Nov. 12, 2024 – Overcoming Identity Politics in America: The Organization FAIR

Nov 13, 2024

Previously, Ken Ing traced the roots of the identity centric movement that dominates the UUA, and influences institutions throughout North America. As a follow-up, Sunil Wijeyesekera describes the work of The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), an organization that counters identity politics. FAIR is a non-partisan civil rights organization based on universal principles of Fairness (not discriminating based on skin color or other immutable characteristics), Understanding (being willing to listen to other points of view) and our Common Humanity. Sunil

Wijeyesekera retired in 2020 after a career in material science/engineering. He has been a UU for 38 years. Sunil is currently a member of the NAUA Hayward Fellowship, as well as a Chapter Leader for FAIR. In describing the work of FAIR, Sunil Wijeyesekera simulates a discussion of how we can apply our NAUA values in the larger society. Download his slides: FAIR Slide deck

Nov. 9, 2024 – “Beyond all “—isms” — the creative, inquiring, free & liberative spirituality of Imaoka Shin’ichirō”

Nov 9, 2024

Speaker: Andrew James Brown, Minister of Cambridge Unitarian Church, Cambridge, UK

“Beyond all “—isms” — the creative, inquiring, free & liberative spirituality of Imaoka Shin’ichirō”

Imaoka Shin’ichirō (1881-1988) was a pioneering Japanese religious leader and educator, deeply involved in the development of Free Religion and interfaith dialogue. Born into a Shin Buddhist farming family, he first became a Congregationalist Christian pastor, but he eventually left traditional Christianity to embrace a broader, more inclusive spiritual path. Influenced by Quaker mysticism, liberal Buddhism, liberal Shintoism and Seiza meditation, he played a key role in the Japanese Unitarian Mission and Free Religious movement. As principal of Seisoku High School in Tokyo, he promoted academic excellence and progressive values, receiving multiple honours for his educational work. His lifelong commitment to religious inclusivity and cooperation has left a lasting impact, and in this introduction to his life and work we’ll look closely at two versions of his “Principles of Living. 

 
 

Oct. 8, 2024 – Future of the NAUA and Liberal Religion – Rev Todd Eklof

Oct 11, 2024

As NAUA prepares for this session. Rev. Dr. Todd F. Eklof shares his thoughts about the direction it should take in its efforts to help Unitarianism and liberal religion to carry on and thrive. This presentation will include his ideas about membership growth, outreach, and future kinds so services and support NAUA might offer.
 

Sept. 16, 2024 – The Evolution of Humanism by Dr Mark Reimers

Sep 18, 2024

Sept 16, 2024 Dr. Mark Riemers The Evolution of Humanism

The roots of humanism lie in ancient wisdom literature, which reflected on justice, fate and the life well-lived. The Renaissance Humanists rediscovered that literature and advocated for the values of human life, especially clear thought, eloquence, and civic engagement. In the early twentieth century a group of Unitarian ministers advocated a liberal Christianity without a deity as the natural next stage of human evolution, and they claimed the name ‘humanism’ for their movement; but a century of wars and ongoing crises have undermined their confident dream of Progress. In the twenty-first century a new humanism integrates biology and behavioral science into a more pragmatic appraisal of the possibilities and hopes of human life. How have these various humanisms addressed the perennial concerns of human life: love, meaning, morality, work, and death? What is humanism now? How will humanism evolve to address the challenges of our stone-age minds in a technological age?

  North American Unitarian Association (NAUA)

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05/14/24 – Color Blindness: Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution? -Dr. Terry Anderson

May 16, 2024

Color Blindness: Part of the Problem or Part the Solution?

In this NAUA Academy class Terry Anderson 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 Mason’s Theory of Racelessness.

And finaly we examine those who believe that we can’t just wish racism away by attempting to ignore it.

You are encouraged to register for this event. When you do you will receive a confirmation and a reminder 2 days before the event.

Zoom Address:  tinyurl.com/nauaacademy

 

 
When
May 14th, 2024 4:30 PM