I am often asked by Unitarian
Universalists and outsiders to our faith, “But where do you draw the line?” If
Unitarian Universalism is not defined by a creed, by a statement of belief,
they wonder, then who do you let in and who, if anyone, do you keep
out? As you might imagine, Nazis are often inserted in this conversation:
“What if a Nazi wanted to join our congregation?”
Unitarian Universalists fought and died to protect the freedom
of belief. The quote “We need not think alike to love alike,” comes from
Unitarian minister Francis David (1510–1579), who brought religious tolerance
to Transylvania under King John Sigismund. Unitarianism thrived there for a
short while, until a new King, Calvinist George Biandrata, took the throne.
Biandrata challenged David with heresy. David was subsequently found guilty of
“innovation,” and sentenced to life in prison, where he died a few short years
later.
David preached that “we need not think alike to love alike” and asserted that each individual is accountable to God alone. Both of these assertions help me answer the difficult question, “But where do Unitarian Universalists draw the line?” It is true, freedom of belief is an essential tenet of our faith, but it is not the freedom to believe willy-nilly. It is the freedom to believe as you must— accountable to the god of your understanding.
Another word for accountability is conscience, but conscience in a collective sense—conscience with regard to the whole (universe, creation, etc.). To be accountable to the god of your understanding is to direct your actions with regard to that accountability. We need not think alike (we need not imagine or revere the same god or the same ultimate truth), but we best love alike (we best let that ultimate truth decide our actions)—and let me tell you, no Nazi can meet that requirement.
It is a great love which sustains a community bound to offer and uphold religious freedom. I feel it every time we gather.
Rev. Anya
|
