Politics–the "methods and tactics of governance," to paraphrase Webster's Dictionary–can be an ugly business, as the current struggle for the nomination to become the Republican party's presidential candidate illustrates all too well. Yet it is an inseparable part of our lives; ask two people to make a decision together, and you'll witness politics in action.

At its best, politics is a useful tool for making decisions as a group; at its worst, politics is a weapon that can shatter groups, wreak lives, and create bitter, long-lasting enmity between people. It all depends on how we choose to use it.

Organizations such as ours are not magically immune to bad politics just because we profess a moral and ethical code; the most high-minded words mean nothing if not actually lived out, especi- ally during difficult times. Some, perhaps many, of us have served on the Board, a committee, or task force, or some other group with someone whom we did not like, or with whom we vehemently disagreed, or with whom we did not get along--circumstances where it would be easy for the politics practiced by the group to be corrupted into personal attacks and winning at all costs.

How do we counter this?

In December I wrote about the democratic process we follow when we the Congregation make decisions, and the necessity that we act according to our personal values and our UU principles, and that we follow the rules (as codified in our Bylaws, procedures, and cove- nants) when doing so. I argued that how we make decisions together as the whole Congregation is at least as important as what decisions we make.

This holds true when we make decisions together as a smaller group within the Congregation–the Board of Trustees, the Council, the various committees and task forces, social and other groups. This holds true when we make decisions together with our staff. This holds true whenever and wherever we make decisions with others.

Most especially, this hold true when we make decisions with others whom we do not like, or with whom we disagree, or with whom we do not get along. It is at these times that we must conscientiously strive to be as good a person as we can be, and consciously encourage others to do the same.

Next month: Pledging. Stay tuned...

Mike Owens