Part 5: The Partial Gospel Seeds of a New Way Discussion Guide

Questions for Discussion/Reflection

  1. Does the Unitarian Universalist freedom to withdraw one’s pledge and/or resign from our community if we don’t like what we are hearing result in a “partial gospel,” as Skochko calls it? Do we expect our UU leaders to please us in order to enjoy continued moral and financial support?
  2. Are you okay with being routinely spiritually challenged by your UU leaders? In the midst of that, how much comfort, support, and/or reassurance do you need? What does that comfort, support, and/or reassurance look and feel like?
  3. Is the balance of comfort and challenge that you personally need the same balance that others in your community need? How does a UU leader know what the right collective balance of comfort and challenge is?
  4. Does Unitarian Universalism’s emphasis on individual freedom lead to a self-centered desire for personal affirmation, irrespective of whether one’s personal views are healthy or harmful? What, if anything, holds the harmful aspects of this possibility at bay?