The Pageless Book

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Reverend Kit Ketcham from Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show. As one of the most beloved minster bloggers in the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere, it is an honor having her as my first interview on The Pageless Book. I am thankful that she agreed to the interview and hope that you visit her blog to read more of her mirth and wisdom. Namaste.

Above Photo by Philip Kromer. Photo Below of Reverend Kit Ketcham. Bread Photo by Miheco.
Volunteer Sign Photo by Tim Parkinson.

It’s hard to know when to respond to the seductiveness of the world and when to respond to its challenge. If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I rise in the morning torn between the desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day. - E.B. White

John Pageless: You first started your blog about a year and a half ago. I’ve went back and read your first post, but it only indicated in a vague manner your original purpose for blogging. Can you please clarify your original purpose for your blog and discuss how has that purpose changed over the last year and a half?

Rev. Ketcham: I originally started the blog because I wanted to comment on someone’s post and found that I needed to register if I wanted to really get into commenting. And I’ve always liked to write, so it was attractive from that perspective. I had no original purpose for the blog, but my old moniker from Citizens’ Band radio days was Ms. Kitty and I wanted to use that. I also have a secret desire to be a torch singer and figured if I had my own saloon, they’d have to let me be part of the show!

JP: As the daughter of a Baptist preacher, you had a strong religious upbringing. Yet at some point, you moved on to become a Unitarian Universalist, only to later take up ministry yourself. From what I understand of your blog, this was in part to the social revolution of the 1960’s. What initially lead you on this spiritual journey and how has it impacted your ministry?

Rev. K: I think I always secretly wanted to be a minister, but when I graduated from college in 1963, the only thing they were training women to do was become Christian Education directors, aka glorified Sunday School teachers in my opinion. But the careers I have had, starting right after college, were all in social service work - welfare caseworker, community center work, teaching/counseling - and all formed a foundation for me which made ministry a wonderful next step. For me, the social service work was more important than the religion I was attached to, until I felt a strong call to the ministry and then I moved into the position of leading others in social service work.

As a minister, I feel a strong pull to do interfaith work. I think UUs will get much more done in the world if we link arms with other religious communities. I would say that my sense of this impacts my ministry deeply. I want to be involved with people of other faiths; I want my congregation to be involved with people of other faiths. I don’t see how we can change the world without creating coalitions of progressive people.

JP: Unitarian Universalism is an evolving tradition; young, yet not without a solid historical foundation. You’ve witnessed and even wrote about this religion’s evolution. Where do you see Unitarian Universalism in the future and what part do you play now to help create that future?

Rev. K: I think of Unitarian Universalism as the catalytic agent in our society; think “yeast” in a loaf of bread. I’m not sure it matters whether we have zillions of members or not. I’m inclined to think that we have made a huge difference in society since our inception. I’m also a believer in getting the message out; we have a message of salvation that is different from traditional faith. I read blogs and hear stories of how things play out in other congregations and I can see that there is a wide variety of healthy activist congregations; I think the East coast, because of its population decline, may be struggling with a lessening of energy, while the West is the recipient of new energy because we are increasing in our population. I know some of my colleagues in the East feel frustrated by that lack of energy. I don’t sense the lack of energy here; I sense a constant upwelling of energy and growth.

I hope we don’t get bogged down in the numbers game, thinking that the only way we can make a difference is by increasing our numbers. We need to focus on our mission, which is to change society. If people are attracted to us by our actions in society, that’s much healthier growth than people who come through the doors because we have cute sermon titles.

JP: One of the positive aspects of Unitarian Universalism is that we are exposed to a large number of religions and philosophies. We are probably one of the most inclusive spiritual traditions in America today. This lends itself to an honest approach to spiritual exploration and self discovery. However, suppose this religion and the religion you were born into did not exist; which other religion or philosophy would you be most likely to take up and why?

Rev. K: I am pretty sure that if I had it to do over again, I would be a Quaker, because I am very attracted to their practice of non-violence. But circumstances led me to UUism and I am happy here. However, if I ever retire to a place where there is no UU congregation and there is a Quaker meeting, I know where I’ll go! I’m a Christian at heart; Jesus’s message is foundational for me. But I’m not likely to choose a Christian church these days. Too many integrity issues bog down the message of Jesus in traditions where they are still fighting about gender, sexual orientation, etc.

