My mom and I attended our local UU church when I was preschool age, and occasionally when I was in elementary. In the years since, I went through a big spiritual deconstruction, and am now converting to Buddhism, but I've started volunteering at the UU because the community aspect is important to me.

There's a strange discomfort and uncertainty I feel being there. Like I'm an intruder or imposter. Everyone there knows the protocol and expectations that I don't. Has anyone else left the church and then returned after a long time? How do you get back into the flow?

While it's good to honor our Judeo-Christian heritage, having a symbol tied to one religion doesn't feel very inclusive. I experienced this at two UU churches, and the justifications have been "Well, someone prominent gifted this to us some time ago," or "a Buddhist suggested that we needed a central meditative symbol." I have no problem with a Sermon that refers to the teaching of Christ, but a fixed Christian symbol being the first thing you see when you sit down at this particular Church feels short-sighted.

The following is a presentation of my faith journey, doing my very best to be chronological and fair to my influences. If you feel compelled to comment, please be respectful and ask thoughtful and feel questions. Without further ado…

I. Preface

In writing this, I am fully aware of the deep connection I once had with Catholicism, a faith tradition that has shaped much of my life. Yet, through careful thought and reflection, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to part ways with Catholicism. This is not a decision I take lightly. I am not writing to criticize or condemn the Church; rather, I am seeking to explain, in an honest and thoughtful way, how my faith has evolved and why I believe it is necessary to move in a new direction. As I take this step, I do so with the desire to continue living a faith rooted in reason, morality, and an understanding of the divine that respects the natural world.

II. The Role of Reason in Faith

Reason has always been a guiding principle in my spiritual journey. It was through reason that I was able to embrace a form of faith that is more aligned with natural religion and rational thought. Over time, I found my beliefs being influenced by thinkers who questioned traditional doctrines and sought a faith that was grounded in the reality of the natural world.

For much of my journey, I have been shaped by the ideas of early thinkers who emphasized the oneness of God and questioned the complicated doctrines of the Trinity. The works of Socinus, Theophilus Lindsey, and James Freeman have been particularly important in helping me understand a faith that remains deeply connected to the teachings of Jesus but is also grounded in reason and moral law.

I also acknowledge the influence of Thomas Aquinas. Though I have moved away from some of his conclusions, I still find his intellectual framework helpful when discussing the nature of God and the teachings of Jesus. The language he used to describe divine matters has shaped the way I think, even if I no longer fully agree with his theological conclusions.

III. Points of Divergence

The primary reason I can no longer continue within Catholicism lies in certain doctrines that I cannot accept. For me, the concept of infallibility, especially as it pertains to the Pope, stands at odds with reason and Scripture. More significantly, I can no longer accept the doctrine of the Trinity. The idea that God exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—does not resonate with my understanding of God as one singular being.

In rejecting the Trinity, I also find myself at odds with traditional Christian views of Christology. I no longer view Jesus as divine in the traditional sense. Rather, I believe that Jesus was a human being chosen by God to embody His moral teachings. While I still hold that Jesus is the Son of God, I do not believe that He is equal with the Father, as traditional Christian doctrine suggests.

This view extends to other Catholic teachings as well, including the Virgin Birth, original sin, and traditional understandings of Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell. For me, these concepts are more symbolic than literal. Heaven and Hell represent the outcomes of moral choices, while Purgatory is a process of spiritual refinement rather than a place of suffering.

IV. What I Affirm

What I do affirm is a faith that is grounded in reason, natural law, and the teachings of Jesus. I affirm the oneness of God and the idea that Jesus is the perfect embodiment of God’s will. I do not see Jesus as God in a literal sense, but as a human being chosen by God to show us how to live.

I also affirm the moral law, which I believe reflects the divine will and is accessible through human reason. This moral law calls us to live lives of love, justice, mercy, and compassion—values that were central to Jesus’ teaching. I believe that by following Jesus’ example, we can come closer to fulfilling God’s plan for humanity.

Additionally, I affirm the ideas of Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell, though I interpret them in symbolic terms. Purgatory represents the spiritual process of growth and refinement; Heaven is the state of being in harmony with God, and Hell represents the moral consequences of rejecting the divine will.

Above all, I affirm the importance of natural religion—a faith that is based on reason and an understanding of the natural world. This is not a faith that relies on complicated theological speculation, but one that seeks to understand God through the lens of natural law and human experience.

