The RE curriculum we are using this year, Love Will Guide Us  focuses on the sources of Unitarian Universalism which include:

• Direct experience- the sense of wonder we all share
• Women & men of long ago and today whose lives remind us to be kind and fair
• The ethical & spiritual wisdom of the world’s religions
• Jewish and Christian teachings
• Humanist teachings of reason & science
• Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions

In this program, participants learn to seek guidance in life through the lens of our UU Sources, with an emphasis on love. Together we ask big questions such as, “Where did we come from?” “What is our relationship to Earth and other creatures?” “How can we respond with love, even in bad situations?” “What happens when you die?”  Participants will learn that asking questions is valued, as they begin to shape their own answers.  All sessions highlight love as a central aspect of Unitarian Universalism. 

The program seeks to:

• Emphasize love as the guiding force in our faith
• Address important theological questions in a simple yet honest way
• Provide participants with the opportunity to formulate their own ideas and beliefs
• Introduce world religions and cultivate respect for theological diversity
• Promote curiosity, awe, wonder and gratitude
• Implement concrete actions grounded in love
• Foster a learning community where everyone is welcome, diversity is embraced, justice is practiced, children learn, grow and have fun together.

 

I, for one, am proud to belong to a tradition that teaches and accepts such diversity of thought, and emphasizes love.  Think for a moment what happens when we think our beliefs are the “right” beliefs.  If our beliefs are “right”, then everyone else must be “wrong”.  We feel compelled to prove that we are right.  And, if we have power we try to force our beliefs on others. This type of black and white thinking sets up an us versus them dichotomy and creates division & discord.  It is exclusionary.

If, on the other hand, we recognize that on a core level we are all similar and have the same basic needs and desires, we can let go of the need to be “right” and accept surface differences between people. When it comes down to it, we all want to be loved, accepted and treated fairly.  Our faith is inclusive, drawing from many sources and accepting diversity of belief as long as those beliefs are grounded in love, fairness, justice and common good. We believe in the transforming power of radical love.

There is a love holding me, there is a love holding you, there is a love holding all.  May we rest in that love.