Is UU dividing its members by catering to special interests?

 Topic Eight

Unitarian Universalism catering to special interests.

Fortunately, Unitarian Universalism need only recall its roots to embrace an ethic based upon our common humanity. Even so, at this crossroads in our history, it has become a choice we must make. Will we abandon this principle as part of the “institutional change” our denominational leaders are now initiating, replacing it with the divisive philosophies of safetyism, identitarianism, and political correctness, or will we wholly embrace it that we might wholly embrace each other? Will we listen to the voices of our ancestors calling us forward, or, even while claiming not to believe in Hell, pave our way there with good intentions?

Eklof, Todd. The Gadfly Papers: Three Inconvenient Essays by One Pesky Minister . Kindle Edition. 

Rev. Todd Eklof ends his first essay in the Gadfly Papers, “The Coddling Of The Unitarian Universalist Mind,” with the idea that if Unitarian Universalism is to survive it must mature, grow up, and overcome its current dynamic of siding with those who want to play the victim at everyone else’s expense.

There is a difference between a rebel and a revolutionary. A rebel separates and divides and attacks as a victim those it perceives as oppressors only to take on the role of the oppressor themselves. The revolutionary, on the other hand, transforms and brings about healthy systemic change.

The political climate of Unitarian Universalism over the last two decades has been to identify with the victim and attack their so called oppressors indiscriminately thereby overlooking the good of the whole.

Eklof is calling for a more systemic understanding manifested as cultural maturity among UU leaders and members. This cultural maturity is facilitated by the “acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations” which is UU’s third principle which has been overlooked and set aside by the current UU leadership. As Eklof suggests, it is time to get back to basics and start living our principles, not some social justice agenda promoted by special interests.