Prairie Group

To study thought as it affects religion . . . A Gathering of Unitarian Universalist Ministers

Faith and Empire
November 2017
 

Paper 1 – A Broad Context of Faith and Empire

Introduce this year's topic by elaborating on what "empire" is. What makes it attractive? What are its demands and costs? And how have faith and empire challenged, weakened, and strengthened each other over time.

Writer - Matthew Johnson, Respondent – Tamara Lebak

Paper 2 - Ethics and Empire

What are some ethical frameworks and questions for use in assessing, challenging, and replacing empires, empire-aimed institutions, or empire-centered thinking within ourselves? How can liberal religion use ethics to obstruct empire?

Writer – Nicole Kirk, Respondent – Gary James

Paper 3 - Non-Western Understandings of Empire

Western civilization is not alone in living with and under empires.  Similarly, the response to empires has not always come from a Judeo-Christian starting point.  What are some of the uniquely non-western responses to empire?  In what ways do they differ from, and are similar to, Western responses to empire?

"Here in the Heart of Empire" paper by Barbara Prose, "Laying Low and Laying Siege" respondent – Luke Stevens-Royer

Paper 4 - The Doctrine of Discovery and American Empire

Address the history of United States Imperialism through colonization and westward expansion, including the involvement of our own Unitarian forebears in cultural assimilation efforts. Examine the theological and ideological underpinnings used to justify the genocide of native peoples, and what alternative theological understandings we might access for dismantling colonial structures and assumptions?

Writer – Connie Grant, Respondent – "Colonization of the Mind and Atonement" by Rose Schwab

Paper 5 - De-colonizing UUism

Imagine a Unitarian Universalism exorcised of the practices, assumptions, and mindsets of empire. What would it look like - and what would it take - to de-colonize Unitarian Universalism? You may wish to be in conversation with the author of Paper 2. 

Writer – Justin Schroeder, Respondent – Jennifer Nordstrom

Chaplain – Barbara Gadon; Aesthetics – Martin Woulfe


Faith and Empire - 2017

Required

Christ and Empire: From Paul to Postcolonial Times, by Jorge Reiger

After Empire: The Art and Ethos of Enduring Peace, by Sharon Welch

Seeds of Peace: A Buddhist Vision for Renewing Society, by Sulak Sivaraksa

An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States, by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

"Under Our Charge: The Utes and the Unitarians" by Ted Fetter: http://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/adults/river/workshop15/178878.shtml

“UUA Board Report and Resolution on the Doctrine of Discovery”: http://www.uua.org/sites/live-new.uua.org/files/documents/boardtrustees/rrmc/120109_motion.pdf

Faithful Resistance: Gospel Visions for the Church in a Time of Empire, by Rick Ufford-Chase, select the essays that most interest you

"This is a Camp of Prayer and Ceremony" sermon by Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen:

https://elizabethbuffingtonnguyen.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/this-is-a-camp-of-prayer-nguyen.pdf

Prophetic Resistance Podcast: "Resisting the Logic and Impulse of Empire" by Rev. Jin S. Kim:

http://propheticresistancepodcast.libsyn.com/website/episode-9-rev-jin-s-kim

Excerpt from Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups, by Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun (to be sent)

“Spirituality and Liberation: A Buddhist-Christian Conversation,” Masao Abe and Paul F. Knitter (provided)

Highly Recommended

No More Heroes: Grassroots Challenges to the Savior Mentality, by Jordan Flaherty

"Indigenous Youth Are Building a Climate Justice Movement by Targeting Colonialism," by Jaskiran Dhillon:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/36482-indigenous-youth-are-building-a-climate-justice-movement-by-targeting-colonialism

Familiarity with resources on the #StandingRockSyllabus:

https://nycstandswithstandingrock.wordpress.com/standingrocksyllabus/

“The Ideology of Cultured Despair,” (chapter six of A Feminist Ethic of Risk,) by Sharon Welch.

God and Empire: Jesus Against Rome, Then and Now, by John Dominic Crossan


This website is maintained by Kathleen Rolenz. 
To provide content or corrections, please contact her at krolenz@uuma.org

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