Writer Anne Lamott states that “doubts are the ants in the pants of faith.” We as UUs are encouraged to cherish our doubts. With that said, the challenge is co-existing with others who not only believe themselves to more theologically certain than we are about the nature of the universe, they may also be none too shy about forcing those beliefs onto others in sometimes annoying and violent ways. Yet perhaps attempting to understand the fear that the fundamentalist has and how he or she has come about those fears will enable us to move past our own fears about them, to a place of not just tolerance, but acceptance.This does not mean acquiescing and not setting our own personal boundaries. What it does mean is remembering that as UUs we say that we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of each person (our first principle) whether we agree with their choices or not. They are people and not just ideologies. When we lose sight of the humanity of others, we lose sight of our own. After all is said and done, we do not have to think alike to love alike.
Speaker: Rev. Michael Carter
Rev. Michael J. Carter is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. He moved to New York City in 1980 and lived there for 25 years, working as a professional actor before moving to Asheville with his family. Michael is an ordained Inter-faith minister and received his BA Degree in Letters from the College of New Rochelle where he graduated cum laude. He received his Masters In Divinity Degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City (class of 2000). While serving various Unitarian Universalist Congregations in New York, Michael was trained as an anti-racism trainer by the UUA and has been recognized by President Clinton for his efforts. Michael also works as a diversity consultant for the area. He has also been a columnist for the Asheville Citizen Times.
Michael is a frequent guest on the History Channel’s television show, Ancient Aliens, as he has written many articles and a book on the possibility of extraterrestrial life and its impact on the 3 monotheistic religions. Michael has written 4 books. The first one is entitled, Alien Scriptures: Extraterrestrials in the Holy Bible (which author Whitley Strieber has said it is the best book ever written on the subject). The second book is entitled, A New World If You Can Take It: God, Extraterrestrials, and The Evolution of Human Consciousness. The third book is entitled, God Consciousness: A 30 Day Meditation Manual To God Centered Thinking, and his fourth book is entitled, The Metaphysics of Spiritual Healing and The Power of Affirmative Prayer.
Rev. Carter has been serving as the minister for Unitarian Universalist Congregation of The Swannanoa Valley for the last 4 years. His congregation is located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.
Join us for coffee and light refreshments served at 10:30am, between services.
UUTC is a Welcoming Congregation inclusive of persons of all backgrounds, faiths and lifestyles. Services are at 9:30 and 11:00am. The building is wheelchair accessible, dress is casual, and visitors are always warmly welcomed. Children's Lifespan Religious Exploration is offered at 11:00. Infant care is available during both services.