Unitarian Universalist....

[Velo Princesse]

After the death of my husbands father, Brian and I were discussing religion. He is a Christian in the same way that if an elephant were born in a tree, it's a bird. Meaning, he claims Christianity, but I would tend to see him as a bit more Deist.

Anyway, we were up north at the funeral when my son (5) proclaimed that he doesn't believe in god. This is, of course, just fine with me, but Brian said that he doesn't think Tanners mind should be made up at such a young age... he wants Tanny to have choices.

I pointed out that "It's possible that this one particular god exists" is really not a choice and that if Brian wants the kids to have choices they should be able to learn about all religious philosophy available to them. So, we decided to visit a UU church.

What I'm wanting to know is if I have the right view of UU.... My understanding is that in a congregation of, lets say, 100 people you will find people who believe in all different things. On top of which, the classes (Sunday School??) would cover stories and ideas from many religions and would discuss holidays from many relgions.

Any other information you could give me would be great. Thanks.

***Edited to note: I am already familiar w/ the basic concepts and have been throught the UUA website. I'm asking more about actual experiences amongst UU's than about the basic tenets of the organization. ***

 

[little_wing]

After the death of my husbands father, Brian and I were discussing religion. He is a Christian in the same way that if an elephant were born in a tree, it's a bird. Meaning, he claims Christianity, but I would tend to see him as a bit more Deist.

Anyway, we were up north at the funeral when my son (5) proclaimed that he doesn't believe in god. This is, of course, just fine with me, but Brian said that he doesn't think Tanners mind should be made up at such a young age... he wants Tanny to have choices.

I pointed out that "It's possible that this one particular god exists" is really not a choice and that if Brian wants the kids to have choices they should be able to learn about all religious philosophy available to them. So, we decided to visit a UU church.

What I'm wanting to know is if I have the right view of UU.... My understanding is that in a congregation of, lets say, 100 people you will find people who believe in all different things. On top of which, the classes (Sunday School??) would cover stories and ideas from many religions and would discuss holidays from many relgions.

Any other information you could give me would be great. Thanks.

***Edited to note: I am already familiar w/ the basic concepts and have been throught the UUA website. I'm asking more about actual experiences amongst UU's than about the basic tenets of the organization. ***

Randi,

It depends on the congregaion you choose. The UUs are very non-dogmatic, so there are no real limits in congregation make-up. However, you will find congregations that are composed heavily of UUs who lean towards Christian views, or focus on Jesus Christ. You may not be able to find such a congregation in your local area, but you could always ring around and see.

Peace

Edit: I misunderstood your question. The first time I read through I was just having my morning coffee, so yeah, comprehension wasn't too good

Yes, from what I know of UUs, what you described is fairly accurate. As I mistakenly said above, some congregations, especially in more CHristian reas, are likely to borrow more heavily from Jesus Christ. As I said, probably a ring to your local congregation is in order, as UUs don't have any real dogma to guide individual congregations in this regard.

Good luck

 

[MattHenry]

So sad. I have a couple of friends (and their kids) that are UU. So sad. They get involved in doing works outside of their, whatever you call a group like that. Scripture is pretty clear:

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

This is what our works are worth without relationship with Jesus. In the original Greek filthy rags is a reference to used women's menstral cloths.

How about those Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness, eigh?
http://www.uupa.org/

 

[little_wing]

So sad. I have a couple of friends (and their kids) that are UU. So sad. They get involved in doing works outside of their, whatever you call a group like that. Scripture is pretty clear:

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

This is what our works are worth without relationship with Jesus. In the original Greek filthy rags is a reference to used women's menstral cloths.

How about those Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness, eigh?
http://www.uupa.org/

You will find Christians within UUism. You will also find polyamorists within the Christian spectrum. There are at least a couple of splinter Christian churches which teach that sort of philosophy.

peace

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

You will find Christians within UUism. You will also find polyamorists within the Christian spectrum. There are at least a couple of splintr Christian churches which teach that sort of philosophy.

peace

Just what the Body of Christ needs, more "splinter churches" LOL.

 

[little_wing]

Just what the Body of Christ needs, more "splinter churches" LOL.

Yes, it can be a shame . On the other hand, if one discards the inevitable human groupthink and confrontational attitude, you canlook at the different Churches as just different ways to worship. So I guess it could be opening God up to more people...


peace

 

[Tigress_86]

What I'm wanting to know is if I have the right view of UU.... My understanding is that in a congregation of, lets say, 100 people you will find people who believe in all different things. On top of which, the classes (Sunday School??) would cover stories and ideas from many religions and would discuss holidays from many relgions.

You have it right, and yes, classes for children are known as 'Sunday School.'

 

[little_wing]

You have it right, and yes, classes for children are known as 'Sunday School.'

