In the fairly delightful movie "Paulie Go!" The main characters ask a woman on the shore of a Minnesota lake about who lives in a certain cabin. The woman says, "A couple bought it last year. They're Unitarians." "What does that mean," asks one of the main characters. His companion answers, "It means they hug too much in church."😂

Any other good movie quotes about Unitarians come to mind?

Just wondering if there is an over-arching theme for the upcoming GA. I looked on the UUA website and other places on line and see lots of information about registration and logistics, but nothing about the content of the meeting itself. Is it just going to be about everything UU? Or something even slightly more specific?

So I was raised in a UU church, but this is the first time our minister has willingly stopped being our minister. (Our first minister was caught in a compromising situation with a married member of the church).

So our church has been making announcements for months that our minister was moving on, lots of plans for the goodbye event, when suddenly we get an email.

Basically the email says that normally the departing minister leaves the town he was living in to go minister elsewhere, but our minister isn't moving, he's decided to continue living here.

That means, according to the email, that we have to stop interacting with him, stop being his friend, because if we continue to talk to him and bring our religious problems to him, then the new minister, who ever that might be, will never feel fully welcome and feel like they're the minister of the congregation.

Our departing minister has been with us for about 20 years, so how do we as a congregation just stop being friends with him?

Is this normal for UU churches?

I am becoming less and less comfortable with the overt political partisanism I see in my church (and am supposing that my church is not an outlier here).

Just one example: I found the overturning of Roe shocking and tragic. I have always whole-heartedly supported a woman’s right to choose and find this new ultra-conservative attack on woman’s autonomy scarily regressive.

However, just because I (as well as many other people in our congregation) feel this way, doesn’t mean that I want our minister to make a public statement condemning this decision (I.e. taking an explicitly partisan stand). I don’t want a minister that says: “We need to yell louder.” I don’t want a minister that essentially declares our congregation a safe space for any person who wants an abortion. I don’t want my minister to simple echo whatever the political consensus of the congregation is (or seems to be).

Why? Well, I believe that first and foremost, churches should be models of ideal communities. And ideal communities should (in my view) be open to the “other” — to people who don’t necessarily think exactly like us and yet still agree with all our principles. It is perfectly possible to be pro-life and see oneself as living according to our principles. It is perfectly possible to want stricter immigration policy and still see oneself living according to our principles. It is perfectly possible to ask questions about various controversies swirling around transgenderism and still see oneself living according to our principles.

Our minister likes to go on about how our church is a sacred space. I am an atheist, so I definitely grin and bear it. But I was quite spiritual for a long time and have a sense of what a sacred space is. To me, a sacred space is a space that stands apart from and against the world and the failings thereof. It is a space in which to be our best selves along with other people who are trying to be their best selves.

However our minister openly suggest that our sacred space needs to be a political space. She actively promotes the use of sacred language as a political weapon. In fact, the sermon we heard last week was all about wielding sacred language to make political change. Is the answer to the Right‘s politicization of conservative Christianity to go ahead and build a politically left religion? Do two wrongs make a right? I don’t think so.

I feel so despairing about politics in this country, but don’t believe the “both sides“ thing. Sure, the left has its issues, but fortunately they have not gone off the deep end in the unbridled pursuit of power for power’s sake. I would love more than anything else for us to regain political sameness and balance. I don’t know how that can happen at the moment. But I sure as hell know it’s not going to happen by having UU’s wrap themselves in a ball of anger and yell louder.

If any change is going to come, it going to take many years of concerted strategic political effort. I suppose this could happen in UU congregations (just as Black churches were instrumental in the Civil Rights movement). But I don’t see any of this happening. I just see a lot of rage, political othering and using leftish politics as a church brand-building exercise, as a form of collective identity construction.

​

So, in short, I’d like to see one of two things either:

1. Having our “sacred space,” be informed by a broad, generous interpretation of our principles and hence be de-politicized.
2. Fully commit to one issue and actually make change (which would involve analysis, having a plan, organization, etc.) and not merely yelling, whining, getting upset then trying to calm ourselves, building a collective identity as “justice seekers,” etc., etc.,

One or the other.

Im curious to know what others think about this?

Hello! I was raised UU and have been living in a fairly religiously conservative rural location. My partner and I moved around a lot for several years before settling into our current location. Lately, I've been feeling drawn to developing a UU-based community / service in our rural area. I reached out to UUA and they had encouraged us to reach out to our Regional Representative and/or consider starting a Covenanting Community. I did this and they encouraged us to participate in our nearest fellowships virtually. There are well established UU Fellowships within 100 miles in two directions, but the travel on a Sunday is too much for our family. We are also craving human connection (in lieu of virtual services). I'd like to have services here, but we don't have space to host in our small house. Any thoughts about how to bring people together? I don't use Facebook, but had been thinking of posting a newspaper ad. Thoughts?

Hi folks! I grew up "Jew...ish" if that makes sense, but consider myself atheist. I've recently moved to a rural area in the belly button of the Bible belt, and am looking for a community for my family to join that is focused on community works, kindness, equality, etc. There's a UU congregation right down the road that I'm interested in trying out tomorrow. My research tells me that it's very inclusive and along the lines of what I'm looking for. So I guess the question is, what should I expect at my first visit? What's the dress code? I have a 5 year old that I'd like to bring, is that OK? It looks like they have kids "services" but I'm not sure if I should keep him with me at first. I'm definitely a bit anxious about going, since "church" is not something I'm used to at all. Any help is appreciated!

Hello friends,

My grandmother Dorothy is an amazing person who is currently being rushed to the ER from her post-acite rehab care facility after being unresponsive this morning. We need her. We love her and are not ready for her to go. I don’t think that she is ready to go.

She is a believer in prayer, angels, and Jesus Christ as her primary spiritual guide, along with guidance from an array of Buddhist philosophy and teachings.

I am not a believer in prayer or angels, but I would be grateful if a kind person or a community of any faith or spiritual background would please pray on her behalf. It is important to her, and I would like for her to know that someone is doing that kind of caregiving work for her.

