Just joined the local UU church

[goddess40]

Something I never thought I'd do. I've always been, and still am, an atheist. I love that they are a thinking persons congregation.

[New Earth]

1. hey me too

I didn't become a member yet, but went for the first time this past Sunday and plan to go back this Sunday coming up. I am pretty sure I will become a member. I think I should go at least once or twice more though, before deciding. I am just 'spiritual' and like all religions, and see all sides of spiritual beliefs, well - most of them anyway :o

[goddess40]

2. it was quite the day

3 college professors and the Dean of the local two year college joined the same day. As did two school board members (I was one) and several others including a lesbian couple that are getting married their in August. Wouldn't that make the local holy rollers heads spin.

[Hellenic_Pagan]

8. OMG!

You love VNV NATION TOO?!?!?!?!?

*squeals with delight!*

I know that has NOTHING to do with the UU Church, but I just had to gush over your beautiful siggy!

~~~swoon!~~~

[New Earth]

9. yes, very much so!

you can call me obsessed. I am one of their biggest groupies ever, just ask them. :D

[New Earth]

3. I became a member this Sunday :)

Part of me is a little scared...I never really committed to a religion or church before. I know it is not like most religions or churches, but still, it is something different for me. I hope I don't have any regrets. I don't think I will, but the fear is there...I pledged for up to June 2008, I figured I would just do this for now and see how it goes. Between now and then I will have attended 24 more services, so I think by then I can decide how much I like it and if I want to stay. Right now I am loving it. I am so emotional when I'm there, to finally be around people who feel the same way about so many things as I do.

[goddess40]

4. Congratulations!

We really enjoy the people and the time we spend at the UU church. My mother has joined the choir - not me as I can't sing and my son insists on going to RE classes on Sunday. I went and helped decorate for the holiday season and we will be going to service on the 24th. I'm still an atheist but the holiday season has always been about family and at UU that's not only fine but there are others that feel the same way.

[Maat]

5. Congrats, Faye!

I hope that you continue to enjoy the services. I've really increased my involvement in my local UU community (we're not big enough to be a church yet).

[New Earth]

6. I'm sure that I will.

I am going tomorrow night for the Winter Solstice gathering...then for church on Sunday, then for a Christmas Eve service...it's gonna kill my gas, but I really want to go. I didn't join just to tell myself I joined...I want to be a part of it, and it's all so interesting and intriguing to me, being able to honour or celebrate so many holidays. Even in the last few weeks where I have been reading about other liberal religions, they just feel too exclusive to me (meaning excluding others). I really feel like UU is already in my heart, and I have a good feeling about the future of UU. I don't know if that sounds stuck up or something, but it kinda feels to me like it might be the religion of the future :shrug:

[Maat]

7. I believe that it IS the religion of the future.

That's a good way of putting it. Happy Winter Solstice!

[LibertyLover]

10. My husband and I are thinking about joining

5 years ago when we were in the adoption process we had to say what church we were going to raise our prospective daughter in (something I thought was absolutely bizarre considering that we were adopting her from China which is officially atheistic). Anyway, the only authorized group we could use to do our home study was Lutheran Social Services and I figured they might not really be too thrilled if we said that we intended to raise the kid as a Wiccan. So we said UU. Actually we've been meaning to join our local UU church and just talked about it today. Our daughter is 5 and in school and I figure the other children will start to ask her what she is soon. It's difficult enough that she is Chinese in a sea of blond haired, blue-eyed children with a sprinkling of African-American and Hispanic kids for good measure, but to not be able to name a relatively normal church to boot might really be a problem. One of our good friends is a member and he has offered to introduce us around. So one of these days soon, we'll go over and join in services.

[New Earth]

11. good luck, I hope you all like it

Your daughter would get a nice religious education if she goes to the Sunday school classes. I love the fact that this is possible...so far in just the last few months my daughter has learned about Islam, Paganism, Native American Spirituality, and is now on Hinduism. She just had her hands done in henna tattoos 2 Sundays ago and this past Sunday they learned Yoga :o I can't think of another church where this is possible for the kids!

