At its core Christian Nationalism is a political-ideological view that a particular nation either is or should be a Christian nation — meaning the identity, culture, laws or governance of that country should reflect a specific form of Christianity. It is distinct from simply “being Christian” or “Christian values influencing society.” Rather, it tends to assert that Christianity (or a particular interpretation of it) should enjoy a privileged or dominant status in national life, and that political/civic institutions should reflect or enforce it. There are growing concerns that Christian Nationalist ideas weaken democratic institutions by reducing the separation between church and state, or privileging a particular religious-civic identity over pluralism. It also poses challenges for religious freedom and minority rights: when one tradition is privileged in law or policy, other faiths or secular citizens may find themselves marginalized. Some countries heavily impacted by this movement include the United States, Brazil, Poland, Hungary, Kenya and other sub-Saharan nations.
We began this session by watching a short 20-minute educational video (by James Talarico) on the impact of Christian Nationalism and how we might move beyond it. We then reviewed and discussed the implications of Christian Nationalism for affected nations (with a particular focus on the United States) and for liberal religion as a whole.
The October Academy presentation featured guest speaker Mark Reimers.
How do the billions of neurons in your head, tangled together like jello spaghetti, produce feeling, determination, love and laughter? Waking up, deliberation, remembering, effortful thinking, inner conflict, and day-dreaming are all aspects of consciousness. We will discuss how studies of brain activity during these kinds of experience can help clarify these questions. Will humans of the future understand consciousness? What difference could that make to how they live? Will the science of consciousness lead to enlightenment and understanding or to precise effective Machiavellian manipulation?
This service reviews our capacity to free each other from all kinds of want – and our innate need to do just so.
Twinkle is the contract minister for the Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville, Maine. She is an author, poet, retreat leader and liturgist, as well as a semi-retired television producer. She served for many years on the core leadership team for UU Women and Religion and is the creator of the UU Talks platform. Her theology is centered in “Living Life as a Prayer.”
As a religious organization, NAUA has always operated as a tax exempt non-profit. To provide added assurance to our donors, we recently applied for a 501(c)3 determination letter from the IRS.
We are pleased to announce that we are now officially identified as a tax-exempt organization and will be added to the IRS’ searchable database as such. As stated in the determination letter: “We’re pleased to tell you we determined you’re exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Donors can deduct contributions they make to you under IRC Section 170. You’re also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522.”
More information on how you can maximize your contributions to NAUA by donating directly from your IRA’s Required Minimum Distribution or your estate will be shared over the coming months. We are always grateful for any and all contributions that allow us to continue to provide monthly worship services, workshops, CIRCLES and other services to members.
