Submission 330 Holley Ulbrich UU Fellowship of Clems SC
What is your suggestion or idea?
The statement about inspirations should include more explicit reference to other faith traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, earth-centered religions, and humanism. They should not be identified in terms of specific gifts that they offer.
What is the reason for your amendment idea?
Th We are disappointed that the six sources are reduced to a rather vague and general statement about inspirations. We are not attached to the previous language or the number of sources, but in our efforts to become multicultural, we should acknowledge other major religions by name,not singling out Judaism and Christianity and mentioning no others. We believe that the treatment of sources played a role in the failure to pass revisions in 2009.
Have you discussed this idea with your congregation or other UUs?
Yes. We had several meetings to which all members were invited. There were nine people in attendance and this was the resulting consensus.
Perhaps the sources could be a second document? A specific list, expanded on with some history, as well as a section of the diversity of people’s more modern inspirations, to keep it inclusive. There is a chance for a deeping of dialogue here, rather than a vague simplicity.
See the revision suggested by Khyde (Katherine Hyde) in reply to the post #71 by Jay Kissell. Katherine’s suggestion references specific religions (Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam) while not promoting one or two over others. This modest revision to the current sources would serve better as “Inspirations” than the proposed revision.