Deep Questions

This morning’s ICUU Leadership Training session, led by Canadian colleague Brian Kiely, focused on church structure and democratic process, but it quickly became much more than that. What these East African religious leaders brought to the discussion bore witness to the complex cultural issues that will make a difference in how Unitarian Universalism will express itself on the African continent.

“If you bring democracy to the church, you may be asked to leave the church,” said one participant, reflecting on the vestiges of Kenyan culture and religious hierarchy.

“If we preach Unitarianism all over the world, we will not be talking about tribalism, or ethnic group, or age, we will be talking about democracy,” C. from Kenya said, reflecting on his culture’s reverence for elders, a reverence that often stifles new thinking and new ideas.

Still another participant from Congo-Brazzville wanted to unpack all that he had read in isolation on our many websites around the world. It was clear to me, at least, that he had spent a lot of time on the UUA website, for his questions echoed those of many a UU in every country where we might be found: “Is Unitarian Universalism a political movement? Is it Christianity? I feel it is a big catch all, with many cultures and many [kinds of ] knowledge. If you don’t read carefully, it can bring a lot of confusion; where does Unitarianism stand? ”

It will be my turn again to teach on Sunday night, in the session on faith and social justice. I’m hoping I can answer this man’s searing questions, at least in part.

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