This is the first principle of seven as adapted by the Unitarian Universalist Association, or more aptly, by voting members of the association. When reading the quick version of any UUA material, it is the first thing we see; this principle is the first impression that we make upon people trying to learn more about the religion of Unitarian Universalism.Not bad for a first impression. It happens to be my favorite principle, especially when it is coupled with the seventh principle: respect for the interdependent web of all existence in which we are a part. For me personally, it is a basic statement of truth. Each person is important. All people matter. Not one of us is more or less valuable than another. We all have the right to walk with dignity upon this earth, while recognizing the same in everything that surrounds us.
Each person is important. What does this mean? How can we translate this principle of living to very young children in a way that both values their own sense of worth and dignity and the equally inherent worth and dignity of others? Very young children (and the rest of us I suspect) need abstract concepts explained to them in ways that are meaningful and relevant to their own lives, presented through a context in which they can immediately relate.
These are the questions I will be pondering in this next week as I try and put together the program for our next kids in fellowship meeting. I know these children are all going to be busy this week welcoming the true Spring weather, working in the gardens, finishing up school, visiting family, and in general maneuvering their way through the world.
Grant me the wisdom to take time to pause and be mindful of how these specific children are interpreting the value of Each Person Is Important in their daily lives, how they themselves recognize this as a value, and the moral dilemmas they may encounter surrounding this principle. I know if I just take the time to notice, it will present itself, and they will lead me in preparing this program.
In the mean time, I have a ginormous pile of mulch sitting in my driveway waiting for me to help affirm the inherent worth and dignity of each of the flowers growing in my garden. The flowers understand this, and they will show me the way as well. Blessed be!
edited to add just a little later:
Almost as soon as I posted this, I had a conversation
with my two year old. He wanted to know why his Daddy
had to be gone for two days. This led to a discussion
about how Daddy has to do important things with all
of his children (he is gone on a trip with our 17 year old
daughter), because all of us are important.
When we are aware, the children really will tell us what we need to know.
I would love it if some of you shared with me
how you are learning about this principle with children in your lives.
Almost as soon as I posted this, I had a conversation
with my two year old. He wanted to know why his Daddy
had to be gone for two days. This led to a discussion
about how Daddy has to do important things with all
of his children (he is gone on a trip with our 17 year old
daughter), because all of us are important.
When we are aware, the children really will tell us what we need to know.
I would love it if some of you shared with me
how you are learning about this principle with children in your lives.
7 comments:
I agree that it’s important to couple the first principle with the seventh principle.
In an isolated context, the interdependent web idea can be used to justify unimaginable acts of exploitation and predation. The “web” can be a dark trap for those without power or perceived inherent worth and dignity – for humans and for other sentient beings.
That’s why a number of Unitarian Universalist congregations participating in the review of the Seven Principles, sponsored by the Commission On Appraisal, have recommended that the first principle be changed to “The inherent worth and dignity of every being,” which just about everyone attributes to their companion animals and those in the wild, but too few extend to the wretched souls trapped and slaughtered in the cages and machinery of animal “agriculture.”
Victims of clergy misconduct committed by U*U ministers very quickly discover not only just how unimportant they are but just how important the ministers who are guilty of clergy misconduct are. . . This rather deplorable U*U principle applies to victims of both sexual and non-sexual forms of clergy misconduct.
Thanks for not memory holing that comment Shannon.
While I am convinced that not all humans have a good grasp on principles such as the inherent worth and dignity of all people, or all beings, I am uncertain as to what my post about how to help children develop their own concepts of "each person is important" has to do with clergy misconduct of any nature.
Well for starters children can be, and have been. . . victims of clergy misconduct committed by U*U ministers, including egregious sexual misconduct such as rape. That being said my comment was mainly responding to the first two or three paragraphs of your post which were much more general in their scope. I dare say that most children probably have a better grasp on the moral and ethical implications of clergy misconduct than some of the U*U clergy and UUA officials I know. . .
children are victims of people. lets not get that mixed up with religion.
When the people who victimize children, or indeed adults. . . are U*U ministers, and their clergy misconduct (sexual misconduct or otherwise) is tolerated, or even effectively endorsed, by other U*Us including individual U*U congregations and the UUA, that *is* mixed up with the U*U religion. It is an unfortunate fact that the UUA has failed miserably to provide restorative justice to victims of clergy misconduct of all kinds and continues to do so. In fact it appears that the UUA is currently unwilling to provide genuine restorative justice to victims of clergy misconduct. Needless to say this means that the UUA is utterly betraying the First Principle of U*Uism, to say nothing of the Second Principle of U*Uism which calls upon U*Us to work for justice, equity and compassion in human relations.
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