V. Treatment of Other Nontrinitarian Beliefs – A Respectful Acknowledgment

As I continue on my journey, I have encountered a range of nontrinitarian beliefs. While I personally identify as Unitarian, I recognize the value in many of these other positions, each of which offers a unique perspective on the relationship between God and Jesus. I believe that it is important to engage with these diverse views with respect and an open mind, as they all seek to honor the oneness of God and the significance of Jesus Christ.

Modalism – The Unitary God in Temporal Manifestations

Modalism proposes that God is a single person who reveals Himself in different ways throughout history. While I do not fully embrace this view, I appreciate its emphasis on the oneness of God. The idea that God’s different manifestations in Scripture—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are simply different expressions of the same divine being resonates with my own desire to preserve God’s unity.

However, I also find that the relationship between Jesus and the Father, as portrayed in Scripture, suggests a distinction between the two that is not fully captured by modalism. The moment when Jesus cries out to God from the cross, asking why He has been forsaken, highlights this relational distinction.

Adoptionism – The Man Jesus, Anointed by God

Adoptionism suggests that Jesus was born as a regular human being and was only later adopted by God as His Son. This is an interesting perspective and one that aligns in some ways with my own belief in Jesus’ humanity. However, I do not fully agree with the idea that Jesus was merely a human who was “adopted” by God, as I believe He was divinely appointed from the start.

While I do not adopt the adoptionist view entirely, I respect its emphasis on Jesus’ humanity and its rejection of unnecessary metaphysical claims. The belief that Jesus is the Son of God does not require Him to be equal to the Father, but rather acknowledges His unique role as God’s chosen messenger.

Arianism – The Pre-existence of the Logos

Arianism teaches that Jesus was the first and greatest creation of God, which differs from my belief that Jesus is uniquely chosen but not created. While I do not agree with Arianism’s view of Jesus as a created being, I respect its emphasis on Christ’s central role in the divine plan and His position as an intermediary between God and humanity.

Other Nontrinitarian Perspectives – A Broader Spectrum

There are many other nontrinitarian perspectives, such as Socinianism, Unitarianism, and Non-Sabellianism, which offer unique understandings of God and Christ. While I do not agree with every detail of these views, I stand in solidarity with those who seek to preserve the oneness of God and follow the moral teachings of Jesus. I believe that all these perspectives have something valuable to contribute to our understanding of the divine.

⸻

VI. Open-Ended Reflection: The Path Forward

As I move away from Catholicism, I am aware that this is not the end of my spiritual journey, but rather the beginning of a new chapter. My decision to leave Catholicism does not mean that I am rejecting Christianity altogether. Instead, it reflects my desire to continue growing in my faith—one that is rooted in reason, natural law, and the moral teachings of Jesus.

I know that this decision may be difficult for some to understand, but it is important to me that I make this transition with a sense of respect for the tradition I am leaving behind. I do not wish to reject all that I have learned within Catholicism, but instead to embrace a form of Christianity that better reflects my understanding of reason, morality, and the natural world.

My journey forward is one of exploration, not of certainty, but of the search for deeper understanding. I know that there will be challenges ahead, but I am confident that by continuing to engage with Scripture, philosophy, and the natural world, I will continue to grow in my understanding of the divine. I invite others to join me in this search for truth, and I remain open to the dialogue that will help shape my faith.

This journey is open-ended, and I trust that truth, love, and reason will continue to guide me as I walk this path.

For those interested in what 18th century Unitarian liturgy included, here’s a prayer taken from King’s Chapel’s 1785 Book of Common Prayer: “O Lord, our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon the earth; most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold the Congress of the American States, and to replenish them with the grace of thy holy Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way: endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts, that in all their deliberations they may be enabled to promote the national prosperity of the federal union, to overcome all their enemies, and to secure the peace, liberty, and safety of the American States throughout all generations. This we humbly ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”. This is literally the only place I could post this and it make sense.

Are there any classical inclined Unitarian congregations in the UUA? My faith lines up with classical Unitarianism but not to the exclusion of other religious expressions. There’s First Parish in Weston, Massachusetts and King’s Chapel (technically independent but worth a mention).

I’m an agnostic philosophy major in my early 20s who has an interest in UU. I’m curious as to how many adults in their 20s and 30s your churches have?

I’m sure it varies, and that alone is not a reason to join or not join, but I’m interested in having a community that isn’t all people 50+, or people married with children. They’re great, but I’d love to have some people that I can relate to, and the UUs that I’ve spoken to were all much older.

TIA

Edit: I’ll add that where I come from, it is common to be married with children at my age, as this is a predominantly Christian/traditionalist area. Hence the specificity of my question

Our congregation is considering Developmental Ministry, but I'm curious what are other folks' experience with this. Search process and quality of ministers?

