Ancient Roots, Modern Branches

"In this world, God can not be represented by just one religion."
   —Julia Esquivel, Guatemalan poet and political activist

A Case for Diversity

Over 200 years ago, the founders of the United States realized that it was politically unhealthy for a society to permit only one political point of view. The corporate laws of most developed countries recognize that modern business techniques require a number of different organizational structures and management arrangements.

Regional and municipal councils of Christian churches will attest to the positive synergy that rises from ecumenical discussion. Biologists know that maximum biological diversity is necessary for a healthy ecosystem. And any Midwest farmer will tell you how cultivation of a single crop year after year in the same place will kill the productivity of the soil.

That which is true of political structures, rain forests, and corn fields is also true in the realm of religious practice and spiritual development.

A Variety of Spiritual Paths

As Unitarian Universalists, our living tradition draws from direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures. There are no boundaries on the diverse ways we understand this mystery. The experience moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life. There are no restrictions on the myriad ways in which we live out this reality.

Direct experience of the sacred is given great value by those who follow an earth-based spirituality or neo-pagan path within Unitarian Universalism, who believe that humans require nurture of both the intellectual side of human nature as well as the experiential or sensual side.

Within Unitarian Universalism, the neo-pagan movement embraces a wide variety of different spiritual paths and a rainbow of thea/ological orientations based on the diversity of our experiences with transcending mystery. Within a typical gathering of Unitarian Universalist neo-pagans, you may find some who are in sympathy with Wiccan views. Others may be following West African or Shinto traditions. Some may feel more comfortable with Druidical teachings from the ancient Celts or look to Mayan or Norse religious structures.

Still others may follow no specific tradition but revere direct experience of the sacred immanent within all creation.

A Rainbow of People

The Unitarian Universalist living tradition also draws wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life. As interest in earth-based traditions and neo-paganism grows, the category of world's religions must be expanded to include these spiritual traditions with ancient roots and modern applications.

Those of us in the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans are a rainbow people, proud of our diversity and open to the ever-creative and surprising newness of the sacred.

(thanks to National CUUPS for this information)