I’m not sure if there is a “typical” way that people make this kind of request; she had been on the prayer list of a group of nuns but I believe they are not currently active. I am reaching out to UUs because my UU friend told me that “absolutely anyone can be a UU,” so I reasoned that my post would be seen by praying people from many faiths and traditions which I believe my grandmother would feel good about.

Thank you for reading, and you can message me if your prayers include more personal details.

​

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!

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.

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.

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?

This seems to me like a book many UU people would appreciate. Has anyone here ever heard of it?

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.

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'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 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!

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?

I don't want this to come off as mean, I just want advice.

I grew up very involved in the Episcopal Church, but I've slowly lost faith and became an atheist. I attended multiple UUs, but I always end up getting annoyed and leaving due to the fringe folks in leadership. I want to learn how to be a better person internally and externally by learning about different religions and philosophies to life, but I don't wanna hear vaccine conspiracy theories or other forms of alternative medicine. Crystals and "positive energy" won't heal your cancer. In my opinion, if you wanna have crazy medicine go join the Christian Scientists. I won't support people with views that will cause actual harm.

Anyways, love 80% of y'all. 20% of y'all drove me out.

Anyone have any advice for UUish people in my position?

It’s that time of year again and we are putting together our budget for next year. I’m wondering what your congregation spends on a guest speaker in the pulpit for the week per month when the minister is off.

I've been through a decades long religious/spiritual journey which has seen me go something like christian-atheist-jew-buddhist/atheist-sikh-buddhist-hindu-sikh... I love parts of all of them, especially Sikhi, but there are aspects of them that I can either just not accept as doctrine, or cannot adopt to my life mainly because of cultural and life circumstances, or parts that are important for the religion, but I don't see as a crucial part, or beneficial part for me. I am starting to realize that if I wanted to put a label on, or attend a congregation it is probably UU. I always wanted a religion though to be practice whole heartedly and be part of and I feel like UU is just religious pluralism (not that there is anything wrong with that!!!), but it is me also acknowledging I will never be part of a unique religious identity and it's a little challenging to accept. Anyone else go through things like this? Also, Do most UU people tend to have like a central religion they read/practice most, but don't take it 100% and get inspiration from other areas?

Hi everyone,

Anyone here active in the studio city CA UU community? My wife and I have a new child and I’m looking to get into some sort of local community. Coming from Catholicism, I’ve done some discerning for the last several years, reading several Baha’i texts and eventually A Chosen Faith, which really resonated with me.

I’m wondering what the vibe is like at UU Studio City and if it would be good for our new family. Looking forward to hearing from you!!

Would you say that UU and CUUPs are a safe-enough space for a Black female pagan/witch?

Would you say that UUers in general and even UU pagans specifically, regardless of race, are more likely to believe that Spirit has no race and thus be committed to strengthening Collective Consciousness?

I ask this as I am still debating as to whether or not I should give the seemingly nice, local pagan meetup +/- the local Unitarian Universalist congregation the “old college try.”

I am concerned I will find the same (or even worse) racist, exclusionary, and/or megalomaniac tactics I have encountered in other religious communities including Seventh-day Adventist Christian, non-denomination Christian, African/Kemetic, and eclectic pagan spaces.

Hi all! I was raised Catholic, and have been looking for a church/faith that suits me for many years. Long story short, I’m agnostic now, but I really love the rituals of the Catholic faith. I don’t want to pass on the junky stuff from my faith to my child, but I do want to give her a community and sense of cultural identity. My question for any folks raised UU is, we’re you able to have a sense of identity in a church that does not have a creed/set of specific holiday traditions? (Also my apologies if my question is ignorant) Thank you in advance ☺️

I have posted this in Christian Mysticism and was quickly downvoted. Thought maybe sharing here would be more fruitful. I am trying to return to my Christian roots having been heavily influenced by Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism and Sikhi. Considering UU are open to finding truth in multiple places I thought this may get good reception here and would be curious to see what the Christian leaning folks here think:

Recently I have been wanting to return to my Christian roots, but am still struggling with certain teachings which seem central to the church, but not really central to me (meaning I care more about how to live now, not what is to come in the future). Mainly the teaching of resurrection of the dead (not necessarily Jesus' resurrection, but our own), as well as the second coming. I've come to view these teachings symbolically, rather than literally, and just wanted to discuss it here to see if this is completely heretical and if I am just bending Christianity to fit my views, or if maybe there is some support for my beliefs, which it seems like there may be.

My interpretation of our individual resurrection is more that we symbolically die and are resurrected as Christ-like/God-like, realizing the divinity within ourselves and being the living embodiment of Christ. Jesus does speak about needing to lose oneself to then be a follower of him and so seems like giving up ones life steeped in egotism and selfishness and being resurrected as a selfless being that is the embodiment of Christ. Jesus' own resurrection is kind of a symbol of this - he goes through suffering, asks God why he has been forsaken, has some disciples turn on him (Judas, but also Peter in denying him) - I see this personally as a spiritual journey that I have found can have mental turmoil and cost losing friends, or at least the types of relationships you once had - then once you "die" and are resurrected you are similar to your former self, but completely changed to the point that some don't even recognize the new you like one of the disciples not recognizing Jesus after his resurrection. In addition to this, I think that the second coming had and is already happening and in motion. In a couple ways: personally, I see the second coming when personally you resurrect and embody Christ - Christ then is living here on Earth through you. More broadly, I see the second coming as Christ living on in the church and its followers and the spread and growth of the church following the destruction of Jerusalem.

So, that is how I am realizing the resurrection and second coming. This seems, for me at least, to be a much more beneficial and healthy way to view these concepts. It gives me hope of real change to be realized in this life and rather than waiting around for Christ to return it calls on me to "Wake up" and accept Jesus into my life meaning that I lose myself and live as one with Christ. Curious to see what others think of this. Am I just batty and probably need to stop trying to be Christian because I'm perverting the teachings, or am I onto something that maybe has some legitimacy in Church history? Seems like St. Augustine interpreted some of revelation this way, but that's just my limited understanding from some brief readings.

