Ask the UU!

[Maize]

In my travels across various religious forums on the internet, I frequently encounter people who have either never heard of Unitarian Universalism or if they have they've been given incorrect/incomplete information.




So, here's your chance to ask anything about Unitarian Universalism!




p.s. I have no wish to debate and I will not respond to rude or inflammatory comments about my religion, I will simply ask that a moderater delete them. So, let's please all be nice.




Shalom.

 

[Shivam]

In my travels across various religious forums on the internet, I frequently encounter people who have either never heard of Unitarian Universalism or if they have they've been given incorrect/incomplete information.


Shalom.

Shalom,
I will bite and ask, "what is UU?"

 

[Maize]

Shalom,
I will bite and ask, "what is UU?"

Unitarian Universalism.

Short answer: Unitarian Universalism (UU), is a liberal religious tradition that was formed by the merger of Unitarian and Universalist groups. Its roots are in Protestantism, although Christian beliefs are no longer required for adherents to modern Unitarian Universalism and most Unitarian Universalists (UUs) do not consider themselves Christian.

 

[Shivam]

Unitarian Universalism.

Short answer: Unitarian Universalism (UU), is a liberal religious tradition that was formed by the merger of Unitarian and Universalist groups. Its roots are in Protestantism, although Christian beliefs are no longer required for adherents to modern Unitarian Universalism and most Unitarian Universalists (UUs) do not consider themselves Christian.

okay. so what exactly is the thought behind UU? Is there a creator deity? What's the purpose of creation? What's the purpose of soul? Is there a soul? What's the purpose of life? Is this life temporary or eternal?

 

[Maize]

okay. so what exactly is the thought behind UU?

Is there a creator deity?

What's the purpose of creation?

What's the purpose of soul?

Is there a soul?

What's the purpose of life?

Is this life temporary or eternal?

All very good questions, my answer will probably seem lacking to you, but it's how UUs think: each person is to seek the truth and answers for themselves. We value religious freedom and the individual freedom of belief. No two UUs are going to believe exactly the same thing on every issue. We do not believe that all UUs should have identical beliefs.

You asked, "what exactly is the thought behind UU?" - here's a pretty good list:

• Every individual should be encouraged to develop a personal philosophy of life.
• Everyone is capable of reasoning.
• We do not need any other person, official or organization to tell us what to believe.
• We should be able to present religious opinions openly, without fear of censure or reprisal.
• All people should be tolerant of the religious ideas of others.
• Truth is not absolute; it changes over time.
• Everyone should continue to search for the truth.
• Everyone has an equal claim to life, liberty and justice.
• People should govern themselves by democratic processes.
• Ideas should be open to criticism.
• Good works are the natural product of a good faith.

 

[Maize]

Also, we covenant to affirm and promote the following principles:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:

• Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
• Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
• Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
• Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
• Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

 

[Shivam]

All very good questions, my answer will probably seem lacking to you, but it's how UUs think: each person is to seek the truth and answers for themselves. We value religious freedom and the individual freedom of belief. No two UUs are going to believe exactly the same thing on every issue. We do not believe that all UUs should have identical beliefs.

You asked, "what exactly is the thought behind UU?" - here's a pretty good list:

• Every individual should be encouraged to develop a personal philosophy of life.
• Everyone is capable of reasoning.
• We do not need any other person, official or organization to tell us what to believe.
• We should be able to present religious opinions openly, without fear of censure or reprisal.
• All people should be tolerant of the religious ideas of others.
• Truth is not absolute; it changes over time.
• Everyone should continue to search for the truth.
• Everyone has an equal claim to life, liberty and justice.
• People should govern themselves by democratic processes.
• Ideas should be open to criticism.
• Good works are the natural product of a good faith.

Interesting!
So Truth as we know it or think of it is not Absolute? It changes over time.

What changes it?

 

[Maize]

Interesting!
So Truth as we know it or think of it is not Absolute? It changes over time.

What changes it?

Our understanding of it changes.

 

[Shivam]

Our understanding of it changes.

oh okay. But the Truth then is absolute!
Only our preception changes.

 

[Shivam]

Good works are the natural product of a good faith.

hmm...What are good works?

e.g. is killing a lion good?
a. if it was done, as a sport
b. if it was done, as a self defence

what about killing of another human being?
a. for pleasure
b. in self defence

Maize, you say, "Good works are the natural product of a good faith"

Faith in what?

