Re: [UUPoly-L] Kenya Unitarians as a model I think not

[JasmineGld@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/14/2009 12:23:41 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
union-consult@charter.net writes:

 
 
> On another topic, I was somewhat surprised that 
> no one responded to my comments on the World
> article about polygamy among Kenya Unitarians, 
>  especially their biblical literalism and homophobia.
 
Summer travels, family crises, etc. 
I'm finally home, the most recent crisis is resolved, and I'm partially  
recovered from all of the above, so I'm hunting back thru my archives to  
respond. Keep scrolling down...

In a message dated 7/16/2009 5:35:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
union-consult@charter.net writes:

>> Timothy McKee wrote:
>> 
>> "Let's not  forget the polygamous households in 
>> Kenya who now call  the UU faith their own faith. 
>> (See current issue of UU World.)"
>
> They  also believe in a literal interpretation of the bible 
> and are very much anti gay and lesbian.  And while  
> they favor men taking more than one wife, I did not read  
> that the converse holds. I think traditional polygomous  
> households are not really something UU polys would 
> want to model. Remember the  Mormons!




We don't much like the commenters on Christian Post "screaming past each  
other." We need to think carefully about the things we say, and make certain  
we're not making the same mistakes. 
 
I have no personal interest in engaging in the type of polygyny that I read 
 described in the quote above. But then, I don't live in the Kenyan 
culture, and  I don't know what's really going on. So I want to talk less about 
what "they"  are doing, and more about the kind of welcome that UUs need to 
provide. 
 
I can imagine a lot of different situations in which a family in Kenya  is 
introduced to Unitarian Universalism, and they find UUism to be a good fit 
in  their lives. UUs have a responsibility to welcome that family, no matter 
what  their family structure looks like, into a faith that respects their 
inherent  dignity and encourages their free and responsible search for truth 
and meaning.  That's what UUPolys in the U.S, expect. UU polygynists in Kenya 
expect it too. 
 
We talk a fine game about pluralism. We are quick to demand it for  
ourselves. Do we have the courage of our convictions? Can we extend pluralism to  
those who make us really really REALLY nervous? Like Kenyan polygynists? 
 
Jasmine