How Wedded Are You To Our UU 8 Principles?
Part 1 of an examination of Article 2
of the UUA Bylaws
By Heather Millar
How wedded are you to our UU 8 Principles?
We often refer to ourselves as members of a “living tradition;” however the last revision of our principles was 36 years ago. While many congregations, including UUCA, more recently have adopted the 8th Principle to “accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions,” a review of all of our principles is far in our past.
The 8th Principle Project began in 2013 as a grassroots movement. Two features that make this statement of the 8th Principle unique and appealing are the specific mention of “racism” and the inclusion of the command to “accountably” do the work.
Because of all of the work that individuals, groups and congregations were doing on the 8th Principle and the many efforts to tweak our other 7 principles, at the 2017 UUA General Assembly, the delegates voted to establish a study commission to review Article 2 of the UUA Bylaws where the principles are enumerated. The Commission reached out to a multitude of individuals and groups before they decided to reimagine how we express our core values. This is what they are proposing.
During the feedback sessions, they clearly heard the influence of all of the work that had been done as individuals and congregations considered the 8th Principle. They received the specific message to require action with any Article 2 revision, with any statements of our core values.
To see how the Commission explains each of these shared values, read next week’s In The Know, go to the Commission’s Report, attend an After Hour session on May 7 via Zoom or on May 14, via in-person or on Zoom. Also, on Saturday, April 29, from 10:00 to noon there is a webinar to provide information about the proposed new Article 2. Registration by April 28 is required. Click this link to register. Please Register.
This work to express our core values and actions we will take because of these expressed values is important. Please pay attention and be informed.