Thanks in advance for the comments and feedback.

I really like my minister, but we had a bad conflict recently and I'm not sure how to work through it.

I don't want to get into the whole issue because my question is about rebuilding trust.

To try to condense it, I'll say I was in a very stressful situation and my minister deferred to a policy I didn't know about. The end result was that I lost a support and went into full PTSD over all of it. I set up a zoom call for tomorrow, and I'll try to explain the context and that it was a PTSD trigger. I'll listen to her as well, of course.

But I don't know how to move on because I feel so betrayed. Instead of taking the time to understand, I felt like she deferred on policy that seemed arbitrary, and she was defensive and inflexible. I'd never seen those traits in her.

​

I don't want to still be mad and hurt, but I am. She can't turn back time and is rigid on this issue, so in a way it seems pointless to talk knowing there won't be resolution. But I would like us to be on better terms.

What would you do?

Moving to Michigan next month and looking for a church to check out. So far I'm interested in visiting First UU in Detroit. Has anyone been? Or visited any other UU churches in MI?

https://youtu.be/JR-gpy0aItU

I don't quite remember what got me thinking about this last night, but how many movies are there with characters who are Unitarian Universalists? Or that simply mention UUism?

I can only think of two off the top of my head. In Juno, the titular character mentions a classmate who apparently attends a UU church. And I'm also familiar with Raw Faith, which is a documentary whose subject is a Unitarian minister. Are there any others? Just curious.

Hello. So I was doing some soul searching and realized it is fair to pretend to be a Christian fundamentalist just to fit in with my family and I heard of this so I was curious. I like the Christian God and Jesus, and I believe they are one in the same, but I haven't really followed the traditions in a long time. I've been cool with LGBT and identify as non-binary, I read and watch some adult stuff and don't really judge unless it's with myself, something I think I personally shouldn't do. I was curious so I thought I'd ask if my beliefs align with this and if this question is stupid that's cool I can totally delete

Just curious. I do believe consciousness continues after death, but am wondering if I'd fit in as a UU believing this

View Poll

I just saw a big "Flatch Unitarian" sign on a promo for a new Fox sitcom. Anybody else notice?

https://sports.yahoo.com/locally-shot-welcome-flatch-premieres-182135669.html ... I guess that's what this show is about.

Could be good, could be terrible. It is weird seeing mainstream culture acknowledge that UU's exist, outside the random Simpsons joke.

Hi are there any unitarian churches on the united states territories like Guam and Puerto rico?

So I've heard of this church and the jist I've gotten is that it's very human rights oriented and open minded but I don't exactly understand the particulars.

Atheist here but I respect peoples' faith (as long as they don't use it to hurt others) so I'm wondering if it would be a good community for me and my family.

I’ve been attending my church since early this year. I started out lurking in online services and then started coming in person when we opened back up for that. I grew up with no religion in particular. I never felt much of a need for it in my life. But now I’m in my late thirties and after the isolation of the pandemic I felt a real need for community, and a welcoming place for open spiritual inquiry.

So now I finally found a weekend Journey to Membership class that works with my schedule. I would have done it sooner—I’m not having cold feet or waffling on commitment—I just have a conflict with the usual dates they’re held. And I’m kind of excited. Membership isn’t a prerequisite for most church activities, but I feel like I want to more meaningfully participate in the community. I’ve started to really appreciate having ritual, and even social obligation, in my life. I see it less as a burden and more about contributing to the larger human project.

Guess I just wanted to put that out there. I’m a little introverted and I want to be more of a “joiner” in general but I also don’t want to overcommit to things and lose interest when the novelty wears off. So I think I’m taking a good step.

I'm recovering from a bad religious experience and haven't been to church in 6 months,.but I miss being part of a community. From what I've read, UU sounds like it might be a good fit.

Has anyone else gone to a unitarian universalist church just to find out that nearly everyone that goes there is fake? I'm only asking because I may try a different uu church some day but if they're all like this then I know to avoid them.

I' m not going to go into too much detail just in case someone from my old church is on here but I had been going since I was a teenager, I live in a very conservative state and wanted to go somewhere accepting. My church had always acted very open minded, very welcoming of everyone etc. But it's turning out that that isn't true. They have been discriminating against my mom and I just because we do not have as much money as the rest of them do and despite claiming to be into equality for all and supporting women's rights, they are protecting a man that's been obsessed with me since I was a teenager.

Just to keep it short, I'll sum it up, the head of the care them bullied my mom repeatedly for needing help with a bill, and the man that's been obsessed with me has a long history of harassing women, even violently harassing them and no one at the church sees anything wrong with any of this despite being aware of it all. We have no minister and we've told the president and the entire board of the church about this, they don't see anything wrong with it. They know how severely this man's obsession with me messed me up emotionally, they don't care, they've defended him repeatedly and told me it was my fault for it happening even though my mom and I have been trying to get it to stop for years.

Doctrinally, I feel at home with Unitarian Universalism, but after attending a number of services (or whatever they are called) here in New York City I cannot help but wonder if I would be welcome in it. Here at least, UU seems to be a branch of the Democratic party, and its not-as-liberal-as-it-thinks-it-is "woke" wing at that. And so, while I agree with the theological underpinnings of this movement, I am not at all on board with its politics, and do not appreciate being hectored from the pulpit on same.

So do I belong here or not, and if not, can anyone recommend a UU or even a Deist congregation in New York that is not an arm of the Democratic (or any other) political party?

I’ve never read anything about this and I’m curious because I tend to overestimate others’ authority.

I’m guessing this has been discussed-/what the ideal balance is, how much members should defer, etc, and I’d love to hear some of the most common takes.

https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/unitarian-universalist/unitarians-seeking-more-piety-less-politics.aspx

One Sunday, the Unitarian Universalist church in Florida that David Burton was attending featured a Sufi Muslim leading a "universal service"--which included passages from the Jewish and Christian Bibles, the Qur'an, and Buddhist and Taoist texts.

To Burton, it was what a UU service should be, drawing meaning from the spiritual wisdom of various faiths. Instead, Burton said, "That was one of the most controversial services ever held in that church."