JP: I’ve been fairly public about my intention to become a Unitarian Universalist minister. Even though my journey has been waylaid by recent financial difficulties, I’m still resolute on making ministry a part of my life. As someone who has been raised by a preacher and became a minister herself, is there any advice you would impart to me?

Rev. K: Hmmm. The journey into ministry often takes a long time. I would just recommend that you not be discouraged and that you recognize that every day you spend NOT a minister is preparation for becoming a minister. Use everything that happens to you as preparation. It’s the figurative money in the bank of life. I can’t visualize what kind of minister I would be today if I hadn’t put in all those years in social service work, in being a parent and spouse, in learning to lead highly intelligent people in social groups, in living from paycheck to paycheck, in volunteering in various ways. Be involved as deeply as you can in your local congregation; start something new there; try your wings at something new.

Above Photo by Marcin Wichary. Photo Below by CBS Fan.

Recently, I had found this blog “90 Day Jane,” about a young woman who claimed that she would kill herself in 90 days. She wasn’t deathly ill or depressed - she was claiming to do this because life has no intrinsic meaning. She also claimed to be an atheist. Don’t bother to look for her blog, however… the whole thing was a hoax (excuse me, I meant “art project”) from the start and has been taken down. You can read more about it here.

There’s a lists of reasons longer than my arm as to why I’m disturbed by this recent non-event. First of all, there is the blatant abuse of suicide threats as means of entertainment. Having been suicidal before in my own life, I cannot begin to express how angry this makes me feel. There is also the matter of reinforcing the association between atheism and nihilism. While it may be true that most nihilists are also atheists, the reverse is not true. What most puzzles me, though, is that this even occurred to someone as being a good idea. Chuck Palahniuk and Hunter S. Thompson couldn’t ask for a better example of nihilism.

Why do I think that? Lets pretend for a moment that 90 Day Jane was really going to off herself in grand fashion on her own blog. She claims that her reason for doing this is to demonstrate the meaninglessness of existence. By advertising and making this public, she ironically gives meaning to her own existence - to serve as an example of nihilism. If someone can make their own meaning, that very act proves nihilism to be false. However, if this act becomes a mockery of itself it would serve only as twisted proof (however delusional) of the meaninglessness of existence. This is soundly accomplished through Jane’s half-hearted confession. This ordeal has all the offensiveness of a Nine Inch Nails video but none of the creativity.

It could be argued that I’m over reacting, and I very well may be. But I ask you, what else can you think of that is more of an affront to the principles of Unitarian Universalism? While I am tolerant and open minded, nihilism is not a philosophy that I can accept as being viable to live under or put into practice. It isn’t that I am afraid of the metaphorical abyss of nihilism; I’ve tread that edge before myself. No, I’ve just realized that it isn’t practical or useful. Never has it been said that reality had to be practical or useful, but our understanding of reality should be.

The only time I can think of when nihilism was acceptable is in the movie The Big Lebowski. Something about avowed nihilists beaten up by middle-aged bowlers strikes me as hilarious. If only nihilism was that easy to be rid of…

“Nail in my hand from my creator,
You gave me life - now show me how to live”
- Audioslave, Show Me How To Live (2002)

Photo above by Tom Rolfe. Photo below by Pixsellr.

Recently, I responded to an article on Internet Monk.com about the movie Cloverfield (which I highly recommend, by the way) and the impact that world-spanning natural disasters would have on the meaning behind the Book of Revelations. I was clear that I wasn’t a Christian and was just putting my two cents in for discussion purposes. One of the other readers of that article noticed my comment and moseyed on over to my About Me page to read about my journey towards becoming a minister. Under the pseudonym “Texan,” he then directed a comment to me under the same article that read:

“I just read your blog & your ‘about me’ section. I hope you find what you are searching for, and I pray it is Christ. “Unitarian Universalism” is not the answer I’m afraid.”

