UUs only: How do UUs respond to this?

[spiritually inclined]

The Emerson Avenger: UUA Unitarian*Universalist Membership Statistics Are Aging. . .

In 1992 I underwent a profound revelatory experience of God which revealed that the total solar eclipse "Eye of God" is a "Sign in the Heavens" that symbolizes God's divine omniscience. You may read about what Rev. Ray Drennan of the Unitarian Church of Montreal contemptuously dismissed as my "psychotic experience" here: Website Disabled - This revelatory religious experience inspired me to propose an inter-religious celebration of Creation that would take place whenever a total solar eclipse took place over our planet. You may read about what Rev. Ray Drennan and other leading members of the Unitarian Church of Montreal falsely and maliciously labeled as a "cult" here: Website Disabled - I am now an excommunicated Unitarian whose "alternative spiritual practice" includes publicly exposing and denouncing Unitarian*Universalist injustices, abuses, and hypocrisy. The Emerson Avenger blog will serve that purpose for me and hopefully others will share their concerns here. Dee Miller's term DIM Thinking is used frequently and appropriately on this blog. You may read more about what DIM Thinking is here - TakeCourage

Not all of the links in the above quote are available, though more information is on the website. I'm interested in what other UUs think of this.

edit: I am concerned not about membership statistics, but about the claim that Rev. Ray Drennan has been intolerant of a UUs beliefs concerning a mystical experience and worship.

James

[spiritually inclined]

The more I read, the more hysterical this guy sounds, but I'm still interested in other perspectives. : )

James

[Trey of Diamonds]

I don't know all the history here but it sure looks like one persons crusade against the UU church and a minister he feels has slighted him. He is obviously self righteous and is incapable of considering the fact that he might be wrong. His actions have obliviously caused a great deal of pain and suffering to innocent people and he could care less. All he cares about is holding up his victim status like a badge of honor and hammering away at those who he feels have been unjust towards him. He's a classic Narcissist and possibly a sociopath. A true challenge to the inherent worth and dignity principle.

As to his religious beliefs, I'm happy he found a path that works for him but that doesn't excuse his behavior.

[applewuud]

There's no such thing as being "excommunicated" from "the" Unitarian church; each individual UU church sets its own criteria for membership. If an individual becomes disruptive and makes people feel endangered, they may ask him or her to leave in order to create a safe environment. Sounds like something like that happened.

[Trey of Diamonds]

Originally Posted by applewuud

There's no such thing as being "excommunicated" from "the" Unitarian church; each individual UU church sets its own criteria for membership. If an individual becomes disruptive and makes people feel endangered, they may ask him or her to leave in order to create a safe environment. Sounds like something like that happened.

Yep, that's exactly what happened. The church in question spent a decade trying to reconcile with the man and in the end asked him to leave the church. His choice to use the Catholic term excommunicated was to a deliberate attempt to highten his victim status. The entire story is a travisty and I feel for the church who has to put up with this man's abuse and abuse it certianly is, both mentally and spiritually.

[Trey of Diamonds]

Well, since this topic has been moved to a debate section you have your wish.

As mentioned, I don't have a complete history of your case, I only have what I have been able to see on the internet and what I see is someone who is attacking my church because he didn't get what he wanted although to be honest, I haven't been able to figure out just what it is you wanted. All the referenced links you give on your blog don't work so all I can find is your continued complaints. I did find a post or two in defense of the church which you were quick to attack as well. In fact all I see is a history of attacks from you and little or no evidence of any harm done specifically to you. You claim your attacks are defense but against what? Our existance? That seems to be the only crime I see.

The best I can conclude is that you and your church had a falling out, and possibly there were personal issue between you and the minister and you have inflated that mundane situation into a crime against humanity for your own personal gain.

[Storm]

Originally Posted by Trey of Diamonds

Well, since this topic has been moved to a debate section you have your wish.

It's still in Same Faith Debates and labelled UUs only, though, which seems an odd choice.

[angellous_evangellous]

***MOD ADVISORY***

Several posts containing personal insults have been removed.

RF Staff

[Trey of Diamonds]

Originally Posted by Storm

It's still in Same Faith Debates and labelled UUs only, though, which seems an odd choice.

It was moved here from the UU section when the discussion turned into a debate. As Robin was once a UU it ended up here.