BEING UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

A situation I am dealing with in my congregation has me pondering what it is that defines Unitarian Universalism. 

I look around our Meeting Room in the UU Fellowship here at Mile Marker 1, just one mile from the start of everything, and I see the current Purposes and Principles of our movement.  

They are a wonderful statement of ethics and faith:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; 
  
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; 
  
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; 
  
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; 
  
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
  

However, are they really definitive of a distinct faith tradition?  I suspect that every one of those principles is affirmed in more than one religion. 

It takes a little more reading, and some historical sleuthing to go further.  

Just beyond the Principles in our Association's Bylaws is a section on Freedom of Belief: 

Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any congregation unless such is used as a creedal test.

This "liberty" clause, or a version of it, has been  included in every statement of faith in the history of Unitarian Universalism, and of Universalism before the consolidation. 

It is what establishes us as a non-creedal religion.  It says that while we affirm certain principles, we do NOT require a unfied interpretation of those principles.  

No one person's understanding of the implications of those principles is binding on any other, nor upon the whole.  For UUs, dogma is not the content of a doctrinal statement but any insistence that certain beliefs or actions must consequentially flow from our shared values. 

So, if any individual Unitarian Universalist were to say: "See things my way, or else!," it would be a most un-UU statement, because in the whole history of our movement Freedom of Belief trumps any stated Principles.  

At its core, Unitarian Universalism is about that Freedom of Belief, which also implies that when people are free in their faith, not bound to one interpretation of important principles nor bound to one expectation of action, a wider truth, a greater good, a deep faith will result. 

An Observation from in a Black Church

One of the preoccupations of Unitarian Universalism in the last twenty years has been the oft-repeated claim that "11am on Sunday is the most segregated hour in America." It has become a mission of many UUs to try to make this less so.   I have heard endless discussions about "how can we attract more people of color to our services?"

Now, let me get this straight.  We see ourselves in general as people of privilege, "white privilege," and we seek to bring in more people of color as a way of . . .?

As a way of assuaging guilt over the past . . . that somehow if we can have people of color sitting next to us history can be redeemed?

As a way of enhancing our own experience . . . because ethnic people will enrich our mix and make things more diverse?

As a way of sharing . . . letting some people who are different in on some of the privilege?

As a way of justifying our militancy . . . sanctifying our righteous indignation and our steadfast positions on everything from proper use of ethnic songs to "cultural misappropriation" to reparations. 

Let's face it:  the usual UU attempts to attract more people of ethnic and racial diversity is not about any anti-racism, anti-oppression, multiculturalism.  It's either about religious imperialism.  We think we have a message which is superior to what people of color might be getting in their own traditional religious communities and they would be better off with us.  Or it is about our own religious insecurity.  We think our message is insufficient unless we look inclusive.

Now, I have to tell you that in all of my contacts with the traditional Black Churches here in the Conch Republic, including in-depth time with their leaders, I have never heard  one, not one, that was concerned with trying to attract more white people to their congregations. 

You would think that they would want to attract more people who we claim hold privilege and power.  You would think they would see a sprinkling of those who envision themselves as burdened with unfair higher status as a bonus, an affirmation, a blessing.  They might even have a conversation that would go like this, "You know, some of those white folks who might be open to our message are put off by the music and the dancing and the shouting we do, so maybe we ought to tone it down a little and make them feel more comfortable."

But, they don't!!!!!  

Instead, the historic Black Churches focus on their salvific message and the many ways of expressing it.  They are not scanning faces for traces of color or lack thereof.  They are not counting members by race.  They are preaching the message of divinity on earth revealing the universal and eternal promise of wholeness for all people regardless of race.  

I think it is high time that we Unitarian Universalists stop focusing on what we are not and what's wrong with the world and start focusing on what we have to say and what's right with creation.  If we did that, the people for whom our message is liberating will fill our congregations and it won't matter to them or to us what color their skin happens to be or what accent edges their voices. 

I think we have now complete a detailed exploration of a deadend cul-de-sac; it's time to get back on the main road of Unitarian Universalism.