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On the Unitarian-Universalist forum at http://www.beliefnet.com, all sorts of people claim to be Catholic, Baha'i and into Native-American spirituality. One person wants to convert back to Judaism. Another is an atheist. What does any of this have to do with a full commitment to the Unitarian religion? Surely, you are one or the other.

2007-02-26 04:54:02 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

I have nothing against these other religions, but why join a congregation if you are a full-fledged member of another religion? If it is a spouse or relative who wants to learn about your religion or accommodate for the sake of family, that's a different matter. I don't see how you can be two religions at once.

2007-02-26 04:55:35 · update #1

7 answers

A Unitarian who wants to return to Judaism does not need a formal conversion.

The Jewish religion regards Jews who have become apostates as actually remaining Jews, despite their sins.

2007-03-01 01:20:58 · answer #1 · answered by Ivri_Anokhi 6 · 1 0

The Unitarian Universalist organization is unique among western religions, because it doesn't have a single mind-set about the nature of God.

Jews do - He is the one who spoke to Moses.
Christians do - He is the one who spoke to Moses and sired a son, Jesus.
Muslims do - He is the one who spoke to Moses, inspired Jesus and spoke through Mohammed.

As long as someone wants to respect the worth and dignity of every person and follow our other principles - which say nothing about the nature of God - he/she is free to belong to a UU congregation. People don't even have to believe in God. Even Atheists love potlucks.

We inspire confusion and derision all over these boards. Most people don't understand how two people with different views on the nature of God could meet under the same roof, let alone 100 people with different views.

I'll pass on the part about painting ourselves blue and dancing naked by the light of the moon.

If there was a single truth in religion - if it could be boiled down to a series of postulates and theorems, like plane geometry can - there wouldn't be 10 major religions and 400 minor ones today; there would be just one. Most people think they have found the One True Way, all of the other religions are wrong and they should meet with others just like themselves when they worship. We don't think that way.

In practice, very few people belong to two different churches at the same time. If a [Baha'i / Wiccan / Native American follower] didn't have a congregation within 200 miles, he/she might join a UU congregation just for the company of intelligent, tolerant people who liked to have potlucks and talk about spiritual matters.

You asked essentiially the same question a few hours ago. If you want to make fun of us, go ahead, but Garrison Keilor does it better; he is, after all, a professional. If you are honestly curious, you can write to me:

wizard@stanuu.org

I'm my church's web master, not a minister. I'm a technical wizard, not a magical wizard.

Ted

2007-02-26 19:40:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I understand what you are saying. At the same time I do think there is a simple explanation.

Here's how it is possible:
When colonizers came to america, they quite literally Forced Native people to be any form of Christian. They kidnapped their children and punished them if they didn't practice Christian ways.
Now many Native people have grown up with Christian values, because of this history. At the same time they want to recognize their traditional values. So they are both. It is an internal conflict but it definately isn't chosen, it exists because of colonization.
There are even some religions that practice a combination of both Native practices and Christianity, for example (from what I have seen) the Quakers.

2007-02-26 22:43:34 · answer #3 · answered by RedPower Woman 6 · 0 0

from the bits and pieces I've read about unitarian-universalists, its a very open group, and are not real specific/dogmatic/closed like many religions are, particularly "mainstream" christianity.

remember not all religions claim to be exclusively correct, the "we're right and your wrong and everyone but us is going to hell" thing just isn't very nice.

2007-02-26 13:00:38 · answer #4 · answered by RW 6 · 0 1

I think that people are searching for 'where' they belong... the unitarian church 'lets' you believe in what you want and you just get along all together.. la la la... life is wonderful.

so you could join the unitarian church and believe any given religion, and it is ok, and you just worship your own 'god' along side someone that is worshipping another...

2007-02-26 13:01:56 · answer #5 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 0 0

i know islam, means that ur a truthful beleiver of the bible (original), of the torah (original), and of the Quran... we have duty coming from all three religions, but its still called islam.

2007-02-26 13:08:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I don't know?????

2007-02-27 00:51:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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