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?

A poem by Atena O. Danner.

I really need advice and please be brutally honest. I am relatively young, female, latina from a working class background in South America.

I dropped out of college once, I only completed a semester, and that was among Strikes and an abusive relationship (no one's business, I know). Even though after the Strike, I had some really nice grades, I never looked back and applied to other University, where I got my undergrad degree in Education (3.64 GPA)

My GPA isn't good, but for some reason people always believe in me. I'm a really big mess, and I have dipped my feet into several religions and ideologies. Some people say I am a good writer. In a very particular and random way, I've found American Transcendentalism, and then Early 19th Century New England Unitarianism, then Unitarian Universalism. That has been a huge part of my life, in a way. I have already translated a 1838 book -actually a transcribed lecture - by William Ellery Channing, which I consider to be my first "baby". I am -currently- somewhat familiar with the work of Earl Morse Wilbur, too.

I have made true and disinterested connections with important scholars in New England, I have presented at the Thoreau Society and I am a volunteer at a UUA program that deals with International Relations, Interfaith Relations and Diversity. I can't help but dream about HDS, but I think it is too late for me, because just when I found a way to channel my passion and start having a reason to make deliberate efforts, I realized I have this tarnished past to carry as a burden. It is sad, because I think I would be possibly an unexpected candidate, since there is NO UU tradition where I live. Oh, and I also work as a volunteer in my local community sharing what I've learned from Unitarian History books with people that don't speak English. I'm also a part of Liberal Faith Social Justice programs. My country has been through a lot regarding authoritarianism and fundamentalism, so we're trying to make a difference. I know I can apply to other schools, but right now I am mostly worried about HDS.

Even if I get another degree at home, and get stellar results, and then hypothetically almost ace the GRE, is it still impossible ?

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Is it a group with ties to any specific religion? Does it exclude people for reasons of race, ethnicity, gender, sex, or sexual/romantic orientation? Are only certain religions welcome? Like, could someone be a Heathen or Rodnover or Dionysian or Wiccan, and still be a UU?

Are there rules or control systems? Are there certain political views associated?

Does it require Church attendance to be a UU?

Is it more like an ideology? Is it a religion?

Is criticism welcome when an issue is noticed?

I’m worried to join this subreddit because I (no offense) am worried it may be an abusive, anti-LGBT, anti-BIPOC, or generally anti-progressive cult. I have no knowledge of it, except for that it was founded by someone who left the Bahá’í faith because of the issues with Bahá’í. But I’m also confused because if I remember correctly, they describe it as conservative. Conservative, from what I know, has a lot of implications like being capitalist, pro-hierarchy, anti-progressive, anti-minority, against seeing animals as people, etc.

Apologies if I have worded anything badly, or misunderstood anything, or have made this too long, or have asked too many questions. Thank you to anyone who answers, and have a wonderful day/night!

Since relocating a few years ago, I have considered seeking out a U/U congregation (there are a couple in my area) to consider joining because I’d like to have more social contacts in my (older) age group who have generally progressive views. I don’t have spiritual yearnings and am not particularly earnest in outlook although I can and will always act respectfully and cooperatively in my surroundings if I choose to be someplace.

Can someone explain exactly WHAT Unitarian Universalism is?

Thank you!

What would it look like to not just accept and survive our times of rest, but to delight in them?