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I am anxious and not at all happy about this process, as I am uncomfortable with the 8th Principle as it is worded.  The wording proposed, is not a Principle but a Call to Action. I think the Call to Action is very important, more important than a new Principle.  UU’s did not adopt new principles about Women’s Suffrage, Agism, or Sexual Harassment, Accessibility for People with Disabilities, Gay Rights or Transgender Equality or other important social justice issues.  We took a stand and took action on each of these, knowing that our 7 Principles support our stand and actions.   I think it is a greater concern that even though at least 3 of our Principles support the dignity and equality of all people, many UU’s are apparently unaware of their unconscious bias or think, somehow, that our Principles do not apply to racism.   Perhaps we should have Call to Action Statements that apply to all seven principles ? I am very uncomfortable about the accountability issue. To whom? Penalties? How so very Un-Unitarian!

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Penny Blake, UC of Niagara:I think it means doing what our congregation is already doing. We do it because of the First Principle and the Sixth Principle: "the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all". Seeing as issues re: our First Nations people need to be urgently addressed we have been devoting several services to topics like residential schools, and will be having a service about addressing our own biases.  We are small & lucky to be able to find out about the background of all our members and talk seriously in even smaller groups about life topics. We are  volunteer led, but have a genius of  a social and adult ed director, which makes our congregation feel truly inclusive. Accountably? Yes - that's a good question. What does that mean? It does feel truly a bit silly to vote on something before you know what it stands for. Because discussion has been so horribly short, we won't likely find out before Nov. 27.

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Penny Blake, UC of Niagara:I think it means doing what our congregation is already doing. We do it because of the First Principle and the Sixth Principle: "the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all". Seeing as issues re: our First Nations people need to be urgently addressed we have been devoting several services to topics like residential schools, and will be having a service about addressing our own biases.  We are small & lucky to be able to find out about the background of all our members and talk seriously in even smaller groups about life topics. We are  volunteer led, but have a genius of  a social and adult ed director, which makes our congregation feel truly inclusive. Accountably? Yes - that's a good question. What does that mean? It does feel truly a bit silly to vote on something before you know what it stands for. Because discussion has been so horribly short, we won't likely find out before Nov. 27.

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What does it mean for you and for your congregation/ community to "accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions?"

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What does it mean for you and for your congregation/ community to "accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions?"

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I wonder if any supporters of the 8th Principle can provide here or in discussion, some examples of what "accountability" will look like if this Principle is adopted? As non credal we have always steered clear of the way most religions draw clear lines between believers and others and make this an 'accountability' to belong.  For an insightful (though very American) debate on their proposed 8th Principle see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6jy1PWSYBI I was especially concerned by Rev Moro's examples of "accountability'.

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From Eric Nidd – UU Congregation of Durham:	To me, it means that we agree to dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.  From this it follows that if, in 2022, racism and other oppressions still exist, then we are agreeing that we will accept personal responsibility for this failure

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From Eric Nidd – UU Congregation of Durham:	To me, it means that we agree to dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.  From this it follows that if, in 2022, racism and other oppressions still exist, then we are agreeing that we will accept personal responsibility for this failure

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From Norah Love:
I am 100% in agreement with Audrey Taylor ! !
This is an action statement , not a principle.   If Canadian UU’s insist that an 8th principle is necessary, it should be reworded as a principle or placed somewhere else as a current area of social justice focus.  ( see Audrey Taylor’s suggestion or those of  Michael Scales or Marlene Koehler in the Leader’s Discussion)

Furthermore,  I wish we , in Canada, had the fortitude to decide our own priorities .  This initiative has come from the UUA and Black Lives Matter movement in the USA.  Their history and evolution is different than ours .  Yes, of course  black lives matter and there is anti black racism in Canada …..and many Canadian UU’s are engaged in social action around that issue including myself.  However , there are many other “oppressed” or marginalized people in Canada who deserve our attention too …….most obviously our First Nations people !   Do we create new principles for each ??  Why did we discard the language of our 2007 resolutions (which replaced the 2003 wording) …… which suggested we aspire to being “active witnesses for racial, religious and First Nations equity” …..a more positive statement than stating what we intend to “dismantle” .

Finally, I believe the original motive of this principle was for UU’s to examine and “dismantle” our internal institutional racism and  white bias……not as a call to become better allies out in the world.  Now that intention has become blurred or perhaps buried.  The wording is confusing not only to UU’s but non-UU’s  as well……and  who are we to be accountable to ??  I thought we were a non-dogmatic faith ?? This principle suggests otherwise.

Our Principles  should be easily understandable to members, but more importantly,  to non-members as well.
It was the 7 principles that drew most of us to this faith community in the first place !  If we hope to keep or attract new members, I don’t think these controversial discussions,   or a decision to add the proposed 8th Principle as it is currently written, will achieve that goal
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I have been an active Canadian UU for over 50 years .  The excessive focus and energy that has gone into this issue, to the exclusion of other important issues,  is deeply troubling to me and has shaken my confidence and pride the Canadian UU community.
Thank you for a platform in which to express my views more widely

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Audrey TaylorI admit to being anxious about this process, as I am uncomfortable with the 8th Principle as it is worded.  The wording proposed, is in my mind not a Principle but a Call to Action.I think the Call to Action is very important, more important than a new Principle.  UU’s did not adopt a new principle about Women’s Suffrage, or Accessibility for People with Disabilities, Gay Rights or Transgender Equality or other important social justice issues.  We took a stand and took action on each of these, knowing that our 7 Principles support our stand and actions.   I think it is a greater concern that even though at least 3 of our Principles support the dignity and equality of all people, many UU’s are apparently unaware of their unconscious bias or think, somehow, that our Principles do not apply to racism.   There is lots of room for action and education on this topic and the CUC and our ministers have already started.   If we are to adopt a new principle, I think it should be worded as a Principle, like the other 7.  I don’t have a particularly good suggestion as to wording at this time.  (Perhaps something like We affirm the inherent right of all people, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity, to live in peace and harmony, free from violence and oppression).

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Audrey TaylorI admit to being anxious about this process, as I am uncomfortable with the 8th Principle as it is worded.  The wording proposed, is in my mind not a Principle but a Call to Action.I think the Call to Action is very important, more important than a new Principle.  UU’s did not adopt a new principle about Women’s Suffrage, or Accessibility for People with Disabilities, Gay Rights or Transgender Equality or other important social justice issues.  We took a stand and took action on each of these, knowing that our 7 Principles support our stand and actions.   I think it is a greater concern that even though at least 3 of our Principles support the dignity and equality of all people, many UU’s are apparently unaware of their unconscious bias or think, somehow, that our Principles do not apply to racism.   There is lots of room for action and education on this topic and the CUC and our ministers have already started.   If we are to adopt a new principle, I think it should be worded as a Principle, like the other 7.  I don’t have a particularly good suggestion as to wording at this time.  (Perhaps something like We affirm the inherent right of all people, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity, to live in peace and harmony, free from violence and oppression).

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PARTICIPANT COVENANT: I agree that by participating in this platform, I will speak only from my perspective, use language that is respectful, and not disparage others' opinions or comments. I understand that if I do not keep to this, my comment/s may be deleted.

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PARTICIPANT COVENANT: I agree that by participating in this platform, I will speak only from my perspective, use language that is respectful, and not disparage others' opinions or comments. I understand that if I do not keep to this, my comment/s may be deleted.