[UUPoly-L] Risk (Was Re: Nuance and the Church of LDS)

[JasmineGld@aol.com]

Elizabeth egish@hds.harvard.edu writes:

> I recently gave a  sermon that involved 
> critique of the UUA's position on polyamorous  relationships and I would be 
> happy to share it with anyone who is  interested.  

I am interested.  Will you please send me a copy?  

> has been made to me in response to my sermon) that the risks,  potential 
> negative publicity, and liabilities that would come with  official UUA 
> support of polyamorous relationships outweigh the  potential benefits to 
> society, polyamorous individuals, or  families.  

At the Service of the Living Tradition at GA 2005 in  Fort Worth, Rev. Dr. 
Patrick O'Neill delivered a sermon entitled "Out of  Walden."  
_http://www.uua.org/ga/ga05/2124_sermon.html_ 
(http://www.uua.org/ga/ga05/2124_sermon.html) 
Rev.  O'Neill's sermon responds to those very objections.  I wonder if he 
noticed  that when preparing it. 
 
Instead of focusing on the potential benefits to society, polyamorous  
individuals, or families, it is helpful to approach the question  differently.  UUs 
are not called to play it safe.  UUs are called to  ministry.  What is the 
benefit to the UUA of ministering to people in need,  even when it involves 
polyamorous families?  What is the benefit to the UUA  of living out our principles 
in everyday practice, even when it involves  polyamorous families?  Even when 
it is risky and frightening to do  so?  What is the benefit to the UUA of 
facing our fears head on and  choosing our principles over our fears?  Of being 
as fully UU as we can  possibly be?  
 
When I sing songs from _Singing the Living Tradition_, when I read readings  
from the back of this same UU hymnal, I am struck again and again at the 
wisdom  these songs and readings speak to the polyamory question.  They speak of  
boldness, of daring to risk, of living up to our principles even when it is  
difficult.  How does it benefit the UUA if our congregations step up to  these 
standards of excellence?  Live them out in the controversies of  today?  
 
Conversely, how does it benefit the UUA if our congregations sing of  
boldness, daring, and principles, but cower in fear once we close the  hymnal?  
 
Risks, potential negative publicity, and liabilities all need to  be 
evaluated, weighed, and managed; they can't be ignored willy nilly.   However, when 
congregations or the UUA make decisions based primarily on these  risks, we are 
looking in the wrong direction, and we lose sight of our  principles and our 
raison d'être.  
 
Decisions that will stand the test of time, that we can look back on with  
pride and satisfaction, will grow out of our principles and our calling to  
ministry.  
 
Jasmine