I am also interested in reading your ideas and wording for the humanist/science source.
I’ve skimmed some of the discussion since last night, but can’t seem to find what the current version looks like with the changes proposed in the last 24 hours. Perhaps Janet or Kerry could post that, with the understanding that it may (will) evolve further?
Hey, where is the CURRENT — FRIDAY June 2 Most recent version?
Thx,
Bek
As this thread is now devoted the a mid-length Inspirations amendment combined from (#460 and #147) of which Kerry was the original author (I submitted a reworked version as an amendment idea and will be the sponsor), I am adding what I believe to be the most current version of this combined amendment, along with what I believe are the outstanding critiques.
Kerry can confirm (or not) when she gets back in front of her computer (as she is on the West Coast)
Current version (with bolding to indicate changes from our previous version):
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
As Unitarian Universalists, we are inspired by the full depth and breadth of sacred and secular human knowledge. We respect the histories, contexts, and cultures in which the wisdom we draw upon was created and is currently practiced. With care and compassion for every person’s individual path, we discern and build upon the sources of Unitarian Universalism as we move forward.
These sources include:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which renews our spirit;
Religions and wisdom traditions which inspire us in our ethical and spiritual life and which center love, justice, and harmony with one another and with nature;
Humanist teachings, which counsel us to honor our capacity for rational inquiry, as well as the verifiable knowledge produced by communities engaged in scientific and other data-driven fields of study;
Creative arts, which reveal to us the face of life’s beauty and joy, its struggles and sorrows, and its enduring truth and meaning, and which open our hearts to emotions of joy, solace, and gratitude.
These sources ground us and sustain us in ordinary, difficult, and joyous times. Grateful for the religious and cultural ancestries we inherit and the diversity that enriches our community, we are called by our living tradition to ever deepen and expand our wisdom."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The one outstanding critique, I believe, is from @CSTownsend who objects to the phrase “rational inquiry.”
Feel free to remind me of other outstanding critiques …
This looks wonderful. Do you mind if I take some of this wording for #85?
@Janet and @CSTownsend and @ktschurr et al, I have ideas based on comments on the Blue Boat site, so let me respond there first and then here.
That is fine with me. You may want to get Kerry’s OK too.
I “liked” your comment already, but it is always OK on my part for anyone to combine in any language they like from this amendment. We are ultimately going for the best synthesis to get passed at GA, so the more combining and improving we all help each other with before submission, the better, in my view!
@Janet et al, humanists and others have commented affirming @CSTownsend 's concern, as well as an issue raised by @ktschurr earlier, that “humanism” is not necessarily associated with science.
I have proposed, in a nutshell, separating this Source into two, one for a fuller, better definition of Humanism, and one for science and data-driven fields of inquiry. This would allow more room for language that would better clarify the strengths of these areas of knowledge/approaches to understanding, and I think with fuller wording, could avoid the pitfalls or potential misconstruing that Cynthia T, Greg Lawler, and others have pointed out.
Because there are comments and discussion going on there, I urge everyone who can to weigh in on that thread on Facebook first or to respond to the general idea here. Then we will import conclusions from that Blue Boat discussion over here to the Discuss page.
ETA: Even if you are not on Facebook, you should be able to read the discussion there (I made ithe group open and public partly for this reason). You will not be able to comment or “like” anything, so be careful not to click on a way to make it seem like you want to do this, or Facebook will want you to log in. (Usually going backwards a screen can fix this or you may need to reopen your browser.)
Hello, Janet.
My name is Denise Frizzell and I am a long time UU. I am currently a member with the Eno River UU Fellowship in Durham, NC and am serving as a GA delegate this year.
I would like to express my gratitude for all your and so many others (I am on this amendment email group thread) efforts on this amendment to add depth, breadth, and specificity to the proposed Amendment to Article II Inspirations Section. I intend to support it.
Also, I wanted to let you know that I submitted the following amendment today (see below). I invite you and all reading this post serving as delegates interested in further enhancing this document’s significance to consider supporting it.
Thank you.
