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The NAUA Academy provides courses to Members of the NAUA and others interested in Unitarianism, Unitarian Universalism and Liberal Religion. Academy sessions deal with the history and development of Unitarianism and Liberal Religion, as well as with issues of concern in contemporary society – all from a liberal religious perspective.
Participation in session is virtual, using Zoom. There is no charge for attending Academy sessions, though some sessions require registration. Sessions consist of a presentation followed by small group discussions.
Next Academy Presentation
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May 14 2024. Color Blindness: Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?
In this NAUA Academy session Terry Anderson, Ph.D. overviews the controversial idea that color blindness is the best way to equality and to combat racism. The argument was fueled by Coleman Hughe’s Ted Talk, the controversy that arose from his talk and his new book – The End of Race Politics. We also look at Sheena…
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Jan. 21,2024 – Plus ça change: David Reich revisits his 2010 satire, “The Antiracism Trainings”
David Reich has written a funny, incisive novel about race, religion, and office politics. He’s fearlessly unpious, observant, and witty, but he’s also fair to his flawed and often enjoyably irksome characters. His gift for finding nuanced humanity in their semi-good intentions gives warmth and life to this quietly ambitious satire. -Carlo Rotella, author of…
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Timely Unitarian History Lesson
In times of unrest and disagreement it is comforting to know that these times are not unique. We have been challenged by different understanding and goals of our religious organizations in the past and in the present. In this NAUA Academy video, Kevin McCulloch, details the transcendentalist critique of historical Christianity that created a rift…
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9/19/2023 – Left vs Left: What’s Happening Here Ain’t Exactly Clear
Sept. 19, 4:30 PM PDT (7:30 EDT) Ken Ing looks at Unitarian life in a age of identity politics. We are very pleased to highlight this exceptional video. Ken has created some compelling and engaging slides and narrates the phiolosopy and ideas that are propelling the current wave of anti-racism. A must see and share for…
Archive of Recorded Academy Sessions
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Sept. 2026 – When our Justice System Fails
Read more: Sept. 2026 – When our Justice System FailsIn this session, we will watch one story in which the falsely accused is ultimately proven innocent and the accuser seeks the forgiveness of the exoneree. Then we’ll explore the story of the people behind the Innocence Project and the Centurion Ministries who work to uncover these failures in our justice system. About Our Speaker: Dr.…
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Aug. 9, 2026: Tribalism, Political Bias, and the Search for Truth by Dr. Cory Clark
Read more: Aug. 9, 2026: Tribalism, Political Bias, and the Search for Truth by Dr. Cory ClarkSession Description: Humans are tribal creatures. The same psychological tendencies that help humans cooperate in social groups also shape how we evaluate evidence, reason about controversial issues, and distinguish fact from misinformation. These tendencies are not unique to any particular political ideology, and even scientists are vulnerable to the same social pressures that distort reasoning…
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What Do We Need from Liberal Religion in the 21st Century?
Read more: What Do We Need from Liberal Religion in the 21st Century?This panel session explore why we do, or do need tReligion in these troubling times. The panel features thoughtful comments from long term Unitarian leaders. Recent Posts Archives
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June 9, 2026 – Can Cycles of History Explain our Troubled Times?
Read more: June 9, 2026 – Can Cycles of History Explain our Troubled Times?Can Cycles of History Explain our Troubled Times? George Friedman (a geopolitical forecaster, founder of Geopolitical Futures and NYT bestselling author of “The Next 100 Years”) published “The Storm Before the Calm,” predicting in 2020 the reshaping of foreign policy, economics and culture that we are currently experiencing. He explains this upheaval as a unique…
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May 12, 2026 – What have Mystics been trying to tell us?
Read more: May 12, 2026 – What have Mystics been trying to tell us?A session with Ken Ing In 1945, Aldus Huxley published “The Perennial Philosophy”. He had observed that most major religions had a mystical “tradition”. The core doctrines of these religions did not overlap very much, but the mystics associated with these religions had a lot of overlap in how they described their mystical experiences. Huxley…
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April 14, 2026 – Social & Spiritual Impacts of AI Chatbots
Read more: April 14, 2026 – Social & Spiritual Impacts of AI ChatbotsNAUA Academy Session:“Social & Spiritual Impacts of AI Chatbots” Mark Reimers discusses the potential impacts of generative AI on our society over the next few years. What changes may we expect in how we work, in human relationships, and in our states of mind? Recent Posts Archives
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March 10, 2026 Pilgrimage – Camino Santiago
Read more: March 10, 2026 Pilgrimage – Camino SantiagoThe Camino de Santiago is one of the most ancient and well-worn pilgrimage routes in the Western world. For over a thousand years, people have walked these trails—from all across Europe and beyond—toward the cathedral in Santiago, said to be the resting place of the apostle James. In today’s hectic world that is constantly bombarding…
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Feb. 10, 2026 – How Will We Feed the World?
Read more: Feb. 10, 2026 – How Will We Feed the World?This is a one of the best Academy Sessions yet!! In this presentation, Dr. Felicia Wu, Distinguished Professor of Food Safety, Toxicology and Risk Assessment at Michigan State University, will discuss the history of US government agencies in Food, Safety and Nutrition. A detailed analysis is done of the 2026 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans…
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Dec 12, 2025. Rise of the Nones: Challenge for our Society or Opportunity for Unitarians?
Read more: Dec 12, 2025. Rise of the Nones: Challenge for our Society or Opportunity for Unitarians?This December 2025 NAUA Academy session features a presentation and a lively discussion on the opportunities and challenges from the Arising of the Nones. Joyce Francis leads the discussion, presents efforts of the New Salish Sea Congregation and our own stories of finding Unitarian alternatives. Does the same programs and activities of Unitarians still work for the…