No, Being Unitarian Universalist Does NOT Mean Believing Whatever You Want
Category: Unitarian Universalism - General
Yet Another Working Mom addresses this all too common (and mistaken) assumption, in her post today, “Five of Five.”
She asserts that the seven principles can serve as guidelines for Unitarian Universalist beliefs and practices. She places particular emphasis on the first principle (”the inherent worth and dignity of every person”), suggesting that Unitarian Universalists ask ourselves “Do my actions affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of this other person, this group of people?”
There were a few places in the article where I found myself disagreeing with Working Mom; I’m not convinced that religious education should be teaching that “that the core beliefs of each of the major world religions are basically the same,” and I’m hesitant to proclaim that all seven principles are a “creed” for Unitarian Universalism.
But I thought her assertion that the first principle should constrain Unitarian Universalists from believing whatever we want was dead-on. And she uses a great metaphor of a circle around what we believe — even though the Unitarian Universalist circle is bigger than that of some other faiths, there is a still a circle that includes some beliefs and practices, and rejects others. Working Mom gives examples of how Unitarian Universalism is defined both by what falls outside the circle, as well as what is found within it.
October 10th, 2007 21:38
Hi! I’ve been reading through your blog, and I really enjoy it. I’ve been doing a little research on UU, and I’m considering joining my local congregation. Your blog has been helpful.
October 10th, 2007 23:39
Hi, Laurie. I’m so happy to hear that this blog has been helpful to you in your exploration of Unitarian Universalism, and that you are considering joining a congregation in your area. That’s great news! Thank you for sharing it.
October 11th, 2007 10:12
Shelby, I’ve just found your blog and also am enjoying reading it. I agree with you and Working Mom on that part about the need to get over that “believing whatever we want to” part. (In fact, that’s one of my standard, ongoing rants at my little UU message board.) I see our freedom-embracing approach to religion as something that can only be truly appreciated within the larger context of discipline, obligation and responsibility. It’s only the shallower, “cheap substitute” version of liberalism that thinks freedom can stand alone, outside of any larger context. Hopefully, religious liberalism has begun to move past the “just me” or “me first” approach to liberalism to embrace that (arguably more mature) kind of disciplined, obligated, responsible and accountable faith–where it’s no longer just “anything goes.” :neutral:
Ron
FaithoftheFree.informe.com
October 11th, 2007 10:21
I’m also enjoying your blog, Shelby! I agree, too, with you and Working Mom about the need to get past that “anything goes” approach to UU belief. That’s been one of my standard and recurring rants at my UU message board. What has been passing for liberal religion, all too often, is a cheap substitute for the more-mature version which understands all freedoms within a larger context of connectedness, responsibility, obligation, accountability–and a healthy, informed sense of conscience. I’m optimistic that this is occurring in our (still-emerging, inevitably imperfect) UU faith.
Ron
http://FaithoftheFree.informe.com
October 15th, 2007 12:13
Ron,
Thank you for commenting! I really like the way you explain what is needed: a faith that is free but also “understands all freedoms within a larger context of connectedness, responsibility, obligation and accountability.” That’s exactly what I was getting at. And I too am optimistic that UUism is moving in this direction (and may in many congregations have already arrived).
Also, my spam filter accidentally snapped up your comments, which is probably why you posted more than once. Sorry it’s taken a few days to fish them out and respond.
October 16th, 2007 16:57
[…] No, Being Unitarian Universalist Does NOT Mean Believing Whatever You Want […]