The Big Picture

A Decision that Awaits

At General Assembly in June 2024, a vote will be taken which will either preserve or alter the essence of Unitarian Universalism. The following are at stake:

  • The Primary Purpose of the UUA
  • Our Seven Principles
  • Our Six Sources
  • Our Commitment to Inclusion
  • Our Commitment to Individual Freedom of Belief
  • Our Commitment to Freedom of Conscience
  • Congregational Autonomy

What Has Happened?

In August 2020, the UUA Board instructed the Article II Study Commission that it was “free to revise, replace, or restructure” Article II. The Commission sure did.

The proposed changes are sweeping. They would redefine the relationship between the UUA and our congregations. These changes:

  • Redefine the relationship between the Boston-based UUA and our congregations:
  • Remove our Seven Principles, replacing them with 6 new covenants to which we will be held to account
  • Remove the Six Sources, replacing them with a reference to our “Heritage.”
  • Limit our spirit of inclusion (to only those “who share our values”)
  • Abandon individual freedom of belief and conscience (a bedrock of liberal religion)
  • Imply that congregational polity may be part of our historical past
  • Open the door to individuals being kicked out of their congregations if they disagree with the covenants (or values)

The rationale for such sweeping changes is not clearly articulated in the proposal, and many view this wholesale redefinition of UU as rushed and misguided. We think the sheer volume of comments and amendments would have given the Commission pause to reconsider their radical proposed changes.

Of the 500 amendments submitted at General Assembly in 2023, only 15 were selected to move to the floor for discussion and vote. Of these, only 13 had time to be discussed and voted on. Only those supported by the Commission passed.

In October of 2023 when the final text was released it became clear what “passing” an amendment really meant. For Example, Amendment 52 explicitly removed the sentence “We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships,” yet the Article II Study Commission ignored that vote and retained this language, claiming that they were allowed to do so in the UUA bylaws.

The following graphic illustrates both what has happened, and what is yet to come. There is one more chance to stop these changes.

Changing the UUA Bylaws

The Association’s bylaws require two votes at separate General Assemblies to change the bylaws. The first vote only requires a majority to place the changes on the agenda of the next General Assembly. The second vote a year later requires a two-thirds majority to make the changes final.

The preliminary vote on the Article II changes was held at the General Assembly in 2023. UU leadership urged delegates to approve these changes so that “we continue the conversation.” A majority of delegates voted “yes.” This automatically placed these changes on the June of 2024 General Assembly agenda.

At the June 2024 virtual General Assembly, the final vote will be taken.

  • A Yes vote immediately adopts proposed changes and alters our liberal foundations
  • A No vote allows for a truly national conversation on the character of UUism and the future of liberal religion to be started.

Following the Leadership

Historically, GA delegates have tended to follow UU leadership, voting according to the direction from the main stage. Too few GA delegates have actually thought through what these proposed changes will mean for UU.

This lack of delegate awareness was recognized the last time an attempt was made to change the Principles in 2009 when amendments failed. Yes, it is possible to reject these changes. Now, more than a decade later, our world is highly connected, with virtually everyone carrying a smartphone and connected to the internet on their home computers. All UUs should be well aware of the changes and their implications. Yet there is still widespread lack of awareness.

UUs need to become aware of what this vote means for our denomination’s future before they vote. 

  • Will we remain a liberal religion?
  • Or will we change our character to that of a social justice action organization?

Moderated Zoom Town Hall Meetings

In order to continue the conversation, we are hosting a series of moderated Zoom town halls meetings where the proposed changes will be discussed. Everyone will have an opportunity to speak.  

This website has many essays and videos on the implications of the proposed changes. You can start with the factual information on our Introduction page which includes a mark-up of the changes and what we think is a balanced pro/con review. From there you can move on to our Diving Deeper essays and our Videos.

We hope you have found this information helpful.