 

[Maize]

oh okay. But the Truth then is absolute!
Only our preception changes.

But we have no way of knowing what that absolute truth is.

 

[Shivam]

But we have no way of knowing what that absolute truth is.

you mean as a UU you believe that there is "no" way to know that absolute truth. Is this correct?

 

[Maize]

hmm...What are good works?

I think it can be summed up in 2 words: Helping others. Here you will see our Christian roots. We take the passage from James 2:14-18 very seriously:

14Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. 15Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, 16and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"--but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

17So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless.

18Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." I say, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds."

Maize, you say, "Good works are the natural product of a good faith"

Faith in what?

Well, I can't answer that for all UUs, but my faith is in mankind that we will one day learn to live together in peace, love and equality. All of my work within the church is reaching for that goal.

 

[Maize]

you mean as a UU you believe that there is "no" way to know that absolute truth. Is this correct?

It means that I don't know 100% for sure if there is a god or not.

It means that I don't know 100% for sure if there is an afterlife or not.

It means that I don't know 100% for sure if we have a soul or not.

These are just a few of the things that some people and religions claim as absolutes truths. We UUs say, no one really knows.

 

[Shivam]

It means that I don't know 100% for sure if there is a god or not.

It means that I don't know 100% for sure if there is an afterlife or not.

It means that I don't know 100% for sure if we have a soul or not.

These are just a few of the things that some people and religions claim as absolutes truths. We UUs say, no one really knows.

Okay. I see your point.

Thank You.

So is UU a group of people who questioned the bible and didn't find any right answers, and formed this 'thought'? Or do you guys study thoroughly "other" philosophies e.g. Tao, Zen, Buddha Dharma, Sanatana Dharma etc.?

 

[Shivam]

Is it fair to say that you pick and choose pasages from the bible to your liking?

Is it also fair to assume that you do not believe in a god that sits in heaven, judgement day, original sin etc.?

so there is no need for salvation or "saving" as they say?

 

[Maize]

Okay. I see your point.

Thank You.

So is UU a group of people who questioned the bible and didn't find any right answers, and formed this 'thought'? Or do you guys study thoroughly "other" philosophies e.g. Tao, Zen, Buddha Dharma, Sanatana Dharma etc.?

We study and draw wisdom and insight from a varierty of different sources. Different congregations and groups will have different focuses, however.

Regarding the Bible, we look at it as one of many important religious texts but do not consider it unique or exclusive in any way. We do not interpret it literally. We think some parts of it offer more truth and relevance than other parts. Although UUs respect the Bible and regard some of its content as great literature, it is not a central document in our religion.

 

[Maize]

Is it fair to say that you pick and choose pasages from the bible to your liking?

Like I said, we draw wisdom and insight from a varierty of different sources, none of them do we believe to be inerrant or divinely inspired. This is where reason and using common sense comes into play. While we may find inspiration in a mythical tale from ancient times, we do not believe in it's being literal.

Is it also fair to assume that you do not believe in a god that sits in heaven, judgement day, original sin etc.?

That is correct.

so there is no need for salvation or "saving" as they say?

Exactly.

 

[hartlandcat]

I'm a British Unitarian. I think that British Unitarians are ultimately similar to American Unitarian-Universalists, although we possibly (?) have a larger Christian Unitarian contingent here (amongst some other differences). Since mainstream American Christianity seems to be very different from mainstream British Christianity, I wonder whether the public perception of what constitutes a 'Christian' in America may be rather different from here.

 

[Maize]

I'm a British Unitarian. I think that British Unitarians are ultimately similar to American Unitarian-Universalists, although we possibly (?) have a larger Christian Unitarian contingent here (amongst some other differences). Since mainstream American Christianity seems to be very different from mainstream British Christianity, I wonder whether the public perception of what constitutes a 'Christian' in America may be rather different from here.

In 1961 the Unitarians and Universalists merged in the US. There has since been some Unitarians who want to hold to the more traditional (Christian) view of Unitarianism, but it is a small movement. My understanding of British and European Unitarianism, is that it is much more Christian then UU is, which we don't even call ourselves Christian anymore. We gave up the denomination label and see UU as a religion by itself.