Speaker: Rev. Dennis McCarty

“Capernaum”

Reverend Dennis McCarty’s topic will be Lebanese film director Nadine Labaki’s acclaimed movie, Capernaum. Though set in a particular time and place, Labaki uses generations-old cinematic theory to express human concerns that are ancient and universal. As Rev. Dennis will explain, it’s about more than … read more.

“The Shape of Water”

Reverend Dennis McCarty’s topic will be “Diversity and The Shape of Water.” Mexican director Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece is more than just a gorgeous fantasy/monster movie. Although it’s set in 1962, it is very much about national affairs in the United States today. It even … read more.

“The Uplifting Movies of Oscar Micheaux”

Reverend Dennis McCarty will speak about “The Uplifting Movies of Oscar Micheaux.” In the unrepentantly racist 1920’s and 1930’s, when some movie houses did not even allow Black citizens to enter, so-called “race movies” were made by and for Blacks. The first—and arguably the greatest—Black … read more.

“The Birth of a Nation”

Reverend Dennis McCarty will present the first of four analyses, from a liberal religious viewpoint, of classic motion pictures. We begin with legendary director D.W. Griffith’s silent Civil War epic, The Birth of a Nation. Though more than a century old, this movie—and Griffith’s defensive … read more.

“The Birth of our Seven Principles”

Unitarian Universalism’s greatest theologian of the twentieth century, James Luther Adams, wrote that “there is no such thing as the immaculate conception of an idea.” That is, everything we say or do, as a religion, evolved from something else. Rev. Dennis will explore the history … read more.

“How Religious Was George Washington?”

Presidents Day.  Both political liberals and political conservatives are quick to talk about our nation’s Founders, and how their religious beliefs supported ours—whatever our current belief happens to be! The real history isn’t that simple. Rev. Dennis McCarty will explore how General—then President—George Washington … read more.

“The Challenge of Race”

 

There’s a great deal to learn about “race” before we even approach the topic of “race-ism.” Our ideas about race are rooted in ancient European history, rise out of attitudes about language, culture, and geography, and have little or nothing to do with our … read more.