Submission 307
Virginia Gelineau
Blue Hills UU Fellowship Rice Lake, WI
What is your suggestion or idea?
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every living creature.
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of a democratic process within our congregations. Omit “and in society at large”
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are
The Eighth Principle: “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote building a diverse multicultural Beloved Community which acts to dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
SOURCES
Direct experience which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
- Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
- Wisdom from the world’s religious and spiritual teachings and the guidance of reason and science.
Left out the special mention of Jewish and Christian and Humanistr teachings because it is already addressed in the previous source.
- Teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
- Appreciation of the 7 forms of art: Painting, Sculpture, Literature, Architecture, Cinema, Music, and Theater, realizing their impact on, and expression of, man’s innermost feelings of creativity and expression.
What is the reason for your amendment idea?
One of the reasons I joined the UU church, was my introduction to the 7 Principles. They were the ideal of what I hoped to embrace and model in my life. I would be terribly saddened were they to be changed as was initially suggested. I have made only minor changes to update some language. I am hearing you say that we have no creed. But, I can’t think of a better term for our Principles and Sources.
Have you discussed this idea with your congregation or other UUs?
Our congregation has discussed it at great length. We even had two of our services dedicated to the pros and cons of changes.
All of us expressed our love of the principles as we know them now. None wanted the suggested changes.