Study/Action Issues & Process
The Fifth Principle of Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process. In keeping with this, the way in which our denomination arrives at consensus on various social issues is by a democratically agreed upon process called the Social Witness Process, named as such because we bear witness to social inequity.The Social Witness Process is facilitated by the Commission on Social Witness. It currently generates two types of consensus statements, Statements of Conscience, which result from study and action on a selected issue, and Actions of Immediate Witness. For more information, see the Social Witness Process page.
Congregational Study/Action Issues & Statements of Conscience
The Current Study/Action Issues include "Peacemaking," which was adopted in in St. Louis, MO, to be the Congregational Study/Action Issue for 2006-2010.
Congregational delegates will vote on the next possible Study/Action issue during General Assembly in 2008.
Recently addressed Social Witness Issues include the 2006 Statement of Conscience
"Threat of Global
Warming/Climate Change" (Resource Guide), and the 2007 Statement of Conscience, "Moral Values for a Pluralistic Society" (Resource Guide).
Actions of Immediate Witness
Actions of Immediate Witness passed at General Assembly 2007 were:
- Social Support for the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
- Support Immigrant Families—Stop the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Raids
- Support Comprehensive Sexuality Education Legislation
- Stop U.S. Sponsored Torture—A Religious Call to Action
- Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
- Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act with Transgender Inclusion and Protection
Last updated on Thursday, April 17, 2008.
