What do you think about Unitarian Universalism using the teachings from your religion?

Question

but, not following the rest of the rules of your religion and not, necessarily, recognizing the divinity of your gods or godesses?

Do you think that UU's are cheating? Or, does that make you proud of your religion's teachings - that it is applicable outside of your actual church?

http://www.uua.org/visitors/6798.shtml

Answer 1

I have been a Christian nearly all of my life. However, I never found a protestant or Catholic church or deomination where I could believe in everything they taught or believed in. I had trouble with sending a teenager to an eternity of hell for example or with the clearly vengeful and warrior God of the Old Testament. In UU there is no creed and people are encouraged to explore and find their own path or what resonates for them. All religions are valued as long as you are not teaching hate or predjudice. UUs do have a set of principles that they promote. There are groups of UUs that believe strongly in a set of religious and theological beliefs but they don't tell others they must accept their beliefs and these groups will vary from Christian, to Hindu, to Buddhist, to Pagan, to other great religions. I once read a quote from a priest that "All paths lead to the same great center." I think that is an idea that many UUs embrace. Many UUs simply take the religious teachings and values that are universal like the great commandment to "Love your neighbor as yourself." I don't think too many folks from other religions would object to this (fundamentalist may fear for UUs salvation but UUs are not fundamentalist and they are more likely to focus on how we treat one another now and let the afterlife take care of itself). It is a faith that fosters interfaith dialogue and hopefully a more peaceful world. Today I am a UU and it sustains me and gives me peace and strength in both good times and hard times.

Answer 2

Unitarian Universalism. The Universalism part means that we believe that all beings have an innate goodness in them, and that all religions and cultures, when used properly and not as an excuse for violence or discrimination, are all just different and beautifully diverse paths to the same answer. We are all looking for an answer to the big question: why are we here? That's why UU's utilize the teachings of many belief systems. It's a learning experience, and we may meditate both on an excerpt from the bible and a hindu or buddhist or islamic text in the same service. Seeing the similarities of many religions (that at their center is love and caring) is a positive thing and all are welcome at UU services. I'm proud of being a UU, and it helped me more than I can say to have that community when I was a teenager.

Answer 3

That is like asking "What do you think about people quoting just one line from Churchill or Lincoln or the Bible and not reading the whole speech / book?"

You can admire a lady's hair but not her bottom; a car's finish but not its motor; a religion's attitude towards the Lord but not towards children.

You can admire Ghandi but not be a vegetarian, or Churchill but not be a drinker or a smoker.

I don't think we're cheating.

Answer 4

there's a digital UU Fellowship in "2d existence", with centers each Wednesday and Sunday. Any brick-and-mortar church might want to ask you to pay to be a member, except they have an major endowment fund. it extremely is how they, in turn, pay for the lighting fixtures furniture and water. in case you choose for extremely some Doctrine, you'll probable authentic be a Catholic. you'll probable authentic be a UU and not belong to any congregation. we are actual no longer Christians, yet i visit word them as an celebration. there are a sort of human beings that follow the instructions of Jesus, and hence might want to be observed as Christian, who do now no longer belong to any certain church. i do now no longer imagine of the distinct prepared faith helps you to make up your own concepts with regard to the nature of God, the way united statesdo.

Answer 5

I agree with Zeek

I find the UUs very interesting to say the least.

Answer 6

I think their concept is great - trying to use the teachings from all religions to help create unity. I've never been to one of their services so I don't know how well they are handling it though.

Answer 7

Jesus told us that the road to heaven was narrow (Matthew 7:14), so the idea that there are many paths to it should be held in suspicion by Christians.

Answer 8

Mankind can only unite on Monotheism and never on Trinity.

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