Thanks, @Psych , I forgot to mention or at least to summarize completely that you also clarified about the UUA resources having been included, beyond what we see in the Resources list (and that the side-by-side comparison of the two UUA Article II versions was obtained at the group you mention).
1 Like
Hello, Julie Welch here. I am delighted to see so many familiar names from last yearâs discussion about the Article 2 revision. I am grieving the inevitable loss of the 7 (or 8) Principles (or at least their recognition by the UUA), and discouraged by the reasoning that has brought about their replacement with the revision.
Last year I was inspired by the reasoned discussion and well-thought-through amendments that emerged on the pre- GA discussion boards. I attended the GA in person, where I experienced the palpable negative climate there in the conference hall against anyone supporting the 7 Principles. Took my breath away. I also saw how the UU community is such a welcoming haven for people who have been wounded by racism and societal prejudice against LGBTQ identities. I came away both discouraged that my beliefs and understandings were diminished and also refreshed by the positive support being given to those who have suffered.
I was struck by @KenChristiansen statement about seeking to understand âantiracism that focuses on identifiable laws and policies that need changing and antiracism that makes sweeping generalizations about all black people being victims and all white people being oppressors.â I was experiencing this transformation last year as a delegate to the GA.
I guess individual congregations and/or their members can retain the 7 or 8 principles, but it galls that the UUA is cancelling the history and values that mean so much to so many.
1 Like
I believe more time is needed at GA for discussion of amendments (time was too short last year in my opinion). Delegates have just two days to amend this, per the agenda:
âEach delegate may submit no more than one amendment for each of the regular business items, inclusive of amendments for the Rules of Procedure, the Bylaw Amendment, and the Business Resolution. Amendments for these items must be submitted by 11:00 pm ET on May 29, 2024."
I am curious if Article II is important and the change necessary it seems there are too many other proposals for GA that are being submitted that it seems that it is hard to understand what is going on? Iâve read arcane Philosophy books that are more coherent that stuff here. I also think changing Article II wonât solve everything. We reach out to the LGBTQ community and see the success of that outreach in our congregations. That said I donât think we have a ground game for other groups and just because we fool around with Article II doesnât mean these other groups will hear us and run for our doors? I also think we need to keep our Transcendental History with us as we change.
3 Likes
âThe Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is attempting to both increase general UU membership and greatly increase racial minority membership. While the goals are admirable, the UUAâs approach is ill-conceived and likely to fail.â
Why the Unitarian Universalist Association is Doomed to Fail in Its Goals
1 Like
I am a first time delegate and had a VERY hard time finding the more recent posts at the end of this thread. I canât figure out any way to start a category such as âpro or con article 2 revision vs original 7 principles discussionâ so it comes up on the first page. That is what we are ultimately deciding at GA so it seems appropriate. Can an administrator or someone familiar with the site do that? I think it would be very helpful. There is not much posted here yet so it would not cause much duplication. Thanks!
Don, I have experienced the same problem and donât know of a solution. My workaround, which is cumbersome, is to notice or even jot down the number of comments. If the number is higher the next time I visit, then I scroll down to read the new comments. Maybe thereâs an easier way, but I havenât found it.
1 Like
I donât know how new categories are started or by whom. I think this thread, âFinal Proposed Revision . . .â is the closest to what youâre seeking.
2 Likes
A link with a description and purpose of this thread that shows up and is explained that this is where new comments leading up to the vote at GA on the initial page would do it. Now that I found it seems obvious. Not feeling so stupid thanks to your comment. Thanks!
I often serve that purpose for various people. 
In addition to adding significantly more time for discussion, I suggest delegates submit an amendment for the Rules of Procedure allowing the author of each amendment to speak again after the Pro and Con speakers are heard. This allows them to clarify any points that are raised, and if outright errors happen (as did last year), these can be corrected.
1 Like
Today, May 29th, is the last chance to submit amendments for the Rules of Procedure.
When I mentioned that the so-called âProâ answers in the Q&A sounded like they were actually written by âantiâ people, this is what I meant. The beginning of the sentence, âI am still learning and actively seeking to understand how the division came about between the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movementâ in my view represents a conversation worth having, one which has not (that I have seen) happen in this conflict, especially leading up to GA, and may never happen. The following characterization of the two movements in my view misunderstands and misstates the point of view with which you disagree.
I think we all do the best we can. The teaching about oppressors and victims is out there. On my website at https://assetbasedantiracism.com I talk about the differences between asset-based anti-racism and guilt-based anti-racism. And I talk about the difference between policy-based anti-racism and conscious-based anti-racism. Each of these statements of difference captures a significant amount of what is going on. None of the statements I am making, or others are making, are perfect. I am trying to put this into as positive a frame as I can.
I am very aware that my approach to questions of privilege is not the approach most people follow. Rather than feeling guilty for having whatever privileges and abilities I have, I want to take those privileges and abilities with me into the weeds and terrain where people from all backgrounds work together to identify discriminatory laws and policies, devise possible solutions, then garner as much people power as possible to effect positive changes. Information about several of the situations in which I and others have done this can be found on my website linked above.
2 Likes
Discussion on this issue is happening here:
Is there a text version?
