#148 | Nicholas Izzo | Right to Flourish

2023 Article II Amendment Idea Submissions Amendment Ideas
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Submission 148
Nicholas Izzo
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) 7332

What is your suggestion or idea?

““We declare that every person has inherent worth and dignity and has a right to flourish with dignity and worthiness.””

What is the reason for your amendment idea?

The proposal takes the current language of each person having inherent worth and dignity and changes it to ““We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherentdignity and worthiness.””

I think this is takes away from the radical statement that Each person
has inherent worth an dignity. This is a message as challenging as
Jesus’ command to ““love thy enemy.”” It is not easy to comprehend but I
think that makes it the most transforming statement I can think of. How
do you honor someone who acts dishonorably? You don’t treat them with
violence, you afford them your systems of justice and you offer them a
chance (using the new language) to flourish as a person of dignity.

Have you discussed this idea with your congregation or other UUs?

No

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I think the argument for not using the word “worth” in the FAQ document is legitimate and important. I am working on amendment language with a group in our congregation and one member suggested language that I like as an updating of our first principle: "Respect for the humanity and dignity of every person. “A suggestion for rewriting the Equity value that our group has worked on together might be " We affirm the humanity and dignity of every person and the right of all to flourish. We covenant to use our resources to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive congregations and communities. We approach this work in the spirit of hope and of love.”