The rewrite of the Principles and Purposes has launched anew the complaints that some UUs treat the PPs as if they were a creed. Of course they do; the PPs are a creed. The Unitarian Universalist faith is not, never has been, and cannot be a "creedless religion"; it is disingenuous to claim that it is. Or, for that matter, that a creedless religion can exist at all.
What is a creed? The dictionary on my desk says, "a set of fundamental beliefs ; also : a guiding principle". The PPs fit both halves of that definition; they are beliefs, not facts. We acknowledge that with our language; one doesn't covenant or affirm a fact, one recognizes or becomes aware of it. I don't believe, covenant, or honor that the Sun rises in the morning; I recognize the fact that it does. That being the case, I do not feel the need to add that the Sun rises to my credo. Nor do I fellowship for the purpose of recognizing known facts.
We covenant to honor and uphold concepts such as "dignity and worth" and "right of conscience" precisely because they are not provable facts. We believe that these behaviors will bring the greatest good to the greatest number; we cannot prove them. For that matter, that the greater good should be sought by the individual is an unprovable belief. Even the subordinate clauses and sentences used to explain the beliefs are themselves beliefs.
I know many UUs are allergic the the very words "belief" and "creed", and I can imagine why; they've been hurt by too-rigid creeds in the churches of their youth. Others say they are rationalists; they deal only in facts. But religions deal in truths, not facts. Truths are shared beliefs about the meaning of the facts; the fact itself simply is. If we share a list of such beliefs, they are a creed. If we don't, why do we fellowship at all? Take care in drawing up such a document, yes. Make it as inclusive as possible, certainly. Or drop it entirely if we cannot agree. But to have a creed and pretend it is not one is simply dishonest. And yes, that is a belief.
Showing posts with label The new PPs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The new PPs. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
My thoughts on "cultural misappropriation"
Many bloggers have written about this, but my thoughts were sparked by Kim Hampton , who wrote about it passionately, and CC , who wrote more pensively.
A creative writing teacher once told me that the more intensely personal my story was, the more universal it would be. CC demonstrates that principle with an anecdote about a black friend who was offended by a white man singing "Old Man River". "But at the same time, I knew how deeply the words "Tired of living and scared of dying" resonated with me, and the idea that no matter what, the river just kept rolling along." Actually, it was doubly demonstrated- the lyrics resonated so well with her black friend that he was unaware it was actually written by a white man. Interestingly enough, the same phenomenon was brought up by Rev. Fred L Hammond , who spoke of the song "This Little Light of Mine"; "The original composers sung it in defiance of the slavery and the cruelty they faced by their task masters. No amount of abusive infliction of pain and suffering was going to take away from them their integrity and dignity as humans. “This Little Light of Mine” no longer sounds like a cutesy children’s song, does it?" But in a postscript, he adds, "I just read in Wikipedia that “This Little Light of Mine” while long considered to be an African American Spiritual, it is in fact not. It was written in the 1920’s by Harry Dixon Loes. It was however ‘appropriated’ as an anthem of the civil rights movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s, so my point above is still valid in more ways than one."
If words are true, does it matter if they were first spoken by Aristotle, Rabbi Hillel, or Langston Hughes? No culture is so pure that it was not influenced by all cultures that came before, and surround it today. Wiccans know full well that their practices are an amalgam of folk culture and bits taken from the Freemasons and the Golden Dawn, others. All Christian practices are taken from those who came before- Jesus gave no instructions on how to perform a mass. There is nothing new under the sun- including that quote.
Cultures don't just spring into being; they evolve, just like bodies do. I have a vivid mental image of a Neanderthal telling a Cro-Magnon, "You can't sing that song- it's ours"... and an orangutan telling that Neanderthal, "You can't use handprints in your cave drawings- hands are our thing!" I understand why the cries of "cultural misappropriation"- it's the pride of possession. But excessive pride becomes a deadly sin, and most religions have warnings about becoming too deeply attached to possessions.
