Copyright 2006 Rev. Amy B. Freedman

Reclaiming Moral Values

Rev. Amy B. Freedman
Channing Memorial Church
January 15, 2006

There has been a lot of talk lately about "moral values". One of the triggers for this topic of conversation across the United States was an exit poll conducted after the 2004 election. When asked what issue most influenced their vote, 22 percent of voters selected "moral values" over "terrorism" and the "economy". Many pundits and news anchors attempted to explain the results of the exit poll claiming that that the 22 percent must have been against abortion and gay marriage in selecting "moral values" as the issue that most influenced their vote.

A second poll that did not get as much attention, attempted to define what was meant by "moral values". Jim Wallis who writes on issues of faith and politics explained, "An important poll taken several days later bore that out and actually the war in Iraq rated as the highest issue of moral importance for those who voted at this time. The greatest 'moral crisis' was named as 'greed and materialism,' followed closely by 'poverty and economic justice'."

I'm sure you did not come to church this morning to hear about political polls. The way a question is asked can highly influence the results. People often use polls to make sweeping statements that may have very little foundation in reality. However, the exit poll and ensuing discussion has been a sort of wake-up call to moderates, progressives, and people of faith that we can no longer allow the religious right to define moral values in the public square.

The reason that I am preaching on this subject today is not to influence your vote nor with the assumption that everyone in this sanctuary shares the same political views. The reason that I am preaching on this subject is because "Moral Values for a Pluralistic Society" was selected as the 2005-2007 Study/Action Issue for Unitarian Universalists.

As Unitarian Universalists, democracy is important to us. Several of the founding fathers that established the guiding principles of this nation were Unitarian. Democracy is upheld as the Fifth of our Seven Principles, "We covenant to affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process." A democratic process governs our church as well as the wider Association of congregations.

Delegates from UU congregations all over this country gather annually for what is known as General Assembly or GA. This past year GA was held in Fort Worth, Texas. Nearly four thousand delegates gathered for worship, meetings, lectures, and workshops. Delegates also elected officers and voted on issues of conscience. Each congregation is empowered to propose issues for the consideration of the Assembly. One of the most exciting parts of GA is participating in the debate and selection of Study/Action Issues, Statements of Social Conscience, and Actions of Immediate Witness that help guide the focus and public witness of our wider religious movement.
Each year, delegates select a Study/Action Issue that congregations are invited to explore for two years. Interestingly enough, the Study/Action Issue that was approved actually came from our neighboring UU Congregation of South County in Peace Dale, Rhode Island. Our very own Social Justice Committee here at Channing Church and the Rhode Island UU's for Social Justice supported the proposal. Out of five possible topics, "Moral Values for a Pluralistic Society" was selected as the 2005-2007 Study/Action Issue.

As you are well aware, Unitarian Universalists tend to be very independent people. This is a virtue in that we have great respect for the individual conscience and do not wish to impose our way of thinking on other people. This is also a weakness in that collectively we tend to be a gathering of individuals instead of a community with a collective vision and mission. I believe that our covenant as a religious democratic body can actually become a source of wisdom and inspiration for the larger pluralistic society if we commit ourselves to engaging with the issues of our times not only as individuals but also as a faith community.

How do we go about this? Good question! This is the very question that the Study/Action Issue poses: "How might the moral and ethical grounding of Unitarian Universalism be given greater voice in the public square?"

The reality is that fundamentalist Christians have been much more organized in articulating their religious beliefs and influencing public policy. Their efforts have been so successful that it seems like the religious right has sole ownership of matters of faith. This has led to a narrow reading of moral values including the definition of a family. The religious left has been largely silent on political issues-not only Unitarian Universalists but also other mainline denominations including Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims.

First of all, I want to be clear that religious liberalism is not the same as political liberalism. However, there is a conservative religious agenda that most Unitarian Universalists and members of mainline denominations reject. That is a fundamentalist worldview known as "Dominionism". Although you may never have heard of the term "Dominionism", most of you will be familiar with the perspective often heard on Talk Radio shows and on television. This is not the idea of an isolated few, and it is no accident that this perspective is influencing public policy. Through well-funded strategic organizing, Christian fundamentalists have been gaining political and cultural power over several decades. The fundamentalist perspective is to "reclaim America for Christ" by exercising "godly dominion and influence over every aspect and institution of human society". In case you think I am exaggerating, that is a quotation from a Pastor addressing the Reclaiming America for Christ Conference in February of 2005.

It is time for us to reclaim moral values-not to have dominion and influence over every aspect of society but to uphold the values that made this country great. Moral values by their very nature should be inclusive not exclusive. Family values by their very nature should uphold all kinds of love and help nurture instead of condemn single parents, gay couples, divorced households, foster children, and every possible configuration. Instead of polarizing around hot button issues, people of faith need to uphold that poverty, housing, health care, the environment, civil rights, and prison reform are moral issues. War and peace are life issues.

These days as we learn of current events many of us feel a sense of powerlessness and despair. I have heard some people say that they have simply stopped following the news because they feel so helpless to change the course of history. There are two things that you are not supposed to talk about in polite company, religion and politics. This is an invitation to move beyond that misguided taboo to talk about what matters most.

Theodore Parker whose Unitarian ministry inspired a member of this church, Julia Ward Howe to write her renowned "Battle Hymn of the Republic" was a charismatic preacher and a social activist. He inspired his Boston congregation to work for the abolition of slavery as well as worker's rights and the needs of the poor. It was Theodore Parker that proclaimed "I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one. And from what I see I am sure it bends toward justice."

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may not have become a Unitarian minister but he often quoted Parker "on the direction of the moral arc of the universe". How is it possible to bend the moral arc of the universe? The reality is that social change begins with the dedication of a single human heart. Our own ability to express and share our own moral values will increase the likelihood of positive change. Our own lives may seem insignificant when compared to the entire world, but each one of us can help bend the arc toward justice.

How do we help bend the moral arc toward justice? We can begin with a process of reflection about the moral issues of our times. This can happen not only in worship services like this one but in small groups, Hot Topic Forums, and other gatherings yet to be imagined. We can begin to collaborate with other churches, temples, and community organizations to address the challenges of our times. The Soup Kitchen program, Family Promise, Church Community Housing, and the Crop Walk are examples of how we are beginning to form partnerships with others in our community to address issues of hunger and housing.

Copies of the Study/Action Issue are available at the back of the church for study and dialogue. It is time for us to reclaim moral values as a pluralistic society-a society in which all people have worth and in which a free interchange of ideas is valued and encouraged. We have a historic opportunity to engage in dialogue not only within our congregation but in the wider community in which we live. I believe that this sort of reflection will deepen our religious values and foster a greater sense of connection to the society in which we live. I believe that this sort of dialogue will enrich our lives as we exchange ideas with an ever-wider circle of people. I believe that this sort of dialogue will enable us to better live our values in the choices that we make in daily life in how we spend our time and how we spend our money. I believe that this sort of dialogue will help us focus our efforts as a congregation to become a justice-seeking community. I believe that this sort of dialogue will deepen our compassion and open our hearts.

In the words of the ancient prophet Amos, more than any outward show of religion we must "let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream".

1-Dr. D. James Kennedy, Pastor of Coral Ridge Ministries, quoted in Moral Values Resource Guide