Dave:
How many people read UU A Way Of Life?
Ben
Dear Ben:
The readership of UU A Way of Life is very low. On a good day maybe 10 or 15 and on a bad day maybe only 5 or 6.
Readership has been higher in the past if the topics were emotionally arousing. If articles and headlines were sensationalized and provocative the clicks and views were much higher sometimes in the hundreds. There was a deliberate editorial decision to write for the serious minded and stop with the sensationalized articles. Since the change in focus the readership has dropped.
If you learn what you teach, I wanted to learn more about the spiritual life and so changed the focus of the writing to the Course In Miracles and its thought system. The thought system of the Course does not lend itself well to the current level of spiritual intelligence in our society. I would guess only about 5 - 10% of the population is attuned in any disciplined way to further developing their spiritual life. Jesus said “Many are called but few are chosen.” I think this is a poor translation of what Jesus actually said. I think what Jesus said is that all are called but few choose to listen.
One of the purposes of the publication of UU A Way Of Life is to facilitate and nurture a learning community that is interested in the development of spiritual intelligence. The first step of spiritual intelligence is even recognizing that spiritual intelligence is a valid concept and that there are levels and that people can grow in spiritual intelligence. This development is what Ken Wilber calls “waking up.”
UU A Way Of Life is geared toward a quality of readers not the quantity. Everyone is welcome, but few are interested in the teaching. If you know people interested in the development of spiritual intelligence and the formation of their interior spiritual life, refer them to the group here.
Keep the faith, moving forward,
David Markham
Thank you Dave for your explanation of your editorial choices. It seems wise. It seems that very few UUs actually cultivate their faith within themselves and among themselves. I wonder why that is?
ReplyDeleteHi Ben:
ReplyDeleteI think your speculations are as good as mine. The two observations that I have is the lack of knowledge about the history of Unitarianism and Universalism. Most people who call themselves "UU" don't understand the roots and theologies of these traditions. The second observation is the lack of a vision and mission about the church's role as an institution in our society and around the world. Do you have further thoughts?
David Markham