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 Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:52 pm
..that I can live with, anyway! I've had my own beliefs for a while now...kind of an eclectic mix of stuff from all over the place and a general policy of open-mindedness. Well, just recently I found out that it actually has an official name. ^^ Unitarian Universal..oh how I love the way it sounds. Here's some important bits I spotted on wikipedia..yeah..I know "uurgh wikipedia!", but it condenses it well. Yay! Many see it as a syncretic religion, as personal beliefs and religious services draw from more than one faith tradition. Even when one faith tradition is primary within a particular setting, Unitarian Universalists are unlikely to assert that theirs is the "only" or even the "best" way possible to discern meaning or theological truths. There is even a popular adult UU course called "Building Your Own Theology". How's THIS for open-mindedness? Unitarian Universalists (UUs) believe in complete but responsible freedom of speech, thought, belief, faith, and disposition. They believe that each person is free to search for his or her own personal truth on issues like the existence, nature, and meaning of life, deities, creation, and afterlife. UUs can come from any heritage, have any sexual orientation, and hold beliefs from a variety of cultures or religions.More yay! "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." Awesomeness Most Unitarian Universalists believe that nobody has a monopoly on all truth, or ultimate proof of the truth of everything in any one belief. Therefore, one's own truth is unprovable, as is that of others. Consequently, we should respect the beliefs of others, as well as their right to hold those beliefs. Conversely, we expect that others should respect our right to our own beliefs.All the emphasis is mine. I've gotta say though..I think this is the most beautiful community I've ever heard of. Imagine if this system expanded, preaching love, respect, and individual freedom and tolerance? I love a system that doesn't step on the ways and beliefs of others, or force them into a narrow-minded lifestyle that may condemn others. Sorry if that was long..but damn.. that's a religious system I can be proud of. What do you guys think of it? It brings me a little hope, that's for sure.
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:54 am
Wow! That seems awesome! I was leaning more towards Buddhism, but this seems to fit my beliefs more. biggrin I could also see the parks of calling yourself a Unitarian Universal, in stead of an atheist. I think you would get more of a weird look in stead of a, "godless heathen" look.
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 6:48 am
That's just so...so...nice! I can't think of a better word for it. I think I'll look into it.
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:08 am
Religious Instrumentalism FTW Great idea when applied to religion (that one can achieve enlightenment/salvation through many different mechanisms [religions] but that it is the end goal of spiritual fullfillment that is important not how you get there).
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:21 am
My mom and I looked into it and went OMFG-YESSS! Because one of our serious questions about life was "Hey..how could God turn his back on whole nations of people that follow a different religion? How could a kind and loving God do that to so many people?? A lot of them are really good people (like a friend of mine, who's pagan)..how could God send so many kind souls to hell like that? I don't believe it!"
My mom still kept going to our baptist church, but I stopped, and figured out for myself that maybe, everyone is praying or thinking of the same entity (or different facets of an entity for polytheists), and that maybe that entity loves all of us after all, no matter "who" we officially pray to.
Since then I liked to borrow good points from every religion I can think of that seem to make good sense to me.
I wanna join up now. I first heard about this system by chance, since my bellydance studio's company had a performance at a UU 'church'. I couldn't help notice that the place had a biiig library and the most moving piece of decor in the place was a large quilt up on the stage we were performing on with patches of religious symbols and scenes of nature all knitted together.
I couldn't help but get some warm fuzzies about that. xD
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:30 am
I have a lot of Unitarian friends. xD One of them commented about how awesome it was that her church had a GLBT potluck.
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:09 am
Heheh, I attend a UU church. It's really nice. We have all kinds of interesting services like "what is unconditional love," and "What are the problems with Utilitarianism (as in the ethical theory)?" It's really quite nifty. The people that come span the spectrum. Everything from gay Christian ministers to atheists.
UU is also really active when it comes to social problems, which I really like.
I'm probably going to try to become an official member of the church soon. I've attended UU for a while, but I've never officially become a member.
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:04 am
I visited a Unitarian church once with a friend, and I have to say I was pretty impressed. There were all sorts of people there, and they spent the whole time talking about social issues. Even as a devout Pastafarian (heh), I never really felt out of place. I'm glad you've found out about Unitarianism, it's pretty nice, eh?
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:55 am
I have a family friend who goes to a UU church. I thought it was pretty interesting. I might go to check it out one of these days.
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:11 pm
My brother goes to UU church. He's an atheist/secular humanist, like me.
My mom works near one, she says it's a nice place. One of the local UU churches was on the news recently showing their support for gay marriage.
So they seem cool.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 12:05 pm
I wish there was one near me. But I live in the Bible Belt, and the Lutheran church my family goes to is the local anti-fundie shelter.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:08 pm
Psh. That's nothin' compared to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster/Pastafarianism. pirate
No, not really. It's good that you found a system you like. Unitarian Universalism sounds like one of the better (of the real) religions out there. But there aren't any UU churches in my area, I don't think... we have a church for almost every Christian sect but no UU. Figures.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:31 am
Seems like a pretty pimp religion. So, anyone from any religion can join? Because I'm an Odinist, and that religion seems like ownage. ...Ignore my bad internet speak.
wink (And F.Y.I., Thor could kick the crap out of the Flying Spaghetti Monter.) wink
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Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:11 pm
Congrats! I am a Neopagan and pretty much believe in the same stuff that you bolded (cause that is all I read) except I have some spiritual stuff mixerd in. biggrin
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