August 2021 Planning Session Notes

Suggested topics included:

            Mary: Investigate types of spirituality

            Bill: Compare one tradition versus others

            Wendy: Similarities of different religions

            Judi:  Why am we here?

            Caryn: Is theology good or not due to not being able to question?

            Mary Ann: Prayer (sorry but I can’t read my own scribble).

            Diane: More on UU beliefs like Forrest Church

            Paul:  Alternatives to the use of the word God

            Steve: Higher consciousness / Soul / Planes of existence

            Marshall:  Positive aspects of atheism.  Breaking down discrimination against atheists. 

There was general agreement that materials other than full books should be considered including videos, webinars, readings, TED talks, and portions of books.  One suggestion was to have the facilitator choose how they would like the session to be run.  For example, having people raise their hands to speak.

Face to Face meetings:   The group felt that we will continue to meet using Zoom for the foreseeable future.  It was suggested that we could have an outside face to face meeting on one of the 4^th Wed get togethers.  And over the next month or so continue to discuss this, perhaps leading to a joint inside conference room and outside Zoom meeting. 

November 2021 Planning Notes

On the right are the names of people with interest in a particular question.

1) Is the universe conscious?  What is consciousness? Steve & Caryn

2) Are there levels of spirituality?

3) Are the bible and science compatible?

4) What kind of communication is there between humans and “God.”  Jann

5)  What happens when we die?  Is there hell?  Is there reincarnation? Gene & Diane

6) How does spirituality differ from religion?  From science?

7) What is prayer?  What does it accomplish?

8) Are humans biologically “programmed”  or predisposed to form a belief system?

9) Do altered states lead to religious or spiritual beliefs?  What activities help nourish spiritual beliefs? Caryn

10) Can one become “converted” to spirituality? 

11) How does humanism fit in with religion and/or spirituality? Bill

12) How do the concepts or feelings of love, awe, inspiration, loyalty, inspiration, fit in with your spirituality?

13) What would you do if this was the last day of your life?

14) Is the existence of God provable scientifically? Steve

15) Are we all connected and if so, how?

16) Which of these are valid: astrology, telekinesis, astral projection, mind reading, etc?

17) How do the latest scientific theories in quantum physics, biology, and astrophysics factor in to or have modified your spiritual beliefs?

18) How can we explore 20^th century UU theologies & theologians. Diane

19) How can spirituality be applied to everyday life. Mary

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE

· Is the universe conscious? What is consciousness?

https://medium.com/@aramis720/is-the-universe-conscious-227509deab99

https://philosophyofbrains.com/2020/01/13/1-consciousness-problems.aspx

https://aeon.co/essays/cosmopsychism-explains-why-the-universe-is-fine-tuned-for-life

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-05-consciousness-conductor-synchronizes-mouse-brain.html

https://blog.oup.com/2020/01/does-consciousness-have-a-function/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-consciousness-pervade-the-universe/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-well/201906/does-consciousness-exist-outside-the-brain

· Are there levels of spirituality?

https://themindsjournal.com/7-levels-of-spirituality-where-are-you/

· Are the bible and science compatible?

https://themindsjournal.com/7-levels-of-spirituality-where-are-you/

· What kind of communication is there between humans and “God.”

· What happens when we die? Is there hell? Is there reincarnation?

· How does spirituality differ from religion? From science?

· What is prayer? What does it accomplish?

· Are humans biologically “programmed” or predisposed to form a belief system?

· Do altered states lead to religious or spiritual beliefs? What activities help nourish spiritual beliefs?

· Can one become “converted” to spirituality?

· How does humanism fit in with religion and/or spirituality?

· How do the concepts or feelings of love, awe, inspiration, loyalty, inspiration, fit in with your spirituality?

· What would you do if this was the last day of your life?

· Is the existence of God provable scientifically?

· Are we all connected and if so, how?

· Which of these are valid: astrology, telekinesis, astral projection, mind reading, etc?

· How do the latest scientific theories in quantum physics, biology, and astrophysics factor in to or have modified your spiritual beliefs?

· For example does the uncertainty principle prove the existence of free will?