Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation

As it has been in the past, could religion or nationality once again be used to cause people to be subjected to “special treatment?” Rational thinking might suggest that resistance to such state-sanctioned treatment might not be successful. Can we turn to non-rational sources to summon the courage to resist? We’ll explore how we might employ spirituality and other potentially non-rational sources of courage.

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/arild_storaas/6039341208/

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/westerndave/6031525044/

Easter and Flower Communion by NWUUC

Time for Interfaith Harmony by NWUUC

Brave Brave Brave by NWUUC

Hang on to the friends and community that give you a sense of well-being. Ask yourself and each other hard questions about what troubles you. And, don’t let the discomfort that comes with contemplating change cause you to run away. We are a part of one, long chain of connection. May we remember that and support one another as we start over and stay put in our lives and as a faith community. Image by Flickr user tristanozero: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tristanozero/3007908924/

As Stevenson reminds us, people can be tragically imperfect and the criminal justice system can be tragically unjust. Those who are sentenced to death row are not monsters – they’re mirrors. They hold up for us the pain and failings of humanity. Whatever their crimes, if we get close enough, we’ll find that these inmates are still worthy of some measure of compassion. Cover image: "graces" by Flickr user Fe Langdon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/felangdon/16880818446/). Music: Frederic Chopin Ballade no. 4 op. 52 by Frank Levy.