Now, I can appreciate that he was hoping the best for me, or at least what he considers to be the best, but there are several things that bother me about this comment. First of all, he didn’t have enough common decency to say this on my blog instead of hiding it on someone else’s. Not only was it an off-topic comment and thus disrespectful to Mr. Spencer, but it was also very telling as to this person’s true perception of non-Christians. Did he think I wouldn’t let the comment stand if it was posted on my blog? I’d like to think I’m pretty welcoming of criticism and debate as long as it’s constructive and respectful.

And, of course, there is the casual dismissal of my denomination and the patronizing tone; meh - I could let that slide to be honest. No, what bothered me most of all was the implication that because I am still searching, that I had not “found Christ.” I don’t think this gentleman quite understands what religion and spirituality is really about. He’s missing a vital piece of the puzzle and doesn’t even realize it. If he had, he would know that finding Christ has nothing to do with being Christian.

Simply put, religion is about learning how to live with meaning. That is the sum of all religious experience boiled down to six words: “Learning How to Live with Meaning.” If you are a Christian, it means you follow the teachings of Jesus on how to live. Buddhists, on the other hand, follow the suggestions of Buddha on how to live a good life. I call myself neither simply because I don’t think it is necessary to follow one teacher in exclusion to all others. You wouldn’t go to school to just learn math to the exclusion of all other subjects. Why learn how to live from only one spiritual teacher?

I think the biggest mistake, however, is the assumption that searching can only be for those who have not found Truth. Quite to the contrary, searching is Truth. If you’ve stopped asking questions and settled on one particular list of beliefs, you haven’t found the Truth, you’ve given up on it. Revelation is on-going, Genesis is still in process, and there is always something new to learn. Perhaps I should pray that Texan comes to this realization, although I doubt he would see this as a blessing. It is more appropriate to let him find his own way, as we all should.

Photo above by Diego Avila. Artwork below by Roy Blumenthal.

The last post I wrote was three days ago, on Thursday. I wanted to write a “Friday Vibes” article, but due to technical difficulties, I would have had to post it on Saturday. I decided there wasn’t much sense in doing that. So here I am today, Monday, still contemplating the events of last week, wanting to talk about it, even though it has already been discussed to death. Woe is me…

I really shouldn’t be too disappointed, seeing as last week I nominated for the UU Blog Awards. However, sporadic posting and constant whining about your blog on your blog isn’t necessarily a good way to win a blog award. Cutting back on articles posted per week and dropping one of your most popular series isn’t a good way to muscle in those votes, either. And admitting that you’ve made several mistakes in the past week to turn off your readers? Well, at least I can still say I’m honest. But the most sure fire way to ensure that I *not* win the Blog Awards that I’ve been nominated for, would be to promote my competition instead of myself. It would be rather foolish for me to do that…

Have I mentioned that Shelby from Looking For Faith has been nominated for “Best Religious Writing or Theological Commentary - Best of Class?” Yes, the same Shelby that I keep mentioning over and over again. She is one of the first people to actually welcome me to the UU blogging community, and I’ve been showering her with link-love ever since. She also recently picked up the torch for promoting social media in the UU blogging community. I will, of course, be voting for her.

Jules from UU Deist in Texas got a nod for “Best New Blog”. I really enjoy his writing style, his choice of subject matters, and the new look of his blog is impressive. I know this is wrong of me, but every time I read something written by Julian, I have a habit of imagining his speaking it in a Texas twang. Although to be fair, he may very well be reading this post to himself thinking I sound like Link Larken from Hairspray, me being from Baltimore and all.

PeaceBang’s Beauty Tips for Ministers has been nominated for “Best Design or Use of Visuals.” I have to admit, I don’t read this particular blog; I’m naturally gorgeous and have no need for beauty tips. Although the visuals *are* rather nice, and PeaceBang is spiffy-cool enough to vote for, so I suppose I could make an exception and vote for Beauty Tips.

Finally, there is the “Best Seminarian Blog” award. There is The Pageless Book, which is okay I guess, but I really prefer Elizabeth’s Little Blog. I haven’t been following it for long, but her blog covers some interesting topics and is worth reading. One article, on why “The Secret is Total Bunk,” has even been nominated for one of the single-article awards. I’ll be keeping my eye on this blog for the future.

