[Fuusm-l] Article II materials and upcoming discussions

[Rebecca Phillips]

Thanks, Ted. Hoping for more thoughtful and principled discussion from our FUUSM folks.

Rebecca

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."-- Cicero
________________________________
From: Ted Goertzel <tedgoertzel at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 4:58 PM
To: Rebecca Phillips <bennphil at hotmail.com>; UU Members & Friends <fuusm-l at fuusm.org>
Subject: Re: [Fuusm-l] Article II materials and upcoming discussions

As our other delegate, I appreciate the effort Rebecca is putting into this, although I do think there could be better uses for her admirable energies and talents. I listened to the sermon by Dr. Betancourt that Kat had previously recommended.  I couldn't follow her logic. She started out by praising "love" (who can disagree?), but then somehow she thought this led into the necessity to support Liberation Theology in both its Latin American and North American versions.  These are actually different in significant ways, I'm not sure you can actually support both fully. I am sure you can be loving and support other theological currents. She doesn't seem to be a coherent thinker, rejecting the worth and dignity of every person because Kant apparently believed in it.  I also read a couple of the theological statements in the book Kat recommended, both of which were fluffy in my view.  If any of you take the time to view or read these materials, I'd be interested in your reaction.

I don't think it really makes much difference if we change the statement of the principles in the bylaws, but replacing a meaningful and poetic statement with a list of abstract words doesn't seem like progress to me.  Fortunately, we can still keep the seven principles on our wall.  If anybody feels moved to post a graphic praising interdependence, equity, transformation, pluralism, generosity, and justice, with love at the center, there's space on the wall.  Those are all good words, but the devil is always in the details.

On Tue, May 14, 2024 at 1:59 PM Rebecca Phillips via Fuusm-l <fuusm-l at fuusm.org<mailto:fuusm-l at fuusm.org>> wrote:
Dear FUUSM family,

As you probably know, delegates at this year's General Assembly will be voting on revisions to Article II of the UUA bylaws, the section that includes the seven principles posted on the wall of our social hall and printed in the blue hymnal. The proposed revision replaces the statement of principles with a graphic representing UU values, shown as interdependence, equity, transformation, pluralism, generosity, and justice, with love at the center.

The proposal has generated controversy, and FUUSM will be holding two discussion forums to allow us to spend time together examining this possible change to our public statement:

  *
Wednesday, May 29, 6:30 PM in the social hall
  *
Sunday, June 9, 12:30 PM in the social hall

The discussion forums will be followed by an online vote to determine our congregation's preference on this matter. As one of our delegates, I plan to vote the will of the congregation and need to know what that is. It is my hope that you will review some of the materials about the revision (both pro and con) in preparation for our discussions.

The UUA newsletter accessed at the link below includes links to the Article II proposal itself and the work of the study commission, video of a speech by UUA president Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, and the UUA discussion forum on the proposal and on four amendments to the proposal, all of which will be voted on in June.
Newsletter<https://cdn.mc-weblink.sg-mktg.com/weblink/MTcxNTI3ODU1OHxZZHZ1bnd3MWZJR2pkODhPbkdHMlItTkN2VEdFYm5QYVNvMXBma2hUM2VoaThGX2d1SEVMam90S3Rya1FqMTh0SkRWRXZFOGRxT0VwMzBDZzlEelEzYk5rUFFxbFFWbHJWaGpERXNTdU9WWk4yX2VJRjhWVGZzbmRjSS1pbXJDVldvWWFjeGc1R0pTVXBUTkg5VDFSNmE3TTVpbEtna0hZbXZCYXhid05WLUFKbFZyekluU1RFREhKVnliSnc3MmZsYnM0d0lKNXV5TUVyZFotUmtYVzhfQi01WkVIOHEtY2JFUHpVUDJlSldhcXBWOGpSYXlaYW93b2lSbG5iQVlBOWQxX25Wc2ZFdnZweTRVeDRtZVg5YllWU1o1VnlMLUJGUmlSc1BDY2hHM19ydnpFU0ZxaGhXVW9sVFpiVHJxNVd4a2FIZFZzbW5FY3zjhV0iNwe-Xq8Q8iEpPbODzTCL1kIP-Gxt-OwqQ4OveQ==>

Save the 7 Principles<https://savethe7principles.org/> is an organization of UUs opposed to the revision. The website contains a list of pro-con arguments and a variety of essays and videos expressing concerns about the revision and its process.

Theological Reflection on the Proposed Revision to Article II<https://www.uua.org/files/2024-01/Article%20II%20Theological%20Reflection%201-22-24.pdf> is an essay by the Rev. Dr. Sheri Prud'homme on what she sees as the theological underpinnings of the proposed values statements.

Yes, lots to process and consider before General Assembly begins on June 20. I hope to see many of you at our discussion sessions.

Rebecca


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