Philosophy
‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’ Thus, a picture is a symbol of those thousands words. The Cross, the Chalice, the Buddha figure, the flag are also pictures. They are all symbols of ‘a thousand words’. Words, too, are symbols of values and experiences and attitudes that may be ‘feelings’ which can not be articulated. The meaning of symbols changes over time as the material, technological and economic environment evolves. The word ‘pro-life’ takes on the meaning of ‘antiabortion’ rather than antiwar, anti death penalty, pro-healthcare, etc. Pro-choice becomes ‘baby killing’ rather than a woman’s control of her own body. Pro-marriage becomes anti-gay marriage rather than an affirmation of long-term relationships of love and commitment Supporting the troops becomes synonymous with supporting a war policy.
All these symbols (and many others) are used to define our ‘culture’ and our political landscape. The manipulation of symbols is used to manipulate people. This in turn allows a dedicated minority to manipulate the political and social ‘culture’ of this country.
Because of our country’s great power and the increasing diversity of our society, I believe it is Unitarian Universalist’s MORAL obligation and duty to evangelize (that just means share our gospel, our good news.) We must not lose our ‘souls’ in sharing our faith but we must be open and honest with our truth. We must use the tools that are available to us in a way that is consistent with who we are to reclaim the meaning of the symbols. We must assertively join in this ‘culture clash’ (some are calling it the culture war) to insure that the country we pass on to our children and grand children reflects the highest ideals of the American experiment.
Jeff Wrisley
