Ask a Unitarian Universalist

[cheese_sdc]

To any Unitarian Universalists still remaining here: If I recall correctly when I was looking into UU, at my local UU fellowship, membership was done by signing a membership book

At “my” UU church this is the case.

and I believe there was a minimum 2% annual pledge. Is this pretty much standard to membership or does it vary from church or fellowship?

First I’ve heard of that.

Also I have seen a survey showing 90% of UUs today do not consider themselves Christian. Given the Christian background of Unitarian Universalism, what happened to make this so?

I’m really not sure if Catholics would have called the early Unitarians “Christians” (in fact, they were called “heretics” by both Catholics and Protestants). Universalists, however, were Christian, just with a differing view of salvation. The two religions merged in the 60’s, and with it’s lack of emphasis on dogma (I think, from the Unitarian side), it attracted lots of humanists. In fact, as I understand it, during the fifties and sixties, it was very humanist oriented, but (at least in my church), “God talk” is making a comeback.

 

[mek42]

Do UU typically marry other UU?

 

[Portofino]

Do UU typically marry other UU?

Rod Serling (of Twilight Zone fame) converted to Unitarianism before marrying, under the following circumstances:

“During his first year at Antioch, Serling met his future wife Carol Kramer, a Protestant. Both families had a difficult time accepting the proposed union. Serling’s mother had always hoped her sons would marry Jewish women. Carol’s father told her, “I absolutely forbid you to marry that black-haired little Jew.” Shortly before their marriage Carol convinced Rod to convert to Unitarianism. She was not practicing her parents’ faith and he had never shown interest in Judaism, though he always identified as being ethnically Jewish. The liberal environment at Antioch, which had Unitarian connections going back nearly a century, helped Rod and Carol to shed their family religious traditions and to accept Unitarianism as a convenient compromise. They were married in an ecumenical service at the Antioch chapel in the summer of 1948.”

I’m interpreting this to mean that they both converted – Serling from Judaism to Unitarianism, his wife from “mainline Protestantism” to Unitarianism – and called it a day

I would say it’s fair to affirm that the humanism of the Unitarian denomination informed Serling’s own scripts from the 1950’s and 60’s, including his Twilight Zone scripts. For example: “[Serling] found himself inspired by the words of Unitarian educator Horace Mann, first president of Antioch College: ‘Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.’”

 

[LeftyDisciple]

Jesus is loving and embracing, but He was (and is) relentless in speaking the truth. Let’s not forget his sermon on the Pharisees in Matthew, with it’s refrain of “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites.” Or John chapter 6 where he did not soften what he said about eating His Body and Blood even when it caused many to leave Him.

Yes I also don’t forget his words in the same Gospel of Matthew where he speaks of being gentle and humble and an easy yoke and light burden. Or in Jn 6 where he says he turns no one away. But in that I am not yet an adherent to the Catholic faith at this time, but rather somewhere between UU and Catholicism I’ve no doubt we might not have the same understanding of Jn 6. I’ve no interest in debating Jn 6 but nonetheless a topic perhaps for another thread.

 

[LeftyDisciple]

At “my” UU church this is the case.

First I’ve heard of that.

I’m really not sure if Catholics would have called the early Unitarians “Christians” (in fact, they were called “heretics” by both Catholics and Protestants). Universalists, however, were Christian, just with a differing view of salvation. The two religions merged in the 60’s, and with it’s lack of emphasis on dogma (I think, from the Unitarian side), it attracted lots of humanists. In fact, as I understand it, during the fifties and sixties, it was very humanist oriented, but (at least in my church), “God talk” is making a comeback.

I did just take another look at my local UU fellowship’s website and membership indeed is arrived at by signing the membership book. It does say members make an annual pledge. I thought their old site did say a minimum of 2% but I do not see a specific percentage now.

Neither am I sure if others would have called the early Unitarians Christian. I only know from my perspective if a Christian professes Christ Lord and Savior, that’s pretty much good enough for me. As I just tend not to get too deep into determining who is a heretic or incorporating myself in other such name calling. I am more or less just comfortable I suppose in leaving God to make such determinations of hearts. But I do not speak for Catholics nor necessarily other Protestants.

You stated in your church God is making a comeback. Someone earlier brought up the UU Christian Fellowship. Does yours have such a group?

 

[lynnvinc]

How are you a member of a church that supports murdering children in the womb?

