Liberal values are the only values that have ever moved humanity forward, toward its fuller potential. Yet this does not mean its promise has only been stalled because of resistance from those of a more conservative spirit who are fearful of any and all change. Throughout history, those professing liberalism and its values have often proven to be the worst offenders of human dignity and welfare. In this sermon, we’ll consider some of the warning signs of a liberalism that’s gone wrong.
Origin story of the NAUA – According to Chat GPT
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.
