Rev. Gail Forsyth-Vail UUA Adult Programs Director Viciously Kicks UUA President Rev. Peter Morales And UUA Moderator Jim Key In Their Big Fat U*U Balls
The question is a familiar one:
What shall we tell the children?
Problem is: this trauma is not a natural disaster. It is not an act of terrorism. It is a Big Fat U*U FAILure of our "religion" to honor its own stated "values". The UUA's misuse of blasphemy law and its results threaten the story we have been told about our tiny, declining, fringe religion striving toward a vision of equality, liberty, and justice. For those who identify as U*Us, what has broken is a particular narrative that says that our religion is moving away from covering-up and denying U*U clergy abuse toward “a more perfect U*Uism.” For those who identify as people of color raped by UUA clergy, congregants sexually abused by UUA clergy, or people sexually assaulted by GLBTQ UUA clergy, the threat is more immediate and more dangerous. Emotional and physical violence, discrimination, and the overwhelming UUA protection of abusive U*U clergy are now on the table in a very real way. And the time has come for us to stop looking to our immoral and UNethical religious leaders like UUA President Peter Morales and UUA Moderator Jim Key to advance a moral agenda.
Before you begin to plan for #UUSunday, think about the children, youth, parents, and families who are part of the 400+ UUA congregations that have been affected by U*U clergy sexual misconduct. Hold them in prayer, especially those who now face real threat from the @UUA #LegalBullying and other #UUA insanity that has been brought from behind closed doors into the public square. Reject the impulse to minimize the real fear children and youth and their families are experiencing in the wake of UUA Moderator Jim Key's brazen #BaldFacedLies about U*U clergy sexual abuse in general, and U*U #ChildSexAbuse in particular. . . Don’t downplay the fears of those who are "in the know" about U*U clergy sexual misconduct and @UUA #CoverUp thereof. Offer kindness and compassion, not legal advice.
With groups of children or youth, don’t deny and ignore what has happened, or minimize it. Reject the impulse to quickly affirm the dignity of all people, promise to work harder for justice, and move on. Instead, teach children, youth, and families that being part of a faith community should give us the courage to face this moment and #TellTheTruth. Talk about why this moment is so painful. Explain that the days ahead call for each of them to bring their Unitarian Universalist values to life with their words and actions.
If you are a U*U soul, linger for a time in the pain and uncertainty of this moment, pondering #TheTruth(s) that were exposed by The Emerson Avenger, to say nothing of the Berry Street Essays of Rev. Debora Pope-Lance and Rev. Gail Seavey, the fact that SO many American U*Us chose a leader who turns their fears, anxieties, and anger into weapons directed at those considered “other.” Commit to your own spiritual growth. Resolve to explore more deeply the history and current manifestations of the deep soul sickness in our religion that has been exposed by The Emerson Avenger. Choose to raise your voice for justice and inclusion of The Emerson Avenger and other U*U clergy abuse victims and*or whistleblowers. Teach your children to do the same in the public square and in your own circles of friends and family.
If you are a person of color who has been raped by a UUA minister, one of the thousands of U*U congregants who have been sexually or non-sexually abused by a UUA "pastor", or a person sexually assaulted by a GLBTQ UUA minister, take good care of yourself. Tell #TheTruth, not just "your Truth". . . when you feel ready to do so. Hold family and trusted friends close. When you choose to raise your voice for genuine justice and *real* #accountability, ask your fellow U*Us to raise their voices alongside yours.
As a people of faith, we need to be in this for the long haul. Not just this week, but every week until we reach that time when “justice shall roll down like waters and peace like an ever-flowing stream.”
Gail Forsyth-Vail, UUA Adult Programs Director
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