We have provided several resources that you are free to consult and share. The resources are general analyses explaining the changes and impacts of the proposed Article II language submitted to the June 2024 virtual General Assembly for a vote. A 2/3 vote is required to pass the changes. If the 2/3 majority vote is achieved, the changes will go into effect immediately.
Side-by-Side Comparison
This side-by-side comparison has been created to provide a vehicle to quickly identify and understand the major changes to the current Article II bylaw by the proposed language offered by the Article II Study Commission.
FAQs on FAQs
This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document examines some of the Article II Study Commission’s FAQs. The examination broadens the understanding of issues and provides alternate viewpoints. For example, “Why change Article II now?”
The Article II Commission reasoned that “the world is changing.” However, this sounds like “change for change’s sake”. “The world is changing so UU needs to change”. But the question is: Why? This mash-up of challenges the world faces fails to build a coherent and compelling reason for a massive revision of Article II.
Judgment in the Proposed Article II and the UUA
This opinion article explores how the proposed Article II language introduces “judgment” and “accountability” into Unitarian Universalism. “Is judgment creeping into our religion, at both national and local levels?”
Accountable covenant language is in the proposed Article II Section C-2.2. Values and Covenants come uncomfortably close to creedal language, often used in accountability tests.
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Save the 7 Principles
The mission of the Savethe7Principles.org is to promote understanding of the Article II rewrite and to generate discussion to defeat its passage at the 2024 General Assembly.
The web site provides information in the form of marked-up comparisons of the current and proposed text, essays, videos, suggested readings, resources that can be printed and distributed, and ways to become involved.
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A Skeptic Looks at Article II
This presentation was made at the Central East Region – Winter Institute in February 2024 as part of an ongoing program to continue the conversation on Article II.
Among the topics covered are: the new definition of a minister, membership trends over the past decade, a graphic summary of Article II events starting in 2020, Enlightenment values in liberal religion, accountability, and other topics.
Covenant Explained
The proposed Article II language materially alters the idea of covenant. A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties. In the current Article II, the Member Congregations are the parties in the covenant regarding the Seven Principles and Six Sources. In the proposal Article II language, the Association is attempting to extend its authority to require individual UUs to adhere to a covenant of its design.
Pro/Con Review and Analysis
This “Pro/Con Review and Analysis” is intended to be a balanced discussion summarizing the major arguments both for and against the proposed re-write of Article II of the UUA Bylaws.