What is Your Good News?

I was re-reading Stephen’s two recent posts on the abysmal state of British Unitarian church membership just now, and thinking once again on “what is the answer?” led me to remember this:

Sitting in a car with a young man I’d met at a bus stop. We became friends. He spoke to me because he wanted to share with me. He was from Florida and his parents were Haitian. He denied that he was observing a “religion”- - he called it history and knowledge. Essentially, he was a black Hebrew, and he wanted me to know that I was one of God’s chosen people. He read the Bible vigorously, and pointed out many passages to me. I told him about Unitarian Universalism and explained that I could not accept his religion as I don’t believe any one particular people are “chosen.”

He told me how he attends Hebrew/Israelite school on weekends, and ministers whenever he can. He abstained from alcohol, drugs, sexual relations, gambling and other vices. As a person, he was honest and open hearted. He and his brothers in faith visited prisons and reservations, forming relationships with black, hispanic and indigenous (mostly) men, who were lacking hope and self-worth - who felt they had no future in this world.

In the midst of spirited debate one day, I had just gone on for five minutes about humanism and UUism. He listened to me intently, but after a pause, he shook his head and said to me, “But I don’t understand. What is your Good News?”

I couldn’t answer him at the time. He was offering me a communication of salvation and God’s love. What was I offering to him as a Unitarian Universalist? Since then I’ve thought about this often, and I have a better idea of what I’d say today if he were to ask me again. Can UUism be a healing balm to those whose lives are desperate, lonely or underprivileged? How?

By the way, I had to tell my friend that contrary to my physical appearance, I was not among the saved. His beliefs stated that Israelite status was based on one’s paternal line (opposite of the Jewish practice). My paternal line goes back to China, not Africa - and Asians are not among the Israelites. Interestingly, he refused to believe me.

Comments

2 Responses to “What is Your Good News?”

Matt on May 31st, 2006 4:24 pm

This is very interesting, I too have read Stephen’s post. He has more right to talk on the matter for I have all but walked away from what little involvement I had with British Unitarianism.

Not that I don’t continue to feel affinity with Unitarianism, it just does not offer the Good News - or message of hope as I often call it - that my inquiring mind and searching soul need.

I am not asking to be indoctrinated but to be given something inspiring, thought-provoking and potentially life changing idea / vision / message (call it what you like).

I have found this not within Unitarianism but by reading work associated with the Progressive Christian movement, involving myself in charity work, and visiting various places of worship including Taize prayer meetings, Buddhist meditation classes etc

British Unitarianism needs to rediscover its spiritual roots and intellectual tradition - and become more dynamic in how it spreads its ideas (aka Good News) - if it is to beat extinction.

There does seem to be good people like Stephen Lingwood working hard for change but how many more are there? And how many more are suffocated by the committee culture and cliquish mentality found within many Unitarian churches in Britain?
LaReinaCobre on June 3rd, 2006 7:41 pm

Committee Culture indeed! I have an inherent dislike of committees and I am on three of them!!!

*sigh*