Is anyone UU? Can you better explain this religion to me?

Question

Unitarian Universalist

Answer 1

I'm a sixth generation Universalist (Unitarian Universalist since the merger). I think the best place to start is with our principles and purposes (despite those whose ignorance and lack to initiative leads them to the brash statement that we don't stand for anything):

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The Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association

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.

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:

* Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
* Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love;
* Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
* Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
* Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
* Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

The Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association

The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.

The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member congregations and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.

Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any congregation unless such is used as a creedal test.

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You can find a lot more information at the denominational web site listed below.

And I will be happy to do my best to field any questions you might wish to email me.

Answer 2

Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is a theologically liberal religious movement characterized by some scholars as a "new religious movement," and by others as a Protestant denomination. Formed by the consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist denominations in 1961, Unitarian Universalism probably has a closer resemblance to Mainline Protestantism, although it has been rejected for membership in the American National Council of Churches, a predominantly mainline group. Local congregations are relatively autonomous. The center of most congregations is the weekly worship service, which generally takes place on Sunday mornings, and most closely resembles Protestant worship services in the Reformed and free church traditions.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), founded in 1961 as a consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church in America, is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and serves churches in North America. The UUA represents more than 1,000 member congregations that collectively include more than 217,000 members. Unitarian Universalists follow a congregational model of church governance, in which power resides at the local level; individual congregations call ministers and make other decisions involving worship, theology and day-to-day church management. The denominational headquarters in Boston in turn provides services for congregations that can more effectively be handled through joint efforts. Founded in 1995, the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU) serves congregations throughout the world.

Both Unitarianism and Universalism trace their roots to Christian Protestantism. Many UUs appreciate and value aspects of Christian and Jewish spirituality, but the extent to which the elements of any particular faith tradition are incorporated into one's personal spiritual practices is a matter of personal choice in keeping with UU's creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development. Even before the Unitarian and Universalist movements combined their efforts at the continental level, the theological significance of Unitarianism and Universalism expanded beyond the traditional understanding of these terms

Answer 3

With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed.

Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is involved in many kinds of programs. Worship is held regularly, the insights of the past and the present are shared with those who will create the future, service to the community is undertaken, and friendships are made. A visitor to a UU congregation will very likely find events and activities such as church school, day-care centers, lectures and forums, support groups, poetry festivals, family events, adult education classes and study groups.



www.uua.org/aboutus.html

Answer 4

I read this and felt that it summed it up pretty nicely =)

Unitarian Universalism is a faith with no creedal requirements imposed on its members. It values religious pluralism and respects diverse traditions within the movement and often within the same congregration. 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".

Many Unitarian Universalists consider themselves humanists, while others hold to Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, natural theist, atheist, agnostic, pantheist, or other beliefs. Some choose to attach no particular theological label to their own idiosyncratic combination of beliefs. This diversity of views is usually considered a strength by those in the Unitarian Universalist movement, since the emphasis is on the common search for meaning among its members rather than adherence to any particular doctrine. Many UU congregations have study groups that examine the traditions and spiritual practices of Neopaganism, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Pantheism, and other faiths. At least one UU minister, the Reverend James Ishmael Ford, has been acknowledged as a Zen master. There are Buddhist meditation teachers, Sufi teachers, as well as gnostic and episcopi vagantes clerics. Some view their Jewish heritage as primary, and others see the concept of God as unhelpful in their personal spiritual journeys. While Sunday services in most congregations tend to espouse a christian-derived humanism, it is not unusual for a part of a church's membership to attend pagan, buddhist, or other spiritual study or worship groups as an alternative means of worship.

Answer 5

UUs are the Bahais of Christianity, largely despised by hardcore fundamentalist as soft-hearted, mushy-headed inclusionists who don't stand for anything. What they don't stand for is a complex theology that discriminates on the basis of narrowly defined, incompatible views of a loving God. They are very open to individual interpretations of scripture and expressions of spirituality. That annoys the dogmatic denominations.

The Unitarian part thinks Trinitarianism is way too complicated and unworkable. Just say God, one God. The Universalist part believes that, sooner or later, a loving God is going to let everyone into heaven. It's simple, open Christianity that looks on everyone as a potential prophet and believes in universal respect. It's too easygoing for some, just right for others.

Answer 6

The Baha'i likely does no longer care, truly. they seem a fairly accepting faith. That stated, i might want to consider the above poster and allow you to recognize to envision out the UU. that is fairly regularly happening--we've 2 in the area, one among that is better on the Christian end of issues and yet another that holds pagan gala's continuously. They *like* those who disagree and communicate. If no longer something else, examine it out--i'm one among those who doesn't attend frequently, yet when I do, i'm satisfied I went.

Answer 7

Unitarian Universalist.

There is a God...you pick which religion because in the end we will all see him. There is no incorrect path. (even though all religions tell you that there are)

Answer 8

I'm an unkempt uber-woman!

Seriously though, UU's don't believe in anything in particular; they believe in supporting the individual in finding their own spiritual path. Therefore a UU can consider themselves humanists, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, natural theist, atheist, agnostic, pantheist, or other beliefs.

Answer 9

I'm a Ukulele Unicycle.

Answer 10

Its pretty much wide open. "Bring your own belief". You can be a Christian, a Hindu, an Atheist, Wiccan, it doesn't matter. Come and do your own thing.