PEOPLE DO HAVE WORTH AND DIGNITY

The message this morning at UUFR still has me thinking about the political climate and those it effects. There has been much to much mud slinging and negativity going on around here. The political TV ads and the pundits not to mention regular folk me included. I am not a Mitt Romney  or Paul Ryan person and I make no bones about it. But somewhere along the way I have lost one of our UU principles which Rev. John Saxon reminded me of this morning in his message entitled God's Politics (and ours). The one principle of which I am referring to of which there are 7 reads: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. 

Each and every person has inherent worth and dignity. Yes they do and to be honest no matter how hard it is for me to say this out loud or even think it so do Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. Even if you don't agree with them politically they're human beings and somehow that has gotten lost atleast for me. I am not practicing my UU principles at all which is not good for this woman to do. 

Words thoughts and deeds go out into the heavens on all sides of the political arena and for what it is worth I don't want to be known as the hard nosed Liberal which is what I am....but there has to be a limit and a respectful way for me to do this. I lit a candle this morning for truth and peace for the duration of this political season and beyond. I lit a candle for the hurricane Sandy victims because that is what I want to be known for is my compassion and love for human beings no matter what their politics. 

Also we Unitarian Universalists of Raleigh have a covenant we live by:

*Value what unites us over those things that divide us.
*Practice patience, listen carefully, and speak our truth with compassion.
*Hold ourselves accountable for our actions and commitments, and assume good intentions on the part of others.
*Reflect carefully about the potential results of our words and actions before we express ourselves.
*Respect and support those we have chosen to lead us..our called ministers, and our professional staff.
*When differences arise, speak directly, with kindness and respect, to those with whom we disagree, and not gossip about others.

Those of you that know me know that I have a ways to go to adhere to all these covenant statements. It is a work in progress for me. All and All I know that I am a good person and I do believe that each and every person deserves respect, worth and dignity no matter how others behave all I am responsible for is myself.

These are my thoughts and feelings from Jillsville.