NAUA Academy
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
Archive of Recorded Academy Sessions
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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…