[UUPoly-L] [RE] UU minister blogger's comments on IAs and UUPA

["Desmond Ravenstone" <gentlemonster@lycos.com>]

   Specific to the blog ... I've left my own comment, addressing the
   blogger's question "what would be good ministry" by posing the
   hypothetical of a poly person coming into the church with a crisis (in
   this case, a member of the person's triad has fallen seriously ill)

   As to builidng alliances with the BGLT community ... I've exchanged emails
   in the past with a staff member at the UUA's Office for BGLT Concerns and
   Identity-Based Ministries (the same person who came to the GA table).
   Perhaps I could renew my correspondence with her.

   And, regarding that unnamed "large congregation" ... I doubt it's mine
   (Arlington Street Church) because I know Kim Crawford Harvie would have a
   fit if the lay leadership decided to do that!

   Desmond Ravenstone

   Hi everyone -

   I wanted to pass this along here. A Massachusetts UU minister made a post
   on UUPA to his blog just yesterday (link below), and his points are
   verrrrry interesting indeed. He is making a case that the UUA has indulged
   in subterfuge to dodge the question of welcoming polyfolk and has
   basically subverted what should be an open discussion on the subject.
   There are also statements about UU congregations indulging in bullying
   techniques to make sure we continue to be unaffiliated by threatening to
   separate from the UUA if we are welcomed.

   I've left my (polite) comment there, as much to another commenter as to
   the minister. The commenter calls into question whether polyamory isn't
   morally and spiritually dangerous and (sigh) bad for kids.

   It just blows my mind that the very same accusations made toward GLBTs,
   who are mostly now welcome in the UUA with open arms, are now being made
   toward us, and that there are UUs who already have their minds made up
   about it without a shred of evidence as proof. As I said in my comment,
   it's a fair question. If the discussion were to be permitted to take
   place, then we would have a legitimate forum in which to address it.

   I am, frankly, sickened and disillusioned at the idea that the UUA
   leadership has chosen to bury us instead of simply giving us a fair chance
   to correct misconceptions. I somehow expected the UUA to be above
   Washington-style political machinations, but clearly I was wrong.
   Apparently we've been intentionally relegated to the back of the bus by
   our own spiritual community, one that claims to place at least as high an
   emphasis on social justice as any other. I really expected better, more
   tolerant treatment than this.

   I know that many here feel that a soft and non-aggressive approach is in
   our best interests, and such an approach certainly has some merit.
   However, it seems to me that it may be time to reevaluate that position,
   since it has done nothing to prevent our marginalization. I can't help but
   wonder what would happen if we all were to undertake all at once a civil
   dialogue on the subject with our church leaders.

   As an aside, I am now the board of trustees secretary at my UU church. I
   have gotten to know the entire board and our ministers very well. Many of
   them, including our co-ministers, are aware that I am a poly person. In
   agreeing to provide this service, one they've had a lot of trouble finding
   someone competent for, I've given back to my church community and
   established good relationships with the people whose good will I will
   count on when my partner, Tim, and I are ready to undertake the
   discussion.

   http://thelivelytradition.blogspot.com/2007/07/most-obvious-theory-about-ia-mystery.html

   Anita

   --------------------------

   Practical Polyamory - http://www.practicalpolyamory.com

   Blogging on polyamory relationship skills, the polyamory
   community/movement, polyamory activism, and, even occasionally, on my own
   lovely poly life, at http://practicalpolyamory.blogspot.com

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   Desmond Ravenstone

   ********************

   http://www.lulu.com/gentlemonster
   http://www.myspace.com/desmond_ravenstone

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