What historical UUs do get the most inspiration from? (moral, punishment)

[dbakerman76]

What historical UUs do you get the most inspiration from?

I find myself constantly going back to the works of Channing, Emerson and Thoreau for inspiration. I find new insights everytime I go back and re-read any of their works.

[Green Gaia]

Oh wow.... people living out their UU faith always inspires me, from the famous thinkers to the unknown person organizing a food bank drive at any random UU congregation.

But I will name one who inspires me because he put his faith in action, not just words, even though it put him in great danger and ultimately cost him his life - the Rev. James Reeb.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by dbakerman76

What historical UUs do you get the most inspiration from?

I find myself constantly going back to the works of Channing, Emerson and Thoreau for inspiration. I find new insights everytime I go back and re-read any of their works.

Are we talking about people who were known for being UUs (or Unitarians or Universalists) or are we talking about people who are historical figures who happen to also be UU?

Definately, I draw a lot of inspiration from the three you mention, Ralph Waldo Emerson in particular.

Having come from a science background, I'd say I get a lot of inspiration from Linus Pauling. Pauling won the Nobel prize in chemistry. And then won it again for Peace. He was both a brilliant mind and a compassionate heart. Too often in science, wrapped up in the pursuit of knowledge, people forget about our connectedness and responsibility to the rest of the world. Pauling never forgot, and he paid for following his conscience, getting fired from my alma mater over his peace activism.

http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/...s/pauling.html

Linus, dude you rock!

[dbakerman76]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Are we talking about people who were known for being UUs (or Unitarians or Universalists) or are we talking about people who are historical figures who happen to also be UU?

Definately, I draw a lot of inspiration from the three you mention, Ralph Waldo Emerson in particular.

Having come from a science background, I'd say I get a lot of inspiration from Linus Pauling. Pauling won the Nobel prize in chemistry. And then won it again for Peace. He was both a brilliant mind and a compassionate heart. Too often in science, wrapped up in the pursuit of knowledge, people forget about our connectedness and responsibility to the rest of the world. Pauling never forgot, and he paid for following his conscience, getting fired from my alma mater over his peace activism.

http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/...s/pauling.html

Linus, dude you rock!

You can take the question either way.
Linus Pauling is a saint to my family. My father (and grandfather )are chemists and anytime we're discussing chemistry or science in general his name always comes up.

[dbakerman76]

Originally Posted by Maize

Oh wow.... people living out their UU faith always inspires me, from the famous thinkers to the unknown person organizing a food bank drive at any random UU congregation.

But I will name one who inspires me because he put his faith in action, not just words, even though it put him in great danger and ultimately cost him his life - the Rev. James Reeb.

I never tire of hearing the tale of James Reeb's death for the cause of civil rights. He was an amazing man who lived a life of love (which for me is the ultimate goal of the religious life).

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by dbakerman76

I never tire of hearing the tale of James Reeb's death for the cause of civil rights. He was an amazing man who lived a life of love (which for me is the ultimate goal of the religious life).

He didn't always live a life of love. That's the coolest thing about his story. He at one time had a very conservative theology, because that's what he'd been raised in. But he had a crisis of conscience while working with the poor in Philadelphia. After getting to know them, he couldn't reconcile the belief that these people, many who turned to alcohol, etc out of pain, deserved the punishment that his childhood faith had taught him. He could only feel God's love for them. That's when he became a UU.

In his journal he wrote: 'When the moralist in you dies, then life begins.'

He truly lived before he died.

There's a plaque on the wall of my church dedicated to James Reeb. (He was an associate minister with us for a short time.) The plaque is located outside of the senior minister's office, so that when you are waiting to speak with Rob, you're looking at the plaque. Humbling.

[uumckk16]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Are we talking about people who were known for being UUs (or Unitarians or Universalists) or are we talking about people who are historical figures who happen to also be UU?

Definately, I draw a lot of inspiration from the three you mention, Ralph Waldo Emerson in particular.

Having come from a science background, I'd say I get a lot of inspiration from Linus Pauling. Pauling won the Nobel prize in chemistry. And then won it again for Peace. He was both a brilliant mind and a compassionate heart. Too often in science, wrapped up in the pursuit of knowledge, people forget about our connectedness and responsibility to the rest of the world. Pauling never forgot, and he paid for following his conscience, getting fired from my alma mater over his peace activism.

http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/...s/pauling.html

Linus, dude you rock!

I could be wrong, but wasn't Emerson only a Unitarian for a short time? If he counts anyway though, then I'd put him on my list

I didn't know Pauling was a Unitarian. Go figure. I knew he was an important figure in chemistry but had no idea he won the Nobel Peace Prize. That's interesting, thanks Lilithu!

I know this might sound like a cop-out (and it is, because I'm too tired to think right now ), but I truly find inspiration in every historical UU's story. Many of them strike me as people concerned with others' well-being, and many times people ahead of their time.

[dbakerman76]

Originally Posted by lilithu

He didn't always live a life of love. That's the coolest thing about his story. He at one time had a very conservative theology, because that's what he'd been raised in. But he had a crisis of conscience while working with the poor in Philadelphia. After getting to know them, he couldn't reconcile the belief that these people, many who turned to alcohol, etc out of pain, deserved the punishment that his childhood faith had taught him. He could only feel God's love for them. That's when he became a UU.

In his journal he wrote: 'When the moralist in you dies, then life begins.'

He truly lived before he died.

There's a plaque on the wall of my church dedicated to James Reeb. (He was an associate minister with us for a short time.) The plaque is located outside of the senior minister's office, so that when you are waiting to speak with Rob, you're looking at the plaque. Humbling.

All Souls has an amazing track record of ministers who went above and beyond their call. You're quite fortunate to be a part of such a great congregation.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by uumckk16

I could be wrong, but wasn't Emerson only a Unitarian for a short time? If he counts anyway though, then I'd put him on my list

Emerson was raised a Unitarian. It's a little complicated, tho. Emerson was bor