"Theists and Christians are almost unwelcome in many UU congregations," said Burton, an attorney who lives in northern Virginia. "It's rare to hear a UU minister discuss God from the pulpit. On many occasions, when a minister does discuss God from the pulpit, it leads to division because there's such a strong humanist or atheist representation."

The problem, as he sees it, is that the Unitarian Universalist Association--the denominational organization of UUs--has strayed far from its roots, emphasizing diversity and pluralism and in the process leaving no room for traditional belief. To counter that trend, he has started a new organization seeking to return Unitarianism to its roots as a God-centered liberal religion based on spiritual exploration.

The new Unitarian organization has taken the name American Unitarian Association. To those with knowledge of UU history, that name speaks volumes about the intent of the new organization: Before merging with the Universalists in 1961 to form the UUA, the main Unitarian denomination was called the American Unitarian Association.

And that has the UUA crying foul, and planning to file a lawsuit against the new AUA within the next few weeks.

"The UUA doesn't have any problems with this group's theological and political perspectives," said John Hurley, spokesman for the UUA. "We do have a problem with their use of the name, which is the name of one of the antecedents of the UUA."

But to Burton and Dean Fischer, co-founder with Burton of the new group, adopting the AUA name sends the message that its members want to return to a Unitarianism they think has been abandoned by the UUA.

The UUA is the latest liberal religion to face charges that in the name of tolerance and diversity it has abandoned its core beliefs. A recent Hartford Seminary survey found that the fastest-growing religious groups place the strictest demands on members--which is not what religious liberals tend to do. Meanwhile, across the spectrum, denominations are facing pressure from small but vocal groups to re-emphasize traditional religion over liberal theology and left-leaning politics.

In recent months, several Episcopal parishes have opted to associate with an African Anglican diocese, rather than their local one, claiming they are theologically closer to the more conservative Africans. In 1999, Reform Judaism, after a bitter debate, adopted 10 principles pushing the denomination toward more traditional Jewish ritual. And in the United Methodist Church, the conservative Confessing Movement, launched in 1995, declaring that the UMC "is now incapable of confessing with one voice the orthodox Trinitarian faith."

While conservative movements are particularly strong today, they are an ever-present element of liberal religion, said William Hutchison, a historian of American religion at Harvard.

"It's not only natural, it's a good thing. Liberal movements at some point need corrective measures," Hutchison said, explaining that without them, faith groups can veer too far from where they started.

The new Unitarian organization, which was incorporated in September 2000 but only became public in late December, remains small; its founders declined to discuss how many members it has garnered so far, saying only that membership is growing at 20% per month. Co-founder Dean Fisher said a quarter of the group's members are clergy or have a pastoral care background, and that several UU congregations are considering affiliating with the new group. The organization's first major event will be held April 21-22 in Alexandria, Va.

The UUA bills itself as a "non-creedal" religion, which means members decide for themselves what to believe and how to act. Founded as a Christian faith, the modern Unitarian movement was formed in the early 19th century. Unitarianism, as the name implies, rejected belief in a divine trinity in favor of believing that God is one and indivisible.

As Unitarianism grew during the 1800s, its membership included Ralph Waldo Emerson and U.S. President William Howard Taft. Then, as modernism and secularism developed around the turn of the 20th century, Unitarianism embraced these new ideas and began shedding dogma. With the birth in the1930s of the humanist movement--which rejects any traditional notion of God--Unitarianism's shift away from Christianity became more apparent. To this day, secular humanists remain influential in the movement.

The American Unitarian Association merged in 1961 with the Universalist Church of America, and the AUA name was retired. Secular humanism was a dominant force in the newly formed UUA through the late 1980s, when many UUs began to seek a more spiritual path, Hurley said. Since then, he said, UU humanists have been joined by resurgent UU theistic and Christian movements, along with newly formed UU Buddhist and pagan groups.

"Compared with 20 years ago, theism has clearly made a comeback, in particular with the laity but also with the clergy," said Roger Finke, a religion sociologist at Penn State University and author of "Acts of Faith: Explaining the Human Side of Religion."

In his book, Finke tells of a UUA pastor in New York City who a few years ago was booed in UUA churches when he "concluded services with a benediction that invoked 'God.'" Today, though, that pastor says he can "get away with God language with impunity."

Gila Jones, an active UU member, said the UU's religio-political balance is partly a result of its leadership. As younger people take over, she expects to see an even heavier emphasis on spirituality.

"The group I call the 'pre-boomers' tends to be rather intellectual, suspicious of traditional religion, and very interested in politics," she said. "The boomers and post-boomers, on the other hand, are frequently involved in redefining religion on their own terms and discovering a spirituality that is meaningful to them personally."

She added: "As people of my generation start to have more time to devote to leadership, UUism will turn more towards spirituality and somewhat away from politics. That's already happening. Many of the pre-boomers feel threatened by these changes."

However, she believes the AUA has defined itself too narrowly by focusing on monotheism and rejecting political activism: "The UUs I know who feel UUism is too political are not in favor of removing all politics from our religion," she said. "I know many UUs who want more spirituality in UUism, but few of them are monotheists."

Still, the trend toward greater spiritual emphasis has not accelerated far enough or quick enough to make everyone happy. Even within the UUA, there are some who are dissatisfied with where the denomination stands religiously.

Davidson Loehr, pastor of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, Texas, said he isn't familiar with the new AUA group, but he sounded many of the same themes.

"There isn't the degree of honest and probing religious discussion there should be, mostly because in UUism.the politics is primary, the religion is secondary (or worse)," he wrote in an e-mail correspondence. "I've hardly ever found colleagues who are interested in or able to carry on any informed and significant discussion on religious questions, so I share the frustration of folks who wish there were fewer UU political/social cells, and more UU churches."

He added, though, that he stays with the UUA because "there is still more freedom to pursue what I believe is honest and responsible religion than there is in any other denomination."

