LAKE COUNTY – The Unitarian Universalist Community of Lake County (UUCLC) was saddened to hear of the shootings at a Unitarian Universalist church in Tennessee on Sunday.

Jim D. Adkisson, 58, an out-of-work truck driver, is alleged to have gone on a shooting spree at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universality Church in Knoxville, wounding several people and killing two, according to press reports.

Police said in a statement that Adkisson reportedly chose the church based on his hatred of its liberal views on civil rights, gay marriage and women's rights.

"It is hard to understand how people can choose to hate people they do not even know," says Carol Cole-Lewis, president of the board of the UUCLC. "Unitarian Universalists have always been at the forefront of movements that preserve the inherent rights of the individual, including civil rights and gay or same-sex marriage.

“I suppose it is not surprising, as some people don't know who we are and would act out of misunderstanding, rather than to open dialog to find out about us and why we support these issues,” she said. “We extend our prayers and condolences to all people affected by this event, including Mr. Adkisson."

The Unitarian Universalist tradition is a relatively unknown faith in America, though one with a long history. With roots from the 16th century Reformation, Unitarian Universalism is a caring, open-minded religious community that encourages each person to seek his or her own spiritual path. Noted Unitarian Universalists include John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Charles Dickens, Clara Barton, Luther Burbank and Albert Schweitzer.

The UUCLC supports marriage equality and is available to perform marriage ceremonies for couples of any race, gender or religious beliefs. They also support the Lake County Safe House project, and many of its members are involved with other humanitarian efforts in the county and beyond.

The UUCLC meets Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. at the Kelseyville Senior Center.

For more information about the UUCLC or Unitarian Universalism, visit their Web site (http://www.uuclc.org) or call 278-0254. Everyone is welcome. Child care is provided.

The UUCLC is a part of the Unitarian Universalist Association (www.uua.org).

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