Our creedish un-creed, the Purposes & Principles are often referred to by Unitarians when tough questions come up. But what to do when the P&P contradict each other, or even themselves?
Some examples. Inherent worth and dignity versus the interdependent web. The democratic process versus prophetic words and deeds. The democratic process versus individual right of conscience. The inherent worth and dignity of this persons versus the inherent worth and dignity of that person.
We can be quick to point out the contradictions of Christian doctrines and scriptures. But can’t our own high ideals contradict each other too? And does that inter-principle conflict mean our high ideals are somehow less, well, ideal?
Back when I worked with ethicists, we’d often that the tough choices are not when we have to choose the lesser of two evils but when we have to choose the better of two goods.
So how do we choose?
Emerson wrote that “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”, the key word there being “foolish”. It’s fun to make an exercise of arguing the contradictions, but to force a choice would border on the foolish.
They are what they are.
Will
I don’t mean to make an exercise of it.
I have in mind specific instances where the P&P collide. The most obvious one is choosing between the inherent worth and dignity of a single person and the interdependent web that is a congregation when the two are in conflict. You could also throw in the democratic process.
Or when a congregation votes to support a particular social justice issue over the objections of individual members, creating a conflict between the democratic process, the right of conscience, and prophetic words and deeds.
Ah, the classic philosophical debate–the one versus the many.
You’re right, tho, these are definitely tough calls. And more than just an exercise.
Seems that a congregation has to be confident enough in its calling and its mission to be able to make decisions in a loving an inclusive way. In the end, in this material world, my experience has been that it always comes down to that democratic process in the end.
Good luck with this–
Will