In all seriousness, I wish everyone best of luck in snagging a few Blog Awards. Despite recent set-backs, The Pageless Book will continue to grow and be will be even more worthy of a Blog Award next year. I’m just honored to have been nominated along side such talent.

Photo above by Stefan. Photo below by Karen Eliot.

“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

- Buddha Gautama Siddharta (563-483 B.C.)

Every spiritual teacher worth listening to has offered themselves up to be questioned. All of the great spiritual teachers have said to their followers, “Don’t take my word for it; go see for yourself.” Jesus suggested that we should know the truth by its results the same way we know a tree by its fruit. The Prophet Mohammad had said that “The search of knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim.” Yet, when we look at the organizations that promote the teachings of one particular teacher, we come against resistance to questioning. Why should it be that way?

When we surround ourselves only with those who agree with our ideas and beliefs, we start taking those ideas and beliefs for granted. Relying on these notions as being true, our faith becomes blind and misguided. Without regular challenge, a spiritual journey becomes a religious institution and stagnates like standing water. Religious institutions become resistant to external questioning because of lack constant of internal questioning.

Inconsistency in the texts of major religions are actually beneficial in that they challenge each individual to think beyond the text. However, the mechanism for unity is so strong in institutions, that these inconsistencies are overlooked, glossed over, or justified with poor reasoning. In contrast, when faced with someone else’s religion, members of these organizations cannot help seeing contradictions and flaws in reason. Truth be told, institutions train its members to see nothing but the problems inherent in other views while blinding them to the problems within their own.

This is probably the biggest hurtle that religious tolerance faces; the mentality that allows for questioning of other faiths, but not of one’s own. It is so much easier to question the beliefs of another person than to question your own. I always try to remember that, whether I am writing about my own faith or the beliefs of others. And yet that isn’t enough - we must each be willing to be questioned.

What I write here is controversial by its nature, but more importantly, by its design. I want to challenge and be challenged. I question your beliefs to spur you into questioning mine. If you learn nothing else from what is written here, learn to think for yourself and question authority. It is true that no one religion can be founded on that principle, but a community where every individual is a philosopher-prophet-priest demands it.

My question for you is whether or not Unitarian Universalism is that community. Do we follow Timothy Leary’s creed to think for ourselves and question authority? Can we say we live up to the Buddha’s denial of rumored wisdom? Are we taking a good long look at the fruit our trees bear? I ask this because there is a very strong current against mystic or divine experiences within our religion and I believe even this needs to be questioned.

Photo above by Bruno Girin. Photo below by Falk Lademann.

Although I have this document available here at The Pageless Book and discussed its origin briefly in my “About Me” page, I am yet to address the subject of The Gated Emptiness in a complete and forthcoming way. It has been looming over me like a Gorilla these past few months and I have been carrying on as if it is perfectly normal to have this 400 pound beast sitting on my website. Truth be told, I fear the judgment of those from whom I seek friendship.

Although Unitarian Universalism is a free faith that encourages the responsible search for truth, in whatever form it may take, it would be careless of me not to recognize that I am a bit of an odd duck even among their number. I was interested in becoming a minister before deciding on becoming a UU, which makes discussion of my decision to join awkward, in the least. Over a third of UUs identify themselves as humanists; I am one of the few theists. UUism tends to favor rational empirical truths over those of a spiritual nature, yet I cannot help but feel that there is more to reality than what logic dictates. My greatest offense, however, is in taking Emerson too literally; I’ve written my own holy book.

How can I be taken seriously when I believe that God inspired these spiritual truths within me, which I have now written down to share? I have to take it on faith that people would be open minded enough to understand, yet be tolerant enough to weather the ridicule I know I will face. It all comes down to having a sense of humor, I guess. Luckily, I tend not to take myself too seriously and rarely expect others to do so.