With active hope for a healthy, peace-filled, just, and sustainable planet for all life,
Denise Frizzell
ADD
C-2.6. Earth Solidarity.
Earth, our beautiful blue boat home, is in great peril. Humanity, all sentient beings, and nature itself face numerous unprecedented challenges to life as we now know it and take for granted. Climate change, mass extinction of species, desertification, deforestation, massive die-off of coral reefs, and pollution threaten to disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems on which we all depend. At this historical and evolutionary crossroads, where every choice matters, we are called to bridge our differences and call upon our shared heritage, principles, and values to unite as Unitarian Universalists to transform ourselves and our consumer culture and invest in real solutions at every level of society for a thriving common future for all life.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Cut-off time to comment on #147 is today, June 3, 7:30 PDT/10:30-EDT.
Hello, Kerry.
My thanks to you and all your efforts on this amendment! Your, Janet L.'s, Becca W.'s, Jennifer C.‘s and others’ diligent collaborative efforts to enhance the proposed Article II Amendment truly inspire me.
More to come, I know but I just wanted to take time to express my thanks and acknowledge your efforts.
Also, if you are so moved, I invite you to support the amendment I submitted today (shared in the above post) and to share with the Blue Boat Passengers FB group and any other UU that might be interested.
With appreciation,
Denise
Thanks very much, @Denny ! I do like your amendment, but i am not a delegate. However, my delegates are aware of this thread, so they will see your post here.
Leilnai: We are still working on the wording last minute but as we restored the “prophetic people” source and combined with other words denoting these are also secular leaders, this brings back the power structures, and we’ve added a few words to hopefully bring in your concerns explicitly.
Everyone following this amendment: We are looking at all comments one last time and then @Janet will post a semi-final draft here within the hour for anyone’s final comments.
The draft should be “locked” around 7:30 PDT/10:30 EDT so people can know what they are signing onto. Janet will also post the document for signing on support when she posts our final language.
Thanks, everyone!
Kerry
We’re supposed to be able to see the delegate submitted amendments as they are submitted. I thought through discuss.uua.org but I’m not seeing them there. Does anyone know how to see them? As a delegate I couldn’t sign on my support for an amendment until I am sure of the exact words that were submitted.
Cynthia, our exact words will be posted here before submitting. they won’t be changed after that. Can you see PM please? Thanks!
@CSTownsend , can you ask Charles Du Mond this question?
Cynthia,
At around 7:30 PT, I will post our final wording, after having posted a semi-final wording a half hour or so before that. When I post the final wording, we will consider it “locked” and not make anymore changes before we submit.
Here is our semi-final draft.
We will be taking comments until 7:30 pm Eastern time/10:30pm Pacific time, when we will post our finalized draft, the amendment we will submit tomorrow in its exact wording.
As Unitarian Universalists, we are inspired by the full depth and breadth of sacred and secular human knowledge. We respect the histories, contexts, and cultures in which the life-affirming wisdom we draw upon was created and is currently practiced. With care and compassion for every person’s individual path, we discern, balance, and build upon the sources of Unitarian Universalism as we move forward.
These sources include:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which renews our spirit;
Religions and wisdom traditions which inspire us in our ethical and spiritual life and which center love, justice, and harmony with one another and with nature;
Words and deeds of prophets, innovators, and other pathfinders whose example challenges us to transform oppressive and exploitative powers and structures through justice and compassion;
Humanist teachings, which counsel us to rely on our experience and use the powers of our mind and heart to create a better world for all.
Ethically informed science and reasoned inquiry, which produce verifiable knowledge and offer powerful insights into the world and human effects upon it, while revealing the awe-inspiring diversity and beauty of nature.
Creative arts, which reveal to us the face of life’s beauty and joy, its struggles and sorrows, and its enduring truth and meaning, and which open our hearts to emotions of joy, solace, and gratitude.
These sources ground us and sustain us in ordinary, difficult, and joyous times. Grateful for the religious and cultural ancestries we inherit and the diversity that enriches our community, we are called by our living tradition to ever deepen and expand our wisdom."
Thanks for sharing this Denny. I however would have similar comments to the language of your amendment as I did this one previously above.