Hello all,
Our UUSP YouTube Contemplative Meditation reading for September 7 was from developmental psychologist Carol Gilligan’s In a Different Voice, reporting on the development of a person’s sense of trust and also on the traditional woman’s ethic of care (that no one should be hurt).
Someone who viewed the video commented online, “yea does this church follow Christ or is this just a cult?” What would you have replied?
Here’s what I wrote back, for your consideration: “Thank you. Excellent trick question. Of course the answer is, Neither. For an objective description of our tradition, see “Unitarian Universalism” in Wikipedia. Our congregations exist to be a community of friendship and caring in support of the fulfillment of each person and our world communities. We study and learn from all the world’s wisdom traditions – the religions, philosophies, sciences and arts.
“The life and teachings of Jesus are important to us, as are those of many others including Buddha, Diotima, Confucius, Thomas Jefferson, Chief Seattle, Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, Mohandes Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, MLK, Rachel Carson, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Dalai Lama, and the upcoming Greta Thunbergs of our world.
“Cults, as you know, tend to be narrow and exclusive. UUism is open, inclusive and immensely appreciative of life on earth in all its diversity and wonder.”
I haven’t heard back yet from the original inquirer. But who knows.
May you have a grateful, thoughtful, purposeful week,