Category: Commentary

Opinion Articles on Social Justice topics

Rev. Koteen on “Discovering the Roots of Injustice: How Political and Economic Inequity Are Foundational to All Oppressions”

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There are many versions of the Grail legend. In one of them, Percival, the original Grail knight, sees the Grail when he is an adolescent. However, he fails to ask the critical question: Who does the Grail serve? He does not ask because his parents have taught him that it is impolite to ask questions. … Continue reading Rev. Koteen on “Discovering the Roots of Injustice: How Political and Economic Inequity Are Foundational to All Oppressions”

Statement on Gun Violence

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By Rev. David Miller, Senior Minister, UU Congregation of Fairfax, on Feb., 14 Of the many symptoms of systemic illness on display in our country, school shootings are among the saddest and most destructive. As I watched children today fleeing their school in Florida, arms raised, I thought not only is the horror of safe … Continue reading Statement on Gun Violence

Why I sold my guns

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Average citizens who think they can whip a concealed gun out to shoot down a bad guy are living under a dangerous illusion.  Joel Miller | 9/1/1999 This essay first appeared in the September/October 1999 issue of UU World, when the author was minister of the Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church, near Columbine High School in Littleton, … Continue reading Why I sold my guns

“Why I Went to the GA” By Hal Fuller, UU Congregation of Fairfax

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At the memorial service for Hal Fuller, long-time UUSJ leader, previous Board Co-chair, and member of the UU Congregation of Fairfax, his daughter read his powerful “Why I Went to the GA” essay, which reflects his upbringing in New Mexico. His words then deserve our careful attention now, as our nation continues to wrestle with … Continue reading “Why I Went to the GA” By Hal Fuller, UU Congregation of Fairfax

“The Importance of Being ‘Prideful'” By Gerda and Allen Keiswetter, UU Church of Arlington, VA

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Imagine thousands cheering because you love your child. We have been marching in the Capital Pride Parade since 2005 to celebrate our transgender son Asa. It is a spiritual high each year for us. The street crowd is amazing — LGBTQ people and straight people of all ages, singles and families, babies to grandparents of … Continue reading “The Importance of Being ‘Prideful’” By Gerda and Allen Keiswetter, UU Church of Arlington, VA

“Taking Note” by the Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker, Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church

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This is adapted from my February newsletter column looking at how to be in covenantal relationship in a time of strong emotions around the new President of the U.S. It is easy to assume Unitarian Universalists did not vote for Donald Trump. After all, UU progressive values: immigration issues, equality for GLBTQAI, women’s rights, diversity … Continue reading “Taking Note” by the Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker, Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church

What Is The Matter With Inequality? by Adam Wasserman UU Congregation Fairfax

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This is an edited version of a guest sermon delivered at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Montgomery, Alabama, on March 1, 2015. F. Scott Fitzgerald, the great novelist, is probably our country’s most acute observer of the rich. You may have heard one of his frequently quoted statements–“the very rich are different from you and … Continue reading What Is The Matter With Inequality? by Adam Wasserman UU Congregation Fairfax

The Right to be Free From Guns By John Johnson, Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria, VA

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Gun violence is a serious problem in the United States. And it is not just mass shootings. On average 92 Americans die from gunshot wounds each day in gun suicides (57), gun homicides (33), and unintentional shootings (2). The number of Americans killed each day by firearms is greater than the number of victims (49) … Continue reading The Right to be Free From Guns By John Johnson, Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria, VA