Tags
Evolution of beauty, Evolution of behavior, Evolution of belief, Evolution of enthusiasm, Evolution of friendliness, Evolution of goals, Evolution of happiness, Evolution of helpfulness, Evolution of ideas, Evolution of liberty, Evolution of life, Evolution of opportunity, Evolution of policy, Evolution of trust
It is necessary to change the following list of aspirations because it has changed so much from the stated UU goals that it no longer aligns well with their present world views. Not that it is contradictory in any way, it’s just that I believe that it isn’t fair to them for me to be making proclamations about what I think they believe or projecting what I believe onto what I think that they should believe. That’s prolix and the whole statement of this belief is intended to be brief.
Today I read version #15 to a small group of writers in search of some criticism. They listened carefully and we discussed #6 at length, and we as a group thought #6—making a habit of doing kind things that help us love one another and our Universe. would be better stated as 6—making a habit of clearly acknowledging other people and their needs to love one another and our Universe.
Version #16
We find hope and give kindness by:
- —discovering the orderly nature of our Universe, so we can help ourselves and others benefit from all that is possible.
- —creating an ideally balanced human society, so you and I and everyone else can have a meaningful life in a sustainable world.
- —dedicating our wisdom to the great tradition of alleviating the suffering of all living beings.
- —helping one another use our abilities for our own and others’ well-being.
- —appreciating that we as a fellowship of people expressing diverse views are discovering wonderful new ways of living.
- —making a habit of clearly acknowledging other people and their need to love one another and our Universe.
Probaway - Life Hacks 
Only the leaders of any organization can speak for the goals and philosophy for all their followers. However, it is fair to express your own personal code which may, in some respects, contradict or differ from that of the leaders. You can propose a modified philosophical foundation but do not be surprised when it is not universally accepted as a form of unity. This is why Jefferson claimed to be a Unitarian in a sect that consists of a membership of one. If you sent out a questionaire to a thousand Unitarians asking what unifying principles they follow, you would likely get a thousand different answers. This is true of most philosophical groups who do not often agree on the definitions of words much less doctrine. Words like Truth, God and Love have individual definitions though we all pretend that everyone accepts our definitions. If you want to start a fight, ask everyone for a unified definition on the meaning of the word, ‘God’ or ‘Truth’. Then stand back to observe. Watch and learn. There are no answers in the metaphysical realms of philosophy – only very good questions that make us think about better questions.
Thank You, R. Lee Darby,
My Universal statement has gone through many more generations that are listed as 16 at the moment, but even after so many rewrites, it doesn’t resonate, even with me the next day, so I rehash and rehash. One problem that isn’t covered in a statement that is trying to be positive is what to do about criticism that is intended to be hurtful or at least contradictory. I value your comments as helpful, but some others, in my face to face conversations, haven’t been so kind or helpful. The UU’s have a qualifying ending to their statement, … we accept everyone with love in their heart. That ending sometimes gives me the willies.