Unitarian Universalism

[plum]

Has anyone attended a UU congregation? Is anyone a member? What was your experience there? What do you gain personally, and what is your motivation for attending? do you find the topics spoken about and priorities taught to be of a political nature (like rights, laws, activism, and so on)?

I was just reading up about the local congregation in my county, and since I've been unchurched for a while now, I was curious what it might be like to go to "church" and it not being christian (i know many UU members identify as christian, but i mean the church itself and so on). I'm still wrapping my mind around how a pluralist religious organization still forms its services to look like modern christian church.. is that how it is every week?

i'm clueless. honestly!

most of my past years were spent thinking UU was something to be looked down upon. there was a lot of fear placed in me about it since it didn't follow the "jesus is the only way to a triune God and you must follow this one book and these certain traditions" model. it was not stressed that the UU folks were all about respect, love, and justice for all people. The focus was more on "they're not christian, they just make it look like they are to bring people in."


so help a poor, ignorant sista out. tell me everything! good, bad, boring, life-changing....

 

[Adammi]

I'm anxiously awaiting replies to this, as I have many of the same questions.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

A joke was made once about, "I attended a UU service, and the only time I ever heard anyone say the name of the Lord was after they fell down a flight of stairs."

I have attended a UU service. I greatly enjoyed it, but didn't find it to be for me. I for one need *some* structure.

UU's leave what to believe up to the individual. They make no official statement on anything, including the existence of God. The official church, as a body, does not believe Jesus is the one way of salvation, athough individuals may be Christians. And here is where I'm puzzled. I thought "church" meant "body of Christ." I can see "congregation" or "assembly" or "fellowship," but I don't understand UU being called a "church."

Sorry, I'm not much help. I'm as confused as you are.

 

[Rochir]

The focus was more on "they're not christian, they just make it look like they are to bring people in."....

Well, there IS a difference between UU and Unitarian Christians, for example. While the first may not believe in any kind of deity, the latter still believe in the Christian God as One and thus are Christians... only VERY liberal ones!

 

[Joykins]

My understanding--and I am not UU-- is that there are different faith groups within a UU church that have their own meetings, like there may be a Christian group, a pagan group, an agnostics group, etc. Is that correct? I know this from talking to UU people only

 

[Bace]

if i remember correctly christians are a distinct minority, the major part of UU churches are religious humanists.

 

[Im_A]

hmm...there is one about 30 min. from me. this thread is gettin me a tinkin.

 

[plum]

dude we need some UU people lol... gotta hunt them down!

 

[Im_A]

dude we need some UU people lol... gotta hunt them down!

i'm on it. and i'm gonna send you a link via pm with my hunting process

 

[plum]

thanks joe i posted a thread in the UT board, but that was it so far

 

[Im_A]

thanks joe i posted a thread in the UT board, but that was it so far

haha, that's what i just did.

http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=47617325#post47617325

here's one for you:
http://www.thirdunitarianchurch.org/forums/index.php its in chicago.

 

[Im_A]

one more:

http://community.beliefnet.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=204

 

[Im_A]

i found two by me. what joykins said kind of sparked a quick interest. and since i seem to best work with moments than big schemed out plans, looks like i may be on the phone a little today.

 

[plum]

thanks for the links joe. there are quite a few in illinois, and i found my local one. that's actually what sparked this thread... and i like that i could read a few of the sermons online. an example:
Can One Be a Religious Liberal and a Political Conservative?
thought that might be interesting

 

[Im_A]

thanks for the links joe. there are quite a few in illinois, and i found my local one. that's actually what sparked this thread... and i like that i could read a few of the sermons online. an example:
Can One Be a Religious Liberal and a Political Conservative?
thought that might be interesting

i like that. sounds like a nice and good church you've stumbled upon.

 

[Im_A]

well i'll make you a deal, when i go to the one either in findlay or in lima (i'll make my desicion after i call them and hopefully catch someone there with times of the service and all, i'll come back here and tell you my experience.

 

[plum]

 

[Bace]

holy smokola, didnt know we had a unitarian thread here

 

[Rochir]

if i remember correctly christians are a distinct minority, the major part of UU churches are religious humanists.

Yup!

 

[Im_A]

Originally Posted by Bace

if i remember correctly christians are a distinct minority, the major part of UU churches are religious humanists.
​

that's why my interest has just shot through the roof.

i always thought, it was mainline Christianity with a slight twist of non-trinitarian beliefs. the sheer idea of a pluralistic congregation gives me a lot of hope and joy. i like being around people from different worldviews, and i love the friction of differing opinions and ideas amongst people. its such a good thing when dealt with maturely and in a right manner. i have two Universalist churches only abou 20-30 min. away from me. i have called both of them 4x today(the beauty of technological advances called "the redial button." ha. no one there yet, but i won't stop until someone picks up before i leave for work.