Ask a Unitarian Universalist

[Tomdstone]

Henry VIII was named Defender of the Faith because of a document he wrote. Defense of the Seven Sacraments, not his actions but his words.

Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church in what year? And was this before or after the execution of Tyndale in 1536?

The date of the excommunication of Henry VIII is usually given as 17th December 1538 according to an announcement by Pope Paul III on that date.

 

[Tomdstone]

So it does seem that Tyndale was a victim of the English Reformation, rather than a victim of the Catholic Church. Although at the same time I would like to take a moment to remember all the Catholics that were also a victim of the English Reformation.

As I understand it, Tyndale’s three accusers were all Catholic doctors of theology of the Catholic University of Louvain: the Belgian archives list them as Ruward Tapper, dean of St Peter’s Church in Louvain; Jan Doye, canon of St Peter’s; and Jacobus Latomus, also canon of St Peter’s.

 

[Darryl_B]

The date of the excommunication of Henry VIII is usually given as 17th December 1538 according to an announcement by Pope Paul III on that date.

I asked when did Henry VIII break away from the Catholic Church, not when the Catholic Church broke away from Henry VIII.

The break away by Henry VIII was over his second wife Anne Boleyn, while she was still alive. He wanted that marriage to be invalid.

 

[rinnie]

Shouldn’t you be impressed that they managed to achieve that kind of unity without a hierarchy or a pope?

Not really. Unity means united in truth when it comes to the unity of the RCC.

In the RCC there is only ONE TRUTH. Its not the Popes opinion, our opinion or anyones opinion. Truth is not what truth is to you. Truth is what truth is taught to us by God through the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Unity is only Unity when it is Unity in Christ.

 

[Darryl_B]

As I understand it, Tyndale’s three accusers were all Catholic doctors of theology of the Catholic University of Louvain: the Belgian archives list them as Ruward Tapper, dean of St Peter’s Church in Louvain; Jan Doye, canon of St Peter’s; and Jacobus Latomus, also canon of St Peter’s.

As I understand it, Tyndale was accused in this case of having ideas that were contrary to Church teaching. His translation was slanted in that direction much like the New World Translation is slanted to the belief system rather than vice versa (and yes I would destroy all copies of that one if I could). He also included notes as part of the translation which reflected his theology.

 

[NowHereThis]

Pete Singer:

Singer argues that newborns lack the essential characteristics of personhood—“rationality, autonomy, and self-consciousness”[26]—and therefore “killing a newborn baby is never equivalent to killing a person, that is, a being who wants to go on living.”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Singer

Is this what the UU believes and practices?

No, that’s never been adopted by the UUA to my knowledge, and though I can’t speak for every UU, I much doubt that you’d find more than a handful (if anyone at all) who would agree with it.

 

[NowHereThis]

Is the need to be right so strong in most Christians that a group that overtly espouses that many answers are unknowable and that seekers of truth may learn from one another even if they have found different truths, is such a group so much of a threat to most Christians so as to warrant this level of hostility?

I seem to recall reading somewhere that someone once said, Blessed be the peacekeepers. With rare exception in this thread, it does not appear that those who claim to follow He who spoke those words are in danger of receiving that blessing.

To the OP if you are still around, or whomever else might be able to answer, would UU be a good place for someone interested in upholding the Covenant of Noach?

If I understand you correctly, you wish to be “righteous gentile”? My own church has a Jewish heritage group that all are welcome to join, and that seems like a good place from someone who wants a connection to Judaism without formally joining. You could probably find another UU church that has such a group, or start one yourself within a church that doesn’t have one.

 

[mek42]

If I understand you correctly, you wish to be “righteous gentile”? My own church has a Jewish heritage group that all are welcome to join, and that seems like a good place from someone who wants a connection to Judaism without formally joining. You could probably find another UU church that has such a group, or start one yourself within a church that doesn’t have one.

Thank you. And yes, righteous gentile is as good a description as any.

 

[josh987654321]

I really don’t understand people’s “believe what you want to believe” attitude. If it’s wrong than it’s wrong, what’s the point to believing a lie?

Winners deal with reality, they deal with the truth.

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[rinnie]

Just a thought!

Universal in ONE. Like universal joint! Etc. How could you be universal if you don’t all agree on everything and everything is not perfectly clear?

 

[Major_Tom]

Just a thought!

Universal in ONE. Like universal joint! Etc. How could you be universal if you don’t all agree on everything and everything is not perfectly clear?

Actually, the “Universalist” component of Unitarian Universalism came from a separate, Christian offshoot that later merged with the Unitarian church to form the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association).

This “universal” relates to the idea of universal salvation, from a questioning of the Christian notion of an eternal hell.

