Ask a Unitarian Universalist

[Cuivienen]

If I didn't see church as a waste of time (a view I held as a catholic, as well) I might think about joining the UU church. So there would be at least one catholic who joined the UU church.

I have to admit, I see 'UU Church' and think 'Unique Unit?'

There's actually no "UU church"; it's the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association). I think there's a separate association in Canada, but they're more or less the same.

@Veritass: I read some of that link, and, as far as I know, there's no connection between the two. The Unity Church is clearly more distinctly Christian, and they sound very much like old Unitarians.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Just a bump . . .

Is there within UU any attempt to form a theology? Not like an official one held by everyone, but does anyone say, "I believe that X happens when we die", and then try to see if anyone agrees with him or her?

 

[PrincepsAmerica]

Just a bump . . .

Is there within UU any attempt to form a theology? Not like an official one held by everyone, but does anyone say, "I believe that X happens when we die", and then try to see if anyone agrees with him or her?

In other words, is there any point in it existing as a religion beyond being a "cool" place where everyone's relaxed and not hung up on "truth".

 

[Elrohir]

Just a bump . . .

Is there within UU any attempt to form a theology? Not like an official one held by everyone, but does anyone say, "I believe that X happens when we die", and then try to see if anyone agrees with him or her?

I think their idea of a unified theology takes the form of "Something may, or may not happen when you die. But then, it all depends on your point of view. And we certainly accept it, no matter what it is. And God loves you, by the way. If He exists. And if there is such thing as love."

 

[Bill3000]

In other words, is there any point in it existing as a religion beyond being a "cool" place where everyone's relaxed and not hung up on "truth".

Absolutely - an oranized religion for the religious who do not follow a particular organized religion and hate the idea of dogma.

Is there within UU any attempt to form a theology? Not like an official one held by everyone, but does anyone say, "I believe that X happens when we die", and then try to see if anyone agrees with him or her?

Closest attempt would probably be the ideals of humanism, IIRC. As well as the idea that an organized theology is not necessary.

 

[Elrohir]

Absolutely - an oranized religion for the religious who do not follow a particular organized religion and hate the idea of dogma.

Isn't that like asking for orange juice without any oranges in it?

 

[Bill3000]

Isn't that like asking for orange juice without any oranges in it?

Nope, because spirituality does not require following an organized religion.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I didn't ask as criticism, by the way. I was just wondering, if a UU member believes a specific thing, will they ever make any effort to talk to those who might agree?

 

[refracted]

I didn't ask as criticism, by the way. I was just wondering, if a UU member believes a specific thing, will they ever make any effort to talk to those who might agree?

As a cynical UU, I can say yes, but we enjoy taking to those who disagree even more.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Another question. It seems almost self-evident that most UUs will be politically liberal or left-leaning. Are there a significant number of conservatives, and is there ever an element of political discussion?

 

[PrincepsAmerica]

Nope, because spirituality does not require following an organized religion.

Like any other part of philosophy, spirituality has a basis in premises though. All of human experience does. To try to mediate extremism is a noble end but doing so by pretending there are no core assumptions about certain philosophical subjects makes debate an impossibility and an organization guided exclusively by such open-mindedness a farce.

 

[punkbass2000]

In your opinion, that is.

 

[Cuivienen]

Just a bump . . .

Is there within UU any attempt to form a theology? Not like an official one held by everyone, but does anyone say, "I believe that X happens when we die", and then try to see if anyone agrees with him or her?

There are some more "conservative" elements of UU that advocate a return to core Christian concepts. They are not generally part of the mainstream, though, and realistically don't stand much chance of succeeding given that more UUs identify as Buddhists than as Christians (a weird statistic, as I've never met a UU who identified as Buddhist).

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Well, they may be conservative in a religious sense, and maybe in a theological sense, but what about "conservative" as it applies to American politics?

 

[Cuivienen]

Another question. It seems almost self-evident that most UUs will be politically liberal or left-leaning. Are there a significant number of conservatives, and is there ever an element of political discussion?

Not within my local chapter, and I'm not aware of any significant conservative branches of UU. Some UU organizations choose to be politically active, but only on issues, not on behalf of candidates. I have never seen political campaigning within the congregation, however.

 

[PrincepsAmerica]

In your opinion, that is.

In your opinion that is my opinion. Aren't non-statements fun?

 

[punkbass2000]

In your opinion that is my opinion.

So that wasn't your opinion?

Aren't non-statements fun?

From time to time. I don't see what this has to do with the issue, though.

 

[Cuivienen]

Like any other part of philosophy, spirituality has a basis in premises though. All of human experience does. To try to mediate extremism is a noble end but doing so by pretending there are no core assumptions about certain philosophical subjects makes debate an impossibility and an organization guided exclusively by such open-mindedness a farce.

There are core assumptions, just not about dogma. You really can't be UU without being humanist, for example, and believing in the importance of the individual human experience. Much like humanism, to quote Wikipedia, UU "affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities—particularly rationalism."

It isn't concerned with theistic beliefs because, to any UU, even one who considers themself Christian, God doesn't play into the equation of right and wrong. (To understand the context of this, know that the original Christian Unitarians believed that God was too good and too forgiving to punish humans for sins.)

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

It isn't concerned with theistic beliefs because, to any UU, even one who considers themself Christian, God doesn't play into the equation of right and wrong. (To understand the context of this, know that the original Christian Unitarians believed that God was too good and too forgiving to punish humans for sins.)

Hmm, that's interesting.

So there are Christian UUs and Buddhist UUs and atheist UUs. What are your views on God?

 

[Cuivienen]

Hmm, that's interesting.

So there are Christian UUs and Buddhist UUs and atheist UUs. What are your views on God?

I suppose I'm a soft atheist. I tend not to give the question too much thought as I don't find it particularly important, but, if pressed, I would say that there's probably no God.

Conversation about God is fairly rare in congregation, and I would say that much of my congregation would identify as soft atheist if pressed with some identifying as Christians and Jews. (I live in an area with a particularly high Jewish population, and Jews join UU nearly as often as Christians.) Outside of my own congregation, there are other groups that identify more strongly with Christianity, and I know of a few UUs who consider themselves Neopagan. (UU often attracts those looking for a New Age church, though I wouldn't consider myself New Age. I'm don't find it offensive, but I do find it unfortunate; the Neopagan UUs I know are really just Neopagans who call themselves UU.)