Uniterian Universalism

[V_Anonymous]

Oh and as for your primary question…Like any group we have wide viewpoints (maybe wider then some) and I can not presume to speak for the group, I am sure it would be met with mixed responses both positive and negative.
Me personally? I am not threatened by your “Truth” until it is imposed upon me legally or morally. You are quite free to seek your path as you see fit but not to push it to me as I am not bound to push my view upon you, this, of course, differs from discussing our differences amicably, (something that is very difficult when discussing politics and religion)
Sharing divergent views maturely? Let’s talk. Turning into a war or an attempt to push me to your truth, not good.
I can not abide anyone telling anyone else how to live, think, who or how to love, what they can see, read, the music they may listen to, the art they can see.
That doesn’t mean I allow for “Do what Thou wilt” But more “As it harm none, do what thou wilt” Morality must come from inside a free choice not an imposed state.

God doesn’t make us puppets, otherwise we are free to say “It’s gods will” while we rape steal and murder. It’s all been decreed.

We must come to enlightenment freely and voluntarily, not via Draconian Law.

 

[Rightlydivide]

Oh and as for your primary question…Like any group we have wide viewpoints (maybe wider then some) and I can not presume to speak for the group, I am sure it would be met with mixed responses both positive and negative.
Me personally? I am not threatened by your “Truth” until it is imposed upon me legally or morally. You are quite free to seek your path as you see fit but not to push it to me as I am not bound to push my view upon you, this, of course, differs from discussing our differences amicably, (something that is very difficult when discussing politics and religion)
Sharing divergent views maturely? Let’s talk. Turning into a war or an attempt to push me to your truth, not good.
I can not abide anyone telling anyone else how to live, think, who or how to love, what they can see, read, the music they may listen to, the art they can see.
That doesn’t mean I allow for “Do what Thou wilt” But more “As it harm none, do what thou wilt” Morality must come from inside a free choice not an imposed state.

God doesn’t make us puppets, otherwise we are free to say “It’s gods will” while we rape steal and murder. It’s all been decreed.

We must come to enlightenment freely and voluntarily, not via Draconian Law.

But if my Truth does say I can harm you, I should not follow my truth? Legal consequences aside for the sake of discussion.
You also used the word “must” in regards to your belief that morality is a free choice. Is that based upon your truth?
Thanks
Sorry for the name confusion

 

[IHeartAquinas]

Denying a universal absolute truth while saying that all individually-held truths are absolutely true is moral relativism.

Saying that because the German people were in a state of crisis and identified the non-German populations as the root cause of the crisis, they were justified in holding to the belief that persecution and systematic extermination of their national enemies is a valid truth is also moral relativism.

No, somewhere deep inside me is a finger that is wagging at the first, and is absolutely horrified by the second. I have never read a credible writer who defended moral relativism, and everything I’ve ever read about moral relativism is not only weakly supported but terrifying in its implications. Any system founded upon it is inherently dangerous for the community that exists outside the system.

 

[V_Anonymous]

If you were to hold that view, expect confrontation. There are things that we as evolved cultures tend to hold true to. Rules that are going to bring two people into conflict even to the point of war. History has already shown the consequences of your proposition. When one ideology seeks to oppress or conquer another, then conflict will or oppression will follow.
My ideal world is going to mildly or vastly differ from everyone else.
And when one group start making decisions for another you get slavery or war.
In a real world I expect this will continue until we either grow up as a people or some force inside or external brings our species to its inevitable end.
That which is called “God” is a power or entity beyond our comprehension (we can imagine a 4th, 5th or even 11 dimensions, but we can not readily picture or accurately describe them) so we in our limited capacity assign a role to it , or if it has a divine nature it reveals itself to us in a way it feels we can best comprehend it.
Then as our understanding grows, we shed those facets that prove inaccurate. The earth is flat, the earth is the center of the universe, the concepts of microbes, atoms, subatomic parts, the nature of the solar system where all unknown during the times the bible speaks of.
You would have to be naive or ignorant to deny these facts, and as we learn more the less superstition we hold onto. Science will probably never be able to prove or disprove “God” (again probably) but since science has whittled away aspects of our understanding, that has placed science at opposition from religion for many.
There are over 600 laws in the old testament, most of which we, and you break regularly.
But if a true fundamentalist were to follow teh letter of “Gods Law” as written, there would be genocide on a mass scale. Are you really going to kill me for working on the sabbath? for failure to sacrifice my livestock properly or if at all? Are you currently wearing cloth woven from two materials?
On one hand it says “thou shalt not commit murder” then it turns around and says “thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” anything taken to extremes is counter to our ability to grow and expand as human beings to our full potential.