To the founders of the new AUA, however, theistic UU groups do not have a strong enough voice in the UUA and are not welcomed or respected nearly enough. And they, too, complain that politics has been given too heavy an emphasis.

"Most people don't get up on Sunday to hear a political rally," Burton said, "but to hear an intelligent discussion on ethics, on religion, on how to live one's life."

I was Muslim till I was forced out for being trans so I hope to find acceptance here. Any special procedures I need to follow

I believe Covid is real, but do not support the vaxxes as I have friends who have gotten blood clots and other adverse reactions. I think Fauci and rest have lied. I wear N95. The fact that no one cares about freedom, and accepts all this, and questions nothing really bothers me. I went with an agree to disagree stance but it's been hard, I don't feel safe, because I do question the Covid narrative and the failures of public health and believe the vaxxes have been harmful. The left's focus on censorship, failed public health and more has brought me to a level of disgust. My UU pastor is a nice guy but praises Bill Gates every minute from the pulpit. Every church member bought into the mainstream narrative, and I feel SO ALONE.

I waited things out but now it's been three years, turning people into pincushions for the biosecurity fascist state seems to be permanent for now, I can't go with it. That's what the left now supports and I am done. I supported all other vaccines but not these vaxxes. Friends of mine have DIED and have had blood clots and other bad things happen.

With politics, I'm done, the left left me. Supports megacorporations, tyranny, and now horribly of most, war where full war mongering where we are risking nuclear war with Russia is now in vogue. I feel too afraid to share my real political opinions and I guess I don't fit anymore. My church has gone extreme "woke" and even though Covid has destroyed our lives and is now endemic, no one is allowed to talk about it and has to follow the "official narrative" like a robot.

I used to be part of the antiwar movement, what happened with that as they all seem to want nuclear war with Russia and forget part of the lessons learned from Bush and the Middle East?

I used to like my UU church A LOT but since Covid now I feel lonely there and like I don't fit in. I am still technically a Universalist.

So, I'm one of the many people out there who lives too far from a congregation to attend in person services (something like an hour and twenty to reach the closest one). For me, a congregation is meant to be a community, and how much can I really be a member of that community living so far away? Plus I really do use Sunday as a day of rest and I'd feel horribly guilty about using that much gas. Anyway, I've made my peace with this and just listen to a streamed service when I can, but I've always wondered what the limits for other people would be. I would say, personally, I'd be willing to drive something like 45 minutes, but not much further.

All UUs are invited to post as comments various stories about UU churches, UU Ministers, and sermons by them.

I am a former Baptist pastor who “left the faith” and now hold to beliefs that are most similar to UU. I currently work as a Hospice Chaplain, but would like to become ordained so I can work in a hospital setting. I have my Master’s from a Southern Baptist seminary, but wasn’t sure how this translate over to UU ordination. Also, I have not yet settled into a UU congregation as my family is still processing my change and I’m taking things slowly. I’ve visited a few, but haven’t been consistent in one. Is there a minimum amount of time in a church that is needed before ordination?

Can Atheist, Agnostics & Pagans be members of the unitarians, do they have to renounce their old position and embrace the new position or do they retain their own position and identity in the group?

You wouldn't think it possible to have a crisis of faith in Unitarian Universalism and yet here I am.

I am having a real problem reconciling my UU principles with trusting my gut when it comes to people who give me bad vibes. I've been burned too many times in giving people the benefit of the doubt and I'm unwilling to continue to raise children to be kind to creeps who may, in fact, be predators.

I know this makes me prejudiced, but I'm starting to think I've been gaslighted into accepting unacceptable behavior. I'm speaking in particular about excusing people on account of them be neurodivergent. This has been a reoccuring issue and I'm at my breaking point.

I practice Buddhism after surviving a Catholic childhood. I want an open spiritual community with diversity and no particular flavor of god.

I went to the local UU church a couple weeks ago and loved it. I was very excited by all the diff kinds of people there, and they do anti-racism work which is something I'm looking for.

But yesterday the service started out with singing a song that had God in the refrain. OK, I understand, some people use the G word but it can mean a lot of different things. Fine. Then, horror: the last peppy verses addressed "the Lord". I lost it. Left crying. I went to a lot of trouble excising supernatural sexist abusers out of my life. WTF? I'm so disappointed.

I’ve been attending UU lately, and I’ve enjoyed it, so I feel it’s important to start contributing financially because I’m getting something out of it, but I want to find some financial transparency before I do.

I get the impression Unitarians are more liberal, but do you tend to affiliate with a political party, or is it more about just accepting people?

Backstory: I was born to a Baha’i family in 2009, I’ve been curious about religion since I was maybe 4. When I was in 7th grade I became a Muslim, but I left Islam recently. I do love Jesus, but I don’t believe he was God, just probably a prophet who sent down the Holy Bible. I am also bi and I know you guys accept LGBTQ. I also really love how the belief of this sect is that everyone will eventually be saved. This sounds like the religion for me. How do I convert?

I especially want to hear from latecomers to UU: what was the moment you realized UU wasn't just something you do on Sunday, but had become an integral part of your life, your relationship/marriage, your family?

I think it hit me when I quoted a hymn to comfort my partner. She was feeling guilty about a struggle we'd had the night before. I had already forgiven her, but she was having trouble letting go. So I quoted #637, A Litany of Atonement: "We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love."

It clicked for her, and I realized I was using words of comfort in much the same way I saw other religious traditions doing.

Hello, as the title says I'm trying to remember the UU book I was given to read for my Coming of Age journey though the UU church. It was black, and it had a chalice on it or maybe flames on it. I believe it had a history of the church, but don't remember much more than that.

I'm revisiting books of my late adolescent and young adult life. I stepped away about a decade ago from the UU church after attending a few years and then going off to college. Then work kept me from attending due to the hours I had been delt, then COVID hit, but recently I felt something come over me, and I'm wanting to reflect on things in my life.

I'll be elated if anyone knows what I'm talking about and I plan on attending my first UU service again very soon.