Maybe they are “pro-choice” – with the idea that the woman should choose what to do – but not necessarily “pro-abortion.” I don’t know, since I’m unfamiliar with the religion. But there may be a slight difference. “Pro-choice” would be against imprisoning or executing women who have had an abortion (but not in favor of murdering children in the womb); whereas “pro-abortion” would be into promoting abortions or in favor of abortions.

I’m thinking “pro-choice” would be like a “negative (fundamental) right” not to be punished for having an abortion (part of the “right to freedom”); while “pro-abortion” would be like a “positive right” to have an abortion, perhaps even with federal funding and community support. It would be something supported and pushed – like “have you had your abortion yet, you really ought to.”

Of course, this says nothing re the rights of the unborn. And it is all part of our extremely flawed Enlightenment thinking that we are self-contained, autonomous individuals – which we are NOT, but completely interdependent and interconnected. So the whole “pro-choice” idea is founded on falsehoods. Maybe Unitarianism is too; whereas Catholicism arose much earlier than the Enlightenment (which was anti-Catholic) and is based on more accurate understandings of the human condition that actually fit better with today’s social sciences.

Too bad it’s women who have babies – they are such wimps. I’m sure macho men would be able to tough it out and bring the pregnancy to full-term and birth

 

[Major_Tom]

Plus there are cutting-edge discoveries in everything from astronomy and other solar systems, to the genomes of various species - tons of knowledge.

Thanks for your posts, 3. I like astronomy, too. I’m loving the recent findings in the astronomy world. It’s hard to keep current, since things are changing so quickly, but there’s nearly 1,000 extrasolar planets that have been confirmed. Scads more to come! I love that. It’s fascinating to think what kind of life is out there in the universe. Dare we ponder if any of them are human-like…? And if so, could God have incarnated into their form?

 

[Major_Tom]

I did just take another look at my local UU fellowship’s website and membership indeed is arrived at by signing the membership book. It does say members make an annual pledge. I thought their old site did say a minimum of 2% but I do not see a specific percentage now.

Neither am I sure if others would have called the early Unitarians Christian. I only know from my perspective if a Christian professes Christ Lord and Savior, that’s pretty much good enough for me. As I just tend not to get too deep into determining who is a heretic or incorporating myself in other such name calling. I am more or less just comfortable I suppose in leaving God to make such determinations of hearts. But I do not speak for Catholics nor necessarily other Protestants.

You stated in your church God is making a comeback. Someone earlier brought up the UU Christian Fellowship. Does yours have such a group?

Our congregation has a membership book, but no formal donation requirement. To those not familiar with UU’s: we have a demonstrably democratic streak. The seating of permanent pastors is a matter that’s voted on by the congregants, for example. Our congregation recently debated whether or not to require a yearly donation in order to maintain membership (and voting rights). The matter was settled by requiring a yearly contribution (but only $1).

 

[Major_Tom]

Rod Serling (of Twilight Zone fame) converted to Unitarianism before marrying, under the following circumstances:

“During his first year at Antioch, Serling met his future wife Carol Kramer, a Protestant. Both families had a difficult time accepting the proposed union. Serling’s mother had always hoped her sons would marry Jewish women. Carol’s father told her, “I absolutely forbid you to marry that black-haired little Jew.” Shortly before their marriage Carol convinced Rod to convert to Unitarianism. She was not practicing her parents’ faith and he had never shown interest in Judaism, though he always identified as being ethnically Jewish. The liberal environment at Antioch, which had Unitarian connections going back nearly a century, helped Rod and Carol to shed their family religious traditions and to accept Unitarianism as a convenient compromise. They were married in an ecumenical service at the Antioch chapel in the summer of 1948.”

I’m interpreting this to mean that they both converted – Serling from Judaism to Unitarianism, his wife from “mainline Protestantism” to Unitarianism – and called it a day

I would say it’s fair to affirm that the humanism of the Unitarian denomination informed Serling’s own scripts from the 1950’s and 60’s, including his Twilight Zone scripts. For example: “[Serling] found himself inspired by the words of Unitarian educator Horace Mann, first president of Antioch College: ‘Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.’”

Nice Serling anecdote! Was always a fan on Twilight Zone and NIght Gallery. Always liked the anti-authortarian and Cold War themes. Speaking of Serling trivia, you probably already knew that he wrote the screenplay for the original “Planet of the Apes”? (Based on a novel by Pierre Boulle).

 

[Major_Tom]

Do UU typically marry other UU?

