The Personal is Political — and Theological

The Second Principle by which Unitarian Universalists abide is that of “justice, equity and compassion in human relations.” The Second Principle builds upon the First Principle. We as Unitarian Universalists uphold the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and as a result, we believe that all people deserve justice, equity and compassion.

Unitarian Universalists are known for our progressive political activism, and the second principle captures this commitment.

However, we must also consider how we can live the second principle in our intimate personal relationships. “Justice, equity, and compassion” are not only advanced by laws or by widespread social movements. They are also advanced by how we treat one another on a day-to-day basis. The feminist movement captured the idea that our personal lives are a microcosm of our social commitments with the slogan “the personal is political.” Rather than see the second principle as pertaining merely to macrocosmic changes — like the passing of laws or regulations — I think we should consider how it impacts our personal choices.

Today I watched the movie the Lives of Others with a friend. I don’t want to reveal any of the plot details, but suffice to say that the movie is set it in East Germany in 1984, and tells the story of several people who make subversive political choices. But what really drew me into the movie was its portrayal of the relationships between the characters. These are people who begin to feel compassion for one another, and outrage about injustices they witness one another suffering. They are driven not so much by ideals, as by empathy. They live in a system designed to turn people against one another, but they rebel against letting fear and hatred into their relationships.

We have obligation to strive for “justice, equity, and compassion” not only in political systems, but in our treatment of one another on the personal level. The second principle is about relationships, including those we have with our friends, family members, co-workers, fellow congregants, and even relative strangers with whom we interact. The First Principle is setting a theological foundation for how we see one another. The Second Principle is calling us to put our belief in one another’s inherent worth and dignity into a commitment to justice, equity and compassion in all forms of personal interaction.