Unitarian Universalism has been myreligious
home for fifteen years. I have always felt asense
of welcome and belonging among diversegroups, and I
cannot think of a more religiouslydiverse denomination
than UUism.Our faith has always encouraged us to do good work in love and in freedom.
But, like many UUs, Iam
grieved to see the direction our UU leadershiphas
taken in the past several years. The UUA hasgone
from being an organization that supports itsmember
congregations in our liberal religious work,to
a highly centralized and insular group,disengaged
from individual congregations, anddisturbing in
its dogmatism.
This departure from the heritage roots of our denomination has
brought such distress thatsometimes I
wondered if I should leave the church; however, I cherish my homecongregation, the UU Church of Rutland, Vermont. That love fills
me with a fiercedetermination, and I want to bring
that sense of purpose to the UUA Board of Trustees. I believe
in our Seven Principles, and I will do everything I can to uphold and preserve them.
My position
The
three principles that I most wish to protect are the first, fourth, and fifth:
the inherentworth and dignity of every person, a free and responsible search
for truth and meaning,and the right
of conscience and the use of the democratic process. These principles,particularly dear to me, are also the ones that I see being
abandoned by theUUA.
For the past several years,
the UU World and the UUA
website have been telling UUs what to think and how to act, which I believe has
no place in a free church. As a Trustee I willdo
all I can to preserve and promote scientific processes and diversity of thought
withinour congregations and UU leadership.
To this end, I believe
denominational decision-making authority should be returned to ourcongregations, and I will sponsor the conversation to end the
current regionalorganizational structure and
reconstitute our congregation-led district structure. Also, the recommendations of the 2009 Report by the Fifth Principle Task Force should be revisited. Using these strategies to bolster democracy in our denomination will promote a clearer, more direct relationship between UU leadership and Unitarian Universalists as a whole, and will provide a more robust structure for the UUA to fulfill its role as a supporter of congregations.
My background
I
have many years of experience with the democratic process, both as a church
trustee andas an elected official, serving four years on the city council of
Rutland, Vermont. As a citycouncil
member, I learned to listen to all parties with care and empathy, including myopponents. I worked to build an environment that was no longer “us
vs. them” but just “us.”We engaged in
constructive debate, did our best to meet the needs of all - never perfectlyof course, but often successfully.
I believe that diversity of
thought is any group’s greateststrength.
UUism was built on the foundation of free thought, and I aim to do all I can tokeep us there. Thank you very much for your consideration.
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I have been asked to explain why I say that the UUA has taken a dogmatic and authoritarian turn.
At least six ministers/lay ministers I know of have been disfellowshipped, censured, unseated, or otherwise sanctioned for sharing their opinions in the past five years. These opinions are nothing extreme, in fact represent views that are quite common among UUs. Most UUs of my acquaintance may not agree with everything (or even anything!) these ministers have said, but they still believe in their right to speak their conscience. There are a variety of philosophies that are under discussion these days, for example, questions of whether speech is violence, whether we should treat each other differently based upon various identity labels, etc., along with all manner of questions around political and social policy. These ideas are important and should be discussed freely, without threat of punishment.
My campaign has two main areas of focus: improving democracy in the UUA and improving diversity of thought within the UUA. The fact that for over a decade, only a single UUA Trustee has been subject to voter choice between two candidates, is a situation that I claim is not very good democracy. The fact that ministers are being punished for stating their philosophical and political views is a situation that I claim is a direct attack on freedom of conscience. This is what my campaign boils down to.
I recently sent an email (see "Newsletter Insert" below) to every UU congregation, asking them to put a notice in their newsletters about my campaign for Trustee. I believe it is newsworthy that there is a real election at GA this year for two Trustee seats. Some said "yes," some said "no," some probably just ignored my request ... all well and good. However, I also received this email:
"Rebecca,You recently contacted the office administrator at my
congregation, _________ UU, with a request to put your ad in
our newsletter. I want you to know that our congregation supports the
marginalized in our community and fully believes in the direction our
UUA is leading us towards a world that is more just, equitable, and
compassionate. We do not believe in your fake and thinly veiled
platform of hate and exclusion. I will say this directly, do not contact
my congregation again for this or for any other reason.
Warmly,
Rev. ___________ "
This is an example of what I mean by dogmatism and authoritarianism.
I drew this cartoon in response to the letter by the UUA Board of Trustees endorsing my opponent and summarizing my campaign, not as one promoting democracy and freedom of expression, but one that is "in direct opposition to the UUA Administration and Board’s approach to anti-racism and anti-oppression."