The Transcendentalist critique of historical Christianity created a rift in the Unitarian church between traditional-minded Unitarian Christians and more radical Free Religionists who felt that the church should embrace a more universal form of religion. Although the National Conference of Unitarian Churches was founded in 1865, it took nearly 30 years for the conference participants to reach consensus on a statement that defined what it meant to be a Unitarian. Since we are living through another period where there is a lack of consensus on what Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism are all about, we will revisit this earlier conflict to see what lessons it holds for us today.
Speaker: A lifelong UU, Kevin McCulloch holds a Master’s of Theological Studies from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where he studied American religious history. He most recently taught Unitarian Universalist history as a member of the adult religious education committee at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, DC.
“We accept all Religions as Truth” are the words spoken by Swami Vivekananda at the founding of the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893 in Chicago. Our speaker is Bruce Knotts, a Trustee of the Parliament of the World’s Religions.
Bruce discusses the founding and history of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, as well as its Mission to create and cultivate harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities, foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world. This same sentiment is reflected in the 6th Principle of Unitarian Universalism, ”the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all”.
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 concerned Unitarians
The ideological differences causing rifts in many UU Congregations did not originate in Unitarian Universalism. Many countries that trace their heritage back to the Enlightenment are experiencing an ideological tug-of-war between traditional liberals and an identity-centric movement. Most traditional liberals don’t understand the belief systems underlying the identity-centric movement. Ken’s talk will attempt to explain those belief systems, and the reasoning behind them. He will be synthesizing the insights and perspectives of numerous books and other published writings. Ken believes we can’t resolve a conflict if we can’t articulate the perspectives of both sides.
Ken Ing retired in 2019 after spending his entire career in Information Technology. He lives in the northwest portion of the state of Washington. He is a frequent contributor to the local UU Fellowship’s adult learning program, creating 13 talks over the past 4 years, usually about history or politics. He is a member of the NAUA Academy Advisory Board
America’s current moral reckoning with its racist past and present too often proves more divisive than constructive. The National Center for Race Amity (NCRA) seeks to move the public discourse on race beyond the blame-grievance-rejection framework to one that recognizes and celebrates our ability to overcome racial prejudice through association, amity and collaborative action.
The perspective of “The Other Tradition” is that the dominant tradition of racism has always had a parallel moral counterweight which held at its core humanistic and spiritual values that promoted racial and social justice. This introduction will share stories of Race Amity in history – as well as current, local examples of Race Amity in Action – from which NCRA affiliates have developed educational programs in libraries, churches and community centers.
Facilitator Joyce Francis, Ph.D., taught international affairs at George Mason, Tulane, and American University. She is a member her county Friends of Race Amity, as well as a member of Quimper UU Fellowship in Port Townsend, WA, and co-facilitator of its 4th Principle Affinity Group.
Unitarian Universalist Climate Action-Opportunity and Risk.
The speaker will be Dr. Jan Dash who is the Editor of the Journal of Climate Action, Research and Policy, the Editor of the World Scientific Climate Encyclopedia and the Gabelli Fellow and Visiting Scholar at Fordham University.
Review of climate change-risk and opportunity. Vision for Unitarian Universalism being a powerful national voice for more urgent climate action.
What can the NAUA do for climate action? After the Dr Dash’s presentation a brief Q&A session will follow and the session concludes with breakouts rooms that allow you to get to know new friends!
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In this session, Rev. Dr. Todd F. Eklof will discuss the origins and characteristics of liberalism in the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, how liberalism manifested as Unitarianism in Eastern Europe and, later, in the United States, and why it remains essential to human progress in today’s world. ClickHEREto watch the recording of the presentation portion of this session.
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