 

[cheese_sdc]

There is only Truth. However, because it is infinite, we all have different perspectives on it.

 

[CMatt25]

I guess it depends on what you call a cult!! Some might call the UU’s a cult. There are some who refer to the RCC as a cult.

This is true. I never did understand when I’ve seen some Catholics refer to the SDA for instance as a cult when some refer to Catholics as the same.

 

[V_Anonymous]

This is true. I never did understand when I’ve seen some Catholics refer to the SDA for instance as a cult when some refer to Catholics as the same.

Well, loosely defined, a cult is anyone else’s religion.

Webster tells us: Main Entry: cult

1 : formal religious veneration : worship
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

however in popular culture in America , the implication rings up images Wacco, Johnstown, Manson and Scientology.

That is usually what we mean when we talk of cults. I think the best definition for that implication for a “cult” is found here: neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html

 

[Bran_Stark]

I remember my anthropology professor always said the only absolute truth is…
there are no absolute truths.
Or as Pilate said"We both have truths are mine the same as yours?"

I suppose it’s fitting that a Unitarian would quote from Jesus Christ Superstar instead of the Bible.

 

[RebeccaJ]

I participated in a UU church for about a year, before converting to Catholicism. My daughter went with me and we still joke that the main belief of UUs is “don’t be an inconvenience to my person”.

The Sunday service was OK. The sermons were always about not stepping on other people’s toes. Never about God. I acted as an adult chaperon on a youth CON, which was a very bizarre experience. It was then that I started to question whether or not I wanted to be a part of the organization. When a pagan group, who were a part of our UU congregation, did a fairy blessing one night for everyone, that was it for me. My daughter continued to go for a while, but she eventually had no interest.

The pastor was the only person at the entire church who was raised UU, everyone else came from somewhere else. Most were former Mormons (I’m in Utah). They still hold a once a month ex-Mormon support meeting. Most identified themselves as atheist, agnostic or pagan. I only knew one person who identified as Christian, and it was a very loose interpretation of “Christian”.

 

[V_Anonymous]

well we won’t go into the validity of the bible as a factual description of what happened 50- 150 years before it was written and not from any texts , records or eye witnesses.
So Superstar is as valid a translation of the trial as is Mathew, Mark , Luke or John.
Is it any worse the quoting from C.S. Lewis?

 

[TikiTokiguy]

So I’m looking for a new church (thinking of leaving the LDS church) and Iv’e been visiting the Catholic church. I also visited a UU church a few months ago. I was told collage professors hang out at the church and I wanted to hang out with the professors. lol.

So I went one Sunday. I felt very welcomed. The congregation was some what small tho. They lit candles. It made me ask myself “Wow, wasn’t this candle stuff big in the 1960’s?” lol. The main talk was a clear talk against George Bush. Actually, since I’m looking for more liberal friends, I should probably go back. Any church that bashes Bush and his kind are good in my book! lol. One thing tho - I did not hear anything about God or Christ and that’s something I want. So that’s why I’m leaning towards the Catholic church.

