I have a four bumper sticker limit. This is because several years ago I heard someone say that having a lot of bumper stickers was a great way to limit the size of your potential circle of friends.
So yesterday my third bumper sticker—a picture of Bush next to the words “DARN GOOD LIAR”—came off in favor of an Eagle Scout sticker and an Obama sticker. (I’d only had three up this point.)
The liar sticker came off because it’s getting to be old hat and, well, because he just isn’t a good liar. I thought maybe putting the Eagle Scout sticker next to it might give the liar sticker more heft—and keep someone from spitting tobacco juice on it—but it was looking worn and it needed to come down eventually anyway.
(Putting the Eagle next to Obama is my little way of saying that the Republican takeover of the Boy Scouts is a betrayal of Scouting and that there are still liberal Scouts out there.)
So now we have, left to right: Eagle Scout, Barak Obama, break light, Apple logo, and an EAV logo, for my neighborhood, East Atlanta Village.
When Jesus was my age, he rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, ran the tax collectors out of the Temple, celebrated his last Seder with his disciples, and got arrested, beaten and crucified.
So it should be an interesting year. I’ll be keeping a close eye on you all around Holy Week.
One more year of eligibility for being Christlike. One year until I beat, I mean, outlive him.
Looking forward to year thirty-three.
Our creedish un-creed, the Purposes & Principles are often referred to by Unitarians when tough questions come up. But what to do when the P&P contradict each other, or even themselves?
Some examples. Inherent worth and dignity versus the interdependent web. The democratic process versus prophetic words and deeds. The democratic process versus individual right of conscience. The inherent worth and dignity of this persons versus the inherent worth and dignity of that person.
We can be quick to point out the contradictions of Christian doctrines and scriptures. But can’t our own high ideals contradict each other too? And does that inter-principle conflict mean our high ideals are somehow less, well, ideal?
Back when I worked with ethicists, we’d often that the tough choices are not when we have to choose the lesser of two evils but when we have to choose the better of two goods.
So how do we choose?
How’s Real Live Preacher doing after a year on meds? “Just fine. Good. Mostly good. I think good.”
And I just happen to have a birthday around the corner. (Hint, hint.) Blessinem rims. (Thanks, Ed!)
