New age

[ProudUU]

So would you say that UU’s are the most tolerant religion? That everything’s okay, but you don’t have to believe in it? I would say UU’s are the most “politically correct” religion!

I wouldn’t say “everything” is OK. That’s one thing I’ve noticed that non-UUs - particularly non-UUs who are very religious but in a different faith (as opposed to those who aren’t UU but aren’t religious at all) - like to say. We don’t have a creed, we have a covenant. We try (and sometimes fail, like all people) to live by our seven principles. But, like all people, we’re far from perfect!

Most politically correct? Possibly. Sometimes, admittedly, annoyingly so. However, I see political correctness as trying one’s best to live in right relationship with others. In my view, many times people will say things that are deliberately offensive to certain people or groups (often people/groups that have been historically marginalized) and then get all upset when called out on it, stating how much they “hate” political correctness. I am the first to admit that the UUs can sometimes go overboard in their political correctness, but I also know it is done from a place of love in an attempt to extend open arms to historically marginalized groups.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

I wouldn’t say “everything” is OK. That’s one thing I’ve noticed that non-UUs - particularly non-UUs who are very religious but in a different faith (as opposed to those who aren’t UU but aren’t religious at all) - like to say. We don’t have a creed, we have a covenant. We try (and sometimes fail, like all people) to live by our seven principles. But, like all people, we’re far from perfect!

Most politically correct? Possibly. Sometimes, admittedly, annoyingly so. However, I see political correctness as trying one’s best to live in right relationship with others. In my view, many times people will say things that are deliberately offensive to certain people or groups (often people/groups that have been historically marginalized) and then get all upset when called out on it, stating how much they “hate” political correctness. I am the first to admit that the UUs can sometimes go overboard in their political correctness, but I also know it is done from a place of love in an attempt to extend open arms to historically marginalized groups.

Well, you seem to be an honest person. I admire your candor!

 

[lutheran_farmer]

I can understand the attraction. It would certainly feel like you’re doing the right thing by not hurting anyone’s feelings.

What is your church’s views on the Ten Commandments?

 

[ProudUU]

What is your church’s views on the Ten Commandments?

They don’t really come up. We’re not a bible-based church; we have no holy book.

Our seven principles could be said to cover some of the same things that some of the commandments cover (e.g., “Thou shalt not kill” is covered by “Respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person”). But some of the other commandments really have no meaning for a UU, such as having no other gods or keeping a sabbath day.

 

[lutheran_farmer]

Oh, I’m sorry, I missed that. Do you guys ever talk about the New Testament writings? Aren’t there any quotes at all from the gospels? If not from the bible, where does the inspiration come from for the pastor’s homilies? Secular writings or poetry? Without the bible, do you refer to yourselves as Christians? If not, what do you you call yourselves?

 

[ProudUU]

Oh, I’m sorry, I missed that. Do you guys ever talk about the New Testament writings?

Sometimes, sure. But not in a “this is the word of god” way, since we (most of us, anyway) don’t believe that.

Aren’t there any quotes at all from the gospels? If not from the bible, where does the inspiration come from for the pastor’s homilies? Secular writings or poetry?

Our ministers tend to draw inspiration from many different faith traditions, in addition to using secular writings and poetry.

Without the bible, do you refer to yourselves as Christians?

I certainly don’t refer to myself as a Christian, and UUism is not considered a Christian religion. There are individual UUs who consider themselves Christian, though.

If not, what do you you call yourselves?

We call ourselves Unitarian Universalists. Some also add on qualifiers (e.g., Pagan-UU, Buddhist-UU, Christian-UU), often because they tend to identify with another religion strongly (be it through practice and/or family traditions), in addition to identifying as a UU. I don’t. I’m simply UU.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Sometimes, sure. But not in a “this is the word of god” way, since we (most of us, anyway) don’t believe that.

Our ministers tend to draw inspiration from many different faith traditions, in addition to using secular writings and poetry.

I certainly don’t refer to myself as a Christian, and UUism is not considered a Christian religion. There are individual UUs who consider themselves Christian, though.

We call ourselves Unitarian Universalists. Some also add on qualifiers (e.g., Pagan-UU, Buddhist-UU, Christian-UU), often because they tend to identify with another religion strongly (be it through practice and/or family traditions), in addition to identifying as a UU. I don’t. I’m simply UU.

I’ve got to admit it seems like they get a good attendence in my town. The parking lot is always full on Sundays. By the way, why do you meet on Sunday? Just to be like other churches?

 

[ProudUU]

I’ve got to admit it seems like they get a good attendence in my town. The parking lot is always full on Sundays. By the way, why do you meet on Sunday? Just to be like other churches?

Most (if not all) UU churches hold their services on Sundays, mainly due to tradition. Our roots ARE Christian (or Christian-esque, if you prefer) in tradition, after all! However, if an individual congregation decided that it would work better for their members if services were held on, say, Saturday afternoons, they would be 100% within their rights to change the day!

There actually IS one branch of our Association that I know for a fact holds regular services on a day other than Sunday, and that would be the Church of the Larger Fellowship, which is an online church with live-streamed services. It’s mainly “attended” by those UUs who do not have a brick-and-mortar UU church in their area (or who simply prefer to watch from the comfort of home). Many of the members gather together in person at our General Assembly every year, and I hear they are a very active community.

 

[lutheran_farmer]

Oh, I thought your church fell under the umbrella of Protestantism. Interesting. Is your church often used as a crossroads of sorts for those who discerning their relationship with God?

BTW, I know it can be difficult to interpret tone, but mine is genuine curiosity.

 

[ProudUU]

Oh, I thought your church fell under the umbrella of Protestantism. Interesting. Is your church often used as a crossroads of sorts for those who discerning their relationship with God?

BTW, I know it can be difficult to interpret tone, but mine is genuine curiosity.

I wouldn’t call it a crossroads, per se. There are many who now identify as UU who feel “harmed” in some way by other faith traditions and have found a spiritual home in UUism. I can’t speak to that personally, as that is not the case with me. I was simply raised with no religion - we celebrated Christian holidays but in a pretty secular manner; my mother was raised Catholic (12 years of Catholic school starting around 1951 or '52 - so, old school nuns!) and was not a fan of the Catholic religion, though she never really talked about it. I have always craved a spiritual community, but, being the very liberal agnostic non-Christian that I am, attending a Christian church was out of the question (for obvious reasons - the main being that last qualifier!). Even UUism seemed to “churchy” for me … until I finally got the nerve to attend a service. I never looked back once I did; I was home.