Back in the 20th century, we often spoke of the years in two digits. I graduated in the high school class of 78, college in 82, and I sang a song “back in the summer of 69” Remember what happened as we approached the end of the century. Some predicted the rapture was coming.
But the much more widespread fear was called Y2K. People told us that the onset of the year 2000 would mess up all the computers, and since by then society had become dependent on computers, people said that we were in for trouble.
The least pessimistic predictions said that a BROWN OUT was likely when the year 2000 rolled around. Systems would go haywire; computers would be unreliable but remain operative. Electric, gas, water would remain on globally, but technical glitches would reek all manner of havoc.
Some predicted we might experience BLACKOUT. Everyone would go down for 3 to 6 months. Backup generators that didn’t have embedded chips would be used to power tools and fix computers. Government would go into martial law and ration supplies until everything is fixed. It would take approximately 5 years for everything to recover, economically, and technologically.
Others predicted we would experience MELTDOWN. This would be the end of the world as we know it. Computers would totally crash, we wouldn’t be able to get power back online, the world economy would collapse, all money becomes worthless, barter would start again, governments would collapse and without powerful governmental structures and payroll, who would fix the power lines and bring everything back to normal?!
Perhaps you can guess why I have reminded us of the Y2K scare. I’m not saying that every dire prediction will be wrong. Covid certainly taught us about shutdown. We saw domino effects on global economy from things like the supply chain interruption. However, I do believe that some of the dire predictions, accusations and fears about our Unitarian Universalist Association changing Article 2 of our bylaws were a tad like Y2K.
And believe me I’m not mocking. Change can be unsettling. I was serving a congregation in Houston that for most of its existence rented a large space in what had been a Gold’s gym. Despite rent that put them into the red, a/c and heat failure and landlord neglect of the outside appearance after Hurricane Ike, the congregation loved the huge amount of space. And they loved the many good times they had there. I advised them to move out, and when they did I advise church leaders to be aware that there would be much grieving. And I didn’t mean boo hoo grieving, I meant that people would be disgruntled about all manner of things as a result of the blow of losing the only home they had ever known.
The changes made to the UUA bylaws are significant. We are talking about the covenant between member congregations of the UUA. We are talking about the language and expression of who we are, the purpose for our existence and how we define ourselves. I am pleased to have this opportunity to offer some reassurance about what’s happening. I promise this is not like someone switching babies in the hospital, and we came home with someone else’s baby.
Our UU faith tradition is not going off the rails. I say this with certainty because our religion does not run on a railroad track. We are practically flying in the 4th dimension. One of the great strengths of our living tradition is that we have a great capacity for adaptation. We have argued over words, doctrines, statements and expressions of faith many times before. In fact there has never been a time that we didn’t. Being UU means living in a culture where many things remain up for discussion.
I know that many of us have difficulty being able to explain our religion to those who think that the purpose of religion is to insist on an ancient story as a formula and prerequisite for avoiding eternal damnation. When people come here they figure out quickly that is NOT our program.
I acknowledge that the section of the former UUA bylaws known as the principles are much loved, and they really helped people to explain our religion. Weve been like no they aren’t tablets sent by God delivered by Moses, but we think they are pretty cool, right.
So why did over 80% of delegates from all our UUA churches vote to ratify passage of new language in Article 2 which didn’t include the principles? And how are going to express and do our religion now? Is the answer contained in 7 words? 7 shared values?
My simple answer is “No”. The 7 shared values like the 7 principles before them are part of a larger statement of purpose and covenant. While very important, no expression of faith captures the fullness of who we have been, who we are and who we are becoming.
Right now, there is a lot of emphasis being placed on the fact that we voted to place “Love” at the center of our religion. I AM excited about it. However, the reality of our tradition, of our faith, our what we do, what holds us together and what we promote can not be adequately expressed in one word. It’s, however, a good starting point. It might serve for our religion as the Hippocratic oath serves medicine. “First do now harm.”