While attending a UU fellowship I got curious, are ministers given suggested topics for all sermons by UUA or do they come up with topics on their own?

I keep up with another fellowship that I used to attend and noticed they have very similar sermons and topics to the one I attend now, a month or so apart.

I assume it’s something like a topic outline UUA provides and the minster gets to embellish and build on it however they want but I could be wrong.

It’s just interesting how “on the same page” they are on some things and I’m just wondering why. I am always curious and interested in how things happen and how much is just coincidence.

I’m also curious because I love what the UU stands for and have considered getting my own ministerial degree at various points and am interested in what sermon writing looks like for UU Ministers. That would help me decide if I am cut out for it or not.

Hi all! Today is Ash Wednesday, which traditionally starts the period of Lent. In many Christian faiths, notably Catholicism, Lent is a time of fasting, prayer and “going without” leading up to Easter.

I’m no longer Catholic but I still really connect with this time of prayer, reflection and giving up. This year I’m trying to give up unhealthy habits.

Anyone else here who is UU still observe Lent?

Hi there, I live in an area where it's hard to find any UU community/groups that are not online. I really have fallen in love with what I have seen from the UU community, and I have wanted to be a part of it.
So I guess what I am asking is, can you still be a UU without being part of a physical congregation?

hey just wanted to ask around and see if there where any groups of branches of uu that focuses on nature based spirituality and if so what are they like

I just feel like reaching out here. I find that secular humanism fits my values more than Christianity.

But I've found so much meaning in Christianity. With this said, I'm not at peace within myself.

Has anyone here belong to a congregation that has "let go" of a staff? As a board member, I feel stuck. About 12 years ago, we used to have a decent RE program (around 30 kids per week), but even before COVID, the numbers started to drop to about 10-15 kids per week. Post-COVID, it is about 8 kids. My first term on the board of directors, there were discussions on cutting their hours (and pay) because of the lack of growth and that we could not afford them ($58,000/ yr). Vocal parents that had kids in RE shut down any action in her hours being cut. So, here we are 6 years later. DRE makes more money and congregation is struggling financially. DRE is nice but no energy. Kids stop coming, families stop coming. Something has to give. Thoughts?

From high school up until my mid-20s, I had typical atheist beliefs on life after death. At the time, I was able to be calm with the prospect of nonexistence and believed it was fair, since I was thinking mostly of myself, my friends, and people in the modern developed world, who usually live long and fulfilled lives and are ready to rest afterwards.

However, the concept of everyone getting nonexistence has felt more and more unfair to me the past several years as I’ve learned more about the history of the world.

All kinds of societies have practiced human sacrifice. Which would mean the victims would go: short and usually painful life —> extremely painful death —> permanent nonexistence. Is that fair? Where do they get to cash in or get pleasure? Nowhere.

My faithlessness has also been tested by movie characters such as Trevor in Pay It Forward. Was it fair for him (or a real-life person like him) to get nonexistence after 15 years, a good contribution to philanthropy, and almost no rewards? Absolutely not in my opinion.

My mind is having trouble sitting still on this anymore, and I’m considering officially becoming a Unitarian Universalist because of their doctrine that everyone can get to success.

I still don’t believe in a literal fluffy-cloud heaven, but I do think there are physics-based ways in which living again is possible, e.g., the Poincaré recurrence theorem or spontaneous quantum decreases in entropy. Heaven, in my mind, is nothing more than someone who got dealt a bad hand being given a chance to try again.

This in mind, do you guys think UU is a good choice for me? Do these beliefs jive with those that are followed by UUs?

I’m also a gay man and appreciate the “kindness and volunteering” aspects of religion and spirituality but not usually the “moral code” ones, and I know UU heavily emphasizes the former.

Stay strong against all the craziness ahead.

- AM702

Las Vegas, NV, USA

personally i have been doing reaserch on wicca an peganism for about a year now and i am ready to start doing some rituals and magic, but i also believe in Jesus and the classic christian god, also angles, archangels, things like auras and energy, and lastly i would like to continue celebrating christmas. how can i have witchy practices without having to decate myself to paganism?

I pray in my living room every Saturday night and I was wondering if other UU's did that

I am going to church again after a decade long absence. I deconstructed away from church of Christ to atheism. And recently began attending my local UU. I'm excited and plan to become a member.

