Unitarian Universalists

[Englishsammy 17]

Hi everyone

I was just reading the 'how many christian' thread and I thought I'd ask if there were anyone who was a member of the Unitarian Universalist association? When I move back to Cali, Roshon and I are really interested in going down to our local Unitarian Universalist 'church'. We went to a couple of christian churches when I was living there but it really wasn't for us (well he wasn't too bothered but it wasn't really my thing). I've heard people mention the U.U. on V.J and I wondered if anyone could give me more info on it and opinions. I've seen the website but I just wanted someones personal experience with it.

Thanks all

Sam

[moondancer627 0]

The Unitarian Church is a mixture of all beliefs rolled up in one, they also are nonjudgemental in gender identity. I went to one service and they read from several holy scriptures such as the Hindu, Buddist and Christian beliefs.

They also sang several Earth songs to include us " pagans".

I am an eclectic believer myself, mostly believing in the power of self, Mother Earth, and looking for the good in all people.

I go hiking every Sunday so I don't go to any "church building" our hiking club is my social, spiritual outlet.

Moondancer

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Unitarian Universalist Association

Google is your friend!

I've been to a UU in Nashville a few times and must say that I liked the people and the atmosphere.

Edited February 23, 2006 by ET-US2004

[Jasman0717 9]

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

[kc456 0]

We went once so far. My husband (christian) said he really liked it. I (atheist) thought it was okay -- I was not uncomfortable at all. They had symbols for various religions put up, which was nice. The Sunday school for the kids was recently out on a field trip to the mosque (!). The people seemed very nice, but way out of our age group. We wanted to try another location, to compare, but did not manage to get out there.

Overall, I'd definitely reccomend checking it out.

[Sister Fracas 5]

The Unitarian Church is a mixture of all beliefs rolled up in one, they also are nonjudgemental in gender identity. I went to one service and they read from several holy scriptures such as the Hindu, Buddist and Christian beliefs.

They also sang several Earth songs to include us " pagans".

I am an eclectic believer myself, mostly believing in the power of self, Mother Earth, and looking for the good in all people.

I go hiking every Sunday so I don't go to any "church building" our hiking club is my social, spiritual outlet.

Moondancer

I ALWAYS love to read your feelings and opinions when it comes to your spirituality, so refreshing and inclusive!

Edited February 23, 2006 by Frances

[CarolineM 0]

I play soccer on Sundays!! The pitch is my church

[Kajikit 65]

The Unitarians are supposed to be very accepting and inclusive... but I think they go a bit too far. I like a little tradition and ritual in my service and they don't do anything I'd recognise as being 'church'!

[kc456 0]

...they don't do anything I'd recognise as being 'church'!

That's what makes it okay by me! Don't like all of the formalities. Can you believe it that in Russian Orthodox church you have to *stand* the whole service (over an hour). I tried it once and got kind of woozy.

[Sister Fracas 5]

The Unitarians are supposed to be very accepting and inclusive... but I think they go a bit too far. I like a little tradition and ritual in my service and they don't do anything I'd recognise as being 'church'!

They aren't trying to be a traditional "church"....

With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed.

But whatever floats yer boat!

[almaty 19]

The Unitarians are supposed to be very accepting and inclusive... but I think they go a bit too far. I like a little tradition and ritual in my service and they don't do anything I'd recognise as being 'church'!

They aren't trying to be a traditional "church"....

With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed.

But whatever floats yer boat!

agreed...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The Unitarians are supposed to be very accepting and inclusive... but I think they go a bit too far. I like a little tradition and ritual in my service and they don't do anything I'd recognise as being 'church'!

They aren't trying to be a traditional "church"....

We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves.

That's what makes them so refreshing. They're keeping it real!

[Englishsammy 17]

I'm not to keen on ritual and tradition in church....thats why I thought the U.U sounded quite good. I like the concept of liberal religion.

We'll definately be giving it a go anyway. To be honest I have never been a church goer and I am happy that way but Roshon wants us to find a church that suits us (I think he meant Christian but I had other thoughts.....) so I looked into it a little. Roshon reckons its some kind of cult though hehehe he's such a geek! If it is as it sounds I'm quite looking forward to it - I like listening and learning about religions and cultures - I've just never found a specific one myself. I find fault and ask to many questions -I've annoyed a fair few of Roshon's 'christian' friends - one of them tried to tell him not to marry me because he can help Roshon meet a good 'christian' girl - I guess they didn't help my american christian church experience! I know I probably just had a bad experinence - I don't think everyone is the same!

I wonder if there is any U.U places in England......

[rclouse 0]

Let The Simpsons weigh in:

Lisa: Wow, look at all these flavors! Blessed Virgin

Berry, Command-Mint, Bible Gum?

Lovejoy: Or, if you prefer, we also have Unitarian ice cream.

[hands Lisa an empty bowl]

Lisa: There's nothing here.

Lovejoy: Exactly.

and...

Bart: When I'm feeling low, you know what always cheers me up?

Todd: Is it love?

Rod: Kindness?

Bart: Ooh, tough room. Videogames! Whaddya got? [grabs a

videogame off the shelf, and reads the title] "Billy

Graham's Bible Blaster?"

Rod: Keep firing; convert the heathens!

[cut to a pixilated video screen. Heathens cross the

street, as a Bible gun shoots the Holy Book at them. When

a heathen gets hit, he turns into a conservatively dressed

man with a halo]

[cut back to the boys]

Bart: Got him!

Rod: No, you just winged him and made him a Unitarian.

[nayalamb 0]

i was considering trying a UU church in PA. jig isn't really churchy, and i wanted to find a place where we'd both be comfortable. i'm sorta mulling it over in my head. i dunno. i guess i will do some more reading and try it out and see how it feels. america has hundreds of spiritual options so there's no harm in test-driving until something feels right.

Englishsammy - don't worry about what his friends think. people can be very close-minded at times. i got alot of heat from some family members because i didn't want to use my 90 days to arrange a big formal wedding complete with full Mass and everything.