I and Thou or Social Power Dynamics?
Martin Buber, the noted Jewish philosopher, wrote a book titled “I and Thou” emphasizing that the most significant relationship between people happens when two people see and recognize the sacred within each other. In an I-Thou relationship, the people involved do not see each other as any kind of means, but rather each person sees the other as an end in themselves. The other person becomes a reserve of infinite value. We acknowledge the centrality of this I-Thou relationship in our first principle, which recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of all persons. In Unitarian Universalism, we elevate the I-Thou relationship as much as possible in our worship practices and our social relations. We seek to give everyone a voice, not just a vote. We recognize the power of the individual conscience, that sometimes an individual can see clearly what a society cannot. In our small group ministries, we practice deep listening so that each one of the participants can come to recognize...