Unitarian Universalism: Cool religion?

[SyracuseDemocrat]

I have been hearing good things about UU's from my other liberal friends, and they all me what great fun it is to go to a church and have the reverend talk about tolerance, acceptance, and peace, instead of divisive rhetoric. This church seems like exactly what i need. I was raised jewish and was bar mitzvahed, but I haven't gone to temple in 3 or 4 years. I do believe in God, but I'm not a big fan of Judaism. I really like what Unitarians talk about when they say stuff like this on their website:

Whatever our theological persuasion, Unitarian Universalists generally agree that the fruits of religious belief matter more than beliefs about religion-even about God. So we usually speak more of the fruits: gratitude for blessings, worthy aspirations, the renewal of hope, and service on behalf of justice.

http://www.uua.org/aboutuu/uufaq.html

All of this just sounds really cool to me. So are there any UUs on here that can give me their impression of what it's like? I'm thinking about attending a service this Sunday at one of my two local UU churches and seeing what it is like for myself. Thanks for reading this and I would love to hear comments.

~SyracuseDemocrat

[aquaman]

1. Ther is one UU fellowship that I know of thats local

It's interesting, most of the folks that subscribe to the UU message are of a higher economic class, it's true, there is actually research to suggest such. They accept everyone.

[smirkymonkey]

29. The UU population is one of the most educated of all religions..

Highest number of advanced degrees - which would probably account for their higher income bracket.

[Rowdyboy]

2. Never been but I have friends who have really...

loved it in the past...

[0rganism]

3. My wife tried it for a while, still goes occasionally

From what she told me, I gather there is some singing and dancing, invited inspirational speakers, and a monthly potluck. It's a low-pressure religion in which mellow quasi-Christians trade yoga postures and crystals with new-agers. If your idea of a religious experience involves sacrifice, effort, and imposed guilt, this one may not get your holy rolling. But what the hell, try it and find out.

[Jalixm]

4. ive been going for a few years

i learn a good deal. no judgement. no ascribed doctrine. its nice.

[DemExpat]

5. I went to the one in Amsterdam for about a year and a half....

enjoyed it, loved the guest talkers, etc. A lot of reference to God as a spiritual power, Love, quite a lot of poetry and stories.

But I got lazy about it taking up an entire Sunday afternoon.

I also missed just a little bit more 'churchiness' than it offers.
I used to love the hymns from Protestant churches in my past.

The UU's biggest plus is the absolute enclusiveness, acceptance, respect, of/for ALL people - my main gripe about other religions not having this quality. There were (ex) Christians, Jews, atheists in the group here.

But definitely worth checking out in your area. I'm sure that a lot depends on the group of people attending, so check them both out.

DemEx

[proud patriot]

6. I was married at a UU church

It was very nice and I really liked the minister.

[DagmarK]

7. They don't just proscribe all those principles, they ACT on them.

The UUs walk the talk.....right on down the line.

Here in Portland, they are big activists for the homeless, gays & lesbians, the persecuted and poverty-stricken in foreign countries (UU is the answer to the WTO! LOL), and the environment.

There are quite a few new agers mixed in. But what I really love about the church is that it has been around for over a century. It lends a sense of "tradition" to the principles. I kind of dig some of the new age churches, but given their infancy, I just get a fly by night feeling from them. I don't know what it is; could be just that I prefer the tried and true and a sense of history.

[redeye]

8. No, no...

...I say that the coolest religion is the lack of one. Unitarianism is pretty close to that because I've heard that 70% of Unitarians are really atheists or agnostics (and also that they're the religious group with the highest SAT average), but it still doesn't cut it. Sorry, but a church that people join because they like its liberal stances rather than because they really believe it speaks the truth and that preaches free thought sounds dubious to me.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. I appreciate their respect for all beliefs...

and the fact that they don't try to "evangelize" people into their way of thinking ala the fundy Christian sects.

