Unitarian Universalism and Class
A Faith for a Few?
by Mark W. Harris
Minister, First Parish of Watertown, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Harris is the minister at the First Parish of Watertown. He is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Untarian Universalism and of the UUA pamphlet "UU Origins: Our Historic Faith." He is also an adjunct professor at Andover Newton Theological Seminary and Starr King School.
Lectures are free and open to the public.
Lecture 1: A Class-bound Faith?
This lecture will introduce the subject. Why have Unitarian Universalists historically been associated with upper or upper middle classes? Drawing on Richard Niebuhr’s The Social Sources of Denominationalism, we will examine the choice of religion as it pertains to class. What is the relationship between economic success and salvation? Which side did the liberals take in the Great Revival of the 1740s, and what does that have to do with maintaining the social order? This lecture will also look at different kinds of class, such as education and economic.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 7:00 pm
First Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough St., Boston
Lecture 2: Brahmin Culture for the Masses
This lecture will look at the alliance of business, Harvard College, Brahmin culture, and liberal religion. How did class determine our history and who became involved with the Unitarian movement? We will also look at a few people who wanted to spread the Unitarian faith to the masses in more evangelical styles, including Margaret Fuller’s brother, Arthur.
Thursday, May 1, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Harvard Divinity School, 45 Francis Ave., Cambridge
Lecture 3: Universalist Piety and a Classless Heaven
This lecture will examine the Universalist faith and its appeal to a broader number of classes in society through its message of equality. If all are equal in heaven, then nobody is saved unless everybody is saved.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 7:00 pm
King's Chapel Parish House, 64 Beacon St., Boston
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