There are a bunch of Wiccan/Pagan UU's in my church, maybe you will meet some at yours and you'll feel even more comfortable. Either way, I hope you all enjoy it and find a spiritual connection with UU itself.

[LibertyLover]

12. Thank you

That's exactly why I want to join UU - so that my daughter will learn about other religions, other spiritualities and other practices. I really appreciate you letting me know what your daughter has learned. And I'm sure I'll meet other pagans - one of our friends from the SCA goes to our local UU church and is pagan. :)

[New Earth]

13. Unfortunately it didn't work out for me.

I found UU to be wayyyy too secular and boring. At least my local congregation. I haven't resigned yet, but I haven't attended service there since June. I totally fell in love with the Religious Science church here! They are really non-denominational/independent New Thought, 'based' on Religious Science/Ernest Holmes, but are very open to what most call 'new age' practices or studies. Which makes me a VERY happy person since it's totally me and exactly what I was looking for. I started taking classes there too and altogether it has already changed my life and the way my mind works. It is so perfect for me. It was kind of what I THOUGHT I was going to find at UU, except it wasn't there. The UU church here is really secular, seems to be dominated by atheists and they really are only into social justice/politics, fundraising, etc. Which is fine, but not for me, not for church on Sunday mornings. I can read about social justice and politics on DU! I want some metaphysical god and spirituality in services.

Anyway, sad to say UU didn't last long for me but I am very happy with what I have found that does fit me! I still align with all that UU stands for, but I find it more satisfying to be with people that DO have the same spiritual knowledge/beliefs as I do. Also, fortunately so far it seems the majority of people there are politically liberal, which makes it even better!

[Tigress DEM]

17. Unity Church is an offshoot of UU and Religious Science with more god. FYI.

They talk about the "Christ" within and are very metaphysical. I'm a little too Christian to stay there, but if the Religious Science church thing doesn't work for you, it's another offshoot.

[New Earth]

19. it's (RS) definitely been working for me!

been there almost a year now, wow, will be a year in May. I do know of Unity but there are certain things about it that don't seem to match what I was looking for. It is very similar to Religious Science but supposedly more focused on the Bible, which I really am not interested in so much. They are both New Thought though and for the most part very similar. I am loving Religious Science and SO glad I left UU. It was a great place to start out when I was never a church person but it is way too filled with atheism for me.

[sam sarrha]

14. nice folks.. some places have meditation meetings

[garybeck]

15. I love UU

practical, scientific, yet spiritual

[Tigress DEM]

16. Looks like UU is a very open church without a lot of Dogma dragging it down.

I am a Christian, but I think a lot of atheists I've been lucky enough to meet and speak with seem to have strong caring natures and an independent streak. This looks like a very good fit for many DU types. Even as a Christian I totally agree with the third point and can't find anything I really dis-agree with here. I find that hopeful. Always looking for ways to be at peace with fellow humans on DU.



http://www.uunashua.org/100q/c1.shtml#q1

What do Unitarian Universalists believe?

Every individual should be encouraged to develop a personal philosophy of life.
Everyone is capable of reasoning.
We do not need any other person, official or organization to tell us what to believe.
We should be able to present religious opinions openly, without fear of censure or reprisal.
All people should be tolerant of the religious ideas of others.
Truth is not absolute; it changes over time.
Everyone should continue to search for the truth.
Everyone has an equal claim to life, liberty and justice.
People should govern themselves by democratic processes.
Ideas should be open to criticism.
Good works are the natural product of a good faith.

Which values do you hold highest?

We regard the highest values to be integrity, caring, compassion, social justice, truth, personal peace and harmony. Advancing these values is a major purpose of our congregations.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

18. Sounds good.

Lots of atheists are in UU churches.

I just moved to a rural area and the nearest UU Fellowship is 60 miles away.
I'll have to find out how to start a group--without getting firebombed (I'm serious).

[JDPriestly]

20. I've been a UU for 48 years. I was married in the UU Church.

It's wonderful. Welcome to UU.