Does anyone know anything bad about the Unitarian Universalists?

Question

I went to a Unitarian Universalist church for two weeks, and I love it. but I don't know if I should "sign the book," which means I'd be a member. I don't know when the'll start talking to me about joining, but I'm sure they will. I heard they had a same sex marriage a couple of months ago, which I think is really cool. My question is, should I join?

Answer 1

I'm a sixth generation Universalist (now Unitarian Universalist). If we have trouble with anything, it is in letting people know our message and asking them to join. Our churches have many people who stay for years as "friends." Join in your own time. You'll know when the time is right.

I do get tired of people on these boards who are ignorant of our faith and can't be bothered to learn any real information about us and yet render their judgments. Here are the principles and purposes from the Unitarian Universalist Association web site:

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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Unitarian Universalists believe that beyond our binding principles, the details of your spiritual life are yours to discover. We believe that truth is evolving in the light of science and new knowledge. We believe that no religion has the corner on truth, not even ours. We are willing to help you ask and answer the important questions about our existence and willing to listen to what you have to say. I hope you find what you are looking for as a UU.

Answer 2

There are a pair of "customary" UUs - a blended couple (like a Catholic married to a Jew, no longer a Methodist married to a Lutheran), and an atheist with youthful little ones. Agnostics are those who trust that the existence and/or nature of God is previous human knowledge; or, now and again in jest, those who trust He exists on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, trust He does no longer exist on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and on Sunday bypass to a UU church. > would it not truly is unfair or dishonest to the contributors of the congregation for me to hitch pondering my beliefs? No. you'll likely meet those who share your beliefs and characteristic been contributors for a lengthy time period. we are the in trouble-free words denomination in the USA of a that welcomes Atheists and Agnostics. Unfair and dishonest will be to hitch, yet always promote off your little ones off at their type, then go away, under no circumstances collaborating in any of the congregation's events your self. Being a member would not require any certain conception - you should make your human being concepts up about the nature of God - notwithstanding the congregation will assume you to make a contribution time and money to the congregational nicely-being. which skill a pledge of a few style, and accepted attendance. It takes a dozen people to practice a service at my little congregation (one hundred sixty 5 grownup contributors), and they don't favor to do all that artwork for no longer some thing. you do not ought to attend per week, and also you do not win a gold fashionable human being in case you do, yet you should seem more suitable than only the Equinoxes and Solstices. transforming into a member of a committee does no longer damage both.

Answer 3

The only thing mildly 'bad' about U.U.s is they might knock on your door, but for no apparent reason...

Seriously though, they do have a culture of acceptance, unlike most other religions, especially those with "holy scriptures" written down thousands of years ago when societies were nothing like they are today, and yet the followers insist that everyone go waayy back to those "good old days" - or else!

Answer 4

Don't put pressure on yourself to join. Keep going. As you feel comfortable, become involved in the activities and ministries that move you. At some point, you'll either feel the need to move on or to commit. At the risk of sounding a bit trite, let the spirit move you. :)

Answer 5

There can only be one right answer. 2+2 equals 4 and nothing else. In the same way, there is only one correct road to destination God. Unitarian Universalists embrace many wrong paths, and you can't walk in every direction at once and expect to land in the right place.

As people, UU are probably no different from me or you. But as a religion, I'll pass.

Answer 6

The only church I ever felt comfortable in was a U.U. church. If I could join, I would.

I say, go for it!

Answer 7

They are nice people who have good intentions. However, they won't show you the way to peace with God. You will only find that through Jesus Christ. So you can join if you wish; you have the free will to do that but consider carefully if you want to put all your eggs in a basket that has holes.

Answer 8

From what I know of them, it isn't much of a religion. I don't even know if they believe in God. It is more of a social group that is very liberal. I don't think they have any kind of established religious beliefs, or much of a moral belief. It is kind of like free substitute for a church. No set beliefs, morals, dogma.

Answer 9

Unitarianism is the belief that God exists in one person, not three. It is a denial of the doctrine of the Trinity as well as the full divinity of Jesus. Therefore, it is not Christian. There are several groups that fall under this umbrella: Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphianism, The Way International, etc. Another term for this type of belief is called monarchianism.

In the context of universalism, the Unitarianism discussed here is that belief that denies the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, eternal punishment, and the vicarious atonement of Jesus. Unitarian universalists use many biblical concepts and terms but with non-biblical meanings. Unitarianism is not Christian.

There is a group known as the Unitarian Universalists Association. This denomination which was formed in 1961 in the United States when the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America merged. Its membership is around 175,000.

The General Convention of the Unitarian Universalists formulated the five principles of the Universalist Faith in 1899.

The Universal Fatherhood of God
The spiritual authority and leadership of His Son Jesus Christ
The trustworthiness of the Bible as containing a revelation from God
The certainty of just retribution for sin
The final harmony of all souls with God

Additional beliefs generally held by Unitarian Universalists are:
Salvation is by grace through faith and not by works in any way.
Jesus became the Son of God at His baptism.
The Holy Spirit is not a person, does not have a will, etc.
There now is and will be rewards and punishments according to one's actions but this does not consist of the traditional doctrine of hell.
Human reason and experience should be the final authority in determining spiritual truth.

This last point, "Human reason and experience should be the final authority in determining spiritual truth," is perhaps the most revealing of the character of Unitarian Universalists. Instead of God and his word being the final authority on truth and error, or right and wrong, Unitarian Universalists subject God and his word to their understanding, feeling, and reason. This is exemplified in the following quote obtain from the official Unitarian Universalist website at http://uua.org/. This was found under the heading Unitarian Universalists say:

"I want a religion that respects the differences between people and affirms every person as an individual."
"I want a church that values children, that welcomes them on their own terms—a church they are eager to attend on Sunday morning."
"I want a congregation that cherishes freedom and encourages open dialogue on questions of faith, one in which it is okay to change your mind."
"I want a religious community that affirms spiritual exploration and reason as ways of finding truth."
"I want a church that acts locally and thinks globally on the great issues of our time—world peace; women's rights; racial justice; homelessness; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights; and protection of the environment."

Notice that each of the five statements begins with "I want..." This is not the humble attitude of one indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. It is not the attitude of one who wants to put God first.

It can plainly be seen that this is a religion based upon personal hopes and desires and not upon the the Bible.

I cannot help but think of the five "I will's" listed in Isaiah 14:13-14:

"But you said in your heart,
I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’

Answer 10

Ah, tryin' to get some dirt, eh, mate?

I got nothing. Ask Jack Sparrow, he's got a Jar of Dirt.