Merriam Webster online defines "misappropriation" as ": to appropriate wrongly (as by theft or embezzlement)" But misappropriation is a crime because it denies the original owner the possession and use of the thing stolen- "cultural misappropriation" does not do this. Words, truths, wisdoms, are the one class of possessions that can be taken without depriving the creator of it's use. When the civil Rights movement appropriated "This Little Light of Mine", they did not deprive anyone else of the meaning they drew from the song. If a UU congregation performs a Seder, or a Samhain ritual- with or without a dissertation on the origins and a FAQ on the back of the program- they have harmed no Jews or Wiccans in the process. It's hard enough to draw meaning from this confusing world even without someone saying "No, you can't have that symbol; it's mine." Writing a preemptive "Thou shalt not" into our PPs just on general principles is a burden we don't need.
A creative writing teacher once told me that the more intensely personal my story was, the more universal it would be. CC demonstrates that principle with an anecdote about a black friend who was offended by a white man singing "Old Man River". "But at the same time, I knew how deeply the words "Tired of living and scared of dying" resonated with me, and the idea that no matter what, the river just kept rolling along." Actually, it was doubly demonstrated- the lyrics resonated so well with her black friend that he was unaware it was actually written by a white man. Interestingly enough, the same phenomenon was brought up by Rev. Fred L Hammond , who spoke of the song "This Little Light of Mine"; "The original composers sung it in defiance of the slavery and the cruelty they faced by their task masters. No amount of abusive infliction of pain and suffering was going to take away from them their integrity and dignity as humans. “This Little Light of Mine” no longer sounds like a cutesy children’s song, does it?" But in a postscript, he adds, "I just read in Wikipedia that “This Little Light of Mine” while long considered to be an African American Spiritual, it is in fact not. It was written in the 1920’s by Harry Dixon Loes. It was however ‘appropriated’ as an anthem of the civil rights movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s, so my point above is still valid in more ways than one."
If words are true, does it matter if they were first spoken by Aristotle, Rabbi Hillel, or Langston Hughes? No culture is so pure that it was not influenced by all cultures that came before, and surround it today. Wiccans know full well that their practices are an amalgam of folk culture and bits taken from the Freemasons and the Golden Dawn, others. All Christian practices are taken from those who came before- Jesus gave no instructions on how to perform a mass. There is nothing new under the sun- including that quote.
Cultures don't just spring into being; they evolve, just like bodies do. I have a vivid mental image of a Neanderthal telling a Cro-Magnon, "You can't sing that song- it's ours"... and an orangutan telling that Neanderthal, "You can't use handprints in your cave drawings- hands are our thing!" I understand why the cries of "cultural misappropriation"- it's the pride of possession. But excessive pride becomes a deadly sin, and most religions have warnings about becoming too deeply attached to possessions.
Merriam Webster online defines "misappropriation" as ": to appropriate wrongly (as by theft or embezzlement)" But misappropriation is a crime because it denies the original owner the possession and use of the thing stolen- "cultural misappropriation" does not do this. Words, truths, wisdoms, are the one class of possessions that can be taken without depriving the creator of it's use. When the civil Rights movement appropriated "This Little Light of Mine", they did not deprive anyone else of the meaning they drew from the song. If a UU congregation performs a Seder, or a Samhain ritual- with or without a dissertation on the origins and a FAQ on the back of the program- they have harmed no Jews or Wiccans in the process. It's hard enough to draw meaning from this confusing world even without someone saying "No, you can't have that symbol; it's mine." Writing a preemptive "Thou shalt not" into our PPs just on general principles is a burden we don't need.
Friday, September 12, 2008
My rewrite of the new PPs
Section C-2.1 Purposes.
As a voluntary association of free yet interdependent congregations, the Unitarian Universalist Association will support the health and growth of existing congregations and the formation of new congregations. The Association will devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes.
