Acknowledging our authentic nature.

Because God’s equal Sons have everything, they cannot compete. Yet if they perceive any of their brothers as anything other than their perfect equals, the idea of competition has entered their minds. Do not underestimate your need to be vigilant against this idea, because all your conflicts come from it. It is the belief that conflicting interests are possible, and therefore you have accepted the impossible as true. Is that different from saying you perceive yourself as unreal? T-7.III.3:3-7

A Course in Miracles (p. 249). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

The drops of the ocean are all equal and don’t compete because they are simply part of the whole. To see oneself as separate and in competition with other drops is insane because in essence all the drops are the same having come from the same source and returning to the same home from which they have come.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In this “inherent worth and dignity” there is no competition but only Oneness.

Today it is suggested that we reflect on our genuine and authentic nature and acknowledge it in ourselves and in others.

Changing the purposes of the UUA

It has been suggested by the committee on UUA article II bylaws that the purpose of the organization be changed from a service organization to an advocacy organization to “heal historic inequities.”

Historically, the Unitarian Universalist Association was to serve the needs of its member organizations which function for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes reasons. The draft states that the UUA “will transform the world by our liberating love.” Many have questioned what this sentence means specifically fearing that it opens the door to the political agenda of the board of directors.

In asking for feedback, the committee asks how a person would vote on the proposed change from no to yes on a four point scale and then asks for suggestions. You can read the text by clicking here, and you can provide feedback by clicking here. Feedback is requested by 11/28/22.

Transgender Christian leaders say scripture inspires inclusive congregations.

 

On September 25,2022, NPR aired a broadcast entitled “Transgender Religious Leaders Say Scripture Should Inspire Inclusive Congregations. Here is a brief excerpt:

Evangelical Christianity has played a big role in the political debate around transgender issues, and the spate of legislation it's led to. And so that position is widely known: God created humans, separated into male and female – categories that are innate and immutable.

But religions speak with more than one voice. And other Christians are using their sacred texts to embrace a broader understanding of gender.

Unitarian Universalism which includes people from all major religions and none do not profess a creed. Instead they have seven principles which they covenant together to affirm and promote. The first of the seven is the “inherent worth and dignity of every person.” 

One of Unitarianism pioneers, Francis David, said in the 16th century, “We need not think alike to love alike.”

The Universalists preached the unconditional love of God for God’s creation and that all humans will attain the Kingdom of God eventually.

Groundswell of opposition growing against article 2 changes to UUA bylaws.

Today it was learned by the staff at UU A Way Of Life that November 28th may be the last day that the comments on the UUA bylaws revision will be accepted. Here is the link for comments - https://bit.ly/A2FeedbackNov It's supposed to be available until November 28. The comment form  tracks emails, so you can only enter comments once.

The bylaw revisions change the purpose of the Unitarian Universalist Association, eliminate the seven principles and the six sources, and add wording about inclusion. A side by side comparison of the changes can be accessed by clicking here.

There is a groundswell of objections to these revisions coming from UU groups such as UUMUAC (Unitarian Universalist Multiracial Action Council), the Fifth Principle Project, and many individuals and UU congregations.

Becoming One with All.

What can the perfect consistency of the Kingdom mean to those who are confused? It is apparent that confusion interferes with meaning, and therefore prevents the learner from appreciating it. There is no confusion in the Kingdom, because there is only one meaning. This meaning comes from God and is God. Because it is also you, you share it and extend it as your Creator did. This needs no translation because it is perfectly understood, but it does need extension because it means extension. T-7.II.7:1-6

A Course in Miracles (p. 248). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

Carl Jung is said to have said one time something like, “I don’t believe in God; I know there is a God.” If Oneness is your experience, “belief” has no meaning. Belief is a cognitive activity, Experience is awareness in our whole being.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. What UUs are seeking is not cognitive understanding but an experience of Divine Union.

Today it is suggested that we take our thinking caps off and sink into the relaxation of becoming one with the all.

Rev. Chuck Currie leaves Twitter

Rev. Chuck Currie, a minister for the United Church of Christ denomination, announced on 11/18/22 that he is leaving Twitter. Here is part of what he wrote:

Hate speech has soared on Twitter since Musk took over. “One racial slur was used 26,228 times in tweets and retweets in Musk’s first week, which was triple the 2022 average,” reports Axios in a new study from the Center for Countering Digital Hate.

 

Christianity should be, I believe, about building up the ideal of the Beloved Community. 

 

In Ephesians 4:29, we read: “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” Social media doesn’t lend itself to such ideals, which I myself have fallen short of too many times to count, but God is not finished with any of us yet.

 

One of my fellow Unitarian Universalists told me that he did not think social media is a good vehicle to engage in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning, the fourth of our seven principles.

 

A UU adult education teacher told me that media literacy should be an important part of any UU adult education program because of our commitment to the responsible search for truth and meaning. She raised the observation that perhaps UUs should follow Rev. Currie’s lead and consider leaving social platforms that perpetuate misinformation and hate speech.

Name the obstacles to the realization of our Higher Self.

No one questions the connection of learning and memory. Learning is impossible without memory since it must be consistent to be remembered. That is why the Holy Spirit’s teaching is a lesson in remembering. I said before that He teaches remembering and forgetting, but the forgetting is only to make the remembering consistent. You forget in order to remember better. You will not understand His translations while you listen to two ways of interpreting them. Therefore you must forget or relinquish one to understand the other. This is the only way you can learn consistency, so that you can finally be consistent. T-7.II.6:1-8

A Course in Miracles (pp. 247-248). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

In order to enter the Kingdom of God we must forget the world of the ego. The Buddhists encourage us to give up attachments which cause suffering. It is in detaching that we are able to become one with All.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. This search involves cutting through the nonsense and oodles of information which create the world of the ego. It is in emptying ourselves that we find our true nature, our Higher Self. In order to become aware of our Higher Self we have to eradicate the barriers and obstacles that are put in our path.

Today it is suggested that we consider what holds us back from appreciating the unconditional love of God. Can we name those things? If we can’t name them, we can’t manage them. Once we name them we can rise above them and forget them.