I am horrified that Hitchens would refer to the United Church of Christ as "crackpot." It is offensive for starters, and is decidedly untrue. Your ignorance is stunning. As a native Chicagoan who has visited the church a number of times, it is clear that Hitchens doesn't know what he is talking about; Indeed there is nothing crackpot at all about the church. In the black community in Chicago, the church is well-regarded as an institution that preaches self-help and has seen phenomenal growth.

I know that Hitchens doesnt believe in God, but that does not give him the right to offend the faith of thousands of folks that he doesnt even know. For a person who claims to be so intellectually honest, he showed himself to be woefully ignorant on this one.

Oh, the UCC is crackpot. It's a pseudo-denomination comprised of independent churches that could be either very conservative (the UCC in the midwest) or very liberal (the UCC in New England). There is no consistent theological or political perspective among UCC churches.

In seminaries, UCC students are known jokingly among themselves as "Unitarians Considering Christ".

There are some powerful, important UCC congregations. They are all the very old parishes in New England towns, e.g., First Church New Haven, First Church Northampton, etc., most of which were founded as Congregational churches by the Puritans.

The other UCC parishes--it's a really mixed bag. It's basically, oh, no other denomination will have you? Well, step right this way!

milespop:

I know that Hitchens doesnt believe in God, but that does not give him the right to offend the faith of thousands of folks that he doesnt even know.

He absolutely has that right. He can offend anyone and everyone as much as he wishes. Having a religious belief does not confer a right not to be offended.

Would you care if Hitchens called Asatru, the belief in old Norse gods, crackpot too?

I believe Richmond is confusing the UCC with "free" Congregationalist churches, i.e., those which remained independent when the Congregational church merged with Evangelical Reformed church some 50 years ago. "Free" Congregationalist churches can be either conservative or liberal (yes, even in the Midwest); their bent is determined at the parish level. My impression is that the UCC is generally a liberal Protestant denomination, placing more emphasis than some churches on Jesus's ethical teachings.

milespop:

I know that Hitchens doesnt believe in God, but that does not give him the right to offend the faith of thousands of folks that he doesnt even know.

Look at the top of the forum. That's right, waaaay up at the top. See where it says "Fighting Words"? That's the title of Hitchens's column.

NEWSFLASH: Hitchens gets paid (quite handsomely, I'll wager) to offend people.

Not only is it his right "to offend the faith of thousands of folks that he doesnt even know"; it is, arguably, an integral part of his job description.

Here endeth the lesson.

All this talk about whether or not it's kosher for Hitchens to be offending people is missing the fact that in reality people themselves choose to be offended -- being offended is not passive, and no one can offend someone without his consent. So the question is not whether Hitchens is wrong or unfair in offending people, but whether or not people (I would guess mainly religious people) are right or not unjust in being offended (or, in other words, in taking offense to what he is saying).

In regards to the last paragraph.The constitution gives hitch the right to "offend" the faith of anyone he chooses.YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO NOT BE OFFENDED!.This is not a bananna republic.if your religious faith is soooo easly shaken when somone criticizes it ,then you faith can't be too strong to begin with .Can it?Get over it .not every one will believe as you in this world(thankfully) so get used to it

milespop:

I am horrified that Hitchens would refer to the United Church of Christ as "crackpot." It is offensive for starters, and is decidedly untrue. Your ignorance is stunning. As a native Chicagoan who has visited the church a number of times, it is clear that Hitchens doesn't know what he is talking about; Indeed there is nothing crackpot at all about the church. In the black community in Chicago, the church is well-regarded as an institution that preaches self-help and has seen phenomenal growth.

I know that Hitchens doesnt believe in God, but that does not give him the right to offend the faith of thousands of folks that he doesnt even know. For a person who claims to be so intellectually honest, he showed himself to be woefully ignorant on this one.

The diversity of the UCC is caused by its policy of autonomy, the concept that the national church speaks to the local churches, not for them. This does not mean that UCC congregations lack common theological bonds, or that there is no national cohesiveness. Instead this allows a common sense of "agreeing to disagree".

Perhaps this is a crazy way to organize a national church. However, it does not stop members from feeling pride in a present day denomination that tries to accept all people. For these people, the UCC is something quite tangible.

the body of Christ is supposed to be free of controlling elders. Ever read the Bible?