The Rev. Dr. Forrest Church was a leading Unitarian theologian and minister who wrote many influential books including a popular introduction to Unitarian Universalism, A Chosen Faith (with John Buehrens). Two of his books profoundly influenced Dr. Michael Sullivan, a psychologist, in becoming a UU after moving to Columbia with his wife Susan in 2008. One is Church’s The Cathedral of the World: A Universalist Theology. The other is Love and Death: My Journey through the Valley of the Shadow. Mike will be speaking about the lessons shared by Forrest Church with his New York City congregation and readers after he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2008. Mike has found deep meaning and relevance in this book for living and for dying.
“Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion: The Wisdom of Jonathan Haidt”
Dr. Michael Sullivan will be presenting a creative understanding of why good people are divided by politics and religion. It is based on the work of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. Dr. Haidt concludes that “morality binds and blinds”. Using the six foundations of morality derived from his research, we can gain a better understanding of “the righteous mind” that everyone has. This can help bridge political and religious divides and promote greater respect for opposing views.