Message from the President of the General Assembly to members and friends of our Unitarian and Free Christian Community
The atrocious attacks in Paris on Friday 13 November 2015, which left at least 120 people dead and 100 seriously wounded, have left us all fumbling for words to express our horror, dismay, and sympathy for the people affected. Sometimes silence is the more eloquent way to express our sorrow and yearnings for peace and there have been several public silent vigils around Europe in solidarity with the French people. At this time we think, in particular, of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Paris.
As we express solidarity with the French people and worry about our own futures, let us not forget that unpredictable and deadly violent events are part of the daily lives of millions around the world. Several such events have occurred in the past three months that did not receive the media coverage or high level political judgements that have followed the Paris attack. This is part of the reality from which many refugees are fleeing as they seek asylum and our protection. That we live in a relatively stable and peaceful country should not blind us to our common humanity.
As religious liberals I hope that we respond to this challenge to our values by using our experience of open community to reach out in friendship to those who may differ from us and are in some cases targets of aggression and hatred. We need to use heads, hearts, and hands, examining rigorously any suggestions that we should exchange some of our hard earned liberties for “security”. The civil and religious liberty which is a hallmark of our open society, and which Unitarians worked so hard over many years to achieve, is under threat and not just from political and religious extremists.
In the coming months I urge fellow Unitarians and Free Christians to actively work in their localities to promote better understanding and mutual respect even where this is difficult and risky – the liberal path has never been the easy one.
17 November 2015