Unitarian Universalism is certainly not "New Age." Unitarianism in America goes back to the 18th century, and that part of our faith tradition descended directly from Puritanism. Universalism in America goes back to the 19th century. Our faith tradition has certainly changed over the years, but it is an old faith tradition, and it cannot accurately be labeled New Age. Harvard Divinity School started as a Unitarian divinity school. Several American Presidents have been Unitarians.
I have said that UUs are free to believe in Christian doctrine and to be Christian if we choose. You continue to doubt this, but it's true. UUs can believe in a literal resurrection in the the truth of the Bible if they want to, and some do believe that. We do not have any rule saying that people are free to follow their own spiritual path except the path of Christianity. For a Unitarian Universalist, embracing Christianity can mean whatever the individual thinks it means.
You may believe that there are "set beliefs" that all Christians must adhere to, and I disagree with you about that. The fact that there are no such "set beliefs" is why we have so many Christian sects. We had a Protestant Reformation as a revolt within Christianity against "set beliefs." I think one of the great features of Christianity is the fact that we are such a diverse faith, with people of many different beliefs within our faith.
"Unitarian Universalism is certainly not "New Age.""
Oh, don't even try it. I used to study New Age religions and philosophies as well as practice them and New Age as well as secular humanism, Buddhism and Pagan practices and phrases are all over UU. I found a prayer on that site that ends in "blessed be". That is a Pagan finisher. You will never hear that recited in a Christian church, nor will you ever hear that recited by a Christian person.
"Unitarianism in America goes back to the 18th century, and that part of our faith tradition descended directly from Puritanism."
Although you share nothing in common with Puritans. I've heard the words of Puritans speaking on Christianity and let's just say it's a night and day difference.
"Universalism in America goes back to the 19th century. Our faith tradition has certainly changed over the years, but it is an old faith tradition, and it cannot accurately be labeled New Age."
It can be accurately described as New Age, Pagan, Buddhist, and almost anything else under the sun. It can not be called Christianity in any sense of the word. Here is a meditation I found on a UUA website. This is grounded in New Age spirituality.
Tess Baumberger
Crystal of Creation
If there is a heaven, it is right here, right now,
in this particular arrangement of nature,
this happening of earth, moon, and star,
this constellation of instants,
this laden moment,
this flash of recognition,
this particle of time.
If there is a god, it is all around us, everywhere,
in every blinking eye,
in every pulsing possibility,
in every ugliness, every beauty,
in every wholeness, every part.
If there is an axiom in the universe
it is life,
it is love,
it is death,
it is hatred,
it is wanting and needing to be
in this crystal of creation.
Source: Original
Copyright: The author has given Unitarian Universalist Association member congregations permission to reprint this piece for use in public worship. Any reprints must acknowledge the name of the author.
Last updated on Tuesday, August 28, 2007.
"If there is a heaven?" "If there is a god?" These are not statements a Christian would recite or proclaim in any setting. To ask these questions is to deny Christian truths. Christians know for a fact, that there is a God and that there is a heaven.
"Harvard Divinity School started as a Unitarian divinity school. Several American Presidents have been Unitarians."
And how does that make UUA valid as a church body that is in line with Christianity?
"I have said that UUs are free to believe in Christian doctrine and to be Christian if we choose."
If you are a Christian you can not be UU. There is just no way to reconcile the two. You have to deny Christ to be UU. A Christian will not grace a church with their presence if that church accepts the teachings of other faiths as being equally valid to Christianity. They will not go where Paganism, Secular Humanism, Buddhism, etc. is proclaimed as being equal with the truth of God's written word.
You do not believe Christian doctrine is the point. You deny it. You can't deny the very doctrines of a religion and then claim to be a member of that religion. I can't deny Allah is God and Mohammed is his prohpet if I am claiming to be a member of Islam. I can not deny the divine male and female if I am claiming to be a Pagan. It just doesn't work. You can not deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ and be a Christian. From what you have said about Christ, and admiring Him as a human being who taught good things, I would say you a Christfan, before I would say you are a Christian.
"You continue to doubt this, but it's true. UUs can believe in a literal resurrection in the the truth of the Bible if they want to, and some do believe that. We do not have any rule saying that people are free to follow their own spiritual path except the path of Christianity."
You don't have any rules, doctrines, teachings or principles, period. As such you can not claim to be a Christian while denying the basic tenets of the Christian faith. Now of course, you can say whatever you want about yourself, but just saying something does not make it true. I could call myself an elm tree til I'm blue in the face, does that make me an elm tree?
You may believe that there are "set beliefs" that all Christians must adhere to, and I disagree with you about that. The fact that there are no such "set beliefs" is why we have so many Christian sects.
This is not correct. In all sects or denominations of Christianity there is a central truth. That Jesus is Lord and savior of all who call upon His name to be saved by the power of the Holy Spirit. There is no other name under heaven by which men are saved. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Him. All Christian denominations agree upon these truths.
The numerous denominations we see in Christianity today are due to disagreements over secondary issues or doctrines. If there is a disagreement over a primary doctrine, such as there is only one way to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ alone. Then the person who denies that can not be said to be a Christian. Such things as Baptism, The Lord's Supper, Infant Baptism, Prayers for the dead, etc. Even things as silly as what color the carpet will be in the main sanctuary have led to church splits. I kid you not. But those are considered secondary issues.
We had a Protestant Reformation as a revolt within Christianity against "set beliefs."
Nope. There was a Reformation, this is true. But it wasn't in protest to there being set beliefs by the Catholic church. It was really about the doctrine of justification by faith alone. That was the central teaching of the Protestant Reformation. It was the selling of indulgences by the Pope for the remission of sins that set Luther off. Luther addressed indulgences and other Papal abuses in his 95 Theses. You should read them if you haven't, and especially before you make a claim like the one you made above.
I think one of the great features of Christianity is the fact that we are such a diverse faith, with people of many different beliefs within our faith.
It's not as diverse as you'd like to think it is. We do not accept any belief under the sun the way UU does. You can claim you're a Christian all you want, but based upon everything you've said and what I've seen of UU from their own websites and resources, I remain unconvinced that a person can be a UU and a Christian at the same time.