Let me be plain as to exactly how I feel about The Gated Emptiness; I believe this to be an holy text. This text is not the only truth, nor do I believe it to be absolute truth. The holiness of any writing has more to do with the reader than what is actually written. I am not special in anyway other than in the way in which we are all special. Anyone who commits themselves to the Divine in a meaningful way can write an inspired text. Most important of all, I am not interested starting a new religion; there are far too many of them as it is.

What I do want is to promote is the movement away from institutionalized spirituality and towards an individualized spirituality. It may be pointed out that UUism and other liberal religions already are making such a movement, but the truth is that we are few and the institutions are legions. You only need to look at American politics and the recent events in the Middle East to understand the danger that these institutions pose to humanity as a whole. The Gated Emptiness warns against these institutions and serves as an example of what needs to be done.

Over the next few weeks, I will be writing about the meaning behind the Gated Emptiness as I see it. I want to do this because this will help you understand where I am coming from, and will serve as a testament to exactly what it is that I believe. In seeing my own reasoning spelled out, hopefully you will be inspired to work in favor of individualized spirituality, religious tolerance, and the dismantling of the Religious Right - the metaphorical atomic bombs of spirituality. If I do my job well, perhaps you will be inspired to write your own holy book and share it as I have. Regardless of your personal convictions or your view of The Gated Emptiness, I look forward to these next few weeks and the discussion it sparks.

Until then, Namaste.

Recently, it has become abundantly clear to me that there just isn’t enough hours in the day to do everything that I want to do. I want to post new articles on a regular basis, I want to continue to promote my fellow bloggers, and I want get to know my readers better. On the other hand, circumstances in my off-line life must come first. It would be irresponsible for me to let issues of family, work, finances, and life in general to be dominated by my love of blogging.

Unfortunately, I have bitten off more than I can chew in regards to this blog. I need to cut back down to posting five times a week. I may even go so far as to posting new articles only four times a week, if circumstances dictates. One of my three article series had to be let go. After much consideration, I felt that the UUU Project Updates were the best choice.

The past month or so has been really awesome in regards to the growth of this blog, and much of it has to with the community of which I am apart. One of the things that has really made me appreciate this community is the response to my Unknown Unitarian Universalist article and the subsequent UUU Project Updates I post on Sunday. I enjoy helping this community grow through the use of social media and will continue to work towards this end. However, I can no longer be the man with the plan in this regard.

If anyone else would like to pick up where I left off, I welcome you to do so. Nothing would make me happier to see someone else take the ball from me and run with it. Unitarian Universalism has a voice that needs to be heard the world over, and I can think of no better way of being heard than here, online. Let’s continue to work in making ourselves known.

Namaste.

It rarely pays to be presumptuous, but today I’m feeling a bit cocky, so I’m going to let down my guard. For the shear pleasure of my ego, I’m going to point out articles posted on the blogs I have read recently that I believe have been influenced by yours truly. Shortly after, I’m sure I will be swiftly and mercilessly corrected, but for a brief moment my self esteem will have thrown a small party for itself. Let’s commence with the foolishness, shall we?

Rev. Dan Harper, from Yet Another Unitarian Universalist has written an absolutely silly article concerning the true nature of happiness. Was he influenced by the mightiness of my humor article? Why, of course, Rev. Harper is my minion now! He’s quoting a British comedy series in one of his future sermons. A college educated man couldn’t possibly be brilliant enough to think of that on is own!

uuMomma pointed out an article regarding a new UU minister who has - get this - tattoos! Now, I can’t claim to have direct influence over someone I don’t even know, and I will have to admit that this article was printed before I had written my Tattooed Minister article, but you’ve got to love the synchronicity. I’d like to think it is a result of my pervasive cosmic psychic abilities, working beyond the limits of space-time - however unlikely that may be. In all seriousness, Rev. Eliza Galaher is an inspiration and I highly recommend reading her story.

Jeff, from Transient and Permanent, covered a subject that I’ve traversed in the past and wrote a piece on ReligiousTolerance.org. If you don’t remember, the precursor to my Site In Focus feature was Religious Tolerance Website Death Match, which had a long name but a short life of only two posts. My article on ReligiousTolerance.org is not as good as Jeff’s, but I am still proud that I provided him with the idea. I did… didn’t I?

