Amendment 31 to Article II - Proposed by Mimi Gephart-Seeley

General Assembly 2023 Prioritized Article II Amendments
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Bold underlining indicate insertion ; [brackets indicate deletion.]

Proposal to include an additional Value of REASON

REASON: We search for truth and meaning, informed by both reason and values. We covenant to search responsibly, thoughtfully considering the results of science and other evidence, while remaining open to new ideas and others’ viewpoints. Motivated by wonder, curiosity, and compassion, we strive to use our capacity for reason to engender better outcomes for all in our interconnected world.

Justification for addition:

Reason is fundamental to our UU tradition as stated in the introduction to 2.2. Many members were drawn to the UU denomination because it values reason. Page 8 of the report states that the document should be inclusive, and we need to be inclusive of all of our members as well as the newer members we welcome to our widening circle.

Page 10 of the report says the Commission should reach out to the numerous stakeholders, which include philosophical and theological groups, such as UU Humanists. Many, possibly the vast majority of UU’s find a responsible search for truth and meaning to be key to our UU values, yet in the proposed article II revision, the search for truth and meaning is only mentioned under pluralism where it is said we learn from one another. Reason is not ever mentioned in the explanation of the six values.

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I agree that reason is fundamental, and I like your language. I’m not sure whether I think it should be a separate Value, especially since there is overlap with the Value of Pluralism.

I wonder if the Pluralism Value could be amended in a way that would address some of your concerns? I’m afraid I don’t have a specific proposal for that.

I would note that the Values and Covenant Section does include a statement that “We draw from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, . . .”

I believe some of the Amendments to the Inspiration Section include more emphasis on reason and/or science.

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I agree and would support this amendment

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Oh, yes, yes, please add this as a core value. Many of our strongest UUs are feeling totally marginalized by the way the Amendment seems to be backing away from the importance of Reason, which is what gives our religious tradition so much value to people who eschew the supernatural as a guiding force to their lives.

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Note to any authors/proponents of any amendments that did not pass or were not prioritized. I have heard that this site will be locked on Tuesday. Our public Facebook group, Blue Boat Passengers, created for discussing Article II and GA, will remain open for commenting a couple weeks longer (and still be visible for viewing as a public record afterwards).
Blue Boat Passengers: Info & Constructive Discussion re Article II, etc. | Announcement: This group will soon be suspended | Facebook

Anyone who wishes to use the Blue Boat Passengers group for finding each other and coordinating to do the 15-congregation amendment process may do so while the group remains open (must follow group rules, so please read them, as well as the pinned post about hte pending suspension of the group, before commenting or posting).

Here are some comments about the 15-congregation amendment process, from Donald Wilson, who used to be on the GA Planning Committee:

"“Unlike how the amendment process was run for this GA (ie at the discretion of the moderators and board), the process you’ve mentioned is bylaw and subject to little to no interpretation. I wouldn’t wait however. You need to get the petition from the UUA Board Secretary in the next couple weeks, and you have to have it turned Into the Board before February 1st.”

“If one congregation has a thought, send an email to 50 others and say “we are discussing X. What do you think?”
That is also the kind of thing that we have District and Regional assemblies for, both in person and virtual.
That is also the type of thing your religious professionals should be talking about at their regular meetings with their colleagues like minister Association chapter meetings.
It is the responsibility of your board president and other trustees to be deeply aware of the affairs of your closest congregations.
You discover by being in relationship and talking to one another.
You coordinate by email and phone call, same as we have for the last quarter century.”

“You don’t even have to have a congregational vote. You just have to get their board to sign off.” ETA: You must check this–rules vary by congregation. Also, look for the UU Governance Lab group on Facebook to connect with Donald Wilson directly.

Also, a comment from another member who was participating on Discuss:
“Some of us are connecting on Slack, mainly to remain in contact with others interested in specific amendments or the amendment process in general at GA 2024.”

https://join.slack.com/…/zt-1y0pvelub-YVxUFoPpTrZ…