A CALL FOR DENOMINATION-WIDE DIALOG & CONSENSUS BUILDING

Please resume listening

Kokomo, Indiana, concerned UUA minister. More dialogue and interaction is essential for understanding and respect of one another across racial, gender, class, and spiritual/religious lines. if we can't solve out issues peacefully and lovingly at the Association lever, how can we help with the problems of the world?

iPetitions is an odd venue for this appeal to the Unitarian Universalist Association. The petition reads more like a critical public statement to the world than a sincere effort to address denominational dysfunction. The appeal is weakened by its biased characterization of the Gadfly controversy: "When hundreds of our ministers condemn one of their own, for speaking his truth, and where our ministers’ professional association censures that same minister for violating ill-defined ethical rules – with a seeming lack of any notion of due process – we find ourselves concerned about our ministry as a whole." If you want the petition to present its objectives straightforwardly, then either drop this vague Gadfly reference, or make "apologize to Todd Eklof" one of the action points. Say more about congregational polity, make clearer the critiques of Critical Race Theory, and see if you can make a case that this petition represents more than a disgruntled minority of old-school, 1980s Unitarian Universalists.

I am a 50 year member of various Canadian UU congregations. Unfortunately the ideology of Critical Race theory has been exported to Canada, and the Canadian Unitarian Congress has swallowed it hook, line and sinker. I strongly support this petition as I witness this ideology tearing apart our congregations, and impairing our ability to fight racism.

I whole-heartedly support this call for denomination-wide dialog. It is sorely needed.

former UU

I fear that "the baby is being thrown out with the bath water." Yes there are things in the past that were wrong and that we need to learn from and improve, but our history is one of moving forward with open minds and open hearts ever mindful that if we close the door on free inquiry and discussion, then there will be no way forward in the future when new challenges that we may not even be aware of yet, confront us. We must not only allow for, but encourage free and open dialogue about our beliefs.

Frank Casper Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta

I joined a church, not a far left political organization. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, Oregon

I am a Christian UU and have been so most of my life. I will always be in favor of the Free and Responsible search for Truth and Meaning. This new leftist woke-ism ideological madness stands in stark contrast to what UU is supposed to stand for. And it’s infecting every other aspect of American institutions and culture. The beloved UU is not what it once was. Stop with the racial / immutable characteristic essentialism. Heck, if this doesn’t work we can always found another church… where ALL are welcome.

Current leadership is leading the organization into schismatic dissolution . I agree with this petition.

I whole-heartedly concur with the views put forth in this petition. Thank you!

Quimper UU Fellowship. Port Townsend, WA.

Quimper UU Fellowship, Port Townsend, Wa. Question Authority! Congregational polity.

Quimper UU Fellowship Port Townsend, WA

I am very concerned with the "top down" directives from UUA, and for the meritless "excommunications" of UU Ministers who question these strategies and "authorities", in many instances not even having read their publications. Much of this in complete disregard for the 4rth and 5th Principles -- OUTRAGEOUS !! We need and deserve open discussion about all of these propositions threatening "Accountability" and declaring each of us to be "equivalently RACIST" -- no matter what our background, and behavour are or have been. Instead, we should all be aligned in dismantling systemic racism of all kinds in terms of the damage it is doing to all shades of persons who are deprived socially and financially ! Let's get onto correcting these aberrations collectively - working together!!

Quimper UU Fellowship, Port Townsend, WA

"Retain a neutral agency – we suggest the Pew Foundation’s Research Center on Religion & Public Life – to conduct a series of polls" An exceptionally valuable suggestion. The only way the quiet, reserved folks can have a voice. Still have to decide what topics will be selected and who decides on wording of questions.

Not only am i in agreement with the actions called for in the petition, i believe Todd Eklof is OWED an apology from the signers of the WHITE MINISTERS LETTER, DRUMM, ARE, UU MINISTERS OF COLOR, ARE, THE UUMA EXECUTIVE, AND THE SO-CALLED "RIGHT RELATIONS TEAM" OF THE 2019 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I support anti - racism WORK AS PART OF being a UU and as a member of a Christian Theist Group at our Church. We are finally tolerated by those members who are anti- religious, and I applaud all search for meaning within the UU membership. Leadership must by example, for both members and Clergy. I sign this petition to give voice to those of us who have chosen to be open to ALL practice and learning. At the same time, I will continue to be cognizant of institutional racism that develops in any majority white organization and speak out to show how this will deter people of color from feeling welcomed. That seems to be a logical approach.