What is Article II Total Rewrite anyway, and why should I care?

Article II is the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) bylaw home of: the UUA Principles and Sources, Statement of the Right of Individual Belief, and the mandated role of the UUA. (Please note: The Canadian Unitarian Council [CUC] has its own bylaws and statement of Principles).

At the UUA’s General Assembly in June, 86% voted in favor of continuing study of a proposed total rewrite of Article II. While the CUC hailed this as a major change, and it certainly could be, there is no change as yet. In one year, the UUA AGM will vote to adopt or reject the proposal, as amended.

While the Article II Study Commission views their proposal as being more adaptive to the future needs of our liberal religion, and many have expressed support, there are also major concerns.

Should the statement of principles and sources, cited by many as a "clear, concise and relevant" statement of those values we hold in common, be dropped?

Should the role and authority of UUA be expanded and redefined to supersede that of congregations?

Should the revised Freedom of Belief clause specifically commit to future "congregational and individual right of conscience"?

Currently the UUA is an organization created by, accountable to and serving the needs of an association of autonomous congregations.

Should this rewrite be adopted, who ultimately decides congregational priorities and focus? Who is accountable to whom?

You decide.

For those who wish to learn more, see the report of the Article II Study Commission. The current version of Article II is found on page 17. The proposed rewrite begins on page 19.

~ Respectfully submitted by Linda Vance,
volunteer observer of the
UUA’s 2023 General Assembly