I'm a little turned off by the heavy political atmosphere that sometimes prevails at some of the churches I've attended. But that's because when I attend church, which is rarely, I prefer to focus on the spirit rather than earthly depravity.

Still, the Unitarians impress me as sincerely interested in something much bigger than themselves; and they clearly make the effort to help people with no strings attached. They're also very supportive of the Arts as a pathway to the higher self. I feel more drawn to them than most religious groups.

[ForrestGump]

10. I've checked it out a few times

and they seem pretty good - lots of good speakers, often from other faiths (though I hesitate to call UU a 'faith') with a strong socially-conscious message. It's somewhat of a refuge for hippy and granola types, too, and will typically include a fair proportion of a communities 'intellectuals,' with a lot of college professors, scientists, and the like, alongside dreadlocked astrophysicists and crewcut folk singers.

The UU fellowships that I've visited did tend to feature more of these analytical types and I wonder if it's because the atmosphere is rather, well, analytical and very intellectual. Unity, for example, is probably more the ticket for someone who wants a more heart-centered 'new thought' experience without going too far into the Christian tradition. Unitarian=mind, Unity=heart....sort of, as a generalization. And Religious Science tends to be even more mind-oriented, in my experience, almost mind-numbingly so (for me, at least).

Also, UU churches (the ones I've seen) have active gay subgroups within them and are totally accepting of gay (and bisexual, transgendered, etc) men and women. If I were gay and wanted some kind of spiritual outlet/input I'd probably check out UU, Unity, and Religious Science. I'm not sure how any of these groups view the whole yak-and-thing issue.

I've got no affiliation with any of these outfits, by the way. And let me just add that, for the religion-phobic, these groups can be at least a bearable thing to endure and they can go on to be much, much better than that.

[Boudicea]

11. I saw Lea DeLaria perform at a UU church

it was great fun, and lightning bolts struck no one down!

[SyracuseDemocrat]

12. this is interesting

The Hillel Guide to Jewish Student Life on Campus says Jews are disproportionately represented at many of the nation's top schools: 33% of students at the University of Pennsylvania are Jewish, for example, 26% at Harvard and 15% at Stanford. According to The Wall Street Journal, as a religious group, Jews are second only to Unitarians when it comes to average SAT scores; in 2001, the average Jewish score was 1161, compared to the national average of 1020. The Journal also reported that a number of schools, including Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., are actively recruiting Jewish students in large part to boost their academic rankings.

http://www.forward.com/issues/2002/02.08.09/education1.html

The average unitarian univeralist score was a 1209 - pretty amazing.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

14. I am jewish myself,

and I received a 1330 sat score. Does that mean if i start attending a UU church it will increase my intelligence? lol.

[elcondor]

13. When I was fresh from the Catholic Church, it helped me

Being a UU and going to a UU fellowship helped me sort out my moral and religious beliefs that just sitting in my room researching by book would not have done. However, they are too unstructured for my taste (you may not have a problem with that). You should know that not all UU fellowships/churches/etc are an all-enclusive haven. Each UU church differs in how it approaches religion--some I visited observed exactly like a Protestant church would (albeit a liberal one) and others were definatly Wiccan in their approach. But if you can find a fellowship you feel comforatable with, it is a neat religion and, like others have said, members actually ACT on their moral convictions.

[grasswire]

15. dagmark?

Are you a member of the Portland church? I know someone very involved there. And yes, that church walks the talk. The pastor, Rev. Marilyn Sowell, was prepared to be arrested in the anti-war protests even though the cops were being quite aggressive.

[elcondor]

16. Wow, I'm impressed! But . . .

I've never been a member of that church! :-)

[donco6]

17. The Unitarians here are pretty cool.

But we have some pretty liberal synagogues, too.

I'm just curious - do you think it would be easy for you to leave Judaism? I come from a Catholic background myself, and I can tell you that even that smaller jump to a non-Catholic church was somewhat difficult to make.

