Religious Thoughts from a Gentle Atheist

Worship Elements for Free-Thinking Unitarian Universalists

Rev. Dennis McCarty, a retired Unitarian Universalist minister, has long posted on his "Thoughts from a Gentle Atheist" social media page. This gradually attracted a wide following, and requests that he issue his "thoughts" in book form. He has now revised, expanded, and cross-referenced that original Thoughts from a General Atheist collection, for use in putting together non-theistic Unitarian Universalist religious services.

"Gentle atheist" though he is, Rev. McCarty produces Opening Words, Chalice Lightings, Offertory introductions, Closing Words--and more general readings--which even a traditionally religious reader will find thoughtful, even spiritual. To Rev. McCarty, "religion" is not just about what a person believes (or doesn't believe.) His Unitarian Universalist tradition takes the same approach. Rather, "religion" is about our relationship with our fellow human beings, the cosmos, and the ultimate questions which intrigue and perplex every thoughtful person.

In this revised collection, even a traditional religious "believer" can find a kind of undeniable "spirituality." Because, as Rev. McCarty puts it, a person's spirituality is larger than just what they do or don't believe. It's about the way they shape their lives before ultimate reality--however, in good conscience--they conceive that reality.