In UU tradition, we are taught to use the bible as a guide for the Judeo-Christian values we share. In UU Sunday school is 5th grade, some churches even give out bibles with our names printed into the cover. We read and study the bible as a part of UU Sunday school.
It's no secret that the bible holds controversial quotes that condone controversial actions and mindset. Some of which include quotes on women, slaves, and members of the LGBT+ community.
How is it the UU community can pick the parts they agree with of a controversial book like the bible and use it for teaching purposes in any positive light? Why must our values stem from the bible, even if back then, it's where our roots grew from? Can UU's deny the bible's value and still be considered UU?
How do you feel as a UU using the bible or being associated with it?
My dad recently told me about his experience with this specific church (he grew up in LA and his parents were members of it) and there was one part in particular that interests me: he told me that the pastor (or what ever they call it for non-religious groups) used to come by his house around dinner time and the "pastor" sat around the table with his whole family and try and talk about his feelings and stuff. He was very young and couldn't recall much. My dad told me he talked about this with his brother (who was also there) and asked him what was going on, but before his brother could tell him the conversation broke off.
I would now like to know if any of you guys and girls have the answer. This was in the seventees and they probably dont do this know anymore, so unless you've lived it, you probably won't know.
I was raised religious (Unitarian Universalist), attending church every Sunday. My partner was not, and is strictly atheist. I have not attended church during our time together because we met and live in a small, conservative town, where there is no church I want to join. Thus, my religion has been private and quiet for the five years we've lived together.
Next week we are moving to a large city, where there is a UU church. I've been clear with my partner that I intend to at least try out this church, and that he is welcome to join me or not. Meanwhile, his brother and sister-in-law have expressed interest and intend to join me at this church while I consider membership. To me, this is an exciting and long-overdue return to "normal." I have missed going to church! To my partner, this is an unwelcome disruption of our leisurely Sunday morning breakfasts. He is upset by what he sees as a "new" imposition on our weekends, and an unfamiliar dynamic being added to his non-religious family. He is trapped between being left out, or being pressured into something he doesn't care for.
My return to church is not up for negotiation, and I am touched that others want to share in this experience. How can I make this transition feel less disruptive to my partner? Do you have any advice for toeing the delicate line between sharing something I care about and "converting" his family? I appreciate any suggestions!
![]() | I'm an ex-Seventh-day Adventist Christian. I now identify as a pagan witch. I'm considering going to the local Unitarian Universalist congregation on Sundays. I'm wondering if fundamentalist, organized religion all together is the problem or if a liberal religion would be a safe place to explore spirituality and continue the healing work I'm already doing. TLDR: What are your guys' experiences with UU post-fundamentalist religion? Why did you choose UU? How is it different? [link] [comments] |
If so what did you think of it? Thoughts about it online?
“Coffee in the Desert”
Sunday, July 17, 10:50 am, Worship Service
A sermon on welcome -- on the sacred value of welcome. This is a sermon I preached as one of my first five years ago at UUSF and the foundation holds. But there are insights too about what this virtue asks of us, brought to light in the conversations out of the racial reckoning of the last two years or more.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Richard Fey, Baritone; Wm. García Ganz, Accompanist; Ben Rudiak-Gould, Songleader
Shulee Ong, Camera; Eric Shackelford, Camera; Tyler Heston, Sound; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Ralph Fenn, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
“The Living Tradition”
Sunday, July 10, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
Rev. Mr. Barb reflects on 51 years of practicing Unitarian Universalism. Oh how we have (and have not) changed. Imagine with Barb as he shares his dreams for our next 51 years.
Rev. Mr. Barb Greve, Guest Minister; Lucy Smith, Worship Associate; Larry Chinn, Pianist; Richard Fey, Songleader
Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Jackson Munn, Camera; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Ralph Fenn, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
I'm seeking advice about where I can read about UU, I'd like to read more about UUism, can you give me some recommendations on it?
Thank you
I’m a lost Mormon looking for other options for myself, but more importantly, my family. I have a lot of questions about UU but this was the first one I thought of. Do UUs believe in baptism?
I support public education but the trend of attacking public schools to get voucher $ is clearly on the rise. Are there UU schools out there? Is there a framework or model that could be used if communities desired one?
I'm side stepping the 'should we do this' question mostly out of curiosity.
This seems to me like a book many UU people would appreciate. Has anyone here ever heard of it?
I tried to explain someone what is UU, but it seems to me so difficult to explain this 'liberal religion' and 'non credential religion' stuff and what's UU objective and all of that.
How can I explain all of that in a simple way, so I can be understood?
I might have asked this ages ago but i will do an update in that case, because i want to know the opinion of Swedenborgs work if anyone is familiar with his writings.
He apparently has some universalist views but seems to favor, or at least those who are more his followers, favor an eternal hell- but hell isn’t ECT, it’s a hell you can “feel more comfortable in since you chose to go there with all your heart, and THATS why it’s eternal- and God will not force you or help you to go back to him.
So instead of the idea that “everyone Eventually goes back to heaven,” it’s “you have the option to,” which is no different than that of a christian or someone who says “hell is kicked from the outside,” (which only can do so much, especially if this means that god isn’t powerful enough using his heavenly resources to get his own children to not enjoy hell. This to me just means if they feel they can “breathe” better in hell, then god and his angels didn’t do a good enough job helping the person out of hellish mindsets- even if it’s all in their own free will). Swedenborg followers even clarify that “everyone is predestined for heaven,” but it’s just the “worse of the worse in hell,” which still doesn’t make me feel better- considering the sweetest person you know could favor something hellish so much they could just choose hell- that’s the cycle of thinking i’m currently stuck with.
thoughts? cause i’m losing hope of being a confident universalist the more i read hell NDEs, swedenborg, etc.
