Post on 03-Aug-2015
SOMETIMES, Unitarian Universalist congregations act like
POLITICAL CLUBS for activists or
social clubs for the liberal like-minded.
Increasingly, however, our congregations are acting
on a longing to connect social change
and spiritual integrity.
A PARADIGM
is a framework – a way of
organizing information and
experience based on what we think is true.
Many Unitarian Universalists have
been operating from a
DOMINANT PARADIGM
when it comes to engaging
social justice.
Engages on behalf of other* people.
* Read: poor, needy, wounded, broken, victimized people.
DOMINANT PARADIGM
Increasingly, the BELOVED COMMUNITY
PARADIGM is emerging as a framework
for activists – even those who are “not religious.”
Grace Lee Boggs, a lifelong activist writes: “…it has become increasingly clear to me that King’s prophetic vision [of Beloved Community] is now the indispensable starting point for 21st-century revolutionaries.”
Author of The Next American Revolution:
Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century
Roots itself in a religious / spiritual view that recognizes poli8cal reali8es
BELOVED COMMUNITY PARADIGM
There is only us – ALL of us
…and the purpose of power is to restore right relationship.
BELOVED COMMUNITY PARADIGM
Recognizes that social identity shapes, but does not limit, who we are. We are more than our social status, rank or role.
BELOVED COMMUNITY PARADIGM
Engages us for our own sake, too.
" If you have come here to help me you are was8ng your 8me, but if you have come here because your libera8on is bound up with mine, then let us work together." Lilla Watson, Aboriginal educator, Brisbane, Australia
BELOVED COMMUNITY PARADIGM
BELOVED COMMUNITY PARADIGM
Understands justice as “love correcting everything that stands against love.” (MLK)
• Limits itself to political views and realities
• Divides the world into “us” and “them” and the purpose of power is to control “them”
• “Rights” as the basis for social justice
• Puts things at the center • Issues are seen as problems to be
solved • Reduces identity to status or role
• Reactive: driven by anger or fear • Often understands this as for “other” people
• Focuses on changing the world out there
• Justice = a system of rewards and punishments
• Rooted in a religious or spiritual view that recognizes political realities
• There is only us – all of us and the purpose of power is to restore right relationship
• “Right relationships” as the basis
• Puts relationships at the center • Issues reflect a way of life to be
transformed • Identity shapes us, but does not limit
who we are
• Proactive: motivated by hope • Engages for one’s own sake, too
• Focuses on being the change we want
to see • Justice = “Love correcting everything
that stands against love.” (MLK)
BELOVED COMMUNITY DOMINANT PARADIGM
CONVERSATION WITH SELF
• What in what I’ve read here is most important to me personally?
• What new questions do I have now?
• What actions might I take in my congregation or community based on this?