Is there a “Universal” truth…? In Catholic doctrine, I believe that truth regarding the creation hasn’t been completely revealed. That is, one Catholic can believe in a literal seven-day creation, and one Catholic can read Genesis symbolically, correct? So, from one truth, there are two perspectives that are acceptable to people in your faith. Similarly, we acknowledge other faiths, and the varied ways that they have experienced God.
Personally, I like the phrase “One light, many windows”.

 

[Major_Tom]

Pardon me if I misunderstand what you believe.

So Unitarian Universalists believe all religions are true, right? If so, how do you justify that with each religion’s claim that only they are right?

I do not think it’s accurate to say that all religions are true. Do they share commonalities in they what try to accomplish? And the questions they ask? I’d say so.

I don’t understand the Mormon baptism of the dead, nor the segregation of the sexes of Muslims during the call to prayer, to name two practices in other faiths that pop into my head.

Of course, I endeavor to treat Mormons, Muslims, and others with respect (as I’m sure you do). I would love to have a conversation with them about their faith. We stress human reason very much. The prism for that is our seven UU principles (I think NowHereThis posted these in the first page of the thread). Any practice or belief can and should be questioned, respectfully. In that regard, I’d gladly share my criticisms with them.

 

[Major_Tom]

I really don’t understand people’s “believe what you want to believe” attitude. If it’s wrong than it’s wrong, what’s the point to believing a lie?

Winners deal with reality, they deal with the truth.

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

Razanir, from earlier in the thread, had a similar question. Brief response is in the post above.

Winners deal with reality, they deal with the truth.

Perhaps you could expand on this. I’m at a loss. I’m gonna take a guess here… you’re the winner?

 

[Major_Tom]

No, that’s never been adopted by the UUA to my knowledge, and though I can’t speak for every UU, I much doubt that you’d find more than a handful (if anyone at all) who would agree with it.

I second that.

 

[PRmerger]

I second that.

Would a person who espoused that view be permitted to lecture/preach (or whatever nomenclature you use) at your UU church?

 

[Major_Tom]

Would a person who espoused that view be permitted to lecture/preach (or whatever nomenclature you use) at your UU church?

That would be up to the pastor, I would think. What criteria would he/she use? I haven’t asked our pastor, so I don’t know what the specific criteria are. We’ve had several guest speakers, including retired UU ministers, ministers from adjacent congregations, a former Lutheran minister (and now congregant), and non-ministers speaking on social justice and enviromental issues.

 

[PRmerger]

That would be up to the pastor, I would think. What criteria would he/she use? I haven’t asked our pastor, so I don’t know what the specific criteria are. We’ve had several guest speakers, including retired UU ministers, ministers from adjacent congregations, a former Lutheran minister (and now congregant), and non-ministers speaking on social justice and enviromental issues.

So you’re not sure if someone who advocated killing a newborn would be allowed to preach at your church?

Am I understanding you correctly?

Would you have the same answer if some believed in women being separate but equal? That is, would your pastor allow someone to preach who believed women had dignity and worth, but ought not be praying beside men?

 

[nmgauss]

So you’re not sure if someone who advocated killing a newborn would be allowed to preach at your church?

Am I understanding you correctly?

Would you have the same answer if some believed in women being separate but equal? That is, would your pastor allow someone to preach who believed women had dignity and worth, but ought not be praying beside men?

Here is a statement about UU beliefs:
uua.org/beliefs/faq/index.shtml
Is there a place for my beliefs in Unitarian Universalism?
Unitarian Universalism welcomes people with diverse beliefs. Individual Unitarian Universalists may identify with and draw inspiration from many different religious or philosophical traditions, which can include Atheism/Agnosticism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Paganism. All visitors are welcome in our congregations and you need not renounce your current beliefs to take part.

 

[josh987654321]

.

.

This passage comes to my mind -

**2 Peter 3:16

16 Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too.**

This is why liberal interpretations of the bible are wrong, every different contradictory interpretation is not as valid as the other, when these things were written, only one interpretation was intended. So in other words, UU encourages people to twist the word of God in order to suit their own whim and fancy?

How many times do you come accross people on these forums who say things like “That’s not what I said” or “that’s not what I meant” or “your misinterpreting what I said” ?

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[PRmerger]

Here is a statement about UU beliefs:
uua.org/beliefs/faq/index.shtml
Is there a place for my beliefs in Unitarian Universalism?
Unitarian Universalism welcomes people with diverse beliefs. Individual Unitarian Universalists may identify with and draw inspiration from many different religious or philosophical traditions, which can include Atheism/Agnosticism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Paganism. All visitors are welcome in our congregations and you need not renounce your current beliefs to take part.

Interesting. So the Reverend Fred Phelps, who espouses vile and despicable beliefs, need not renounce his current beliefs in order to join the UU.

Curious.