What was he supposed to do? When he came around that corner, she was in the act of throwing boiling water at him.

Unfortunately…the cop didn’t have the right training. He also had other issues. It doesn’t seem like a problem with color or race…but not knowing how to deal with someone that is psychotic…schizophrenic and paranoid. He was not dealing with a normal person, and he was not trained to handle those situations. Don’t make it about race.

Love this podcast and learning about the ways First Unitarian advocates for love and justice!

Looking forward to be back in KV.... soon... hopefully

Thought question for this “atheist”, where does his sense of goodness and righteousness come from; can’t be just instinctual.?

Amen. Best thing I've seen on social media

AMEN!!!!!!!

How do I buy a shirt from Georgia???

It absolutely blew my mind that you took time out of your day to call an online Member in Northwest Georgia. First Unitarian of Dallas has become my family over the past year or so. I have cried numerous times since our phone call ended……out of amazement that a real Minister that I trust and look up to would call ME in rural Georgia! Thank you Rev. Maybe someday I can tell you how I came across First U and how it became such an important part of my life in Georgia! Thank you so very much again!! When I saw I was getting a call from First Unitarian, I immediately knew it was either You or Dana! I love all 3 of you so very much and you’ll never understand just how much this Church has changed my life in positive ways and made me move from being suicidal to being successful and loving life again!!! Rev. T.J……thank you for being the voice of God for this 50 year old man who needed to hear it! You especially have helped save my life! I never in a million years would have thought that a Minister I look up to in Texas would call me personally in Georgia to check on my well being! Thank you Brother! You will NEVER know what that means to me! My story from Pentecostal to Catholic to UU is crazy and First Unitarian of Dallas along with All Souls Unitarian of Tulsa play into my crazy journey of faith! T.J. ….. Thank you again for your concern about me. NO Minister in my past EVER reached out to me like that! I know I’m home now!!!

Rev T.J……if not for you and this church, I would have ended my own life over a year ago. I’m so grateful for you and for First U !!!!

Another wonderful sermon. Inspiring. Minus the dig on Houston ofcourse 😮. Keep doing the good work.

Dont like the key changes

Separation of the church and state...

There is no reason to include religion. religion is poisonous.

I've never actually come across Unitarian Universalism before (as I'm a Brit, and it seems to be mostly in America?), but it sounds very interesting! I would be weak atheist/secular humanist (that sort of thing) myself, as in I don't hold any religious belief. The main issues I have had with Christianity and other religions are the dogmatic truth claims, and the inherent anthropocentrism clear throughout its scriptures and beliefs. I'm curious as to whether there are any specific, central beliefs or truth claims within Unitarian Universalism or if it's more open, perhaps more philosophical?

I'm not religious and the UU are my favourite church, it's really heartening to know you exist.

I want to know the weekly affirmation at First U! I already say the weekly affirmation at All Souls Unitarian of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Hello. I am an atheist. I define atheism as suspending any acknowledgment as to the reality of any particular god until sufficient credible evidence is presented. My position is that *_I currently have no good reason to acknowledge the reality of any god._* And here is why I currently hold to such a position. Below are 11 facts I must consider when evaluating the claim made by certain theists that a particular god exists in reality. To be clear, these are not premises for any argument which _concludes_ there to be no gods. These are simply facts I must take into account when evaluating the verity of such a claim. If any of the following facts were to be contravened at a later time by evidence, experience, or sound argument, I would THEN have good reason to acknowledge such a reality. 1. I personally have never observed a god. 2. I have never encountered any person who has claimed to have observed a god. 3. I know of no accounts of persons claiming to have observed a god that were willing or able to demonstrate or verify their observation for authenticity, accuracy, or validity. 4. I have never been presented withany _valid_ logical argument, which also introduced demonstrably true premises that lead deductively to an inevitable conclusion that a god(s) exists in reality. 5. Of the many logical syllogisms I have examined arguing for the reality of a god(s), I have found all to contain a formal or informal logical fallacy or a premise that can not be demonstrated to be true. 6. I have never observed a phenomenon in which the existence of a god was a necessary antecedent for the known or probable explanation for the causation of that phenomenon. 7. Several proposed (and generally accepted) explanations for observable phenomena that were previously based on the agency of a god(s), have subsequently been replaced with rational, natural explanations, each substantiated with evidence that excluded the agency of a god(s). I have never encountered _vice versa._ 8. I have never knowingly experienced the presence of a god through intercession of angels, divine revelation, the miraculous act of divinity, or any occurrence of a supernatural event. 9. Every phenomenon that I have ever observed appears to have *_emerged_* from necessary and sufficient antecedents over time without exception. In other words, I have never observed a phenomenon (entity, process, object, event, process, substance, system, or being) that was created _ex nihilo_ - that is instantaneously came into existence by the solitary volition of a deity. 10. All claims of a supernatural or divine nature that I have been presented have either been refuted to my satisfaction or do not present as _falsifiable._ 11. I have never been presented with a functional definition of a god. ALL of these facts lead me to the only rational conclusion that concurs with the realities I have been presented - and that is the fact that there is *_no good reason_* for me to acknowledge the reality of any particular god. I have heard often that atheism is the denial of the Abrahamic god. But denial is the active rejection of a substantiated fact once credible evidence has been presented. Atheism is simply withholding such acknowledgment until sufficient credible evidence is introduced. *_It is natural, rational, and prudent to be skeptical of unsubstantiated claims, especially extraordinary ones._* I welcome any cordial response. Peace.

