I learned a lot from listening to some of the
streaming media that discussed the now failed replacement Sources section of the UU by laws. I was really aware of my own concerns, but while I can fully see forests, I also run into individual trees, so this is what I learned from other folks against the change.
The most obvious thing I missed was that the sources were now impossible to use as religious education material. 6 dot points were pretty clear and manageable, but the mishmash that was produced was not useful from a teaching perspective.
The first paragraph reads -
Unitarian Universalism is rooted in two religious heritages. Both are grounded on thousands of years of Jewish and Christian teachings, traditions, and experiences. The Unitarian heritage has affirmed that we need not think alike to love alike and that God is one. The Universalist heritage has preached not hell but hope and courage, and the kindness and love of God. Contemporary Unitarian Universalists have reaped the benefits of a legacy of prophetic words and deeds.
My take on this was that this was an attempt to recast UUism as judeochristianlite. Other wiser heads pointed out an interesting problem. The lead-in this spoke about Jewish and Christian teachings, but neither Universalists or Unitarians incorporated Jewish teaching, per se, into their teaching.
Other wiser heads pointed out the interesting change from the original 2nd source which said -
Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love.
Astute readers (of which I was not) noticed that new source prophetic words and deeds were now past tense and apparently there is no longer any need ot confront powers and structures of evil any longer.
This theme continues in the second paragraph that starts out decently enough with
Unitarian Universalism is not contained in any single book or creed. Its religious authority lies in the individual, nurtured and tested in the congregation and the wider world. As an evolving religion, it draws from the teachings, practices, and wisdom of the world’s religions.
Which seems to me to be fine. But then then the paragraph continues -
Humanism, earth-centered spiritual traditions, and Eastern religions have served as vital sources. Unitarian Universalism has been influenced by mysticism, theism, skepticism, naturalism, and process thought as well as feminist and liberation theologies.
I had not noticed that humanist, earth-centered (that's UU code for us)., Eastern relligions had a place in the past tense. And, UUism (past tense) was influenced by the remaining smorgasbord of stuff. But not anymore, apparently. Here are the original sources that correspond. Note how active and direct they are -
- Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
- Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
- Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
More than past influences, these sources are meant to be vibrant and part of our daily lives. The now #Fail sources continue -
It is informed by direct experiences of mystery and wonder, beauty and joy. It is enriched by the creative power of the arts, the guidance of reason, and the lessons of the sciences.
Which sounds fine, but when you look at the original first source -
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
it seems vapid. The once and current sources were vibrant, alive and challenging. Heck someone even wrote a cantata for them. No one was writing any cantatas for the attempt that just failed. Frankly, I expect the forces that wanted this change to look back and believe that the denomination dodged a bullet. At least I hope so.