But today I felt something I haven't felt in years: post Sunday service and lunch exhaustion. I went to the 45 minute inquirers class at 11am and had light lunch at Flower Child after. This is different in that when I attended CoC, we went to class around 9am, worship at 10am, and then had a large lunch. I remember always feels so miserably exhausted, noting under eye irritation as well. I chalked this up to me not wearing my hearing aids regularly (having to compensate and strain) and having undiagnosed insomnia.

Writing this I realize I was straining to hear in class and in the restaurant (no hearing aids) but I haven't worn the hearing aids regularly in months.

Is something that anyone else can relate to?

This summer they plan to vote on replacing the 7 principles with the "Shared Values Flower" (https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/article-ii-flower-graphic). Does it look like there will be enough votes for it to succeed?

Like someone who loves religion in all forms and doesn't necessarily fit the mold of a certain religion but at the same time doesn't particularly enjoy radical (or really much at all) politics, left or right?

is there any kind like prosses you have to do to become a uu or is it more just showing up to a local group

Anyone here observing Lent?

As a former Catholic, I have to say I always enjoyed Lent. Forty days of “giving up” something and starting with Ash Wednesday, which is a reminder of our mortality. I always felt Lent was the only mystical or deeply meditative aspect of Catholicism (obviously people may disagree).

Even now as a UU I observe. Anyone else feel similar?

Maybe this is a misstated question, but what exactly are we worshiping when the minister says "Come, let us worship."

I know for many UUs, the answer would be God. But for other UUs?

https://www.ft.com/content/ec58bccb-668b-445f-ba7c-824297eb885d

I’m a UU. As such, I’ve been exploring my relationship with God, higher powers and theism in general. I was raised Catholic and taught to believe in God in terms of Jesus and the holy Trinity. I don’t necessarily have any problem with this element of the Catholic faith or religion but I’m thinking about it.

I do find myself using phrases like “As God intended” sometimes for things I feel like are natural concepts I agree with (eg snow on Christmas Day, having a fire while camping, and so on). I say this because I think it’s a cool phrase and adds some emphasis on the idea or whatever. But I wonder how this comes off to other folks who are not theists, of which there some in UU. Any thoughts or opinions here?

UPDATE: thank you all! I’d like to mention that I’m not really a believer in the Christian concept of God, preferring a notion of the Devine.

Hello!

Thank you for having me.

I'm an atheist in Southern UT that is going to try out the UU here in St George, UT. I'm interested in seeking a sense of community and joining social circles outside of just kids school, our neighborhood etc in a place that is welcoming to an atheist.

What should I expect? Will I be welcomed as an Atheist?

Also, I dont know how to ask this without coming across as ageist or something, but can I expect millennials like myself? I dont mind what age anyone is, but would like it if there are other families or possibly other millenials.

I've known of UUism since my pagan teens, but I've never participated it it because I was scared and there wasn't a UU church in 50+ miles.

I still don't have a UU church in 50+ miles (AFAIK), but I have discovered the church of the larger fellowship. As a trans LGBT+ person, it's so hard to balance activism and anger and peace and refuge. I'm trying so hard to grow peace in myself but it's so difficult and so rewarding. I know anger sucks so much out of myself that could be used for better things, so anger isn't something I encourage or want in myself anymore. The CLF is helping me so much to make peace.

I have also loved how the CLF has challenged me. I'm trying to expand my listening skills and trying not to make quick, survival judgements on people. I have ASD, and eventually you become like you've been in war, you learn how to make a snap judgement on somebody because it could very well be life or death. But now I'm trying to heal from that, and I'm thinking of the thing in a recent CLF service - holy curiosity. I want and need to stop being so reactive, I want to really experience other people with real curiosity.

Can I call myself UU? Even though I haven't signed some book in a place I can't reasonably access?

hey I've got a question. As a trans muslimah would U be accepted into the UU community?

I don't know if this applies to this sub, but LOST was a show that incorporated themes of religion/spirituality, free will, destiny, science, philosophy, synchronicities, mythology, demigods, elements of consciousness, quantum physics, magical elements, dreams/visions, it's own Source, and a whole lot more.

If anyone has any thoughts on it, feel free to post them.

I live in brazil, and here we don't have this type of community :(

I’m currently looking into Quakerism which I’ve always been interested in since high school. I have been a part of a UU congregation for the past 8 years. Anyone have similar experiences?

The minister who runs the nonprofit gang rehab org “Hugs Not Thugs” is introduced as Unitarian Universalist: “those fools are like hippies, but angry.” Great description of us, and a fun show.

If so what did you think of it? Thoughts about it online?

No words, really. Just wanting to put this down somewhere.

