My first comment about NAUA — and possibly my last — is in response to a comment made on an old article about the Rev. Todd Eklof.
What is NAUA?
The North American Unitarian Association (NAUA) is a service organization for Unitarians, Universalists, and others.
- We welcome individuals, churches, and other organizations throughout North America who are united by their belief in the value of liberal religion.
- The NAUA requires no adherence to any theological creed as a basis for membership.
- We are dedicated to courageously fostering and protecting the principles and practices of liberal religion: reason, tolerance, democratic process, freedom of conscience, freedom of speech and expression, and the inherent worth and dignity of all people.
I’ve seen this show before in the (I think now defunct) American Unitarian Conference. Years ago I knew some AUC folks who had gone this route, feeling rather hurt and put-upon for valuing a Unitarian theism that brought together a kind of Deist-Christian constellation of folks. I remember that some also embraced a political liberalism that was more Libertarian than the average UU. But these people felt devalued in terms of theology and in terms of social policy, in much of the UUA.
The NAUC? I’m not sure it is truly what I need. And I’m more Universalist in my theology, than anything else. A bit of a Humanistic Christian with a small-c catholic bent (the Church Universal). But when I see such organizations as the AUC or NAUC I’ve come to recognize:
* The hurt and exclusion often somewhere in the genesis of these groups. Each one often signals some kind of failure on the part of the UUA. Quite often a failure where we were not as inclusive as we said we are.
* With groups like this, there are very real needs they are striving to meet.
* How very difficult it is to give such organizations any staying power, so that they can serve communities of people across the long term. It is far more difficult than many people first think.
My heart goes out to them, even if I may not be joining them in their work.
Thank you for noting, Scott. I’ll watch from afar. I wish them well.
Derek, I was around during the AUC/UUA situation (20+ yrs ago). Like you, I understand the need for these groups. As you’d agree, these tiny groups, arising out of UU, itself tiny, lose momentum fast. I don’t know why.
When starting a new religious community/group/movement it is just hard. When it gets pulled off there is some convergence of organization building, community building, inspiration, and relevance. Those stars do not align very often.