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Why I am a Unitarian

Mendelsohn, Jack

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Description:Jack Mendelsohn (1918-2012) was one of the most prominent Unitarian Universalist ministers of his generation, as well as one of the most controversial, primarily owing to his political stands (e.g., he held a "draft refusal" service at his church during the 1960s; and he traveled with the Rev. Jesse Jackson to Syria and Cuba). He also wrote the popular booklet, Meet the Unitarians & Universalists. This 1960 book was part of the "Why I Am" series of books published by Thomas Nelson & Sons.He wrote in the Preface, "Some are certain to be offended by this book's unorthodoxy. Others will be amused. Still others will experience a veritable surge of fellow-feeling... Those who recognize here many of their own expressed or unexpressed thoughts will know the joy of having their heresies confirmed... My choice of Unitarian religion is a personal one... and does not in any way infer that Unitarians enjoy a monopoly on the practice of liberal religion. I might have become a Universalist, or a Hicksite Quaker, or a member of the Ethical Societies... I dedicate this book to all who believe that true religion has nothing whatever to fear from honest thought and who honor the courage to question and the boldness to grow."He says, "We believe that men are punished BY their sins, not FOR them, and that the evil men do lives with them. By the same token, we believe that men are enriched by their virtues, and that the good they do lives with them as a benediction of peace in their own lives and in the life of humanity." (Pg. 31)He explains, "Unitarianism, then, is an ethical rather than a doctrinal religion, with individual freedom as its method and with reason as its guide. It should not be assumed, however, that we practice reason in an austere and overly solemn manner." (Pg. 37) He later adds, "The strength of Unitarianism is the strength of those who, though they be but a handful, are determined not to let the complexities of life deaden imagination." (Pg. 157)He suggests, "There is a distinctive note in each of the great religions. They cannot be better described than as the many strings of a harp. Their harmony flows from dealing with the same materials: human nature and human relationship. Their highest aspirations are universally human." (Pg. 78)He states, "I am in thorough sympathy with Humanism's personal and social aims. I am, to this extent, a Humanist. I am not willing, however, to abandon my search for, and my speculations about, God. I use the word 'God' sparingly, because I have a deep dislike for the slovenly, undisciplined and monotonous way in which it is employed by pulpiteers, politicians, and people generally." (Pg. 114)Although more than fifty years old, this book still retains, I think, some interest not just for Unitarian Universalists, but also for any interested in liberal/progressive religion.Amazon review by Steven H Propp March 1, 2013We have made it easy for you to find a PDF Ebooks without any digging. And by having access to our ebooks online or by storing it on your computer, you have convenient answers with Why I am a Unitarian. To get started finding Why I am a Unitarian, you are right to find our website which has a comprehensive collection of manuals listed.
Our library is the biggest of these that have literally hundreds of thousands of different products represented.

Pages: 214

Format: PDF, EPUB & Kindle Edition

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release: 1960

ISBN

Description: Jack Mendelsohn (1918-2012) was one of the most prominent Unitarian Universalist ministers of his generation, as well as one of the most controversial, primarily owing to his political stands (e.g., he held a "draft refusal" service at his church during the 1960s; and he traveled with the Rev. Jesse Jackson to Syria and Cuba). He also wrote the popular booklet, Meet the Unitarians & Universalists. This 1960 book was part of the "Why I Am" series of books published by Thomas Nelson & Sons.He wrote in the Preface, "Some are certain to be offended by this book's unorthodoxy. Others will be amused. Still others will experience a veritable surge of fellow-feeling... Those who recognize here many of their own expressed or unexpressed thoughts will know the joy of having their heresies confirmed... My choice of Unitarian religion is a personal one... and does not in any way infer that Unitarians enjoy a monopoly on the practice of liberal religion. I might have become a Universalist, or a Hicksite Quaker, or a member of the Ethical Societies... I dedicate this book to all who believe that true religion has nothing whatever to fear from honest thought and who honor the courage to question and the boldness to grow."He says, "We believe that men are punished BY their sins, not FOR them, and that the evil men do lives with them. By the same token, we believe that men are enriched by their virtues, and that the good they do lives with them as a benediction of peace in their own lives and in the life of humanity." (Pg. 31)He explains, "Unitarianism, then, is an ethical rather than a doctrinal religion, with individual freedom as its method and with reason as its guide. It should not be assumed, however, that we practice reason in an austere and overly solemn manner." (Pg. 37) He later adds, "The strength of Unitarianism is the strength of those who, though they be but a handful, are determined not to let the complexities of life deaden imagination." (Pg. 157)He suggests, "There is a distinctive note in each of the great religions. They cannot be better described than as the many strings of a harp. Their harmony flows from dealing with the same materials: human nature and human relationship. Their highest aspirations are universally human." (Pg. 78)He states, "I am in thorough sympathy with Humanism's personal and social aims. I am, to this extent, a Humanist. I am not willing, however, to abandon my search for, and my speculations about, God. I use the word 'God' sparingly, because I have a deep dislike for the slovenly, undisciplined and monotonous way in which it is employed by pulpiteers, politicians, and people generally." (Pg. 114)Although more than fifty years old, this book still retains, I think, some interest not just for Unitarian Universalists, but also for any interested in liberal/progressive religion.Amazon review by Steven H Propp March 1, 2013We have made it easy for you to find a PDF Ebooks without any digging. And by having access to our ebooks online or by storing it on your computer, you have convenient answers with Why I am a Unitarian. To get started finding Why I am a Unitarian, you are right to find our website which has a comprehensive collection of manuals listed.
Our library is the biggest of these that have literally hundreds of thousands of different products represented.

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Why I am a Unitarian

Why I am a Unitarian

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