Unitarian Universalism

Tigress_86 · Apr 4, 2006

If anyone has any questions concerning Unitarian Universalism, I'd be happy to answer.

Godfixated · Apr 4, 2006

Yeah, I have one. Do you consider yourself a Christian? I heard that only 10% of Unitarian Universalists say they are Christian, is this true?

ttreg · Apr 4, 2006

ya what do yall beleive?

Tigress_86 · Apr 4, 2006

Godfixated said:
Yeah, I have one. Do you consider yourself a Christian? I heard that only 10% of Unitarian Universalists say they are Christian, is this true?

While there are Unitarian Universalists who are Christian or who consider themselves Christian, Unitarian Universalism is not a Christian denomination, but a religion apart, welcoming people of all different religious backgrounds or lack thereof. According to what I could find on the internet, 10% is about right, something I was not previously aware of.

ttreg said:
ya what do yall beleive?

Unitarian Universalism affirms the following:

- 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.

These are our main principles of belief. Details, such as belief in deity, are left up to the individual.

In attempting to reconcile how one can adhere to these principles and to Christianity, you would be right in assuming that those who would consider themselves Christian are more liberal-minded in doctrinal matters. i.e. Unitarian Universalism does not cleave to religious exclusivity. You might be interested to know though, that Unitarian Universalism owes its historical roots to Jewish and Christian tradition.

On a more personal note, I do not consider myself Christian, but Pantheist with no particular tradition.

Brennin · Apr 4, 2006

Tigress_86 said:
If anyone has any questions concerning Unitarian Universalism, I'd be happy to answer.

This subforum is for unitarian/non-trinitarian Christianity. A thread about UU should be located in the non-Christian religions forum.

Tigress_86 · Apr 5, 2006

If the mods see fit to move it, let them move it. Now back on topic.

Godfixated · Apr 5, 2006

I think this thread fits. It says Unitarian.

Ave Maria · Apr 6, 2006

ttreg said:
ya what do yall beleive?

Unitarian Universalists are non-creedal. They don't really have a specific set of beliefs. You can basically believe whatever you want and be a Unitarian Universalist. Most, if not all, Unitarian Universalists share in common the following:

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarian_Universalism

Homie · Apr 14, 2006

I thought a unitarian was one who followed and believed the Christian faith but did not believe that Jesus = God, did not believe in the trinity, but rather believed in God the Father actually being God, and that Jesus is created by God and 2nd in rank, and that the Holy Spirit is the workings of God and Jesus, or just of God.

If it is this universal "lets all hold hands under the rainbow" kind of stuff, then call it what it is: humanism, new age, hippieism etc...

azzy · Apr 14, 2006

Many UU churches celebrate the 8 Sabbats of the year,or at least allow others to use thier church to do it.And public services are held at thier churches.

My question is,to any Unitarian,do you ,or does the church,believe in a God,as a person,or as some impersonal energy?

*Starlight* · Apr 14, 2006

Tigress_86 said:
Unitarian Universalism affirms the following:

- 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.

This is cool! It seems that I could be an Unitarian Universalist

Tigress_86 · Apr 14, 2006

Homie said:
I thought a unitarian was one who followed and believed the Christian faith but did not believe that Jesus = God, did not believe in the trinity, but rather believed in God the Father actually being God, and that Jesus is created by God and 2nd in rank, and that the Holy Spirit is the workings of God and Jesus, or just of God.

There are Unitarians and there are Unitarian Universalists.

azzy said:
My question is,to any Unitarian,do you ,or does the church,believe in a God,as a person,or as some impersonal energy?

Belief in deity is left up to the individual Unitarian Universalist.

From the UUA:

Some Unitarian Universalists are nontheists and do not find language about God useful. The faith of other Unitarian Universalists in God may be profound, though among these, too, talk of God may be restrained. Why?

The word God is much abused. Far too often, the word seems to refer to a kind of granddaddy in the sky or a super magician. To avoid confusion, many Unitarian Universalists are more apt to speak of "reverence for life" (in the words of Albert Schweitzer, a Unitarian), the spirit of love or truth, the holy, or the gracious. Many also prefer such language because it is inclusive; it is used with integrity by theist and nontheist members.

Whatever our theological persuasion, Unitarian Universalists generally agree that the fruits of religious belief matter more than beliefs about religion-even about God. So we usually speak more of the fruits: gratitude for blessings, worthy aspirations, the renewal of hope, and service on behalf of justice.

Homie · Apr 16, 2006

So they don't really believe in anything? What's even the point of having a "church". Might as well call it what it is, a humanitarian organization for "human rights"

B®ent · Apr 16, 2006

It appears to me that Unitarian-Univeralism does not really stand for anything.
Much like many of the Society of Friends groups, Community of Christ (RLDS), etc.

Tigress_86 · Apr 16, 2006

Homie said:
So they don't really believe in anything?

Restformationist said:
It appears to me that Unitarian-Univeralism does not really stand for anything.

From the Unitarian Universalist Association:

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote

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.

What's even the point of having a "church".

Fellowship. We are Unitarian Universalists

Might as well call it what it is, a humanitarian organization for "human rights"

Unitarian Universalist History

Restformationist said:
Much like many of the Society of Friends groups, Community of Christ (RLDS), etc.

I disagree that these groups do "not really stand for anything," but that's another thread.

suzybeezy · Apr 17, 2006

closing for staff review

KCDAD · Apr 20, 2006

From the Unitarian Universalist Association:

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote...

I guess my problem with morality based on nothing other than good wishes doesn't have much "gravitas". On what basis do we declare human interactions intrinsically "special". Where does this "dignity and worth" come from?
Using Jewish and Christian teachings with no basis to their authority is kinda wishful thinking to me...

Tigress_86 · Apr 20, 2006

KCDAD said:
I guess my problem with morality based on nothing other than good wishes doesn't have much "gravitas". On what basis do we declare human interactions intrinsically "special". Where does this "dignity and worth" come from?
Using Jewish and Christian teachings with no basis to their authority is kinda wishful thinking to me...

Could you possibly rephrase? I'm not too clear as to what you're asking, saying, implying here. Thanks.

Chrysalis Kat · Apr 20, 2006

KCDAD said:
From the Unitarian Universalist Association:

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote...

I guess my problem with morality based on nothing other than good wishes doesn't have much "gravitas". On what basis do we declare human interactions intrinsically "special". Where does this "dignity and worth" come from?
Using Jewish and Christian teachings with no basis to their authority is kinda wishful thinking to me...

How much "gravities" do you need to love your neighbor as yourself?
Is that not sexy enough? Does it need to accompanied by harps and thunderbolts to be special enough?

CaDan · Apr 20, 2006

Brennin said:
This subforum is for unitarian/non-trinitarian Christianity. A thread about UU should be located in the non-Christian religions forum.

I say it stays.

Unitarian Universalism

Universalist Friend

Regular Member

Myself

Universalist Friend

Wielder of the Holy Cudgel of Faith

Universalist Friend

Regular Member

Ave Maria Gratia Plena

Gods servant

Veteran

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time

Universalist Friend

Gods servant

Contender for the Faith

Universalist Friend

Reports Manager

Well-Known Member

Universalist Friend

Gettin' Riggy With It

I remember orange CF

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