This question has been asked and debated for thousands of years. When I first talked at UU on October 30, 2011 my topic was “Our World of Wonder.” I suggested then that an appropriate human response to the fact that we exist at all would be an attitude of wonder, awe, gratitude, and humility. This morning we will examine whether these attributes suggest in any way a possible answer to the question, what kind of creature are we. If they do…what do they suggest?

Dick Smythe is an entomologist retired from the research division of the US Forest Service. Throughout his life he has maintained two dominant interests: first, his fascination with the natural world – our non-human environment and endless source of wonder; second, his abiding interest in religion/theology – a subject of continuing education and challenge.