Submission 341
Kathi Bayne
Mission Peak UU Congregation
What is your suggestion or idea?
We are asking the the Article ll Commission, in its section on Justice, to change the sentence “We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions" to “We support the use of inclusive democratic processes within our congregations and in society at large.”
What is the reason for your amendment idea?
This very small change makes the crucial work fo social justice groups much easier.
The Article ll Commission has tried to preserve the substance of our 7 Principles in many instances.
In one case, the original 5th Principle says,“The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.”
The Article ll Commission has changed this to, “We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions.”
Although the spirit of the resolution is there it leaves out the very important “within our congregations and in society at large,” which is the basis of what many of us in Anti-racism Anti-oppression groups, UU the Vote, and other Civic Engagement groups use to encourage our social justice involvement within our congregations and the larger community. Also, we have found that young people, we have encountered in civic activities, are impressed with this iteration of our Principles.
We are asking the the Article ll Commission change to, “We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations and in society at large.”
Have you discussed this idea with your congregation or other UUs?
Our MPUUC Board and our Anti-racism Anti-oppression group (ARO)
support and have approved this change.
Also, we have discussed this with the other UUs outside MPUUC. No one has expressed opposition.