Hey all! So I am originally born and raised Roman Catholic. I do not really find comfort in this religion anymore with their thoughts and feeling towards the lgbt community civil right etc. But I still love Mary and her place in the religion. I don’t see her as a god but I love the idea is saints and such. I don’t know if I believe Jesus is the “one and only” son of god (it’s hard to change that idea after growing up with it) but…is this religion for me? If not is there any other place for me?

I am an ex-Christian and I have religious trauma related to that. I went to an in-person UU service for the first time Sunday. I got teary-eyed multiple times because I was quite awestruck. I’ve never had the experience of walking into a sanctuary that displays pride flags or hearing the Reverend invite trans and GNC kids to join the Girl Scouts troop during announcements. I had a wonderful time overall, but I have a few concerns. I can mostly handle hearing the word “God” and there was no mention of Jesus. The Bible was used during the sermon (Genesis), but its validity was questioned in a way I can appreciate. I am just wondering… is UU the wrong place to leap to, in general, if I want no associations with Christianity whatsoever? Or could I potentially find a different church that doesn’t reference the Bible? I am atheist-leaning, definitely humanist, but mostly still figuring it out.

I am also thinking about the perpetuation of Christianity and wanting to avoid that. This article encapsulates my thinking perfectly: https://brill.com/display/title/37153 To me, secular and liberal Christians are still perpetuating the harm of all other Christians, or they would drop the religious moniker altogether. I am wondering if I’m being hypocritical by being UU. Also, I’m really sorry if I offend anyone by writing this post. Thanks for reading.

Hi there! I’ve recently started exploring UU churches in the area and it feels like a good home for me. I’ve been exploring all over the area (I’m in Boston) and while I’ve attended lovely sermons, I’m having trouble finding a congregation that has people my age (I’m in my 30s). Everyone at Sunday service seems to be over 60. I wonder if Sunday service may just not be the right place to start? Anyone in the are (or in general) have any advice?

Does anyone here have experience with Second Unitarian in Chicago? I live on the north side and am considering checking it out.

I do actually believe in God but not the traditional viewpoint. In the last few years I had a business and two relationships fail, other business problems, health problems, family problems...you name it, I have encountered it. It's been getting steadily worse.

None of my friends are able to help, and despite praying, God seems distant. I've spoken to my minister, she has said she has felt the same on occasion. My therapist references the story of Job (she is Christian) but it's cold comfort when I am suffering now. Unless she knows specifically when the suffering will end, it's not helpful.

I still pray and have not lost my faith, since I have had God appear in my life before in remarkably dramatic ways. But still the torrent of bad news is unrelenting, so I am on the edge of despair sometimes.

Posting here instead of Christian subs because Christians always say "God's perfect timing" which is NOT helping (like the last three therapists I saw)

Hi peeps! We are moving from Chattanooga to St. Louis in about 8 months. We will likely be living in the Kirkwood area of St. Louis. Does anyone know if there are are CUUPS chapters in the area? Thanks!

https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/psc-nominee-president

November 15, 2022

The Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) Presidential Search Committee is pleased to announce the nomination of the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt for UUA President, for the 2023-2029 term. Rev. Dr. Betancourt is an experienced leader and theologian in Unitarian Universalism, including formerly serving as a professor at Starr King School for the Ministry and as Interim Co-President of the UUA in 2017. She currently serves as Resident Scholar and Special Advisor to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

Review the Nomination Process section of this announcement for more information on how the PSC made its determination, and for information on the process for running by petition in accordance with the UUA Bylaws.

The President is the primary public and spiritual leader of Unitarian Universalism, as well as the UUA’s Chief Executive Officer. The member congregations of the UUA, through their delegates, elect the President to represent and lead the faith on a path to Beloved Community, in which people of diverse backgrounds, identities and theological beliefs can thrive. The President must be committed to transparent, shared, and aspirational leadership, using their understanding of power and privilege to advance transformative faithful practices within the Association. At the heart of this work is the UUA’s commitment to dismantling oppressive societal systems and creating communities of equity, belonging and liberation. This requires centering the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, members of the LGBTQIA+ communities, people living with disabilities, and those with other marginalized identities. The President leads UUA staff, volunteers and members of the denomination to create a Unitarian Universalism that welcomes the questions, gifts, and talents of all who are attracted to this faith tradition.

Nominee Biography

The Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt currently serves as Resident Scholar and Special Advisor on Justice and Equity at the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). She previously served as interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Womanist Theology and Ethics at Drew University Theological School in 2021-22. From 2016-2021, she was on the core faculty of Starr King School for the Ministry, and served as its Acting President for a term. She was the UUA’s Director of Racial and Ethnic Concerns from 2005-2009. In 2017, she was appointed as one of the three-part team of UUA Interim Co-Presidents. She has been a member of the UUA Appointments Committee since 2016, and previously was a member of the UUA Nominating Committee.

Rev. Dr. Betancourt’s ministry centers on work that is empowering and counter-oppressive. Her academic work focuses on the environmental ethics of liberation through a womanist and Latina feminist frame. She previously served as the Senior Minister at the First UU Church of Stockton, CA, as Consulting Minister of the UU Fellowship of Storrs, CT, and as Interim Minister at the UU Church of Fresno, CA.

She holds a Ph.D. in religious ethics and African American Studies from Yale University, graduate degrees from Yale University in Religious Ethics and African American Studies, and an undergraduate degree from Cornell University with a concentration in ethnobotany. She is an ordained UU minister, with a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry. Her book, Ecowomanism at the Panamá Canal: Black Women, Labor, and Environmental Ethics is available from Lexington Books (published February, 2022).

Nomination Process

Under the UUA Bylaws, the Presidential Search Committee (PSC) is responsible for nominating candidates for UUA President. The PSC is made up of seven members, five elected by the General Assembly and two appointed by the UUA Board of Trustees. The PSC was established in the UUA Bylaws in 2010 through a vote of the General Assembly, to support the democratic process of nominating candidates to serve as UUA President. Prior to the creation of the PSC, all candidates for the UUA Presidency ran by petition. The 2023 Presidential election is the second time the PSC has led the nomination process.