I guess I'm just concerned for you. Think about this decision carefully - it may be harder than you think.

[Rhiannon12866]

18. I am not religious myself, but agree with what's been said here

about the tolerance and liberalism of Unitarian Universalists. A couple I know, friends of my grandmother, belong to a UU church outside of Boston. Despite being over 80, they are into a lot of new-age practices, like alternative medicine, are very tolerant and I have gotten the impression that they are politically liberal. They are lovely, generous people and decidedly upscale.

My friend, who was raised as a Catholic, has said that Unitarians are the closest to no religion at all, which has also been said here. I took a test once, that determined what ``faith'' I should be. My top contender was Unitarian Universalist. Here it is, if you want to see how close they are to your beliefs. It sounds good to me. Good luck with this!:hi:

``Even if YOU don't know what faith you are, Belief-O-Matic™ knows. Answer 20 questions about your concept of God, the afterlife, human nature, and more, and Belief-O-Matic™ will tell you what religion (if any) you practice...or ought to consider practicing.''

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

[Nikia]

24. Now I know what faith I should be

Unfortunately, there are no Friends (Quaker) groups around here. For UU, I scored at 78%. I have always thought it would be intesting to attend such a church, although the nearest one is about 25 miles away. It would appeal to my intellectualism. I think that when I have children I would want to raise them in a more mainline Protestant church though since I am Christian.

[Rhiannon12866]

26. I try to behave as a Christian, though I do not see myself as religious

That's the reason I thought it was interesting that this test told me my best fit would be Unitarian Universalist. It's unfortunate that you can't attend what might be your closest match, it might be something you could really get into. I think it is much more fulfilling to go with what you really believe than what you think you should believe. But, it's up to you. Good luck, Nikia.:-)

[regnaD kciN]

19. They say that if you crossed a Unitarian and a Jehovah's Witness...

...you'd wind up with someone who goes door to door for no particular reason.

(And, yes, I got that joke from a UU mailing list.)

[Rhiannon12866]

23. LOL! n/t

[JanMichael]

20. Yes. Next question.

.

[supernova]

21. If ever the squabbles in my church

get the better of me, I'd move to the UU church, albeit a xtain leaning one.

I've always intuitively had a universalist belief core anyway.

[WCGreen]

22. I am, or rather was a "practicing UU up until my

health took a turn for the worse.

We are a very old branch of Protestantism and trace roots back 300-400 years.

Emerson, Therau and many of the other American transcendentalists were Unitarians. Jefferson was a Unitarian.

Most of the New England social justice tradition springs from the Unitarian spirit. I ma proud to be in that tradition

Unitarianism is a branch of Christianity. It is organized along the line of the Congregational model although, having served on the Board of a UU church for several years, I found a bit too much "organization" coming down from UU HQ in Boston.

Unitarians merged with Universalists about 100 years ago. This produced what some might call the "Hippie" or "New Age" feel to the religion. But that is such a superfluous way of looking at the movement.

The idea isn't in the practice it is in the fundamental belief system that we are all connected by universal principles and ideals, that we all share a common bond and that faith should bring us together not separate us from one another. What you practice to attain these goals is up to you. The church lays out the end results, the path you take is up to you.

It is not a fear based religion focused on the afterlife but one centered on growth as a human and reaching your potential as a human being within an interconnected web of life, very Lion King I know but where do you think they get it from.

We look to the actual teachings of Jesus, not the political ranting based in the King James Bible. You would be surprised at how universal this message is when you look to the eastern religions. I can see why a lot of people actually believe the missing years of Jesus, from 12-30, were spent traveling throughout the world looking for the universal truth...

UU's practice something more than tolerance, we teach respect and acceptance. To be tolerant implies you are able to somehow grant tolerance, that the one granting tolerance is in a position of power. It is almost a condescending approach to life.

But to respect and accept other beliefs and the people who practice them is something that is very foreign to those who have perverted the words of Jesus for their own political power base....