I have no data on that. There are, however, a lot of married couples in our congregation of mixed backgrounds who relate to Unitarianism. Dad had a Catholic/Presbyterian upbringing, Mom was agnostic/Jewish… we respect a lot of faiths, so it’s a nice balance for some. As opposed to trying to reconcile that one parent comes from a faith that’s wrong…

SImilarly, a lot of parents like the religious education program. I teach my daughter’s age group (6th - 7th graders). The curriculum for that age is centered on “Neighboring Faiths”. Last year, we studied Catholicism, Native American spirituality, Judaism, Islam and the liberal wing of Christianity. We study the basic tenets, have guest speakers, usually have a field trip as well. This year, we visited a mosque during a call to prayer; a Catholic service on Palm Sunday, and went to a service at a new, “big-box” non-denominational Christian megachurch.

 

[jimmy]

Unitarian Universalism is a diverse movement, so I can’t speak for everyone in it. But I will do my best to answer any questions you may have about Unitarian Universalism (as I see it).

Can you answer for anyone but yourself? Can you say anything is believed universally within Unitarian Universalism?

 

[Tomdstone]

Ask a UU:
Here are some questions for the UU:
Do UU believe in God or not, or is it something that is left up in the air for each person to decide? If UU does believe in God, what kind of a God is it that you believe in? Can you believe in several gods as do hindhus? Why does God allow evil in the world, especially to small children and almost born infants?
Thank you in advance for your consideration of these questions.

 

[Major_Tom]

“Pro-choice” would be against imprisoning or executing women who have had an abortion (but not in favor of murdering children in the womb);

Yes, I like and agree with that definition. ‘Safe, legal and rare’, as President Clinton put it? You seem dismissive of the “pro-choice” definition in your post. To be clear, do you think a woman who has an abortion (and the doctor and nurses who contribute to it) should be imprisoned?

 

[PRmerger]

Unitarian Universalism is a diverse movement, so I can’t speak for everyone in it. But I will do my best to answer any questions you may have about Unitarian Universalism (as I see it).

My question: has there been a teaching that you believe God has revealed that you have conformed your belief to, despite your own preference to believe otherwise?

That is, is there something, esp. regarding moral theology, that you wish God hadn’t declared?

In the interest of self disclosure I will give my own example:. I really, really, really wish that it wasn’t a teaching of the Catholic faith that divorce and re-marriage is adultery. There have been many a wedding that I wish I could have celebrated with, as my friend found happiness with a new spouse, but I cannot change the words of the Church. So I conform my views to Christ’s and do not make up a teaching like, "God wouldn’t care if my friend divorced her jerky husband and in fact celebrates with her as she finds happiness with her new sweetheart of a husband.

For it stands to reason, does it not, that God is going to declare some things that are unpalatable to you and me, right?

 

[openmind77]

Unitarian Universalism is a diverse movement, so I can’t speak for everyone in it. But I will do my best to answer any questions you may have about Unitarian Universalism (as I see it).

OP where have you gone? It is true that some people heaped abuse on you, but I thought you handled it better than anyone I have seen handling abuse on a forum. Please come back.

In the mean time, a question for other Unitarians: what was the original problem with viewing God as a Trinity? If you are open to most beliefs, a Trinitarian God should not have been such a big issue, correct?

 

[Tomdstone]

OP where have you gone? It is true that some people heaped abuse on you, but I thought you handled it better than anyone I have seen handling abuse on a forum. Please come back.

In the mean time, a question for other Unitarians: what was the original problem with viewing God as a Trinity? If you are open to most beliefs, a Trinitarian God should not have been such a big issue, correct?

As I understand it, one objection to the Trinity is that God is unchangeable. But if at one point in time He did not have a human form, but at another point in time He did have a human form, this would involve a change. Another objection is when Jesus said that He did not know the day or hour, but only the Father knew. But if Jesus were God, He would have been omniscient, and therefore He would have known the day and the hour.
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
Matthew 24:36
Mark 13:32

 

[Portofino]

Nice Serling anecdote! Was always a fan on Twilight Zone and NIght Gallery. Always liked the anti-authortarian and Cold War themes. Speaking of Serling trivia, you probably already knew that he wrote the screenplay for the original “Planet of the Apes”? (Based on a novel by Pierre Boulle).

Ah yes, I did know that about Planet of the Apes! I’ve gotten the impression that a lot of priests or ministers — from various denominations – have appreciated Serling’s work, finding them good fodder for sermons.

