I went to a UU service for the first time this morning...

[TreasonousBastard]

and it was even better than I expected, although I admit picking up a hymnal was a bit more than I'm used to.

Much like my own Quaker meeting, this UU church is welcoming and affirming and is working on a Peace action very similar to Quaker Peace Testimony.

[Selatius]

1. I heard the FBI monitors quakers and others of the sort because...

of the fact that they claim conscientious objector status because of religion. The government doesn't like that they can't control certain individuals, it seems.

[Warpy]

3. The first entry on my FBI file was when I stood with the Quakers

in their weekly silent vigil against Vietnam.

I was in junior high. It was 1962.

[jody]

20. MG Smedley Butler, "The Fighting Quaker", was awarded two MOH.

He also saved the U.S. from a coup to overthrow FDR plotted by the ancestors of the same people determined to replace our form of democracy with a plutocracy.

We need a few Quakers like Butler today!

[TreasonousBastard]

6. Quakers were imprisoned and tortured...

by the English in the 17th century, hung by the Puritans in Massachusetts, and some are now being prosecuted for refusing to pay "war taxes." The American Friends Service Committee received a Nobel Peace Prize, but was still accused of being a subversive organization because Friends refused to fight in WWII. That they were ambulance drivers and other noncombatants serving the country didn't seem to make much of a difference. Although no one argues that WWII was not Just War, Quakers do not fight in any war, just or not.

And, I have no doubt there is a file on me somewhere. Starting and fighting in an illegal war is apparently the height of patriotism, but protesting it is the height of treason. So sayeth Homeland Security.

[jwirr]

10. Many of my Quaker ancestors waved their CO status during

the Civil War. They were expelled from the church and to this day I am sorry because their religion was lost to us after that. When it comes to a just war they stand up in one way or the other and I am proud of that. A am also extremely proud that they stand up to the unjust wars of the last 30-40 years. My heart is with them even though we are no longer Quaker.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. The Civil War, Revolutionary War, and...

WWII were difficult times for Quakers and the other Peace Churches. Many "redefined" the Peace Testimony in the face of what they thought were greater concerns. Some Meetings accepted that, while others held the line. Even now, there are a few Midwestern meetings that are accepting Just War.

But, after all these years and generations, why not return?

[jwirr]

19. There are no groups in this area MN but I do keep up with

the Am. Friends Service Group.

[chaumont58]

2. I went to my first several years ago.

It was a memorable experience. All newbies were asked by the minister, or leader, or whatever he is called, to introduce themselves to the congregation. A nicely dress woman stood and introduced himself. He was a fully functional cross dresser. I said to myself, anyplace that will except him is where I want to be.
But, I only went a couple more times. It was still a little more organized than I wanted to be a part of.

[Coastie for Truth]

4. We go there for the

Sunday afternoon chamber music and piano recitals, and for ACLU meetings, and if they have a Sunday Morning speaker that is particularly interesting.

But we still go to our "Birth" community for life cycle celebrations and the major holy days.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

12. What is your "birth community" Care to share?

[Coastie for Truth]

13. "Very" Reform Jewish

(after a Chabad commune while in Grad School)

[TallahasseeGrannie]

16. Ahhhh

I would have made a good Jew. Maybe I was one in a past life.

[catmother]

5. what is UU?

[longship]

7. Unitarian Univeralist

nt

[catmother]

8. thank you. i thought that at least one U stood for unitarian.

[TreasonousBastard]

9. Unitarian Universalist Church...

a non-doctrinaire church on the extreme liberal end of Christianity.

http://www.uua.org/

[kikiek]

14. I go to UU myself. It isn't Christian though. You believe what you like,

and respect the truth in all.

[Goblinmonger]

15. We have been going for a year now

I don't like they hymnals and responsive chants (WAY too much like my Catholic upbringing). But the good news is that nobody really cares. You do what helps you.

My kids like it, which is important. Gives them a sense of a community that doesn't sicken me and my personal values (unlike the Catholic church--sorry for those reading).

Hope you like it.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

17. What's the hymnal like?

A bit of this and that? Eastern and western?

[WritingIsMyReligion]

18. UU that still is like Christianity?

Or UU that is more a social club than anything else?

I ask because my cousins go to a UU church in LA that is Christian-based, though it accepts everyone. A teacher of mine, however, went to what she described as "a social club where we mentioned religion."

:shrug:

[kikiek]

21. UU is creed less. You can believe what you like though. Ours is more

discussion and often guest speakers. Any number of topics. A lot of philosophical topics.

[kwassa]

23. I see UU as a secular humanist social group

I was brought up UU, and went to UU summer church camp in the East. I've attended probably a dozen UU churches in my lifetime. Most don't mention the word "God" ever, at least in my experience.

The three UU churches I attended in LA were not Christian at all. One, in Venice, really was a Marxist cell, another had very radical politics and conducted the service in English, Korean, and Spanish, and the third was the suburban liberal type, similar to my parent's church.

I've never encountered a Christian UU church, though it is claimed that they exist. I just have no idea where.

[Digit]

22. And I went to a Religious Science Church service for 1st time

I had been to UU in my former state, and could not find a suitable replacement.

They are similar in some ways which was pleasantly surprising.

Glad to hear you had a good experience!

[Maat]

24. I'm a Religious Scientist!

I love it! I've been a member for about 3-4 years now. I'm also a member of a Unitarian-Universalist church. I find them very compatible, especially in terms of the universalist part, honoring all spiritual paths (or lack thereof), and the encouragement to explore all spiritual traditions.