Paul Rasor observes that "religious liberalism's defining characteristic is its posture of intentional engagement with modern culture," which posture should make UU's ideally situated to respond to the large-scale shifts taking place in American culture, for instance, multiculturalism. But it's not that simple, he warns. Multiculturalism is threatening to "our safe and tidy way of being religious" and we find it threatening. I keep going back to this observation as I absorb these calls for a boycott. As often as the boycott is spoken of as a tool for dialogue and influence, it is much more often spoken of in terms of repugnance, indignation, recoil, fear for safety, shunning. And what is the alternative we keep running to? Portland, Oregon? You see it, right? Well, if nobody will say it, I'll say it. Portland does not have Phoenix's problems with managing diversity because Portland does not have Phoenix's diversity. so what are we really saying about UUism's ability to adapt to a multicultural world? Retreat to Portland? I really think you’re onto something with you “cheap grace” analogy, coming as it does on the heals of the wonderful discussion in spring 2010 of UU World “Can Unitarian Universalism Adapt to a Changing Society?” In it, Paul Rasor observes that “religious liberalism’s defining characteristic is its posture of intentional engagement with modern culture,” which posture should make UU’s ideally situated to respond to the large-scale shifts taking place in American culture, for instance, multiculturalism. But it’s not that simple, he warns. Multiculturalism is threatening to “our safe and tidy way of being religious” and we find it threatening. I keep going back to this observation as I absorb these calls for a boycott. As often as the boycott is spoken of as a tool for dialogue and influence, it is much more often spoken of in terms of repugnance, indignation, recoil, fear for safety, shunning. And what is the alternative we keep running to? Portland, Oregon? You see it, right? Well, if nobody will say it, I’ll say it. Portland does not have Phoenix’s problems with managing diversity because Portland does not have Phoenix’s diversity. so what are we really saying about UUism’s ability to adapt to a multicultural world? Retreat to Portland?

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