The latest issue of the Liberal Beacon contains four articles, two book reviews and more!
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Consistent with our support for the inherent rights and dignity of all persons, we celebrate and call for action on International Women’s Day on March 8.
International Women’s Day (IWD), is a global recognition and call to action that is dedicated to recognizing the achievements of women and advocating for gender equality. Established by the United Nations (UN) in 1977, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made toward women’s rights while highlighting the challenges that remain.
The United Nations’ goals for International Women’s Day align with its broader mission of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some of the key objectives include:
Promoting Gender Equality
Despite significant progress, women continue to face discrimination in many areas, including education, employment, and leadership. IWD aims to raise awareness and push for policies that promote equal opportunities for women.
Ending Gender-Based Violence
Millions of women worldwide experience domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking. The UN uses IWD to advocate for stronger legal frameworks and support services to protect women and hold perpetrators accountable.
Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment
Women often face barriers in the workplace, including unequal pay, lack of access to leadership roles, and limited maternity benefits. IWD encourages companies and governments to implement fair labor practices and support women entrepreneurs.
Encouraging Women’s Leadership and Political Participation
Women remain underrepresented in politics and decision-making roles. IWD promotes initiatives to increase female participation in government, business, and community leadership.
Improving Access to Education and Healthcare
Education is a fundamental right, yet millions of girls worldwide are denied schooling due to poverty, early marriage, or conflict. The UN also emphasizes the need for better maternal healthcare, reproductive rights, and mental health support for women.
Each year, the UN selects a theme for IWD, focusing on a pressing issue related to gender equality. The 2024 theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” emphasizes the importance of funding women’s initiatives, supporting female-led businesses, and ensuring access to education and healthcare.
International Women’s Day is more than a celebration—it’s a movement toward a fairer, more inclusive world. By taking action today, we can create a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.
Created with help from ChatGPT.
The Origin of the North American Unitarian Association (NAUA)The North American Unitarian Association (NAUA) was founded in 2022 as a response to concerns that the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) had shifted away from its core values of religious freedom, intellectual inquiry, and diversity of thought.A group of Unitarian Universalists, including congregational leaders and laypeople, felt that the UUA had become increasingly illiberal and authoritarian, prioritizing ideological conformity over open dialogue and free conscience.These individuals sought to revive Unitarianism and Universalism as traditions centered on freedom of belief, rational thought, and respect for diverse perspectives. The NAUA was created as an alternative association that would promote liberal religious pluralism and uphold the values of individual autonomy and open inquiry, resisting the growing influence of political orthodoxy within the UUA.The NAUA serves as a platform for those who feel alienated by the UUA’s increasingly doctrinaire approach, providing a space for those who believe in freedom to think for oneself and the dignity of diverse beliefs.By Chat GPT Courtesy Jan Anderson, March 2025.
Underlying the human world of strife and separation is an oft-neglected landscape of commonality between faiths: the natural world. At precisely the time when our religious and political divisions threaten the existence of life on Earth, science offers a sweeping interfaith vista filled with revelations and insights as spiritually meaningful as ancient scriptures. Read as “scripture,” science offers a common text for all the world’s faiths.
Enlightenment Values of Freedom, Reason and Tolerance. January’s monthly worship service focused on the Enlightenment Values of Freedom, Reason and Tolerance, the very same values that were adopted by the NAUA and that stand at the core of Western liberal tradition. The full service title is: “The Enlightenment Values of Freedom, Reason, Tolerance; Advancing the Human Condition Materially and Spiritually; Our Core Strengths.” The worship team will make this a group effort. Join in exploring and honoring the primary core values and Principles of our liberal faith.