210 | Dixie Morrow | Values Not Creed

2023 Article II Amendment Idea Submissions Amendment Ideas
1

Submission 210
Dixie Morrow
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie

What is your suggestion or idea?

Suggestions
for Amended Article II Proposal

This
suggestion is based on two notions: 1) values are our feelings about
what is important, and principles describe how we act on those
values, and 2) the existing seven principles enabled
us to achieve so much.
Article
II can illuminate the values upon which the principles are based using much of the language in the proposal.
Article
II should retain the existing principles firmly based on the explicit values.
An
accountability clause equates to a creed and along with it, if it is
enacted, implies an excommunication possibility.

What is the reason for your amendment idea?

My reasons are implicit in the suggestions: we hold values, our principles express how we behave based on those values, and our love for humanity and the earth we live on is expressed through our principles. Our movement should not be confined to a single focus and implied creed.

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

I have been talking with multiple congregants about one or more aspects of this idea. They have been in agreement.

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2

I would reverse the order - We have principles and our values express how we behave based on the principles. I agree that both should be in Article II. Values grow out of principles.

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