I was in seminary the last time our denomination voted to revise the UUA bylaws. I tell you what. Those who had just graduated didn’t need to do their Master programs over. The new expression of principles and purposes did not change my M.Div. program at all! UU was steaming along nicely and it continued without a glitch. I do recall plenty of complaining and worrying that the UUA was foisting a creed upon on us and it would destroy our tradition. That didn’t happen then and it’s not happening now.
I find the new language, the new statement of the covenant held between UU congregations a work of beauty, something that reflects our history and our present. It is something that I would be proud to share with anyone who wanted to learn about who we are. It is an inspiring covenant. Something that has the capacity to inspire us to create our own covenants here with each other to shape and enrich our liberal religious lives.
The new wording of our covenant is: As Unitarian Universalists, we covenant, congregation-to-congregation and through our association, to support and assist one another in our ministries. We draw from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, building on the foundation of love.
Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.
There is then a naming and brief description of 7 shared values.
Pluralism, Generosity, Transformation, Justice, Equity and Interdependence. I encourage you to read Article 2 in its entire
There is a graphic representation, called the Shared Values Flower. You can look at it in your OOS.
I like that pluralism is at the bottom because it’s foundational to who we are. We don’t claim to possess a perfect final truth revealed in the distant past. We hold revelation as continuous. Personally, I think that every culture has treasures, and every culture has flaws.
UU is characterized by our intention to be multicultural. We hope to be a good example to the world that people of different belief systems, different theologies, different worldviews CAN come together to promote healing, find meaning and purpose, develop a sense of the holy and sacred, nurture integrity working for the creation of beloved community where all shall be embraced with love, respect and dignity.
GENEROUSITY. Liberal religion means liberal or generous applications, interpretations, translations to matters of faith. We know that faith cannot be achieved by force. By acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth do we learn together. Generosity is a value that helps us appreciate life and each other.
TRANSFORMATION
The nature of existence is one of constant change. The Buddha taught that we suffer because we look at the impermanent and expect to find permanence there. Twelve step traditions talk about living life on life’s terms. We affirm and embrace that life is rich with potential for change.
We acknowledge that our human hearts long to transform conditions where oppression exists. We also participate in our congregations willing to be transformed by what we learn together.
JUSTICE
New religious traditions often start when some great leader inspires a vision of a better world. Many of them illuminate ways that marginalized people get crushed by established systems of domination. When religions become established, they tend to shift away from “power to the people,” and start enforcing the power of the ruling authorities. They start bowing down to the powers of this world, advocating for the powerful, enforcing their dominance.
Our tradition sees as sacred the force that beckons us to freedom. We have seen God and or nature as calling us to challenge injustice, cruelty, and anything that promotes the idea that some people don’t matter.
EQUITY
Equity teaches us that justice is not always served by a strict letter of the law interpretation. We seek to apply our values in ways that take into consideration the very real on the ground circumstances of people’s lives. Equity means caring about the needs of every person.
One example: Because of rampant police violence and murder of people of color, UU denomination has supported the Black Lives Matter movement.
INTERDEPENCE
On a practical level, the human race must learn that we share a common destiny, that we are woven into the same garment. That what we do to what Jesus referred to as the least of these we do to the oneness of our being. What we do to air, land and water we do to ourselves.
Interdependence is spiritual as well as practical and material. We belong and participate in something far greater than ourselves. Some use the word God referring to that something greater; the eternal or infinite in power. Others tell of experiencing interdependence in mindful moments of the holy now. Others sense it in encounter with collective consciousness.
Our UU faith is wonderful and awesome. It is also imperfect. We call it a living tradition because it keeps changing and yet it maintains integrity as a means for faith development and as a liberatory force. I trust our forward momentum, and the fire of our commitment. Our Unitarian Universalist living faith tradition will grow as we grow our shared sense of purpose, a shared ministry to carry forward and advance our faith!
Make it so!
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