UU's can drive you crazy, but it is those who force people to embrace their own beliefs but are reluctant to grant that same to others that always drove me nuts. These are not true UU's although they are striving toward the ideal.

But since the church is based on the congregational model, the congregation holds the power, the different churches vary widely. And the ministers move about so the feel of a congregation can vary.

In our church, the present two ministers are deeply involved with the national movement and are more Christian orientated than I prefer. I am no longer as active but still support the church when I can. I am looking into the other congregations in the area to try and find that perfect fit.

The UU congregation promotes community involvement with out the missionary zeal of many other religions. We feel our message of respect, universal ideals and principles and acceptance is the way toward a peaceful and prosperous future for all.....

Oh, for you environmentalist out there, UU's are deeply committed to the sanctity of all life, not just human.......
BTW, my congregation is about 40% republican.........

[LWolf]

25. Yes. It's "cool."

Not a UU myself, but I've attended services a couple of times and have some friends that attend regularly.

[TXlib]

27. UUs are atheists with kids.

That's the tongue-in-cheek definition given by the congregation president of the UU church KCDem and I go to.

I'm not the only atheist there, by far. I like to go for the social interaction.

The congregation seems to be made up primarily of people in fairly "geeky" fields, so I feel right at home.

They are a nice, refreshing oasis of liberalism in Houston.

[Trajan]

28. One thing that atheism lacks ...

is the organizing community structure of 'church', which can have favorable effects on society, when used for positive ends ....

I know that some atheists participate in UU services, .. and as long as they are accepted as human beings, then this can be NOTHING BUT good for everyone ...

I have often wondered WHAT atheism can do to promote strong civic ethics and inclusive, humanistic policies .....

In lieu of such an organization specifically geared towards atheism, participation in UU services can provide such an avenue for humanistic social development .....

[Rhiannon12866]

31. As someone who is not religious, this sounds like a great thing to me

You don't have to be religious to espouse social concerns or humanistic policies.:-)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

33. I don't agree...

The UU church I've occasionally visited is highly active within the community and with other churches as well.

They offer classes and concerts which are open to the public in addition to church members, they trade weekends with other churches in the area to provide shelter and a meal for the homeless population, and they offer assistance to those in need through a variety of programs.

The only element of "church structure" which seems to be lacking, is the evangelical enterprise.

I find this quite refreshing.

On edit: Well duh! I just realized that you were talking about Atheism as an individual belief, and not UU...
Sorry 'bout that! :-)

[Rhiannon12866]

35. I enjoyed your post and found it quite informative

As someone who had church attendance forced on them as a kid, I tend to avoid any kind of organized religion. I posted earlier that I don't consider myself religious in the least. But this sounds like the kind of thing I would enjoy and could support. Thanks for the information. I may just check it out!:D

[Nailzberg]

30. Unitarians are the Coolest.

But perhaps I'm biased, having been a Unitarian from birth.

Plus, it got me a 1440 on the SAT, which basically means I whupped Bush's ass on that test.

[OKNancy]

32. I'm a Unitarian

and I put the symbol as my avatar. I am one of those mentioned before...an atheist with kids. My daughter just got a $1600.00 scholarship from thme, so I am pretty happy with them right now. Going to UU has helped my daughter learn about different religions.

One of the really odd reasons I decided that this was important was when I read "Light in August" ( Faulkner) in college and I realized that a non-Christian would have a lot of trouble understanding all the Christian allusions in the book. Think about all the phrases and such that we use in everyday speech. ( of the top of my head...pillar of salt, burning bush, golden rule )

Each "church" is different too. Some, like the one I go to, is very large and somewhat traditional. Others are small and radical.

As someone also said, we do "walk the walk". It's fun to do things as a community, and it is fun to socialize with like-minded people especially in a place like Tulsa.

[sangha]

34. No one answered the most important question!!

How are the UU chicks?