I think we might have ended up off-track, so let me try to sum up my stance:
1) Unitarian Universalists, by default, must have “arbitrary positions” because they are not discussing settled matters. Therefore, the fact that they have arbitrary positions in and of itself is simply a function of their focus; all social justice groups will run in to this issue, whether they are religious or not.
2) Unitarian Universalists do not demonstrate any particular tendency towards an environment where “questioning is declared heretical by some authority”. Unitarians are “dispassionate, upfront, and open to argument” on roughly the same level as LessWrong.
What I would be interested in hearing is actual evidence that I could use to update either of these.
To the previous evidence offered: I do not understand how having a consistent stance on an organisational level is evidence that they are close-minded or otherwise less open to discussing and debating opposing viewpoints.
If your thought process consists entirely of “having a consistent organisational stance means you have unquestionable dogma” then I think we are either running in to a definitions issue, or will have to agree to disagree. Otherwise I’d be curious if you can elaborate on the missing pieces.
I think we might have ended up off-track, so let me try to sum up my stance:
I did the same in my new reply to your previous post. Let me just address one side point:
Unitarian Universalists, by default, must have “arbitrary positions” because they are not discussing settled matters. Therefore, the fact that they have arbitrary positions in and of itself is simply a function of their focus; all social justice groups will run in to this issue, whether they are religious or not.
The best method of operation for a social justice group which wishes to find optimal conclusions may be to hold off on proposing solutions. Getting stuck in a position that’s incorrect or not useful seems like a serious concern. There shouldn’t necessarily be a consensus position on a given issue, regardless of the goal of the group.
The best method of operation for a social justice group which wishes to find optimal conclusions may be to hold off on proposing solutions.
Mmm, my gut response is thinking that there are not a lot of solved social issues so this wouldn’t be very useful for a social justice group that actually wanted to get things done? The UUs have been fairly politically active in spreading their values for a while, and I haven’t seen any evidence that their politics is particularly ineffective for their values.
I think we might have ended up off-track, so let me try to sum up my stance:
1) Unitarian Universalists, by default, must have “arbitrary positions” because they are not discussing settled matters. Therefore, the fact that they have arbitrary positions in and of itself is simply a function of their focus; all social justice groups will run in to this issue, whether they are religious or not.
2) Unitarian Universalists do not demonstrate any particular tendency towards an environment where “questioning is declared heretical by some authority”. Unitarians are “dispassionate, upfront, and open to argument” on roughly the same level as LessWrong.
What I would be interested in hearing is actual evidence that I could use to update either of these.
To the previous evidence offered: I do not understand how having a consistent stance on an organisational level is evidence that they are close-minded or otherwise less open to discussing and debating opposing viewpoints.
If your thought process consists entirely of “having a consistent organisational stance means you have unquestionable dogma” then I think we are either running in to a definitions issue, or will have to agree to disagree. Otherwise I’d be curious if you can elaborate on the missing pieces.
I did the same in my new reply to your previous post. Let me just address one side point:
The best method of operation for a social justice group which wishes to find optimal conclusions may be to hold off on proposing solutions. Getting stuck in a position that’s incorrect or not useful seems like a serious concern. There shouldn’t necessarily be a consensus position on a given issue, regardless of the goal of the group.
Mmm, my gut response is thinking that there are not a lot of solved social issues so this wouldn’t be very useful for a social justice group that actually wanted to get things done? The UUs have been fairly politically active in spreading their values for a while, and I haven’t seen any evidence that their politics is particularly ineffective for their values.