I have a number of Unitarians I admire, including not only Serling but also Frank Lloyd Wright and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

 

[RileyG]

What are your services like?
Also can I be a Christian UU, or a Jewish UU, Muslim UU, New Aged UU, etc? (Considering I accept the 7 (?) principles) Correct me If I’m wrong.

Thank You.

 

[meltzerboy]

Rod Serling (of Twilight Zone fame) converted to Unitarianism before marrying, under the following circumstances:

“During his first year at Antioch, Serling met his future wife Carol Kramer, a Protestant. Both families had a difficult time accepting the proposed union. Serling’s mother had always hoped her sons would marry Jewish women. Carol’s father told her, “I absolutely forbid you to marry that black-haired little Jew.” Shortly before their marriage Carol convinced Rod to convert to Unitarianism. She was not practicing her parents’ faith and he had never shown interest in Judaism, though he always identified as being ethnically Jewish. The liberal environment at Antioch, which had Unitarian connections going back nearly a century, helped Rod and Carol to shed their family religious traditions and to accept Unitarianism as a convenient compromise. They were married in an ecumenical service at the Antioch chapel in the summer of 1948.”

I’m interpreting this to mean that they both converted – Serling from Judaism to Unitarianism, his wife from “mainline Protestantism” to Unitarianism – and called it a day

I would say it’s fair to affirm that the humanism of the Unitarian denomination informed Serling’s own scripts from the 1950’s and 60’s, including his Twilight Zone scripts. For example: “[Serling] found himself inspired by the words of Unitarian educator Horace Mann, first president of Antioch College: ‘Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.’”

Is there any official conversion required to become Unitarian? According to something “NowHere This” said previously, it is my impression one can call oneself Jewish, Christian, atheist, and so on, while being Unitarian at the same time. In the case of Judaism, there are Jews who also consider themselves Buddhist, Quaker, Christian Scientist, Hebrew Catholic, or Messianic, while retaining their Jewish religious identity. This may be challenging, however, depending on which movement of Judaism one originally belongs to. I would imagine for mainline Protestants it would be VERY challenging since Unitarianism does not believe in the Trinitarian G-d.

 

[Portofino]

Is there any official conversion required to become Unitarian? According to something “NowHere This” said previously, it is my impression one can call oneself Jewish, Christian, atheist, and so on, while being Unitarian at the same time. In the case of Judaism, there are Jews who also consider themselves Buddhist, Quaker, Christian Scientist, Hebrew Catholic, or Messianic, while retaining their Jewish religious identity. This may be challenging, however, depending on which movement of Judaism one originally belongs to. I would imagine for mainline Protestants it would be VERY challenging since Unitarianism does not believe in the Trinitarian G-d.

That’s my understanding, as well – that one can be a Buddhist-Unitarian, a Quaker-Unitarian, a Jewish-Unitarian, even an atheist-Unitarian. Its sine qua non is a commitment to love and service of neighbor, both on a person-to-person level and on the level of promoting social justice.

Historically, as I understand it, the Unitarians and the Deists were fairly close in orientation during the 18th century (Thomas Jefferson, for example, was both a Unitarian and a Deist). Nonetheless, Unitarians of the 18th and 19th centuries remained a Christian denomination.

When Ralph Waldo Emerson came along in the 19th century, he resigned his post as Unitarian minister, because he felt he could no longer – in good conscience – administer the Lord’s Supper; nor, frankly, did he consider himself a Christian (even though he was very much a believer in God and in the moral law). He was, in fact, the spiritual father of the New England Transcendentalists.

He tried to get the Unitarian church to follow him in moving even further afield from Christianity; it refused to do so, and he respectfully left the church. The rest is history – the New England Transcendentalists were a non-Christian offshoot of Unitarianism, which embraced mystical communion with nature and were also influenced by Eastern religions, particularly Hinduism.

Come the late 19th and early 20th century, and Unitarians “reabsorbed”, if you will, the Transcendentalist orientation; so, in the end, Emerson got his way Frank Lloyd Wright is a good example of this merging of the Unitarian and the Transcendentalist vision (he loved Emerson’s writings, yet was a member of a Unitarian congregation; he even designed a famous Unitarian church in Oak Park Illinois, called “Unity Temple”). Thus, at a Unitarian sermon today, in the early 21st century, you may hear a gospel passage being discussed, but you might also hear a reading from Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, or perhaps Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience; or Emerson’s essay on “Nature”; or, perhaps, a Buddhist parable.