Two members of the PSC were appointed following General Assembly 2021 (one later resigned), and the five elected members were affirmed by the General Assembly in 2022. The PSC members are, in alphabetical order by last name: Rev. Jaimie Dingus, Denise Rimes, Cathy Seggel, James Snell, Rev. Theresa Ninán Soto and Marva Williams.

For this nomination, the PSC developed and led a fair and timely application and nomination process that was open to any leader who is a member of a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Over its first few months, the PSC reached out to a wide variety of stakeholders to provide feedback on the Presidential job description and key qualifications, the development of the application and interviews, the recruitment of potential qualified applicants, and on the overall nomination process. Congregations and members of the public were kept informed of the nominating process throughout the spring and summer of 2022.

In addition to opportunities for input from the general public, the PSC consulted key interested parties, including religious professional groups such as the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA), the UU Ministers’ Association (UUMA) and the Association for UU Music Ministries (AUUMM); identity-based groups such as Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM), Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), EqUUal Access, and Transgender UU Religious Professionals Together (TRUUsT); youth and young adult communities; and UUA staff. Based on this input, the PSC sought candidates who could address the current needs of the UUA, and support the UUA’s mission and its commitment to the recommendations of the Commission on Institutional Change’s 2020 report, Widening the Circle of Concern. The PSC worked with the UUA Board of Trustees to establish a presidential job description capturing these qualifications, which was approved by the Board in February 2022.

The application and nomination timeline of the presidential search process was:

• Applications opened on April 1, 2022
• PSC members engaged in outreach to potential leaders, encouraging applications, including through conversations at General Assembly in June 2022
• Applications were due on July 15, 2022
• The PSC conducted interviews, engaged with applicants and reviewed references from August through October 2022, in preparation for selecting its nominees

The PSC received applications from Unitarian Universalists who represented a range of experiences and talents, including ordained ministers and non-ordained leaders. The candidate pool was comprised of majority women and transgender/non-binary individuals, and a majority of people who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).

At the conclusion of its process, the PSC unanimously nominated two exceptionally qualified leaders to be candidates for President. One of those nominees declined the nomination. Once the nominations were made, the committee determined that the only fair and appropriate course of action was to move forward with the nomination of Rev. Dr. Betancourt, rather than reopening the application process. The PSC members respect the decision of the nominee who withdrew, and will continue to honor their privacy, as was done throughout the interview process.

Nomination petitions from additional candidates may be submitted, according to the procedures described in the UUA Bylaws and Rules, by February 1, 2023. The election will conclude in June 2023, and the next President will be announced at General Assembly 2023. The current UUA President, Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray, will reach the end of her term and will serve until her successor takes office. As with the current President, the next UUA President will serve a single six-year term and will not be eligible for re-election.

Conclusion

The search for a President of the Unitarian Universalist Association asks us to live into our best selves and our most imaginative futures, working to fulfill our deeply held aspirations. The Presidential nomination process is a call to covenant and to making our values real in the world through our actions. As shared in the June 2021 Commission on Appraisal report, Rev. Carol Cissel notes:

We are the promises we make and the vows we break. In this faith, Unitarian Universalism, covenants bind us together and strengthen our relationships. They create a pathway toward inclusiveness and, in times of both joy and sorrow, remind us that we are tough, resilient, and thoughtful.

So may we, in faithful keeping of our promises as a movement, elect our next UUA president. The PSC was unanimous in its belief that UUs are blessed by the candidacy of Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt. Once the election process concludes and the new UUA President is announced at GA 2023, our Association will continue on its transformative journey to create the anti-oppressive, multicultural world we all imagine.

__

This announcement constitutes the PSC’s report for nominations, as required by UUA Bylaw Section 9.5.

For questions and additional information, please reach out to [elections@uua.org](mailto:elections@uua.org) and visit this elections page.

For more information contact [elections@uua.org](mailto:elections@uua.org).

Or just in the Midwest? Asking because I might be moving soon.

Due to mobility aids and a health decline, my disability suddenly became visible while I was part of a UU congregation. I had to start using a wheelchair. And when I did, dear Gods, it was like someone flipped a switch. My church went from just looking at me a little funny for my cane use to being downright hostile toward me and my chair. The amount of ableism I encountered was disgusting. People routinely leaned on my chair, even after being told not to. People moved my chair with me in it without my permission. I got rude comments practically every 5 seconds. It was so bad that the congregation was willing to allow me to be homeless because no one wanted to house a disabled person. That was the most common reason given to my face, anyway.

Is there a point to me trying again in another state?

So I decided to leave a UU singles group because it didn’t lead me anywhere. Mostly because most of the people in there seemed to be more interested in friendship and just talking UU stuff instead of romance and sex. WTF, the people in there seemed so wishy washy, is this normal for UU people? I’ve only been UU since 2017 and not always available to go to a physical church. So I only understand a bit of the UU culture 😅

Hi there, I've been having a discussion with someone regarding a cultural practice called a karakia. It's basically a Maori prayer shared at the beginning of a meeting or event.

The discussion centers around cultural practices in a secular environment. I support the Maori culture but not the religious aspect and have said that Karakia shouldn't be performed in public secular environments (govt, schools, councils etc).

The person I'm in discussion with says prayer isn't inherently religious and calls the karakia 'secular prayer' even though it most often references God or deified ancestors.

The guy I'm talking with isn't very good at presenting a straight forward argument and I'm trying to conduct a good faith discussion, not win an argument so I'm looking to explore the notion of secular prayer.

TYIA for any engagement.

I'll try to keep this short: a friend and I have plans to attend a UU service this weekend. I saw pictures on Facebook of the congregation with their hands on each other's shoulders, which makes me really nervous because neither my friend nor I tolerate physical touch well. If we sit and the end of a row, would it be unforgivably rude for us to say something like "no thank you?" Is there any chance of us passing on this without making a scene?

I am agnostic but religions fansinate me. I want to learn more about some of them so I decided to reach out and speak with people who are members.

There are not unitarian universlists in my country (as far as I searched) so I decided to ask here. I would like to speak with somene in order to tell me about his/her religion.

