American Unitarian Conference Forum

http://www.meadville.edu/LL_JournalLR_v5n1_Loehr.htm

Why "Unitarian Universalism" is Dying
David Loehr

Some of you may have read this article...if not...please do. Rev. Loehr has very accurately detailed the historical problems of Unitarianism and Universalism...and how the movements got to their present state of decline.
As his article concludes...I could not help but think the AUC exists as one of the few groups....along with UU Christians etc., that are attempting to keep the best of our theological past yet seeking to adopt truth as it unfolds. Maybe, just maybe...more of our stance will slowly be adopted.

I note that the author...while not claiming a theistic position...sees the value in the various "real" religions....I was hoping he would look back to our own tradition and see where it could be renewed...where it strayed from the tracks...but he seems to feel it is all of little worth. Certainly, the religion should be updated where truth requires it, and getting back to more actual practice...prayer, meditation etc. is a key component of a religious faith. One cannot speak of Spirit, other than metaphysically, without being able to provide the injunction and address to others (a little Wilber speak here).

Classical Unitarianism...be it of a Christian or transcendentalist form (or even a Deistic variety)..can be restored as living viable faiths. It is foolish to ignore the efforts and insights of those in the past...many have walked the "narrow road" and have left very useful information on how to approach it. A future Unitarianism will be able to use multiple methods to reach the same door...running away from Spiritual or Supernatural language is to me unnecessary....we cannot explain all that holds this universe together....of course, we apply reason and a critical mind...but we should remain humble to the source of all...God.

I like this article. While I am not a UU (I consider both Unitarian and Universalist but in the original meaning of both words) I would tend to agree that the UUA has relied on politics rather than religion-primarily because it is easier to talk about.

I also found the theory of victimhood to be of interest. On reflection I know quite a lot of people like this at my own church-people who give lots of money away and feel validated by it. I've also seen liberal religion tirelessly promote a culture of victimhood and oppression. Both of these things (self-validation and "victocratism") are dangerous, IMO.

It appears that David Loehr has been making these points for awhile...but to little institutional effect. At least the major issues have been identified...a significant beginning.
I think he is correct regarding the decline, the current adherents are probably some of the last generations to be considered UU. In fact, I would not be surprised if they eventually lose their tax status...due to the politicalization issues. However, the need for a real "progressive theological" religion will only increase with time. Will disaffected ministers and congregants seek a new course? Some will drift off altogether, others may spend some time in UCC or similar churches...but they face the same problems that UU's do....liberal religion as a whole needs a Reformation. That is why organizations like the AUC can play a small part....by keeping the traditional sources of the Unitarian faith available...starting discussions on future directions...and who knows...maybe more and more actual congregations will come aboard.

I agree with all the above that has been in your last few postings, except for one phrase. That is where you say the organizations like the AUC can play a small part.  

The AUC needs to play a leading role if there is going to be the reformation that is needed. Unitarianism can become once again a viable living faith with dedication, commitment, and service by those placed in leadership positions.

The leadership of the AUC and its members should not be satisfied with smallness or playing a small part.  It is time to be waves and not just ripples in the waters of time.  One of the saddest parts of the original article was that in the whole history of Unitarianism, there were only three individuals that have left a lasting impact through their writings, etc. It is time for people to stand up and be proud to be a Unitarian.  It is time for people to start living by what they say they believe.

Until we stand up and let the world know that we are here and mean business, we will be only a ripple in a small pond.  We need to become the wave.  Only if we commit to becoming the wave will more congregations and individuals want to become part of the organization.

People all over the world are seeking for a new course. They are dissatisfied with the way things are.  We have the opportunity to show to them that there is a Way, a living viable faith.

With love,

Rev Dorris

I hope so....but our effect is limited by size and resources..however:

See: http://www.pha.jhu.edu/~ldb/seminar/butterfly.html

The Butterfly Effect - "sensitive dependence on initial conditions."

The AUC by having this forum, publishing, having outreach via Open Door program and simply existing influences search engines (such as Google, Yahoo etc.)...more people discover us with keyword searches on various topics so eventually more and more become familiar....where it goes is impossible to predict..."religious" chaos theory in action.

If you look over the site above...see IFS...."only 28 numbers are necessary to generate this infinitely complex image"....hmm...that about describes us.

Awhile back, I read that the number of potential interconnections between the neurons of a normal Human brain is greater than the number of atoms in the known Universe.

Well, I can not atest to the truth of that (though I do know that any big number factorial is a REALLY big number), thinking about it always makes me think that every human being is a sort of "Universe in Himself". And that the effect of influencing even a single one of us is mighty beyond our imaginings.

I have been greatly influenced by the thoughts of several of you here, by the chance to express my own thoughts and my reflections on what I have learned here. For me, personally, you have all played an important role in my life and if not even one additional human being on Earth ever comes to know or care about AUC, that's enough for me to believe in its value in the World.

Fred

That was an interesting site.  Person to person communication or invitation is really the key to our situation.  We can start with two people or twenty people, the key is active communication.  

If each of us tells or invites two people to the forum and those who are invited, invite two more of each of thier friends, and so on; the numbers of people that can be reached in a relatively short amount of time is amazing.  A very simple solution to a major problem, limited size and resources.

But, then too, Fred makes a good point.  If we help one person, we have made a difference and been of value in this world. Thanks for your comments Fred.

We do need to be active in telling people who and what we are. We cannot merely rely on web search engines to do that for us. We each have personal address books that contain many many names.  Ask a few of your friends each day to take a look a the web site and forum.  Ask them to tell their other friends to join us if they like what they see.  Ask them to give you feed back if they are willing.  (This is much like making cold sales calls, you may have to knock on a hundred doors to get one YES, but without making the calls you will never receive a YES response.) On the web with e-mail, you can reach many more people in a very short period of time.  

With love,

Rev Dorris