What I’ve been reading this week at The Daily Scribe:
- The ever-fecund Pop Occulture coins a new term: “convergent spirituality.”
- Threedays tells us why men hate going to church.”
- The Journey reminds us that the Gospels aren’t bedtime stories.
- Arbitrary marks gives us the word on truthiness and the Pope, and also warns the Pope’s fellow academics.
- Lo-Fi Tribe makes an announcement: he’s not only a religious humanist but also a UU Christian.
- Finally, Yet Another UU renews the conversation about an “emergent” UUism.
i think i like being called “fecund”
LOL. See what that damned 16th reformation resulted in! I am personally adopting the title “Christian Humanist.” I’ll wear that one for a bit and see how it fits. :)
If I figure out what Unitarian Universalsim is … with no hyphens … I’ll change my outfit asap. Stay tuned. Heh …
Dang … forgot the word “century” between 16th and reformation.
Also, you have me linked in Dan’s post.
Doh! Changed it.
Regarding the article: Why Men Hate Church…
I find that women attend church out of a sense of obligation but are often just as bored to tears as males. When ritual becomes drudgery, few will want to put themselves through the hassle. I find nothing wrong with high church per se, but I find everything wrong with staid conformity.
Say what you will about the megachurches: they have recognized that most people want to be entertained when they come to service. And really and truly, what’s wrong with contemporary music? What’s wrong with guitar, drums, bass, and rock music? What’s wrong with drama and theatre in place of liturgical gurgling?
In the old days, people went to church to be entertained by a charismatic and skilled orator known informally as “The Minister”. We seem to have gotten away from that concept too.
I personally find the traditional Western European service pretty dull. As do most young adults. This is why they don’t come to church…any church, by in large. There is no commandment written in stone that says Thou Shalt Not Enjoy Church Service.
It’s regrettable how many UU youth drift away from the faith and only find a true sense of community and unity at cons…not their church home. Clearly much needs to be changed and it can be changed. If the members themselves took a more active role in the participation of the service itself then we would retain more people and even *GASP* grow the faith.
I believe in the “if you build it, they will come” approach. If someone just got the ball rolling, then other people would add to it. This new way would ricochet throughout church communities.
We’re UUs. We are not bound by creedal requirements or dogma. We shouldn’t fear that the Devil is going to get us if we change a few things around.
I’m not a big fan of “contemporary” worship. But I’m all about innovation.