Moral Values for a Pluralistic Society

Last month I wrote about the Statement of Conscience on Global Warming which was finalized and adopted at General Assembly (GA) this year.

In previous columns we looked at the process of how a Study/ Action Issue (SAI) becomes a Statement of Conscience (SOC). This month I wanted to write about a current SAI that is on the way to becoming a Statement of Conscience. This SAI, Moral Values for a Pluralistic Society, is a particularly com-plicated one because it encompasses several issues. To me, though, it could not be a more timely challenge to undertake. I was a Delegate to the 2005 assembly in Fort Worth , Texas when this SAI was chosen from among several others. I had been concerned for sometime that one of the basic principles of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, the separation of church and state, is under serious attack by those who believe we are a Christian nation and that our laws should support the premises of Christianity.

The issue as defined on the UUA website is: How might the moral and ethical grounding of Unitarian Universalism be given greater voice in the public square? Unitarian Universalism represents a broad spectrum of religious beliefs. We span the gamut from atheists to Christian, Buddhists and Secular Humanists. We also are strongly committed to social justice. The whole concept of debating and adopting an SAI and carrying it forward through study, reflection and action to the adoption of an SOC has been codified in our internal processes.

On the other hand, we as a group are resistant to the idea of codifying a listing of moral values to be followed as part of any religious dogma, if you will. How then do we make sure that our values are heard in the public discourse? Being committed to justice in human relations means more than holding onto our beliefs and keeping them to ourselves; it means acting on our values within our society. If we are “standing on the side of love,” then we must work toward “marriage equality.” Yet, expressing our Unitarian Universalist values is more than sporting a bumper sticker that says Hate is not a family value.

Our positions on marriage equality or global warming grow out of our generally held beliefs known as our Seven Principles. As a religion known for liberal ideals and also liberal doses of doubt, we can give greater voice to our values in society by engaging in interfaith and cross-cultural dis discourse.

UUA President the Reverend Bill Sinkford spoke at our Starr King Church 50 th anniversary celebration about how we can join with Catholics in their passion to bring relief and comfort to the homeless, while recognizing that we have no common ground on many issues of sexuality, whether it is same sex marriage or homosexuality. Yet, we can still work together effectively on those values we share. This Study Action Issue is in the second year of its journey to becoming a Statement of Conscience. During this time, congregations are urged to study and take action on the issues.

Among the possible study questions suggested are: Is it appropriate for Unitarian Universalist congregations to collectively speak out, as a faith community, on moral and ethical issues? How are dissenting voices within the congregation honored while allowing the majority to speak out?

How can we as Unitarian Universalists contribute most effectively to the public dialogue on the role of shared moral values in our changing, global, pluralistic society?

Possible Actions include:

Sponsor interfaith and civic discussions on the role of religion and morality in the public square. Sponsor meetings with other faith communities to explore and discern common values.

Establish a process that respectfully discerns the will of the majority within the congregation on issues of public witness and that enable the congregation to collectively voice its opinion while recognizing and honoring the views of those holding different opinions.

At General Assembly in June 2007 in Portland , Oregon a vote will be taken on adopting this SAI as a Statement of Conscience. A draft SOC is now being developed. Beginning in October this year, comment forms will be made available and comments will be accepted through March 2007. At that point a new draft SOC will be circulated. At GA in June, mini-assemblies will consider further amendments, and finally on June 24, 2007 it will be debated and voted.

Though we are a faith of many religious beliefs, we can hold common values and work to express them in a world that is becoming increasingly oppressive and intolerant. Our values support the idea of justice for all people regardless of their status in society. We need to speak and work together in support of those values in order to make for a more just society. ~ Bob

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