Sermons: Summer 2009

Is the New Atheism Good for Democracy?
Dr. Elliot Ratzman ~ September 6, 2009

In recent years, bestselling books have claimed that religion is the source of all evils. Authors like Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris claim belief in God is a dangerous practice and advocate aggressive atheism as a solution. Are the new atheists being fair to religion and to belief in God? Should we celebrate or be wary of an organized atheist movement in America? On the other side, religious conservatives have suggested that atheists cannot make good citizens. This new development among vocal atheists and conservative intellectuals will be explored.

Elliot Ratzman teaches courses in religion, ethics, and Jewish studies at Swarthmore College and Temple University. He received his PhD from Princeton University from the Religion Department. He is currently at work on a book about existentialism and religion.

Available in Audio only.

Crossing the Desert
Kate Diller ~ August 30, 2009

Many stories from the early Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers tell us that "to attend to the poor is to contemplate the mystery of God's presence in the world. Paying attention, both to God and to each other, is all that ever really matters." How do we give each other the gift of attention? How do we receive this gift? How can this change the way we experience the world?

Available in Audio only.

One
Rev. Ryan Henderson ~ August 23, 2009

Drawing on a variety of sources ranging from the Bible to Henry David Thoreau to lyrics by the band U2, Rev. Henderson examines the tensions and the linkages between our individuality and our relatedness.

Available in Audio only.

Celebrating the Harvest: Lammas & Lughnasadh
Heather L. Gehron-Rice ~ August 9, 2009

Why do we wait until November to give thanks for the food we eat? Why not celebrate the harvest now as we are enjoying the riches of summer!

Available in Audio only.

Ritual Power
Rev. Libby Smith ~ August 2, 2009

Rituals are one way that communities honor significant events and passages. Although ours is not a sacramental tradition, we need the power of ritual to express the depth of our lives.

Available in Audio only.

Is Superman a Closet UU? and other compelling questions
Mark Bernstein ~ July 12, 2009

Does the Man of Steel light a chalice in his Fortress of Solitude? Do the Caped Crusader and Robin the Boy Wonder secretly share joys and concerns deep in the bowels of the Bat Cave? And what about Betty and Veronica? Explore the connection between our comic book heroes and our UU principles.

Available in Audio only.

Love and Fear, Hope and Urgency
Kathy Ellis ~ July 5, 2009

Kathy Ellis has recently completed her seminary coursework in the Modified Residency Program at Meadville Lombard Theological School. She discusses what she learned in her last class, her favorite television series and what may give us hope. Kathy has just left WellSprings Congregation in Chester Springs where she served as Director of Leadership & Spiritual Development.

Available in Audio only.

The Jesus Story, A Parable of Being
Rev. Elizabeth Ellis ~ June 28, 2009

A major problem with religion is that people often understand that which is myth, symbol, metaphor as literal speech. The story of Jesus describes an historic figure who literally said and did things, although the facts are incompletely recorded and widely interpreted. But the story of Jesus is more than history; it is spiritual speech. Can we hear this story as a many layered mystical story of the nature of being?

Available in Audio only.

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