I'm still figuring out if UU is the right path for me. I've been thinking a lot about the first principle and how challenging that can actually be.

Of course it informs us that actions which violate the worth and dignity of the individual ought to be condemned and never tolerated, actions including but not limited to murder, rape, child molestation, assault, abuse, discrimination, white supremacy and many others. But that's the easy part, isn't it?

But how are we to affirm the worth and dignity of even the people who themselves have commited these acts, ie. the rapists, murders, assaulters and oppressors? To my mind, the first principle firstly rejects the idea that anybody is "born evil", and that every person has the inherent potential for goodness.

Secondly, it seems to inform that even in the case of someone who has commited terrible actions and needs to face the consequences of those actions (for example being removed from society and placed somewhere where they can't cause further harm) we still have a moral obligation to see the human being and that we ought to oppose capital punishment or any form of cruel and unusual punishment and that the first aim of justice should always be rehabilitative/restorative rather than punitive for the sake of vengeance.

I also have the thought that harmful actions themselves are not the result of some supernatural evil, but rather (often but not always) the result of traumas, mental defects, mental illness, and other factors that a society is better able to address when we do recognize that every person has inherent worth and dignity. That's not to say that people don't have personal responsibility for their actions, but rather that we shouldn't dehumanize anybody, regardless of what they have done, as a pretext to treat them as though they are some kind of monster rather than human.

Lastly, I suspect the first principle is the first precisely because it is challenging and difficult, and it does present certain paradoxes.

I don't know really what other UU's think of all this. I don't know if this is what is actually meant in the first principle. Maybe I have it all wrong? What are your thoughts? Would this community be a good place for me?

EDIT: I want to thank the people who have shared their thoughts with me, on this post and others I have made recently. I have come to the conclusion that UU is not the path for me. I simply cannot reconcile the first principle, and the contradictions I see within it, with my own view and experience of human nature. Nor can I with those I see in some of the other principles as well. In some ways I admire you all. But I don't think I'm one of you. So I think I'll return to the outskirts, and wander for a while longer.

because so far, the answer I'm getting is no, not really. I'm sensing a lot of using the fourth principle as an excuse to be either outright phobic or to "both sides" issues of bigotry. See:

https://old.reddit.com/r/UUreddit/comments/ualfsr/is_there_a_specific_reason_for_the_existence_of/i6j1n2q/?context=10000

I'm honestly not trying to stir anything up, I just feel disappointed rn.

What I mean is has there been some point(s) of contention in the past or some sort of schism? I notice this sub has more moderators.

edit: I've also come across UUnderstanding and what I've seen there sems pretty disturbing and very alt-right to me. Just trying to understand if UU is a good path or a good fit for me...

I've made other posts this evening if anyone wants to check those out and offer any feedback.

All faiths are welcome, small group of 4000+ members, for religious discussions and general chats.

Official Discord: https://discord.gg/theology

Partner website chat: thechat.cafe/theology/

Or how does a UU church deal with members who choose not to get vaccinated?

Thank you to everyone that suggested I go. I did email them and got two responses saying to wear my mask and that I was welcome to come.

It’s a very small group of people that are a little older. They don’t have a minister so they take turns doing the service. Todays was on the history of Valentine’s Day and love. It was so wonderful.

It was everything I wanted it to be and I will be going back!

I have a lot of anxiety and I’m wondering if it’s really ok to just show up on Sunday? Should I email or call before the first time I go? I don’t know how active it is or what’s expected of me. I’m sure I’m over thinking this lol.

I watch a service from the town over online so I have a little bit of knowledge. But I really want to go to a service in person. I don’t know what I’m really looking for. Maybe some reassurance or stories from your first time at a service?

I'm more aligned with UU than I am with liberal Christianity, and I should probably be able to find my home there, but I just cannot with my local church. Maybe I'm stuck in the past - they had a great, challenging, interesting minister years ago (he retired). I attended yesterday, the current minister tends to "scold" the congregation for all the things they aren't doing well enough (having their own beliefs, not being covenental enough, not respecting "God language" and Christianity enough, posing the possible risk that we won't do what minister wants us to do next with sufficient seriousness and reverence ). I really don't need to spend my Sunday socially distanced, in a mask, scolded, and then hustled out (because no coffee hour and no socializing permitted at this time). I'm also now wondering if minister really does respect humanists and others who aren't of minister's particular "pro-God-talk" mindset. What will we be "corrected" for next?

I want UU to survive, I think that it offers something that we need and cannot usually get elsewhere, but sometimes I look at individual churches and wonder how that will be possible.