Finally, Steve Caldwell from Liberal Faith Development was probably taking he cue from me when he wrote an article about Unitarian Universalism being noticed outside of the UU blogosphere. Yes, I know my recent attempts at drawing more traffic into the UU blog community has Steve in admiration of me. That’s okay - I’m a humble man who is not above being looked up to.

Thank you all for your sincerest form of flattery. I feel like a proud father… one that is senile and confused, but a proud father none-the-less. Now let’s please commence with deflation of my ego.
Photo above by Guiri R. Reyes.

Above photo by Bruno Girin. Photo below of Tara Hunt.

Have I been Digging you? Oh yeah, baby, I’ve been Digging you. All of you, in fact. I’ve found that submitting posts to Digg can be somewhat of a chore, though, as there are so many steps in submitting content. The good thing, however, is that I’ve found out Digg allows you to submit your own content if you want. Hrm. Looks like I have a new project on my hands.

In terms of support in promoting Liberal Religion Blogs, I’ve got two more allies. Shelby, whom I’ve mentioned several times before, took the initiative and wrote an entry about the four reasons why Unitarian Universalists should use social media. I highly suggest reading this inspirational piece of literature! Er, well, uhm, perhaps calling it ‘inspirational’ and ‘literature’ is a bit much - after all it is still just a blog post… Read it anyway! After all, we know the fifth reason to use social media is because John Pageless said so!

Actually, the fifth reason to use social media is to make friends. Nneka from Balanced Life Center, stumbled one of my articles in response to me stumbling one of her articles. I received a traffic spike of about two hundred and some-odd visitors as a result of her stumble. Am I thankful? Oh, heck yes. I only knew of Nneka peripherally before she had stumbled me, and now I’m even more interested in getting to know her and continue to read her blog. That’s how social media is supposed to work - it’s social.

I’m going to continue to Stumble and Digg for another week before introducing any new social media services to my networking regiment. If you have been stumbled or dugg this past week and had good results due to social media, I’d love to hear from you. Or, if you are a reader who has been trying new social media websites with me and have some suggestions or comments to make, by all means drop me a line.

Photo by William

Holy Moses on a pogo stick - I’ve been hit by the website traffic fairy! The visitors to my site have literally doubled in one day due to Rev. PeaceBang and her brief mention of my site. What a great way to start off the year, eh? I’ll have to return the favor in someway, of course; maybe I’ll have her as the first Minister Interview for my site, so I can grovel and sing her praise proper-like. Er, that is if it’s okay with her…

That isn’t the only thing that happened this week - there was of course New Years Eve. I had four shots of B52, four cape-cods, and a shot of moonshine. Not too bad for someone whose limit is two drinks. However, the masochistic abuse of my liver is not the central purpose of Friday Vibes; there were some great posts this week that didn’t mention me, and I’m more than happy to point them out to you.

Jules from A UU Deist In Texas as written a three part series about his New Years Eve resolutions. While I normally don’t go for the yearly resolutions thing, I found these articles to be inspirational. The first part is regarding aging and health concerns, the second part is about spiritual practice, and the final part muses on his love for music. As someone who’s creeping towards 30, having difficulty finding the time for my own spiritual practice, and grew up around musicians, this series really struck a cord with me… pun not intended.

I’ve mentioned that Rev. Dan Harper is pushing for a conversation on emergent spirituality within Unitarian Universalism. This was his alternative to the traditional end of year review - look forward rather than look behind. Although I’m not sure what I can bring to the table, in regards to the conversation, I feel pretty positive about this idea… which is why I don’t mind mentioning it twice.

Finally, I’d like to point out that The Wild Hunt has done a two part article on the Top Ten Pagan Stories of 2007. It’s an interesting read, and I encourage anyone who has a moment to look it over. Because neo-paganism is looked down upon by the majority of mainstream religious communities, it is often subject to discrimination and ridicule. Seeing the year through the lens of this religion is a real eye-opener as to the status of religious tolerance.

I don’t know about you, but I have had enough of writing about the holidays. For the next few weeks, you can expect me to avoid any mention of them… er, at least until Valentines day.