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Post by flanz on Feb 8, 2015 1:51:01 GMT
I am an agnostic and a practicing Unitarian Universalist. Our fabulous new minister is a spiritual humanist and atheist - and much more "Christ-like" than most Christians I have ever met. I have met the very best people at my U.U. congregation, can't imagine life without them, or the congregation. This after many years unchurched, when I no longer identified as Catholic.
If you are atheist or agnostic, I invite you to check out Unitarian Universalism. No creed saying THIS Is the TRUTH and all who believe it are saved... our faith is one about asking the big questions, about diversity, about welcoming LGBTQIA folks, about caring for the planet, about working for social justice.
Unitarian Universalists hold the Seven Principles as strong values and moral teachings. As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
If you'd like more info, check out uua.org.
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Post by myboysnme on Feb 8, 2015 2:24:47 GMT
I have been invited many times to UU by people I share views with and if I wanted to go to a church other than the church I was raised in, I would go. But if I believed enough to go to church, I would go to my own church. I have no need at this time in my life to join with any organized religion. I do sometimes go to my own church to comfort myself with the traditions. But over all, I am fairly anti church at this point.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,664 
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on Feb 8, 2015 2:32:33 GMT
I wanted to check out a UU congregation when I left Mormonism and Christianity altogether, but the nearest one was too far away at the time. I may check them out again when we move to Washington. The only thing I miss about organized religion is the sense of fellowship.
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Post by vspindler on Feb 8, 2015 2:59:25 GMT
If I felt the need for some type of church activity I would totally check out UU. However, it is not something that is "missing" from my life.
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Post by freecharlie on Feb 8, 2015 3:03:35 GMT
I've thought about going, but it seems like a time suck. I live in a rural area and would have to drive into the city to go.
My kids go to vbs each summer and ds informed me that he was the most Christian in our family. I was like, I bet you are.
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Post by lucyg on Feb 8, 2015 3:08:36 GMT
I wanted to check out a UU congregation when I left Mormonism and Christianity altogether, but the nearest one was too far away at the time. I may check them out again when we move to Washington. The only thing I miss about organized religion is the sense of fellowship. My aunt belongs to both a Reform Jewish synagogue and a UU congregation in Seattle, and she loves the UUs. Not sure if you're actually moving to Seattle or whatever.  |
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,664
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on Feb 8, 2015 3:24:27 GMT
I wanted to check out a UU congregation when I left Mormonism and Christianity altogether, but the nearest one was too far away at the time. I may check them out again when we move to Washington. The only thing I miss about organized religion is the sense of fellowship. My aunt belongs to both a Reform Jewish synagogue and a UU congregation in Seattle, and she loves the UUs. Not sure if you're actually moving to Seattle or whatever. Thank you. We're actually headed to Olympia, but I'll check out what's in the area and see how far a drive the UU congregation in Seattle is when we get there . |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:51:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 3:27:54 GMT
This thread was directed at atheists (and agnostics) and is a suggestion about a religion we might like to join? This one is different, is that it? Mercy.
ETA my post sounds rude which was not my intent; I'm just really surprised.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:51:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 3:29:58 GMT
UU isn't a religion, more of a community of like-minded people.
I looked into it many years ago, and DH and I both thought it looked like a good fit for us. I know a woman who has become very involved in her UU congregation. They do all sorts of wonderful outreach and social programmes.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:51:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 3:35:36 GMT
This is from wikipedia, but of course they are not the be-all to end-all:
It's also featured on many of the religion sites - religionfacts.com, beliefnet.com, etc. I think it's also considered a church for tax purposes and charitable contributions, isn't it?
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Post by chlerbie on Feb 8, 2015 3:40:26 GMT
I had a period where I was missing the "community" of church and was considering going, but it still looked like it had undertones of "religion" to it, so I was wary.
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Harper Lee
Shy Member
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Jun 25, 2014 22:25:52 GMT
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Post by Harper Lee on Feb 8, 2015 3:41:16 GMT
There are Unitarian Universalist Christians, and UU respects many Christian values, but no, it isn't a Christian religion.
Disclaimer: although I know something about this, I am not a UU myself.
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Post by Zee on Feb 8, 2015 3:42:31 GMT
So it's organized non-religion?
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:51:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 3:44:12 GMT
It doesn't appear to be a solely judeo-christian religion, nor am I saying it's bad or anything like that - but it is a weird place to invite atheists, that's all.
From the UUA.org website's About Us page:
And the Wiki quote is directly from this same page:
It absolutely is a religion.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:51:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 3:50:22 GMT
I guess I don't see it as a weird place for atheists, because I don't think the UU church worships a god/supreme being.
Just like it's not odd or weird for an atheist to be a Buddhist.
