David, thanks for quoting this: "Unitarian Universalism does it backwards: Instead of secularizing theology into politics, it has attempted to consecrate liberal politics into a theology.” I like this language, and it is the primary reason I left the UUA after 20 years a member: the transformation of a "church" into one huge political action committee.
Good piece, David. But I'd amend one statement: "This openness attracts free thinkers and people with a wide diversity of beliefs..." As you know, that openness for the last couple of decades has not applied when one's beliefs could be considered politically conservative or (gasp!) Republican.
Longtime UU here, and social justice activist. I perceived connections among various movements on the Left. I felt a moral obligation to show solidarity with struggles against racism, sexism, classism, anti-“LGBTQ” bigotry, militarism, economic injustice, exploitation and slaughter of (non-human) animals, disruption of our climate…
But starting around five years ago, I did start noticing some instances of what I thought of as “Left overreach.” Some episodes of unethical conduct by fellow leftists… UUs treating one another in ways that seemed to go against our principles… Claims that didn’t withstand scrutiny.
And then, over just the last two years, my belief in “gender dogma” unraveled. Now that I see it for the pseudoscience it is, and recognize the harm it’s doing, I am dejected to realize how thoroughly captured the denomination is by it.
There was a time when I felt proud to identify myself as a UU. Now, alas, I feel much like you say your mother felt: embarrassed.
Will I remain, and try to counteract the illiberalism and dogma from within? Or will I give up, and take my leave? I haven’t made any decision yet.
Same. I left UUA for the UCC before the social justice dogmatism because of a sincere conversion to Christ, but now the same zealotry and gender ideology have taken over mainstream Christian denominations also. Now we're stuck between fundamentalists and ideologues. Sad since we need community, inspiration and spiritual family more than ever. Where to go?
"Where to go"? Great question! I've got the same problem. I left my UU congregation when I finally got tired of being beaten with the progressive woke stick during every service. But where then does this 'spiritual but not relgious' seeker go?
I like fringe ideas and people, but I don't like being told what causes to champion and what words to use when discussing them. There are a lot more worthy causes than the few the UUA wants "its" congregations to dwell upon. Victimhood becomes a showy badge of honor, vaguely implying I or you are the victimizers. This ambiguous shaming alienates. The same tensions that rift the formerly friendly UU movement are the ones driving reactions towards right-wing platforms (like Musk's) reacting to them.
When I attended ministers' gatherings we were warned to not ignore "the pinch." A pinch ignored becomes a growing problem. We're seeing this now in resentful reactions to being told to be more woke. Welcoming formerly marginalized and victimized minorities is a natural expression of compassion and community. But being told to by self-righteous preachers alienates. No one likes being scolded or told what they're supposed to be.
David, thanks for quoting this: "Unitarian Universalism does it backwards: Instead of secularizing theology into politics, it has attempted to consecrate liberal politics into a theology.” I like this language, and it is the primary reason I left the UUA after 20 years a member: the transformation of a "church" into one huge political action committee.
Good piece, David. But I'd amend one statement: "This openness attracts free thinkers and people with a wide diversity of beliefs..." As you know, that openness for the last couple of decades has not applied when one's beliefs could be considered politically conservative or (gasp!) Republican.
Longtime UU here, and social justice activist. I perceived connections among various movements on the Left. I felt a moral obligation to show solidarity with struggles against racism, sexism, classism, anti-“LGBTQ” bigotry, militarism, economic injustice, exploitation and slaughter of (non-human) animals, disruption of our climate…
But starting around five years ago, I did start noticing some instances of what I thought of as “Left overreach.” Some episodes of unethical conduct by fellow leftists… UUs treating one another in ways that seemed to go against our principles… Claims that didn’t withstand scrutiny.
And then, over just the last two years, my belief in “gender dogma” unraveled. Now that I see it for the pseudoscience it is, and recognize the harm it’s doing, I am dejected to realize how thoroughly captured the denomination is by it.
There was a time when I felt proud to identify myself as a UU. Now, alas, I feel much like you say your mother felt: embarrassed.
Will I remain, and try to counteract the illiberalism and dogma from within? Or will I give up, and take my leave? I haven’t made any decision yet.
Same. I left UUA for the UCC before the social justice dogmatism because of a sincere conversion to Christ, but now the same zealotry and gender ideology have taken over mainstream Christian denominations also. Now we're stuck between fundamentalists and ideologues. Sad since we need community, inspiration and spiritual family more than ever. Where to go?
"Where to go"? Great question! I've got the same problem. I left my UU congregation when I finally got tired of being beaten with the progressive woke stick during every service. But where then does this 'spiritual but not relgious' seeker go?
I like fringe ideas and people, but I don't like being told what causes to champion and what words to use when discussing them. There are a lot more worthy causes than the few the UUA wants "its" congregations to dwell upon. Victimhood becomes a showy badge of honor, vaguely implying I or you are the victimizers. This ambiguous shaming alienates. The same tensions that rift the formerly friendly UU movement are the ones driving reactions towards right-wing platforms (like Musk's) reacting to them.
When I attended ministers' gatherings we were warned to not ignore "the pinch." A pinch ignored becomes a growing problem. We're seeing this now in resentful reactions to being told to be more woke. Welcoming formerly marginalized and victimized minorities is a natural expression of compassion and community. But being told to by self-righteous preachers alienates. No one likes being scolded or told what they're supposed to be.
Enlightenment Liberalism.
Transcendentalism.
Humanism.
Wokism.
...
Great article! You might have also mentioned that the UUA codified this new ideology with the recent amendments to Article II.