Unitarian Universalism Is Narcissism In Institutional Form

But don't take *my* word for it U*Us. . .

Take the word of The Reverend Peter C. Boullata, minister of First Parish Lexington Unitarian Universalist church, as posted in Peter's 'The Liberal Church Finding Its Mission: It’s Not About You' blog post on his 'Held In The Light' blog -

"Oh dear God, it’s true. We have institutionalized narcissism. Here was a person that was not involved in a Unitarian Universalist church, and yet knew something about us. As an outsider, the message he received about what we stand for is: It’s about whatever you want it to be about. It’s all about you."

end quote

As if *that* was not enough Rev. Boullata goes on to say -

"The ever-present narcissism enshrined in our congregations spawns entitlement and complaint rather than engagement and curiosity because, well, you’re not giving me what I want!"

Not that the "ever-present narcissism" that is "enshrined" in Unitarian Universalist congregations is the only thing that spawns complaint. I mean there *are* some perfectly legitimate reasons to complain about Unitarian Universalist "churches", not the least of these things being the "ever-present narcissism" itself.

Rev. Peter Boullata goes on to write -

Inasmuch as Unitarian Universalist communities continue to neglect discernment, theology, discipline, spiritual practice, faith formation, vocation and engagement with our historic testimonies and tradition, we will never be a missional religious movement.

end quote

Needless to say the glaringly obvious subtext of that quote is that, at least in Rev. Peter Boullata's opinion, Unitarian Universalist "churches" do in fact neglect discernment, theology, discipline, spiritual practice, faith formation, vocation and engagement with the historic testimonies and tradition of Unitarianism and Universalism, not that I couldn't add a few things to that list of Unitarian Universalist negligence. . .

It seems that Rev. Boullata's blog post has some resonance with Unitarian Universalists in general, and Unitarian Universalist clergy in particular, in light of the fact that, so far, it has had well over 80 comments posted in response to it.

More later. . .