TPM has kept up with the Republican debate coverage, which to me looks like a somewhat depressing undertaking -- these people are the leading choices for 1/2 of the political leadership in this country. They have to be taken seriously on that level, though I simply can't take them seriously on another. The Dems had their share of losers in presidential races, but this crew is really up there. Last night it was a debate focused on social conservative issues with religious connotations.
It is a shame and other things that this bunch has taken the mantle of the "religious" wing of the political spectrum. As recent posts underline, the term is quite a bit more diverse than that. A post focused on three religions that are of particular interest for me (Unitarian Universalism, Universal Life and Ethical Culture), but any number of others (including members of mainstream churches that have conservative aspects, such as Catholics -- Ted Kennedy, Catholic, 'nuff said) can be cited. All in various ways have many left leaning members quite concerned with the moral status of the society, many quite upset about it at the moment.
As noted, my own beliefs lean toward the ecumenism reflected by the three listed above* and others of that ilk, but my overall concern is to stop the false limited view of "religion" that would limit it to those at the debate last night. I do think the need at the moment is to address major problems, partially in some fashion spiritual/moral/religious/whatever in nature, in our society. A divisive approach that shuns the e pluribus unum philosophy of our country (a better motto, I think, that the sectarian one some favor) that we should honor.
Meanwhile, I continue to watch my Vicar of Dibley DVD. Fitting.
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* The three are interconnected.
The ULC's basic principle of doing right, importance of finding out what that means and a flexible approach in letting individuals determine it is the UU philosophy too, if with some more meat and organization involved. Ethical culture overlaps much with UU, though apparently the latter group has a more "umbrella" philosophy and retains certain labels familiar to Christian thought, if providing them with universal reach.
It is a shame and other things that this bunch has taken the mantle of the "religious" wing of the political spectrum. As recent posts underline, the term is quite a bit more diverse than that. A post focused on three religions that are of particular interest for me (Unitarian Universalism, Universal Life and Ethical Culture), but any number of others (including members of mainstream churches that have conservative aspects, such as Catholics -- Ted Kennedy, Catholic, 'nuff said) can be cited. All in various ways have many left leaning members quite concerned with the moral status of the society, many quite upset about it at the moment.
As noted, my own beliefs lean toward the ecumenism reflected by the three listed above* and others of that ilk, but my overall concern is to stop the false limited view of "religion" that would limit it to those at the debate last night. I do think the need at the moment is to address major problems, partially in some fashion spiritual/moral/religious/whatever in nature, in our society. A divisive approach that shuns the e pluribus unum philosophy of our country (a better motto, I think, that the sectarian one some favor) that we should honor.
Meanwhile, I continue to watch my Vicar of Dibley DVD. Fitting.
---
* The three are interconnected.
The ULC's basic principle of doing right, importance of finding out what that means and a flexible approach in letting individuals determine it is the UU philosophy too, if with some more meat and organization involved. Ethical culture overlaps much with UU, though apparently the latter group has a more "umbrella" philosophy and retains certain labels familiar to Christian thought, if providing them with universal reach.