Stricken: "It will empower the creation of just and diverse congregations that enact Unitarian Universalist Principles in the world." As "the formation of new congregations" had already been mentioned, this sentence serves no purpose other than to introduce the words "just and diverse". And just how are we going to guarantee that these new congregations are "just and diverse"? Will there be ethnic and demographic standards written? If not, does that sentence have any meaning?
Section C-2.2 Identity.
The Unitarian Universalist Association is composed of congregations rooted in the heritage of two religious faiths: the Unitarian heritage ever questioning and ever seeking the unity in all things, and the Universalist heritage ever affirming the power of hope and God’s infinite love. Both traditions have been shaped by those who in every age have summoned individuals and communities to maintain their beliefs in spite of persecution and to struggle for religious freedom.
Replaced: "those" replace "heretics, choice-makers". Not all influential UUs have been heretics, and all human beings are choice-makers.
Section C-2.3 Sources.
The living tradition we share draws from many sources.
Unitarianism and Universalism are grounded on more than two thousand years of Jewish and Christian teachings, traditions, and experiences. Unitarian Universalism is not contained in any single book or creed. It draws from the teachings of the Abrahamic religions, Earth-centered spirituality, and other world religious traditions. It engages perspectives from humanism, mysticism, theism, skepticism, naturalism, and feminist and liberation theologies. It is informed by the arts and the sciences. It trusts the value of direct experiences of mystery and wonder, and it recognizes the sacred may be found within the ordinary.
Stricken: "Wisdom and beauty may be expressed in many forms: in poetry and prose, in story and song, in metaphor and myth, in drama and dance, in fabric and painting, in scripture and music, in drawing and sculpture, in public ritual and solitary practice, in prophetic speech and courageous deed." Evocative and poetic, But completely off topic. This section is a list of our sources, not of how one expresses one's spirituality.
Stricken: "Grateful for the traditions that have strengthened our own, we strive to avoid misappropriation of cultural and religious practices and to seek ways of appreciation that are respectful and welcomed." As others have noted, this is ill defined and divisive. If we want to adopt such a statement, let's debate it and include it in social justice somewhere- not here.
Section C-2.4 Principles.
In order that we might work together in harmony to make our communities and our world more likely to protect and nurture all that is positive and hopeful; and in order that members of our congregations might find spiritual challenge to become their best selves as they worship and work together to create the Beloved Community, we, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to honor and uphold:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person
The sanctity of human life is not dependent upon race, religion, place of birth, or any human institution; it is the condition of our existence. No person's humanity can be denied without damaging all of humanity.
Stricken: "At the core of Unitarian Universalism is recognition of the sanctity of every human being across the lifespan." What does "across the lifespan" mean- from conception? "We are relational creatures, capable of both good and evil." Well, duh. "We have experienced enough brokenness, including in ourselves, to seek the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. We are called to make choices that help to heal and transform ourselves and the world, and to move toward solidarity with all beings." What does "solidarity with all beings" mean? Some kind of PETA thing? The whole paragraph is needlessly confusing.
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
Grateful for the gift of life and mindful of our own mortality, we seek to respond with generosity and loving action. We are called to live in right relationship with others.
Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth
We seek to enter dialogue with one another in mutual love and respect, honoring our varied backgrounds and paths. We are called to stretch and deepen our faith through religious education, creative engagement, and spiritual practice in our congregations and in our lives.
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
Unitarian Universalism is an evolutionary religion that encourages and supports lifelong spiritual exploration. Unitarian Universalist religious authority lies in the individual, nurtured and tested in congregation and wider community. In a spirit of humility and openness, we are called to seek truth and meaning, wherever found, through experience, reason, intuition, and emotion.
The right of conscience and the use of democratic processes
We affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of democratic processes within our congregations and in society at large. We are called to promote fairness, accountability, honesty, and transparency.
Replaced: "We seek to ensure that all voices are heard, especially those often left out on the margins." This is bound to spark unfortunate dissuasions as to exactly who is on the margins and how to ensure their voices are heard. Unnecessarily provocative.
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
We seek to create, sustain, and celebrate multi-generational and multi-cultural communities where oppression cannot thrive and where hope and peace flourish.
