Unitarian Universalists take stands on issues of the day. This is not new. It is a practice that has deep roots in our faith tradition. We don't take stands on the issues of the day because we have substituted "liberal politics" for "liberal religion" as some would contend. Unitarianism and Universalism were both ethical religions, and Unitarian Universalism is decidedly ethical in its stated principles, and as a preferred orientation of most of its adherents. When Unitarian Universalist congregations are searching for a minister they take a €˜theological orientation poll." This consists of choosing from among a group of possible Unitarian Universalist positions what best describes ones theology. One can choose more than one. In most congregations, Ethical religion and Ethical Christian have been high vote getters. Ethical Christians believe that the ethics taught by Jesus are important to living ones life, while Ethical Religionists do not need to specify which ethical teacher they follow. I suspect a lot of people check both.
We distinguish between personal ethics and social ethics. Personal ethics has to do with how we as individuals conduct our lives in relation to the world, and how we relate to other people. For religious people, personal ethics would involve how the apply the precepts of their religion in the choices that they make in life.
For example, our religion might teach the virtue of generosity. What does that mean in practice? What do we give to others? how much? to whom? and why? What do we expect in return. To we give with conditions? To we give to deserving poor? What does it mean to be generous to a fault?
But most religious communities also have teachings and traditions relative to how we relate to the larger community. If the religion teaches that one must do justice and walk humbly with that which abides, how does a religious community respond to injustice in society. If the religion teaches that it is the peacemakers who are blessed, how does one contribute toward a more peaceful world.
Our considered ethical responses to social injustice, war and the misuse of power by authorities constitutes our social ethics, and Unitarian Universalists have historically been a religious community that understood their responsibility toward the larger community. Some have said this is gift of the Puritans, who labored to bring about a Holy Commonwealth. Whatever the source, we have never been a tradition that cultivated inner peace, and personal virtue, and ignored community.
Some criticize Unitarian Universalists for being too political. If I understand, the criticism is that they experience their congregation as being overtly partisan for political liberals and against political conservatives. I think that it is possible that some congregational leaders are unclear about religious community and social ethics, and engage in Democratic Party politics in the church. I have never seen open partisanship by a minister or board member, but I believe that it happens.
I have seen a lay persons abuse candles of joy and concern to make a political action announcement, or blast some political leader for their politics. (I have always found support when I openly criticized the practice and asked the congregation to covenant not to allow such abuse.) There are those who abuse our faith community, congregational leaders must set firm guidelines to prevent such abuse.) Most congregations in my experience know the difference between ethical witness and political mobilization.
It is also possible that some Unitarian Universalists are uncomfortable with social ethical stance taking. For a congregation to conclude that the war in Iraq is wrong is consistent with our faith communities historic values. Some might accuse that congregation of being involved in politics, but they are wrong.
Gandhi once remarked "To see the universal and all-pervading Spirit of Truth face to face one must be able to love the meanest of creation as oneself. And a man who aspires after that cannot afford to keep out of any field of life. ۬۬That is why my devotion to Truth has drawn me into the field of politics; and I can say without the slightest hesitation, and yet in all humility, that those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means."
I have witnessed Unitarian Universalists becoming involved in opposition to war and injustice for forty years, and at every juncture I have also witnessed considerable resistance on the part of some Unitarian Universalists to their congregation or their Association taking a stance no matter that the decision was democratically decided according to the established procedures of the Association.
A more serious criticism concerns how our community converses about differences relative to social ethical stances. There is too much divisive squabbling and self righteousness that these procedures. How we talk with one another about social justice, anti-oppression and the justice of a particular war is too often charged with emotion. Our goal must be to discuss these questions and come to a majority vote without raising our differences to the level of emotional conflict. Some good people who have social consciences with draw from the process because some emotionally changed opponent has just read them out of the faith because of difference over words and their meaning.
We must creating safe communities for discourse and creative conflict, we must learn to base our procedures on religious principles.
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