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Post by lucyg on Feb 8, 2015 3:53:29 GMT
Yes, but it has a humanist-type philosophy. It incorporates some facets of Christianity but it isn't a Christian religion. Ask any non-UU Christian if you want confirmation. |
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Post by compwalla on Feb 8, 2015 3:54:26 GMT
The clergyman leading our local UU congregation self identifies as pagan. It's religion but one in which you get to decide for yourself what's real and what's imaginary.
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Post by flanz on Feb 8, 2015 5:04:27 GMT
This thread was directed at atheists (and agnostics) and is a suggestion about a religion we might like to join? This one is different, is that it? Mercy. ETA my post sounds rude which was not my intent; I'm just really surprised. It IS that different! I hesitate to call it church because very little about it is reminiscent of "church" as I knew it. We are a group of Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, theists, folks who come from Jewish, Catholic and Christian upbringings. If you read the 7 principles in my OP here, you will see that we are very different indeed. And the sense of community is wonderful, as is our work for social justice. |
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Post by flanz on Feb 8, 2015 5:05:57 GMT
UU isn't a religion, more of a community of like-minded people. I looked into it many years ago, and DH and I both thought it looked like a good fit for us. I know a woman who has become very involved in her UU congregation. They do all sorts of wonderful outreach and social programmes. UU is a religion, but it is unlike other religions. A liberal faith. Hard to describe until you've experienced it. A place where many who are disenchanted with the religion of their upbringing find a spiritual home that is comfortable. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Feb 8, 2015 5:09:51 GMT
If I felt the need for some type of church activity I would totally check out UU. However, it is not something that is "missing" from my life. What she said. |
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ComplicatedLady
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Feb 8, 2015 5:14:52 GMT
If I felt the need for some type of church activity I would totally check out UU. However, it is not something that is "missing" from my life. This is how I feel. There is a UU 'church' (not sure what to call it) near me. My dh has talked about checking it out in case I feel ds is missing out on having a church community. I don't feel like anything is missing and quite honestly, I don't want to add a commitment to my life. I feel like the weekends are short enough as it is. I don't want to add a weekly obligation. Im an introvert though, so need to recharge with alone time on the weekends, not with a 'community'. |
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Post by flanz on Feb 8, 2015 5:20:22 GMT
I guess I don't see it as a weird place for atheists, because I don't think the UU church worships a god/supreme being. Just like it's not odd or weird for an atheist to be a Buddhist. EXACTLY, Ashley! Thank you! Some UUs are completely atheist, others are agnostic, others are theist who do believe in a higher power of some sort. While a very few still hold on to their Christian beliefs, most of us believe Jesus was a great teacher like so many others before and since, but we do not believe he is the son of God. Car Talk guys, the Beatles far more likely to be quoted in a sermon than anything in the bible!! Famous UUs include John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Louisa May Alcott, Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Robert Fulghum, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Starr King, Linus Pauling, Randy Pausch, Melissa Harris-Perry, Albert Schweitzer, Frank Lloyd Wright. T |
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Post by flanz on Feb 8, 2015 5:22:30 GMT
The clergyman leading our local UU congregation self identifies as pagan. It's religion but one in which you get to decide for yourself what's real and what's imaginary. YES! We ask the big questions and respectfully search for truth and meaning together. There is no dogma, no "this is the truth and if you believe anything else you are wrong." It's about admitting we don't know the answers and seeking them together, while respecting and honoring diverse points of view. |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
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Post by Gennifer on Feb 8, 2015 5:31:17 GMT
I'm quite happy with my non-affiliation with anything.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:51:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 6:36:16 GMT
I searched out the ones in my community. One of the first things they had on their website was home much you were expected to tithe based on your salary and lots to do with how much to donate. I thought that was a bit weird. I never went to check them out as the Mormons did the same thing to me. I met with some sisters once and they said well you pray and you have to tithe 10% right off the bat. I am yeah ok where is the exit?
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anniebygaslight
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Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Feb 8, 2015 9:12:23 GMT
No thanks. Is proselytising allowed here?
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Post by gar on Feb 8, 2015 10:26:25 GMT
So it's organized non-religion? With Christian undertones........ |
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craftykitten
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Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Feb 8, 2015 10:34:10 GMT
I think what's (only slightly) irritating me is the assumption that if you are atheist/agnostic you are still 'searching'. Many people are quite happy just as they are. Why does society feel the need to label anybody? And then you have to meet in a group with other people who have the same label. I don't get it.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:51:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 12:23:59 GMT
I'm sorry but that just makes you sound unbearably smug. Like you're the only people who do that.
I don't feel any need to congregate and listen to sermons, unless it's at the pub and the drunk at the bar is wildly entertaining.
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BarbaraUK
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Jun 27, 2014 12:47:11 GMT
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Post by BarbaraUK on Feb 8, 2015 12:51:48 GMT
I've not got a horse in this race as detailed in the thread heading......but sorry OP, with, what, 5? detailed encouraging 'join us' type replies up to now in this thread already it is rather looking as though you are conducting a 'community' recruitment campaign.  |
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