I attended a conference this past week at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax VA. It was a convocation of religious professionals talking about a Unitarian Universalist theology of Love. I attended because my friend, the Rev. David Miller invited me and because, honestly, I need a little spark of theology right now.
This program, designed by and featuring many people I admire, including our UUA president the Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, was in response to our new values language and the Love at the center of our faith. We explored what a Unitarian Universalist theology means, how our theology (or theologies) can be a resource for this time, and to “forge a collective understanding of our mission in the world.”
A Unitarian Universalist theology is a bit of a misnomer. As Unitarian Universalists, we don’t have one theology but recognize, honor, and strive to live multiple theologies. Theology, quite literally, means ‘god talk’. As individuals and collectively, we hold many ideas about god, the afterlife, who we are and what our purpose is. We grapple with these ultimate and unanswerable questions in ways that can animate our lives, but we are most united by our shared values, which are also evolving through accountable relationships.
So, the answer to the question posed to the Rev Cheryl M. Walker, “Is a UU theology right for this time?” was simply, no.
She explained Unitarian Universalism is not A theology. We are a RELIGION of many theologies. In structure and practice, we are a covenantal (rather than credal) religion, a religion that encourages the individual and collective exploration of these theological questions. She also wondered, “what does right mean anyway?” Is Unitarian Universalism right for everyone? Certainly not.
To the questions: Is Unitarian Universalism a viable and powerful religious movement of many theologies, able meet this moment with a deeper commitment to truth and liberation? And can Unitarian Universalism help us transform this moment, and shape our world toward a more expansive love? Rev. Walker’s answer and mine are YES!…hopefully.
I returned early from the conference on Saturday to visit the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove with our Meeting Our Interfaith Neighbors class. We’d had the visit set up for many months and I was grateful to our hosts, Dawood Ali, Asif Masood, and Khaula Chaudhry. Over samosas and donut holes, they answered our questions about the beliefs and practices of their faith, and they invited us into their ritual of ablutions and prayers. Before each of their five daily prayers, they purify themselves, washing their hands, faces, and feet before entering the space of prayer. Several of us washed with them and bowed in prayer. We learned later that many Muslims don’t speak or understand the Arabic language the prayers are recited in, and yet, they pray in devotion, nonetheless. Their faith is deeply rooted in ritual and communal practice.
After the evening prayers, two individuals made their declaration of faith, converting to Islam. They were asked whether they took this rite of their own initiative or whether they were coerced and they each affirmed their choice. They were asked why they were joining the faith and they both mentioned the clarity Islam provides. The word struck me. Clarity is not what Unitarian Universalism offers, though I understand the hunger for it in these turbulent and uncertain times (read all times).
Unitarian Universalism offers a deeper engagement with the questions, and a way to practice humility as we discern answers through community and conversation. We offer each other encouragement as we strive to live into the answers with integrity and shared strength. It was beautiful to witness the love and joy with which the two who affirmed their commitment to Islam were embraced and it deepened my appreciation for the power of community.
The paradox of engaging with and witnessing the religious traditions of others, of encountering with respect the different beliefs and practices of another faith, is that it makes me feel both appreciative of theirs and more connected to my own. Over these past many months of conversations and visits to the different houses of worship, I have gained a deeper knowing that I am truly a Unitarian Universalist, and I understand better why. Hearing about another’s beliefs does not threaten my own. It provides a reflection on my own answers, wonderings, and values. Being in relationship across difference helps me articulate my own theology or ‘god talk’, while it also helps me make meaning of this precious time on earth by asking questions and determining in what ways I want to live into the answers.
With joy in being on the journey with you,
Rev. Eileen
Practicing Beloved Community at UCE 