The post has been updated, replacing the screen shots of the proposed revision to article II with the text of it.
1 Like
Every time I read A2 and sit with it, I like it more. I really appreciate how they incorporated language of freedom, hope, reason and love, lifting up respect and care for all beings, holding up justice, repair, openness to change, inclusion and equity.
We are a living faith and are changing the bylaws because there has been no significant changes in 40 years and UUA bylaws say we have to review/study/revise them. Article ii is part of the Bylaws of the UUA and why are we revising them For the First Time in Forty Years, Unitarian Universalists May Adopt New Bylaws
The charge of the A2 commission in 2017/2018 rooted this work in love, reviewed all sections, was free to revise and replace and restructure them as needed. They were specifically tasked with ââŚThere is nothing sacred about the number of principles or sources, nor their specific wordings, nor in the way that Article II is laid out. We encourage creativity. The Board would like to see an Article II that is inspirational, memorable and poetic. The language should be inclusive and welcoming, and explicitly anti-racistâŚâ full text here Charge to the Article II Study Commission
The UU World interviewed one of the surviving members of the 1981-1985 Purposes and Principles Committee that produced our current Article II. âI am thrilled to see that the work we did is being revisited! It is exciting to see the participation, engagement, and re-working of our core values and purpose.â - Rev. Diane M. W. Miller
Last time they were reviewed 15 years ago as the schedule indicates but didnât pass at GA. 1961 had six objectives The Six Principles (1961) and were changed to 1985 and folks are more familiar with the 1985 one The Principles and Purposes (1985) and how we got the version we have had up to now Shared values .
A2SC feedback processes included over 13,000 feedback, thousands of surveys, interviews, open feedback sessions, sessions at GA, stakeholder feedback sessions, workshops at GA, articles in UU world, regional outreach, and hundreds of drafts and for example 21 draft language listening sessions 2022, and more sessions in 2023.
A2 draft package with approved amendments passed with 86.3% at GA 2023. Hundreds of amendments were proposed last year which were narrowed to 80some then prioritized to 10-15 so that we would have time to discuss and vote on at GA 2023. This process was explained multiple times in multiple places: open listening sessions, social media, mini assemblies, general sessions, reports, and the UUA discuss site.
It then went through legal and plan language reviews and incorporated the amendments passed at GA 2023, This whole process took years caring and discussing every word with thousands of feedback to get to this point and this draft. And how much time is being made for discussions is as much as can be and this is because discussion of bylaw changes is very precisely outlined in the bylaws. There will be bylaws refreshing and maybe after A2 we can update them to be more open and less prescriptive on exact days and timing in the future.
Common questions I see pop up are what about the 8th principle and I hope we continue that work because that brings it to the congregational level saying we as a community are committed to doing that work. I can see the 8th principle all over in the draft and some of the language incorporated exactly. Commissioner Paula Cole Jones joined the Central East Region to talk about how Congregations working on adopting the grassroots 8th Principle Project can relate to the work of A2. https://youtu.be/tnKJU_9GEY0
What about the principles: individual congregations can keep all 8 principles posted at their congregations just like my congregation has our congregational statement we say every Sunday. A2 is at the UUA/congregation to congregation level.
In one session I attended, the A2 commission said they are most proud of the many conversations about what it means to be a UU, a member of a congregation and what to expect from our association. A2 is not an individual faith statement but rather an agreement between congregations about who we are. This is a collective statement between congregations and the association.
At my congregation WSUU Delegates first reported on Article II Commission after GA 2020. I personally have been attending their listening sessions, discussing it, going to stakeholder sessions and GA sessions about it for 3 years. I loved the diversity on the Article ii Study Commission including young people, BIPOCs including Paula Cole Jones and Sheryl M. Walker, disabled folks, and more.
I know I am biased and invested in A2 as I remember being at the first listening session when values were first announced, offering my input and seeing my words in it as one of the 10s of 1000s of UUs who offered feedback, and having attended many many informative theological and historical conversations about UUism. This process of A2 has helped me grow my own theology and has been a gift to me personally and spiritually whether it passes or not. I have posted my thoughts on the 4 proposed amendments weâll be discussing and voting on at this GA under each amendment on the UUA discussion site.
Above are my opinions and based on my notes of years of participation in sessions discussing A2.
As a reminder to my DRUUMM siblings, an additional benefit of DRUUMM membership (besides our great events, workshops, newsletter and caucuses) includes a DRUUMM Slack workspace for all sort of discussions and connections - we specifically have two BIPOC only GA channels there for discussion as well and I post there regularly.
3 Likes
There was presumably debate and conversation within the Task Force, but if they operate as our societyâs board does, none of that is made publicâthey âspeak with one voiceâ once the sausage is made. I am speculating here based on my view as a not-really-well-connected individual UU. Corrections welcome if I am wrong.
This is a link to Six Arguments Against the Article II Revision, by Rev. Rick Hoyt McDaniels. I got his permission to post the link, but he asks that text not be copied or posted. To me, this seems to be a respectful and thoughtful statement. I hope delegates that are undecided or interested in learning reasons some have for a âconâ view will consider looking at it.