Last update: 9/1/23 6:00 pm.
In 2020, a commission of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was tasked with reviewing and proposing changes to Article II of its bylaws, containing the long-serving Principles and Purposes. What that commission proposed is problematic to many Unitarian Universalists because of its sweeping changes to our fundamental identity as a liberal faith.
In short, the 7 Principles and 6 Sources that so beautifully articulate our liberal faith tradition would be eliminated. They would be replaced with Values statements and Covenants that hold us “accountable,” while threatening our freedom of belief and our individual search for truth.
At the 2023 General Assembly, the commission’s proposal, as amended, was voted on and passed by a margin of 1816 to 289. This amended version will be discussed and voted on again in 2024, when it will require a 2/3 vote to pass.
The commission has six months to rewrite the proposal integrating the amendments. Therefore, the documents on this site will need to be reworked based on that rewrite. Most significantly, the Current vs Proposed document will need an update. That said, the Principles and Sources, and the commitment to Freedom of Belief and Right of Conscience could be eliminated from the UUA bylaws next year.
The arguments in the documents on this site are still valid.
UUA omitted members of UU congregations as stakeholders in this process; consequently, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of the proposed changes among UU membership. UUA clearly articulates their justifications in the Article II Study Report, but opposing views have not been adequately expressed or considered.
This web site is an attempt to correct that omission. It begins with two pages that take no position: Current vs Proposed and Pro/Con Review. The former is just the facts: a markup of the changes proposed side-by-side with the current text of Article II, so that the changes can be reviewed objectively. The latter is a balanced overview of the arguments, both pro and con.
The majority of the web site brings together writings from concerned UUs and associates from all over the country who have made the case for rejecting this radical UUA proposal. These essays can be found under “Discussion.”
- Some writers think it is a mistake to replace the clear, brief, poetic principles with much more wordy and limiting value/covenant statements.
- Some are uncomfortable with the new accountability language.
- Some find the new Freedom of Belief section actually removes freedom of belief.
- Some are troubled by the rewritten Purposes, which delete UUA “…[serving] the needs of its member congregations,…” instead positioning congregations in the role of serving the UUA.
- Some think these changes, if adopted, will lead to changes in the very nature of Unitarian Universalism.
(Please note: The 8th Principle is not part of this discussion, as it is up to individual congregations whether or not to incorporate it.)
Where are the 7 Principles? 