I found out the pastor is bisexual, she used to be with a woman but now with a man. She’s part time so only there every other Sunday. I emailed her once asking if they ever talk about God. She said next week they will be having a talk on Native America earth based worship! I do like the all inclusive attitude of the church.

 

[RebeccaJ]

So I’m looking for a new church (thinking of leaving the LDS church) and Iv’e been visiting the Catholic church. I also visited a UU church a few months ago. I was told collage professors hang out at the church and I wanted to hang out with the professors. lol.

So I went one Sunday. I felt very welcomed. The congregation was some what small tho. They lit candles. It made me ask myself “Wow, wasn’t this candle stuff big in the 1960’s?” lol.

Yeah, I had that thought. Being Catholic, lighting candles as part of prayer makes sense. Lighting a candle for the sake of lighting a candle never made sense to me. But, it is a defining thing of UU as it is a lit chalice that is a symbol of the UU church, that people will wear on earrings or necklaces, bumper stickers, etc. I never got it. lol.

The main talk was a clear talk against George Bush. Actually, since I’m looking for more liberal friends, I should probably go back. Any church that bashes Bush and his kind are good in my book! lol. One thing tho - I did not hear anything about God or Christ and that’s something I want. So that’s why I’m leaning towards the Catholic church.

You don’t need a church to find a group of people who are like-minded in politics.

I found out the pastor is bisexual, she used to be with a woman but now with a man. She’s part time so only there every other Sunday. I emailed her once asking if they ever talk about God. She said next week they will be having a talk on Native America earth based worship! I do like the all inclusive attitude of the church.

I liked that aspect at first as well, but then I marched with our UU float in a Pride Parade and wondered how inclusive I really wanted to be. Men parading in underwear in cages (not our float, the one in front of us) while kids were watching at the curb, was over the top for me. No one else in our UU group seemed bothered.

That is the thing I finally figured out, all inclusive means you can’t have any thoughts or ideas that something is just flat out wrong, because what’s wrong for you, might be “right” for someone else.

 

[CMatt25]

Any church that bashes Bush and his kind are good in my book! lol. One thing tho - I did not hear anything about God or Christ and that’s something I want. So that’s why I’m leaning towards the Catholic church.

I do like the all inclusive attitude of the church.

I don’t want to discourage you from looking into the CC. But if you are looking for a church that bashes conservative or Republican presidents, I’m not sure you’ll find it to much extent among today’s Catholic leadership. You may find ppl in the pews of all political persuasions. But there was a time when the CC was more heavily Democratic leaning in it’s politics than it is today. Just IMO.

 

[hb41]

Which “truths” of Islam are embraced? 72 virgins? Multiple wives?

What about the “truths” of one religion that contradict the “truths” of another religion that is embraced in this church?

What are these “truths” that are believed in and embraced?

What is worshipped on Sunday if each of the religions that have “truths” to bring to the table can each have their own god (including Atheism where Man is god)?

One last question, you said most members “promote equality for folks of all sexual preferences.”. Does that include bestiality and pedophilia?

i understand this is an old post…but seriously? you really have these questions? i was born and raised (and confirmed) a catholic, and to be quite frank, you sound really dumb. yes. beastiality and pedophilia are celebrated in the unitarian religion. and my mom is a monkey’s uncle.
next time, use your brain. if you truly believe in God, at least give him some reason for having given you a brain. otherwise, he may as well have made you mentally retarded.

 

[The_Wanderer]

The original Unitarian movement began in the U.S. as a liberal offshoot of Protestantism, I believe, much like the Deists. I believe President Jefferson had some Unitarian, as well as Deist, sympathies.

These days, Unitarians are a collection of various feel-good cults and creeds, like Wiccans, other neopagans, humanists, and so forth. I used to know a fellow who had a mother who was into “goddess worship” and went to various Unitarian retreats; her friends and associates were a strange crowd of feminists, modern beatniks, vegitarians/vegans, and so forth. Talk about a motley crew.