This week I speak with Sir Lloyd Geering, New Zealand theologian and pioneering Christian post-theist. In 1967, Geering was charged with heresy by the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. He successfully withstood this challenge and has continued writing and speaking about religion and holy texts as a human constructions and words like "God" and "faith" as referents of human self-understanding and growth. He is the author of many books and articles, a few of which can be found in the links below.
For me and for the many who no longer hold those stories as sacred, the cost is simply too high. The potential for posthumous reward or damnation has too often drained life of its beauty, wealth, diversity, and joy and the norms of civil society that are reinforced are often not in the best interests of humanity or, at least, significant swaths of it. So we need a way forward.
From the Boundless Life collection
Give me warmth in my loving, Strength through forgiving, Peace in my being, Today and all my life.
From the Boundless Life collection
We eat and drink these fruits of earth that love may grow between us all, between us all.
From the Boundless Life collection
May the food that we eat And the friends that we share Give us strength for spreading True justice and peace.
Wisdom from 13 Traditions on 9 Universal Themes: Justice, Gratitude, Peace, Service, Compassion, Forgiveness, Healing, Nature, Prayer
From the ‘Sing Young, Sing Joyfully’ collection
Great Life-Force, God of all nurture; Honor and praise to you. Your peace and justice fill the Earth; Honor and praise to you.