Christians> How do you feel about Unitarian Universalist churches? Explain your feelings.?

Question

I've never been to one, but I think it would be interesting to go. I'm Wiccan, so... obviously more traditional, conservative churches are not something I look for.

Answer 1

As a sixth generation Universalist (Unitarian Universalist), I am getting so tired of the ignorant response that we stand for nothing or that we try to be all things to all people. Here are the principles and purposes from the UUA web site:

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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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Unlike many other denominations, we believe that truth is still evolving, not some fixed revelation. Each of our congregations has its own particular flavor and you should not give up just because the first one you try doesn't seem exactly right. Where I live there are four from which my family can choose, more if we are willing to commute a little farther.

If you can't handle having responsibility for your own spiritual life, then we are not for you. If you believe that there is only one way to worship, then we are not for you. If you can't handle that each person has an inherent worth and dignity, even those people you despise, then we are not for you.

If you are looking for a place where the questions are at least as important as the answers, we might be a fit for you. If you are looking for a place where you can disagree on the details and not be cast out, we might be a fit for you. If you are looking for a loving community, where people care about one another and search together to make meaning, we might be a fit for you.

Check the UUA website for additional information.

Answer 2

My wife and I just went to a Unitarian Universalist service this morning. I was so incredibly affected by the sermon. The pastor talked about the beliefs (the Oneness of God and the acceptance of Unconditional Love of God which means NO hell, no judgement). She talked about how both sets of fundamentalists -- the right wing ones and the left wing, atheistic ones -- are both concentrating on the same mistake: a small 'god' that has been projected by people's limited thought systems. Instead, she expanded God to the Undescribable, with descriptions of the mechanisms to experience that by standing in awe and humility of life, of considering that there's a Love at the foundation of everything that comes through when we get ourselves out of the way, that this Love is so beyond our human concepts that it's completely unconditional and always is there for ANYONE (and can't be limited or deprived from someone because of actions, etc.). It was an amazing sermon and I was blown away. She talked about how humility requires us to not think a specific path has the only way. And the church itself welcomes all practitioners and doesn't ask them to give up their beliefs or faith. It was overwhelming and I felt 'God' for the first time in a LONG time.

Answer 3

I've been a UU for 40 of my past 60 years. We have about 8 Wiccans in our 160-member UU congregation. They fit right in.

One of them (who is my age) was upset because some people objected to a clothing-optional Wiccan service -- inside a sweat lodge -- on a church camp-out. I told her "Shucks, just get one of those air horns they have at the boat stores and use it to give the young and infirm 30 seconds to cover their eyes." She laughed heartily. Great bunch, those Wiccans.

Another always brings candied walnuts to the potlucks. We savor them after the main course and minor desserts, talking about stuff, for a half hour or so. You can fault them for their theology, but not for their taste.

You probably wouldn't fault them for their theology. Some Wiccans join us so they can tell people "Oh yes, I belong to the same church John Quincy Adams belonged to". That way no one asks odd questions, like "What exactly does 'sky-clad' mean?" It gives them protection from the idiots who think you guys are satanists and we are just Congregationalists with a different building.

Answer 4

Dear xenomorph,

The church age ended in 1988. We read in 2 Thessalonians 2 that the Holy Spirit has left the church and so there is absolutely NO POSSIBILITY of salvation there. In fact, the Bible tells us that those who remain there are going to be sent a strong delusion that they may be damned. The fact of the matter, is that satan is ruling in ALL the local churches--He is the "man of sin" spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2. The Lord tells us the method by which we are to read the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 2:13, we are commanded to compare Spiritual things with Spiritual things. That means when ever you search out a word or concept in the Bible, you must examine the entire Bible--not a couple of verses. The Bible also declares that Christ spoke in parables (Mark 4:33, 34). Therefore, there is a Gospel message behind every historical event in listed in the Bible. If you do not find the Gospel mesage, you have not come to truth.
Going back to your original question, read Revelation 18. God refers to the church as Babylon, which is a metaphor for the dominion of satan. In 2 Peter 3 the Lord speaks of Noah's flood and then transitions to the end of the world. Look at verse 8 in 2 Peter 3. We know that Noah's flood occurred in 4990 B.C. If we add 7000 years to that date (God gave Noah 7 days to get the animals and his family into the ark) we arrive at 2011 A.D. This may be the year that Christ returns-JUDGMENT DAY.

Answer 5

I have yet to learn what THAT is all about... Perhaps someone here will brief us on it maybe??

That should help a lot.

Peace be with you.

Answer 6

I contacted my local Unitarian Universalist Church, and asked if someone could give me a ride. They didn't contact me and say HI, BYE, KISS MY
***, nothing!
Enough said!

Answer 7

They try to be all things to al people, amd don't stand for anything. And he who stands for nothing willl fall for anything

Answer 8

Im not christian but i feel UUs are the other extreme to christianity, they are too libral even for my taste, there has to be a balance an UU is not it!