Stricken: "We are called to counter legacies of injustice and to foster reconciliation." Is this meant to enshrine public policy decisions on affirmative action, slavery reparations, and reconciliation councils as a religious requirement? Unnecessarily provocative.
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
We honor the World that gave us birth, realizing that our good and the Earth's are inextricably intertwined. We recognize the need for sacrifice as we build a world that is both just and sustainable. We are called to be good stewards, restoring the Earth.
As free yet interdependent congregations, we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust, kindness, and support. Should we break this covenant, we will seek to repair the relationship and recommit to the promises we have made.
Replaced: "Inspired by the beauty and holiness of the Earth," Are we Gaians? Many UUs don't recognize anything as "holy". "we become more willing to relinquish material desires." Are we now followers of John Lennon, "Imagine no possessions"? Unnecessary.
Stricken: "and protecting all beings." Another PETA reference? Is this a call for vegetarianism?
Section C-2.5 Inclusion.
We strive to be an association of congregations that welcome persons of every identity while calling them to act in right relationship. We encourage the fullest participation, with no person excluded solely on the basis of age or identity.
Structures of power have traditionally created barriers for persons and groups with certain identities, abilities, and histories. Dissatisfied with mere non-discrimination, we commit to structuring congregational and associational life in ways that empower and enhance the efforts and experiences of every participant.
Stricken: "allowed by law," What does that mean? Why would we allow the law to tell us who to fellowship with?
Section C-2.6 Freedom of Belief.
Freedom of belief is central to the Unitarian Universalist heritage. Nothing in these bylaws shall be deemed to infringe upon individual freedom of belief. Although no statement of belief can be required as a creedal test for individual membership in a congregation or congregational affiliation with the Association, congregations are free to establish their own statements of purpose, covenants, and bonds of union.
Comments?
As a voluntary association of free yet interdependent congregations, the Unitarian Universalist Association will support the health and growth of existing congregations and the formation of new congregations. The Association will devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes.
Stricken: "It will empower the creation of just and diverse congregations that enact Unitarian Universalist Principles in the world." As "the formation of new congregations" had already been mentioned, this sentence serves no purpose other than to introduce the words "just and diverse". And just how are we going to guarantee that these new congregations are "just and diverse"? Will there be ethnic and demographic standards written? If not, does that sentence have any meaning?
Section C-2.2 Identity.
The Unitarian Universalist Association is composed of congregations rooted in the heritage of two religious faiths: the Unitarian heritage ever questioning and ever seeking the unity in all things, and the Universalist heritage ever affirming the power of hope and God’s infinite love. Both traditions have been shaped by those who in every age have summoned individuals and communities to maintain their beliefs in spite of persecution and to struggle for religious freedom.
Replaced: "those" replace "heretics, choice-makers". Not all influential UUs have been heretics, and all human beings are choice-makers.
Section C-2.3 Sources.
The living tradition we share draws from many sources.
Unitarianism and Universalism are grounded on more than two thousand years of Jewish and Christian teachings, traditions, and experiences. Unitarian Universalism is not contained in any single book or creed. It draws from the teachings of the Abrahamic religions, Earth-centered spirituality, and other world religious traditions. It engages perspectives from humanism, mysticism, theism, skepticism, naturalism, and feminist and liberation theologies. It is informed by the arts and the sciences. It trusts the value of direct experiences of mystery and wonder, and it recognizes the sacred may be found within the ordinary.
Stricken: "Wisdom and beauty may be expressed in many forms: in poetry and prose, in story and song, in metaphor and myth, in drama and dance, in fabric and painting, in scripture and music, in drawing and sculpture, in public ritual and solitary practice, in prophetic speech and courageous deed." Evocative and poetic, But completely off topic. This section is a list of our sources, not of how one expresses one's spirituality.
Stricken: "Grateful for the traditions that have strengthened our own, we strive to avoid misappropriation of cultural and religious practices and to seek ways of appreciation that are respectful and welcomed." As others have noted, this is ill defined and divisive. If we want to adopt such a statement, let's debate it and include it in social justice somewhere- not here.
