Mainstream unionism is failing the “marginalised and vulnerable” in society, according to the former moderator of the Presbyterian Church.
In an interview with BBC News NI, the Ballymena-based cleric also said the lack of an Executive and Assembly was negatively impacting the poorest in society.
"It really pains me to say this I do not see a heart for the marginalised and vulnerable in mainstream unionism," said Dr Norman Hamilton.
"The big political picture is squeezing out the realities of life for so many.
"The idea of no compromise seems to me to be actually putting your head in the sand."
Dr Hamilton, a member of the SDLP’s New Ireland Commission, acknowledged the DUP's mandate and its right to make decisions on whether to return to government.
But there are "ethical and moral downsides" to not having a government in place, he added.
"My way or no way is not confined to unionism - we see that within republicanism as well," Rev Hamilton said.
"But as society becomes more fractured and more divisive… as politics becomes more 'in-your-face', one of the out-workings of that is there is no chance of good government.
"The emphasis needs to move from simply getting back into power, to finding ways of wanting to do good government."
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has yet to say whether his party will accept the Windsor Framework. A panel set up to study the framework and gauge the views of party members has completed its work and filed a report.
The "historic stability" of the UK is "crumbling before our eyes", Dr Hamilton added as he argued unionists working with others is a better path to protecting the union.
"You see the rows going on in Scotland around independence… you see the historic stability of the United Kingdom crumbling before our eyes," said the former moderator.
"So it does seem to me that unionism needs to be bold, visionary, inclusive and warm-hearted."
The DUP was contacted for comment.
