Why UUs do social justice work

by Meghan McCarthy

Today, Thursday, 02/05/15, there was a discussion between two friends about what it means to be a Unitarian Univeralist in the world. Bob said that to do social justice for social justice's sake is not the work of Unitarian Universalism. There are many secular agencies better equipped to do the job. However to do social justice as an expression of Unitarian Universalist values is to do holy work.

Holy work is not defined solely by the activity being done, but by the motivating sentiment and intention of the actor. Some social justice work can be done for mercenary intentions, to make money. Some social justice work can be done for power to dominate a subordinate so that the superior can have control. Some social justice work can be done for self glory and status enhancement.

Holy work is done by Unitarian Universalists because we covenant together to promote and affirm seven principles. We do this social justice work because of our faith and not to obtain some sort of success or desired result. The results are in God's hands or the hands of the universe. Holy social justice work is done to be faithful not to be successful.

What are some UU thoughts about American Sniper, the film?

Dylan O'Connor's review and essay on the film American Sniper on The Brockporter is well worth the read. You can access it by clicking here.

American Sniper clashes with most of UUs principles. It certainly does not affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, etc.

Does this film inject a poisonous meme into our American society? Will it lead to our children and young adults wanting to emulate this way of being in the world? How can Unitarian Universalists reach out to a frightened and sadistic population in America and help them find better ways of dealing with the temptations of American exceptionalism?

Rev. Greg Ward preaches at UU church of Berkeley on 01/25/15 on "How To Explain Unitarian Universalism Without A Pamphlet"

Editor's note:

I search out and review good sermons from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. I am looking especially for sermons that articulate the Unitarian Universalist faith and deepen our sense of spirituality.

In this sermon, Rev. Ward is basically making a sales pitch and training sales people, outreach workers, missionaries. Unfortunately he doesn't call his sermon a sales training speech for missionaries, but this seems to be essentially what he is doing. His sentences are inspiring and uplifting but not terribly memorable. If you are going to equip missionaries with tools to spread the faith you need some snappy slogans. Here are a few which I recommend:

1. "Our God is too big for anyone religion."
2. "We always stand on the side of love."
3. "We are all in this thing called Life together and we believe that we will enjoy it more working together for the benefit of all."
4. "Unitarian Universalism is a big tent which covers not just earth, the solar system, the milky way galaxy, but the whole universe."
5. "We believe in deeds not creeds and we have seven principles to guide our actions."
6. "We all are children of the Universe and as such we are here to love one another."

Do you have some sales tools which you use and recommend? First of all, what do you tell yourself are the key and fundamental aspects of your faith? How would you share these aspects with others?

Tuesday night class #7

Pleasure, Happiness, Joy, Bliss

Tuesday night class #6 - The person is not the problem, the problem is the problem.

Tuesday night class #5 - Who is the you who gets lonely?