Section C-2.4 Principles.
In order that we might work together in harmony to make our communities and our world more likely to protect and nurture all that is positive and hopeful; and in order that members of our congregations might find spiritual challenge to become their best selves as they worship and work together to create the Beloved Community, we, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to honor and uphold:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person
The sanctity of human life is not dependent upon race, religion, place of birth, or any human institution; it is the condition of our existence. No person's humanity can be denied without damaging all of humanity.
Stricken: "At the core of Unitarian Universalism is recognition of the sanctity of every human being across the lifespan." What does "across the lifespan" mean- from conception? "We are relational creatures, capable of both good and evil." Well, duh. "We have experienced enough brokenness, including in ourselves, to seek the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. We are called to make choices that help to heal and transform ourselves and the world, and to move toward solidarity with all beings." What does "solidarity with all beings" mean? Some kind of PETA thing? The whole paragraph is needlessly confusing.
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
Grateful for the gift of life and mindful of our own mortality, we seek to respond with generosity and loving action. We are called to live in right relationship with others.
Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth
We seek to enter dialogue with one another in mutual love and respect, honoring our varied backgrounds and paths. We are called to stretch and deepen our faith through religious education, creative engagement, and spiritual practice in our congregations and in our lives.
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
Unitarian Universalism is an evolutionary religion that encourages and supports lifelong spiritual exploration. Unitarian Universalist religious authority lies in the individual, nurtured and tested in congregation and wider community. In a spirit of humility and openness, we are called to seek truth and meaning, wherever found, through experience, reason, intuition, and emotion.
The right of conscience and the use of democratic processes
We affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of democratic processes within our congregations and in society at large. We are called to promote fairness, accountability, honesty, and transparency.
Replaced: "We seek to ensure that all voices are heard, especially those often left out on the margins." This is bound to spark unfortunate dissuasions as to exactly who is on the margins and how to ensure their voices are heard. Unnecessarily provocative.
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
We seek to create, sustain, and celebrate multi-generational and multi-cultural communities where oppression cannot thrive and where hope and peace flourish.
Stricken: "We are called to counter legacies of injustice and to foster reconciliation." Is this meant to enshrine public policy decisions on affirmative action, slavery reparations, and reconciliation councils as a religious requirement? Unnecessarily provocative.
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
We honor the World that gave us birth, realizing that our good and the Earth's are inextricably intertwined. We recognize the need for sacrifice as we build a world that is both just and sustainable. We are called to be good stewards, restoring the Earth.
As free yet interdependent congregations, we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust, kindness, and support. Should we break this covenant, we will seek to repair the relationship and recommit to the promises we have made.
Replaced: "Inspired by the beauty and holiness of the Earth," Are we Gaians? Many UUs don't recognize anything as "holy". "we become more willing to relinquish material desires." Are we now followers of John Lennon, "Imagine no possessions"? Unnecessary.
Stricken: "and protecting all beings." Another PETA reference? Is this a call for vegetarianism?
Section C-2.5 Inclusion.
We strive to be an association of congregations that welcome persons of every identity while calling them to act in right relationship. We encourage the fullest participation, with no person excluded solely on the basis of age or identity.
Structures of power have traditionally created barriers for persons and groups with certain identities, abilities, and histories. Dissatisfied with mere non-discrimination, we commit to structuring congregational and associational life in ways that empower and enhance the efforts and experiences of every participant.
Stricken: "allowed by law," What does that mean? Why would we allow the law to tell us who to fellowship with?
Section C-2.6 Freedom of Belief.
Freedom of belief is central to the Unitarian Universalist heritage. Nothing in these bylaws shall be deemed to infringe upon individual freedom of belief. Although no statement of belief can be required as a creedal test for individual membership in a congregation or congregational affiliation with the Association, congregations are free to establish their own statements of purpose, covenants, and bonds of union.
Comments?
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