Wish I wasn’t so far away I’d love to attend in this community. I really enjoy Kanter’s messages. Maybe one day I’ll be able to travel to visit this church.

@05:48 "#1 You shouldn't be a Unitarian if you want a church where you can believe anything you want.... The only beliefs we do not want you to have are beliefs that are violent, destructive, or create more evil than good. That includes thinking that you have all the answers." @06:00 "#2 You shouldn't be a Unitarian if you want to only be with people like yourself…. We are radically, genuinely, and wholeheartedly embracing of difference. That doesn't mean that we tolerate bad behavior, however. …We have cultural…and theological diversity." @09:10 "#3 You shouldn't be a Unitarian if you are thin skinned". @14:20 "#4 If you have made it in the salvation department, I'm not sure this is the place for you." @14:27 "#5 You shouldn't be a Unitarian if you do not want to be more generous, more compassionate, or to serve others." ~~~~Arthur Ogawa

This was amazing. Thank you.

America is not a democracy. It is much better than that.

I miss you Rev TJ 😊 I try to catch an online sermon now and then, and you always still still got it!

👏👏👍

Thank you

What a great series of interviews! Thank you to TJ and all your SumFun participants!!

As a UU, a DRE, and a huge fan of "the great game", I thank you for this sermon.

Week after week , this Parish, and the Ministers, bring me to elated spiritually!!!

The religion was invented in Poland 😅

First Unitarian of Dallas and the UUA could help distant members start UU groups/congregations--that is if they live near large enough municipalities

I attended some UU Fellowships and Churches in NJ and PA some time back, and found that their Christian Heritage was either weak or non-existent. In fact, I felt some members were even antagonistic to Christianity for various reasons. And so, I eventually came back to a more mainline Christian Church, even though my theological beliefs may have been somewhat different there also. No hard feelings to the UUs..

Excellent general overview of the question and the answer of "yes, we are" but it depends on the specific congregation as to how much or how far the UU body sees itself as being Christian. I attend the Amarillo UU Fellowship. I enjoy your Tiny Pulpit Talks.

An absolutely beautiful sermon.

👍👍

Greetings from Alberta.

Greetings from the Island of Java.

Excellent!

How do I purchase one of those First U Dallas coffee mugs?????

Sounds like an interesting & fun way to connect via movie themes. Thank you for the movie suggestions; won’t be able to attend ( from Michigan) but will pursue watching the films & look for discussion on the podcast. Regarding the Brother from Another Mother AND Wake Up themes, consider checking out School Daze, a Spike Lee film from 1988 ish, also with themes about race, and waking up to see the nonsensical nature our own behavior and beliefs, especially regarding race and class. Take Care UUoD team! Always an enjoyable and thought provoking discussion from you all.

AMEN!!!!

Growing up as an Evangelical Protestant and then becoming a Catholic in 1995, I now find First U of Dallas the Church that brings peace and joy to my Soul and brings me in right relationship with God and with one another!!!

Apostate “church”

I called my uncle. I worry about how Memorial Day lands on him. He was seriously injured in Vietnam in a bridge building mission that killed a few of his fellow military men/women. These holidays can be tough. He never really talks about his military life. So i don't ask. He was more interested in how I mom and brother Keith are doing. As far as politics the closest it came was when I told him I had to keep an eye out for rioting (I worked the holiday) the police bulletin sent a warning that there was a social media call for a protest and march to turn violent. Uncle Jim fought for the right of freedom, protesting non-violtenly is good. But not for rage, destruction and violence as a proper answer to political strife. So I wish Americans could do better at showing our difference and frustration.

A gay unitarian priest and a left wing democRAT notice a little boy walking towards them. The vile gay unitarian priest turns to the left wing democRAT and says, let's screw him !!! The pernicious left wing democRAT then says, out of what !!!😂😂😂 A perfect description of the 21st century warped lunacy that exists within the heart, mind and dark souls of every progressively worse progressive on this planet today.

❤ from a UU from Canada 🇨🇦

What a IDIOT!!!! SOMETHING!!!!!??????

This Church has just become such a blessing to me as a nearly 50 year old man who suffered from catastrophic Church in my past. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Repent and turn to the Christ. No one can be perfect. Jesus came to offer us salvation through His blood. Grace is about something we don't deserve but is offered to us by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Repent brothers and sisters, come to Christ, he is waiting for you to accept Him. Much Love

Thanks for this.

Perhaps the most confusing and backwards sermon I have ever heard. This man doesn’t seem to have a grasp on reality and certainly not on the person of Jesus Christ. If Jesus was merely a philosopher or prophet, faith in Him is truly pointless. If you want to find the truth, find another church that truly understands the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I would suggest starting with the Catholic Church. This church is mere nothingness.