10) We’re based on principles rather than personalities. Ours is one of the few religions not based on a people or a person. (Examples include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Christianity, Buddhism, and even Judaism is based on the name of the Kingdom of Judah.) This has wide-ranging implications.
9) Affinity with promoters of the common good and practitioners of the perennial philosophy (tendencies toward the good, the true, the just) in every place & time. [These’ll get less esoteric after this.]
8) Encouragement to believe what we really believe and become who we are called to become.
7) A place where all generations meet openly and connect. This is a rare thing and should not be taken for granted.
6) The encouragement to “Test everything and hold on to what is good.” We get cranky with those who remind us of our sacred cows, but slaughter & digest them we must (metaphorically speaking, of course).
5) Accepting, just, compassionate community, what MLK called “Beloved Community,” the intentional gathering of diverse people in pursuit of the common good that I don’t mind calling “God.”
4) Our Universalism demands that we struggle to walk together with people we don’t like. Whether we ultimately ever like them or not, our compassion makes us stronger, more human, and more just.
3) The ability to explore wisdom from whatever source. Some call this “ongoing revelation.”
2) Emphasis on actions rather than beliefs.
1) Unlimited spiritual nourishment, the basis of all the above.
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The above was written of an early Friday, responding to a request from the North Hills UU Church Youth Group to share the ten things I believe is most important about my religion. I’m happy to hear your comments on what I missed or what I got plain wrong. (Did I just hear a sacred cow mooing?)
Contact me at minister <at> alleghenyuu <dot> org.