Define “good” as you understand it.
I’m going to go with kindness toward our fellows, kindness toward the earth, and even kindness toward yourself. The UUs are huge on the word Love. That’s a good word but in my own definition I’m going to rely on kindness instead.
Define “evil” as you understand it.
This one is tricky. I’m not going to rely on the dictionary. I’m actually going to try to come up with a definition. Let’s go with: intentional harm to people, animals or the environment.
Respond again to the following questions from the Credo Survey.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “There is a power that works in history through humanity, transforming evil into good.” Why?
I think this is just nonsense and I’m actually a little irritated that this class is bringing up this question a second time. I don’t believe human nature is fundamentally good with the ability to make forward progress.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “There has been progress in the history of human civilization?” Why?
I believe that certain things have certainly gotten better for some, or even for most: vaccines, the pill, antibiotics. But we still regularly experience avoidable famine, war and poverty. I believe history is pretty circular: things get better, things get worse, and then they get better again.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Why? “Our potential for good can overcome our potential for evil.”
I do not believe this.
Do you believe there are cosmic guarantees for the ultimate survival of the human race? Why or why not?
Nope, I don’t believe this. We could die out due to a massive meteor strike, a bird flu pandemic, or global thermonuclear war. There are no guarantees and I’m surprised anyone would think there could be.
In 1935 the Universalist Church of America adopted the following Avowal of Faith. Please rewrite it to articulate your own beliefs.
We avow our faith in God as eternal and all-conquering love; In the spiritual leadership of Jesus; In the supreme worth of every human personality; In the authority of truth known or to be known; And in the power of men of good will and sacrificial spirit to overcome all evil and progressively establish the Kingdom of God.
This statement took the best minds of an entire religion what was probably years to develop. I don’t agree with about half of it but I’m neither wise enough nor educated enough to come up with a statement of faith that concise.
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