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Stuart Gaiber
2023/11/06 at 9:40 am

I joined UU because of and I strongly identify with –
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Please leave above ALONE .. we add / change anything else no problem.
They are simple and clear. 1 thru 7 is LOVE…

(Next we can work on revising the 10 Commandments, The Trinity Knot, or the The Five Pillars of Islam,, ??)

Is this is in the direction of Sectarianism?

I think the abandonment of our UU Principles is a good example of “marketing copy” and “product positioning” run amok!

Don’t fix what is not broken. We, UU, have a “secret sauce”. I are referring to an organizations ability to do something that nobody else can easily replicate, something that makes it special. Specifically, we have a uniqueness. Do not spoil the recipe. We can always add new ingredients to another “pot”.

With Love and respect,
Stuart Gaiber

Larry Jones
2023/10/30 at 5:11 pm

The current UUA Bylaws defines (in 2.2) the purpose and scope of the UUA. Proposed subsection 2.1 redefines the purpose and scope of the UUA.

The proposed Article 2 states the Purpose of UUA will no longer be to “serve the needs of its member congregations;” but UUA would have responsibility to train lay and professional leaders, “heal historic injustices,” and “actively engage its members in the transformation of the world through liberating Love.”

This will change the relationship between UUA and UUFSD. Since founding, UUFSD has decided when and who to hire as minister, DRE or other, defined their duties, defined the functions of our Board, organized committees as we choose, and set our own priorities as a community. The proposed purposes and scope grants UUA broad authority to regulate elements of Congregational leadership as conditions of continued Congregational membership in UUA.

For reference, the current and proposed UUA Bylaws state (with elements enumerated to facilitate reading):
• Current Bylaws subsection 2.2:
The primary purpose of the Association is to
1. serve the needs of its member congregations,
2. organize new congregations,
3. extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and
4. implement its principles.

• Proposed Bylaws subsection 2.1:
[UUA’s] primary purposes are to
1. assist congregations in their vital ministries,
2. support and train leaders both lay and professional,
3. foster lifelong faith formation and spiritual development,
4. heal historic injustices,
5. support and encourage the creation of new Unitarian Universalist communities, and
6. advance our Unitarian Universalist values in the world[, and]
7. actively engage its members in the transformation of the world through liberating Love.

Words matter. What do you want for our community? What do you want our UUA to be?

Richard Macdonald
2023/08/21 at 7:03 am

I think we need both principles AND values. I intend to study the new Values and see if I can discern what Principle(s) lies behind each value, either one or more of our original 8 Principles, or some new principle.

Richard Macdonald
2023/08/21 at 6:47 am

Definition of Religious Principles:
Religious principles are fundamental beliefs, doctrines, or guidelines that form the foundation of a particular religion or belief system. These principles often serve as the core teachings or tenets that guide the behavior, practices, and worldview of adherents. Religious principles typically address matters such as the nature of divinity, the purpose of life, moral codes, ethical standards, and the afterlife. They provide a framework for understanding the basic truths and teachings of a religion. For example, the principles of Christianity may include beliefs in the divinity of Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and salvation through faith.
— from the collective wisdom of 2 billion internet users via ChatGPT

Richard Macdonald
2023/08/21 at 6:45 am

Definition of Religious Values:
Religious values are the ethical, moral, and behavioral standards that are derived from a person’s religious beliefs and principles. These values reflect how individuals or communities should live their lives in accordance with their faith. Religious values guide actions, decisions, and interactions, and they often emphasize virtues such as compassion, humility, honesty, kindness, and love. These values are intended to shape an individual’s character and guide their interactions with others and the world around them. For instance, the value of compassion is emphasized in Buddhism, while Islam places importance on values such as submission to God and charity.
— from the collective wisdom of 2 billion internet users via ChatGPT