Am I right in thinking that some congregations are more heavily into one faith or another? My experience is limited to a few UUs I know, and their church..

 

[Rae]

some congregations are more heavily into one faith or another

Indeed, some are. It's easy to check out, just go to your local UU church and attend a service. UUs don't tend to hide.

And for MH's attempt to smear all UUs: the UU World (official church publication) has had regular complaints about the UU Polyamory group by UUs themselves. It's as illogical as claiming all Christians are members of the Westboro Baptists because the WB's are Christian.

 

[Velo Princesse]

I know that UU has a history that is tied to the Christian church, but am I right in my understanding that UU's are not Christian? Meaning, that although some people are, the organization is not?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Tigress_86]

Am I right in thinking that some congregations are more heavily into one faith or another? My experience is limited to a few UUs I know, and their church..

It's possible that some congregations may incorporate and/or celebrate certain traditions more so than they do others, however, I don't know about 'heavily.'

[FONT=&quot]

I know that UU has a history that is tied to the Christian church, but am I right in my understanding that UU's are not Christian? Meaning, that although some people are, the organization is not?

Correct. While Unitarian Universalism [/FONT]owes its historical roots to both the Jewish and Christian traditions, it is not exclusively Christian.[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

 

[Velo Princesse]

[FONT=&quot]Correct. While Unitarian Universalism [/FONT]owes its historical roots to both the Jewish and Christian traditions, it is not exclusively Christian.[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

Why is it, in your estimation, that everytime UU gets mentioned on these boards Christians get immediately tense? Is that just a lack of understanding or is it do to the history?

Also, I am atheist... is that something that will pose a problem in a UU congregation?

Thanks.

 

[Tigress_86]

Why is it, in your estimation, that everytime UU gets mentioned on these boards Christians get immediately tense? Is that just a lack of understanding or is it do to the history?

Unitarian Universalists have always been considered heretics, as we do not hold the bible, or any other religious scripture, to be either an infallible guide or an exclusive source of truth. I believe this is one reason. Another might be that, traditionally, Unitarians deny the concept of the Trinity, which means that any Christian within our congregations is likely to deny it as well; something that does not sit right with many in the mainstream, a feature manifested on this very website.

Also, I am atheist... is that something that will pose a problem in a UU congregation?

No problem at all! You're likely to find many an atheist and/or an agnostic within our ranks! One of the sources our tradition draws from is Humanism, something rooted deep in Unitarian Universalism, alongside Judeo-Christianity.

 

[Rae]

The wonderful atheists in our local UU congregation, including at least one President of our fellowship, would be very surprised to be excluded from participation in our church.

 

[Velo Princesse]

I'm guessing that around here, it might be a bit different since everything is. Anyone UU near Fort Worth?? Sunday is arriving soon and I'm a bit nervous. If this place doesn't mind that I'm not Christian, it will only be the second I've found around here that feels that way.

(My husband might be getting me a one way ticket out of the Bible Belt... but that's for another thread.)

 

[Rae]

Anyone UU near Fort Worth??

Sorry. I've only ever attended UU churches in the Midwest. But here's a Fort Worth UU church Web page, so you can check them out for yourself: http://www.westsideuu.org/

 

[MattHenry]

You will find Christians within UUism. You will also find polyamorists within the Christian spectrum. There are at least a couple of splinter Christian churches which teach that sort of philosophy.

peace

That teach partner swapping? Which ones?
http://www.uupa.org/

 

[little_wing]

That teach partner swapping? Which ones?
http://www.uupa.org/

http://www.libchrist.com/, for starters.

 

[Rae]

For those of you with actual open minds, the UUA does not teach polyamory. The UU church itself does not teach polyamory. Many UUs, just like most of the U.S. population, do not practice, advocate, or support polyamorous relationships. A few UUs made this organization, as ALL organizations outside the UUA and UUSC are made, and do not represent the membership as a whole.

Don't forget the Westboro Baptists. Do you want them to represent all of Christianity? How about the Christian Identity people (Christian racists)?

Thanks, Matt, for refusing to listen to what we have to say and continuing to tell lies about UUs. You've shown that the truth isn't what you or your religion represents.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Why is it, in your estimation, that everytime UU gets mentioned on these boards Christians get immediately tense? Is that just a lack of understanding or is it do to the history?

Also, I am atheist... is that something that will pose a problem in a UU congregation?

Thanks.

I get no more tense than when mormons, JW's, Pentecostals, catholics etc post. Different strokes for different folks is my motto.

Zechariah 14:21 And every pot in Jerusalem, and in Judah, Have been holy to Jehovah of Hosts, And all those sacrificing have come in, And have taken of them, and boiled in them, And there is no Canaanite any more in the House of Jehovah of Hosts in that day