Do Not Be Yoked Together With Unbelievers

It seems that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will collaborate with anyone, as long as it works to further their political and social justice agenda. 

The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) is not a Christian denomination.  They describe themselves this way, "Unitarian Universalism is a caring, open-minded religion that encourages seekers to find their own spiritual path. Our faith draws on many religious sources, welcoming people with different beliefs." (see here)

With that in mind, let’s look at the strong connection and relationship the ELCA has with the Unitarian Universalist Association by looking at some of the organizations and causes that the ELCA and the UUA are members of or associated with.

• The ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program lists the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee  (see here) under the heading “Faith Partners,” (subheading “Protestant Socially Responsibly Investing Partners”)
• The ELCA participates in the Inter-religious Organizing Initiative (IOI) with the Unitarian Universalists.  The IOI strives to win policy changes on justice issues. (see here)
• The ELCA and UUA are in a coalition together called Churches for Middle East Peace.  The coalition advocates for its vision for “peace” in the Middle East. (see here)
• The UUA and ELCA are both partners with the Islamic Society of North America Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances.  (see here)
• Both the UUA and the ELCA are listed as Network Council Organizations of the Jubilee USA Network. (see here)
• The ELCA and the UUA are part of Faithful Reform in Healthcare. (see here) 
• The ELCA collaborates with the Ecumenical Justice Partners Network in anti-racism work.  Unitarian Universalist Association is one of the six partners that the ELCA works with in this venture. (see here)
• Both the ELCA and the UUA are members together in the US Faith and Ethics Network for the International Criminal Court (US FENICC). (see here) 
• The ELCA and the UUA have partnered with The Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). (see here)
• Both are members of the Odyssey Networks which is dedicated to promoting tolerance, peace and social justice through the production and distribution of media.  (see here) 
• The UUA and the ELCA are fellow members of the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC). (see here)
• Both the ELCA and the UUA have taken part in the efforts of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.  (see here)
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - Sierra Pacific Synod and Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association-Pacific Southwest District Chapter both endorse the efforts of Californians for a Moratorium on Executions in Calling for a Time-Out on Executions in California. (see here)
• The ELCA and the UUA supported The Democracy Restoration Act (DRA), which is federal legislation that seeks to restore voting rights in federal elections to the nearly 4 million ex-prisoners. (see here)
• Both are Coalition Members of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. (see here)
• The UUA and the ELCA are both “endorsing groups” in the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs.  (see here)
• Interfaith Funders (IF) is a network of faith-based and secular grantmakers committed to social change and economic justice.  Members of this network included The Evangelical Lutheran Church In America's Division for Church in Society, Unitarian Universalist Funding Panels and Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock. (see here)
  

Here are a few letters from the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs, which the ELCA and UUA collaborated on and signed:

• A Faith Reflection on the Federal Budget.  (see here)
• Letter to Congress on the expiration of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program). (see here)
• Faith community representatives ask President Bush and Senator Kerry to address the issue of poverty in the United States. (see here)
• Letter - Statement: To Preserve and Strengthen Social Security: Religious Organization Statement of Principles. (see here)
• Letter to Senators. (see here)
• Letter To Senators Calling for Renewal of Expiring Provisions of the Voting Rights Act. (see here) 
• Letter to President Bush Encouraging Support of Uganda Peace Negotiations - signed by Presiding Bishop of the ELCA and the President of the UUA.   (see here)
  

Here are more letters signed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

• The Interfaith Platform on Humane Immigration Reform Letter.  (see here)
• Sign-On Letter: Protect HUD Funding. Both the ELCA and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations signed. (read here) 
• The Religious Statement on Foreign Assistance Reform. (read here)
• The Religious Working Group on Water's letter “Water for All.” (see here) 
• The Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC). (see here)
  

(This is not an exhaustive list of the working relationship between the ELCA and the UUA.  With more research I am sure more connections could be established.)
 
As you can see, the ELCA and the Unitarian Universalist Association have very similar agendas and find themselves working together on so many issues.  This is not a coincidence.  The ELCA has become a liberal, non-orthodox, non-traditional, non-Bible believing denomination which finds itself working and associating most often with likeminded denominations and religions. 

When you throw out the clear Truth of Scripture as the ELCA and UUA have done, when you cast the Great Commission out the window, you have to invest your time and energies in “works” which are elevated into the reason for the church’s existence.   And when you are all about “works” it doesn’t matter who is helping you, as long as you accomplish your political and social justice driven goals.

The Bible says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?  What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?”  - 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

Some people may ask, “What fellowship can the ELCA have with Unitarian Universalists?”  The real question should be, “What fellowship can Bible believing Lutheran Christians have with the ELCA?”