Thanks in advance.

We could speak here on viber , telegram or on instagram if you want.

I am proud to be a Unitarian Universalist and I hope we UUs can help the world to have a brighter future!

I grew up in a southern Baptist church and through out childhood was told to do as my mother told me even though I was being abused and bullied, told i suffered depression because my faith was not strong enough. As an adult i was and still am rejected because i am not acceptable to my family.

I am now 55 and my mother passed away 2 years ago and can't bother me anymore and break my no contact. I have PTSD, ADHD etc. Plus as a woman decided not to procreate. Never married, no friends or family. Will i be rejected?

Are there any Unitarian Universalist churches in Canada?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km9Rv_3bN5E

What do you think of this video? Examples of comments made on it are as follows:

@TwizzElishus

One can at least commend them for not falsely calling themselves Christians.

_____________________

@duaneadams5210

There is a Unitarian Universalist church near where I used to live. I never could understand what they stood for and never seemed to have a spiritual foundation that I could see. There was not any "glue" to hold them all together. I like your method of explaining things and find you easy to understand. Thank You for bringing insight to all of the different belief systems. I always look forward to your presentations.

________________________

@a.violet5905

When coming out of my non-Christian beliefs, I went to a UU congregation. I still believed in God, but didn't know what that meant. Once I found that their roots were Christian, then it started me on my journey to Christ. I never became a member and then went to the UCC , then UCC in an ecumenical church with 4 denominations, the Episcopal Church. Now after years of study and looking, I became in Orthodox Christian. I'm done. No more needing to search. I'm home.

___________________________

@jamesreed5678

Interestingly, this pseudo-church denomination, UU, has held fairly steady in membership over the last few decades, while most other denominations are imploding. On the other hand, their membership is only about 150K.

____________________________

@user-jb5no1xw1p

If you don't support the idea that there is, ultimately, a right answer to spiritual questions, how can you say you're 'pro-reason?' I mean, even if you're a spiritualist like me and see the fullness of God as incomprehensible, to deny objective truth is to embrace absurdity and deny the existence of right and wrong...which can be discerned through reason. How can they make the world 'better' if they can't sort out good from evil objectively? What then would be the difference between meaningless change and progress?

__________________________

@russellt4474

They claim to believe in science, yet do not believe there is "one right answer". They don't believe in empirical truths, but in personal truths. As an actual Unitarian with an education and background in a field of science, I find this organization to be deeply alienating and offensive to my beliefs.

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@patrickmccarthy7877

What do you get when you mix a Unitarian and a Jehovah's Witness? Someone who rings doorbells but doesn't know why.

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@robertpease9834

If you don't believe in something, you will fall for anything. This doesn't sound like any sort of Church, just a place to gather and talk. I guess the sermons are just for entertainment and allowing people to feel good for the sake of feeling good. It sounds like the perfect attitude in today's society. Don't tell anyone they are doing wrong, it might hurt their feelings.

______________________________

@pastorart1974

I have visited several UU congregations and I was told you could believe anything except for Bible Based Evangelical Christianity.

_______________

Finally, someone defends us with what we are really about!

@brentchaffin9603

The assumption that UU's "can be anything" is actually a common misconception. We actually have 7 core principles and an overarching covenent that must be adhered to. Anyone is welcome to attend UU services but membership in the church requires dedication to upholding these principles and this covenant.

I have just finished A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism. What are some other books you can recommend for learning about Unitarian Universalism?

I'm interested in becoming a Unitarian Religious Educator but I can't seem to find anything online about what credentials I need. Does anyone have any resources or knowledge on the subject? Thanks!

Hi friends,

I recently realised I believe in and feel the presence of God, after being a staunch atheist for my whole life. I was raised atheist, I was that smug kid on the university campus reading Richard Dawkins with the cover held proudly out. So realising I feel faith for the first time ever has been an unbelievably destabilising event. I have a great support network but nobody close to me can really seem to understand how huge this is for me... That I'm having to rebuild my entire metaphysical worldview from the ground up.

Prayer has been helpful, and I've found UU sermons to be extremely meaningful to listen to. I'm confident that UU is a church I'd like to explore more, and I've emailed my local chapter, but UU doesn't have a huge presence here in Australia.

I guess I'm looking for advice, comfort and stories, especially from any siblings who have also found faith after atheism. I'm feeling very lonely as I go through this process of figuring out what I believe.

Thank you all, and blessings 💜

I'm from the Caribbean, I've try to make contact with a local Unitarian universalist church I had called them but apparently they haven't been there for 5 years , I try to go to the church physically but it was close i even try to contact them in their Facebook and no one answer, I don't know what else to do.

Does anyone have suggestions for a daily reflection or meditation book geared toward UUs, pagans, Buddhists or Stoics beside The Daily Stoic? Preferably UU-oriented and with a Kindle Edition? My Google skills are failing me. Usually my superpower, but can't find something that fits.

Thanks and happiest of New Years!

I was part of a huge UU church in Rochester NY.. it had a lot of members and multiple ministers. Now I’m part of a new UU church in the South and it seems like we have maybe… 25 families? I’ve only been going for 3 weeks now, maybe there are more..

But if these churches are financially independent and not tied to UU as a whole, how do they get enough money to pay the bills and to pay our minister??

I don’t know why but I have anxiety about this sometimes! His wife works as a hospital chaplain, I just worry that they don’t have enough members to keep this minister and his family here and I really like them.

UPDATE: They came out with the budget last weekend and said they were far behind what they needed, they fired two staff without getting congregation vote so there was a little stink about that at our parents meeting today. BUT in the past 24 hours they had a couple of generous gifts (100k! What the heck! When it looks like there are only like 30 people in services sometimes) and they are going to try and vote to rehire that staff. (I wonder what they will do with the severance packages they gave out to them???) anyway, so apparently they have many more members who don’t always come to services and I’m so happy to hear they can make their ends meet… I even found out they’re planning some big time renovations using capital campaign money.) thanks to y’all for calming my nerves. I’m happy there are people with more money than I who also find this UU mission a worthy cause.