To be clear, my atheism is not the gnostic anti-theist position. I am open to the idea that a god may exist in the form of the prime mover. Sort of a clock maker who, on the first certain swing of the pendulum, moved on to their next project. No more than that.
I've been attending a small UU church for the last 4 months or so and have been enjoying it. We're a tiny dot of blue in a sea of red and it's nice to be around some like minded people once a week. I agree with the covenant of right relations and the 7 principles. I've even volunteered to help with the upkeep around the church, cleaning and whatnot.
So I'm looking for reading material to help me square my irreligious views with the language and teaching of the Unitarian church.
Before I begin I'd just like to wish everyone a great everything and hope you're all well. I am actually going through a not so great period in my life now
but I've never let that stop me from praying or believing. Also warning it may be rambly.
So this post is about the synthesis of varying belief systems and religious beliefs and how they all integrate. I'm a practicing UU, and have believed in
God/Higher Power/Whatever for about 36 years (probably my lifetime) But I also draw insight and strength from all religions. Until I discovered UU in my
twenties I thought I was the only person who did this!
This sometimes puts me in conflict with views centred in only one religion or doctrine. For instance my two closest therapists are Christian and Buddhist - I'm
open to discussing religion in session as it's a powerful healing force, but I sometimes have to challenge them or interpret their statements in view of
my own beliefs.
In dark times I admit that I wonder and question my faith (which is not necessarily a bad thing, since faith SHOULD be questioned!) Maybe I have it all wrong.
Maybe I should just be one religion, a good Buddhist/Christian or whatever, and that would solve everything. But I believe that to just be the blandishment of
the ego.
But then I remember WHY I believe this - and it is not just because of UU. Because I have had direct spiritual experiences that resemble each of the major religions
(and then some) I have experienced the cessation of samsara in meditation. I have met and spoken with God (as we know Him) I have experienced the sensation of
flames lightning and burning away depression, similar to certain Shinto texts.
As a scientist, therefore, I must believe that they are all true (and William James' books seem to corroborate this) We all experience God differently, but it's
there. (or not there, if you are atheist) I don't think I would believe so ardently if I hadn't actually seen prayers being answered.
At the same time, we live in a modern and digital age, and so a lot of the sacred texts must be interpreted (one of my favorite questions is "If Buddha/Jesus
could use Instagram what would they post?") I experience God most directly through video games/anime, which raises a lot of eyebrows but it true to my experience.
I still have bills to pay. I'm very sex positive, so I don't agree with a lot of the more traditional views of society (for instance, I don't believe in marriage
as an institution) and believe spirtuality and sexuality are interlinked, which some conservatives aren't on board with.
It's sometimes (often!) a lonely path to walk as I seek the intersection of all paths, constantly refining and interpreting information (the Net has too much!)
striving to be true to my authentic self and what God wants of me. It's not easy, which is why I am posting here I guess - wondering if others have similar
struggles or ways of believing and viewing the world.
This is just me being UU in the way I know best, I'm not prescribing anything or saying my way is best. Be well and I am happy to discuss!
Before I begin I'd just like to wish everyone a great everything and hope you're all well. I am actually going through a not so great period in my life now
but I've never let that stop me from praying or believing. Also warning it may be rambly.
So this post is about the synthesis of varying belief systems and religious beliefs and how they all integrate. I'm a practicing UU, and have believed in
God/Higher Power/Whatever for about 36 years (probably my lifetime) But I also draw insight and strength from all religions. Until I discovered UU in my
twenties I thought I was the only person who did this!
This sometimes puts me in conflict with views centred in only one religion or doctrine. For instance my two closest therapists are Christian and Buddhist - I'm
open to discussing religion in session as it's a powerful healing force, but I sometimes have to challenge them or interpret their statements in view of
my own beliefs.
In dark times I admit that I wonder and question my faith (which is not necessarily a bad thing, since faith SHOULD be questioned!) Maybe I have it all wrong.
Maybe I should just be one religion, a good Buddhist/Christian or whatever, and that would solve everything. But I believe that to just be the blandishment of
the ego.
But then I remember WHY I believe this - and it is not just because of UU. Because I have had direct spiritual experiences that resemble each of the major religions
(and then some) I have experienced the cessation of samsara in meditation. I have met and spoken with God (as we know Him) I have experienced the sensation of
flames lightning and burning away depression, similar to certain Shinto texts.
As a scientist, therefore, I must believe that they are all true (and William James' books seem to corroborate this) We all experience God differently, but it's
there. (or not there, if you are atheist) I don't think I would believe so ardently if I hadn't actually seen prayers being answered.
At the same time, we live in a modern and digital age, and so a lot of the sacred texts must be interpreted (one of my favorite questions is "If Buddha/Jesus
could use Instagram what would they post?") I experience God most directly through video games/anime, which raises a lot of eyebrows but it true to my experience.
I still have bills to pay. I'm very sex positive, so I don't agree with a lot of the more traditional views of society (for instance, I don't believe in marriage
as an institution) and believe spirtuality and sexuality are interlinked, which some conservatives aren't on board with.
It's sometimes (often!) a lonely path to walk as I seek the intersection of all paths, constantly refining and interpreting information (the Net has too much!)
striving to be true to my authentic self and what God wants of me. It's not easy, which is why I am posting here I guess - wondering if others have similar
struggles or ways of believing and viewing the world.
This is just me being UU in the way I know best, I'm not prescribing anything or saying my way is best. Be well and I am happy to discuss!