Our Children’s Religious Education curriculum this year will include exploration of selected aspects of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures to offer grounding in the common cultural stories and ethics which are still dominant elements of most of our society. In this worship service, our Minister will share his own reflections on some historic threads of Unitarians and others who dissented from dogmatic interpretations of that scripture.
Speaker: Rev. Dan King
Service
Reform or Revolution: Lessons from History and Faith
In this sermon, Reverend Dan King explores the conceptual tension between reformation and revolution through the lens of history, theology, and modern politics. He utilizes the legacy of figures like Martin Luther and Michael Servetus to demonstrate how efforts to improve existing systems are often perceived as radical threats by those in power. By citing thinkers such as Alexis de Tocqueville, King examines the American preference for gradual change versus the violent upheavals seen in other nations. The sermon ultimately transitions into a discussion on contemporary social issues, questioning whether citizens are willing to risk their current security for systemic justice. King concludes by suggesting that true integrity requires a constant willingness to evolve, guided by the ethical principle of the Golden Rule.
Service
Beyond Indifference: The Courage to Defy Hate
In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the moral necessity of active compassion over passive indifference by sharing stories of personal and historical conviction. The sermon contrasts the speaker’s sister, a dedicated Christian missionary, with the Sharps, a Unitarian couple who risked their lives to rescue Jewish refugees from the Nazis. These examples serve to highlight how spiritual discipline can help individuals overcome innate biological responses of fear and anger when encountering difference. The sermon argues that hatred is often rooted in fear, but the true enemy of progress is indifference, which renders the suffering of others invisible. Ultimately, the speaker calls for a vulnerable, courageous engagement with the world to confront modern refugee crises and social prejudices. By choosing intentional action and self-reflection, people can move beyond conflict to build a more empathetic and connected global community.
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