Implementation of Women and Religion Resolution: A Call to Commitment
WHEREAS, the Unitarian Universalist Association passed a resolution titled "Women and Religion" at the 1977 General Assembly and a related resolution titled "Battered Women" at the 1979 General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, these resolutions, in part, urge all Unitarian Universalists to examine their religious beliefs and the extent to which these beliefs influence sex-role stereotypes; and
WHEREAS, these resolutions further urge all persons within societies to avoid sexist assumptions and language in the future; and
WHEREAS, avoiding sexist assumptions and sexist language is a long term undertaking during which the deep-seated patriarchal nature of our religious traditions must be examined and new ways of perceiving the nature of women and men and of relationships between them must be developed;
BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1980 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urge all societies to provide opportunities for members to participate in activities that bring into focus the sexist nature of our religious heritage and also the emerging ideological understanding that value women and men as full human beings; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this General Assembly urge the UUA administrative staff, in association with lay members and clergy, to develop and provide:
- Materials to help societies eradicate longstanding sexist assumptions and language forms and usages diminishing women whether in worship or in other church settings; and
- A procedure for evaluation of the progress made toward incorporation of concepts, values and linguistic forms that are free of sex bias; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That this General Assembly calls on the Board of Trustees of this Association to urge all societies to:
- Use the evaluation procedure when provided; and
- Recognize and celebrate women's experience in the quest for religious identity.