Rev. John Murray (1741-1825) is often referred to as the “Father” of Universalism on these shores. With help from his equally determined wife, Judith Sargeant Murray, he laid the foundation for what later became The Universalist Church in America.

Most often remembered for his preaching and organizing skills, Murray’s legacy also includes his stint as a military chaplain. Appointed to a Rhode Island brigade in 1775, he was General Washington’s pick despite sharp resistance from outcries from more orthodox Christians.

Rather than expose Washington to ongoing criticism, Murray kindly begged off but served the colonial cause as volunteer chaplain to the same unit.

Murray must be spinning in his grave about now: History is repeating itself, this time at the hands of today’s Department of Defense (War in some circles). Led by DOD secretary Pete Hegseth – and with support from other Christian nationalists within the administration – the department recently trimmed the list of recognized religious traditions from over 200 to 31.

Among the groups to lose official military status were Pagans, Wiccans, agnostics, and atheists.

And Unitarian Universalists.

There’s cold comfort that our way of religion is so threating to the DOD. It tells us our work on behalf of religious freedom – and trans and LGBTQ+ military personnel in particular – has not fallen on deaf ears.  We have a “brand” and we can be proud of it.

But the purge means our Unitarian Universalist siblings who serve no longer have official status, and therefore no insulation from the same prejudices John Murray faced all those years ago.

The takeaway for the rest of us is to be even bolder in our commitment to deep spirituality, deep community and deep change. We cannot (at least for now) reverse the indignities being inflicted on these UU siblings and their beloveds, but we can double down on how to advance those three values elsewhere in our lives.