Universal Unitarians: Your input is desired.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

My fiancee and I are thinking of joining the local congregation here. I'm a recovering Catholic turned non-denominational polytheist and she is a recovering Methodist turned... well... I don't really know. But we both feel spiritual, yet have not been actively religious in more than 5 years. We do not want to be associated with those "traditional" churches, yet we do desire a place where we can worship with people who aren't going to jam anything down our throats.

Is there anything you might be able to tell me about your personal experiences with the Universal Unitarian church? Thanks in advance for your help!

P.S. I do plan on attending services/Mass after the holidays one way or another.

[9119495]

1. Organized religion frightens me, but I wanted to have good

discussions and learn about the best of various faiths. I went to a UU church on the recommendation of a student and it was awesome. I still only go about four times a year but my first experiences were a day studying buddhism, another day was all about Emerson and his writings. I urge you to go. They'll have cards with their core beliefs on them and I think you'll find them non-threatening. At least go visit and talk with some people. Ask them why they go. What do they get out of it.

[rogerashton]

2. Unitarian Universalist

This name results from the merger of the American Unitarian Society and the Universalist Church in the early 1960's. (They had been talking about it for roughly 80 years!). UUA is noncredal, so the chances are that you will be welcome and will be fine. It does depend a bit on where you are. I understand that in Massachusetts, where unitarianism was first established, some UU churches are remarkably traditional and might seem less suitable for you. In other places there could be tensions between pagans and atheist/agnostic/humanist groups in a particular church, and some traditionally Universalist churches (again, I am told -- not speaking from knowledge) are more emotional than rationalist in their services. On the other side, some Unitarians can be very cold in their rationality. Well, me for one.

http://www.uua.org/

http://www.beliefnet.com/index/index_10034.asp

on edit: links

[revree]

3. As an ordained New Thought minister

I can tell you that UU churches, along with any Church of Religious Science or Science of Mind churches, and Unity Christianity churches, are all-inclusive and very spiritual, rather than religious. UU churches especially promote activism in the world as part of a whole spiritual program. You will love it. Try a few churches in your area, UNITY, RELIGIOUS SCIENCE, SCIENCE OF MIND AND UU (avoid Christian Science, they may be too rigid for your liking). I have been to about eight different churches in my Southern California area and all have something wonderful and different to offer.

If you like being active in politics and believe the political is part of the spiritual, then UU is the best.

[rogerashton]

9. My experience with New Thought

especially Religious Science, was that there was a strong undercurrent of expected belief in healing through prayer. Noncreedal can have different meanings -- New Thoughters have, I believe, a teaching although not a creed. If you find the teaching speaks to you, that's a good thing, but as I am not a prayer, I ultimately found myself on the outside, by choice.

Back with UU.

[stellanoir]

4. UU's are fantastic.

I used to attend a service in years ago Minneapolis. It was a really supportive open minded (they believe in almost everything) congregation, some of whom I stayed in touch with over the years.

Then I did some promotion for some national spiritually oriented seminars out of LA, and the UU's were amazing in terms of networking and assistance, and really great to interact with. . .all for free, free, free.

I haven't been to a service in ages. But I truly found them to be the least judgemental of the widespread denominations and faiths I've researched. They would be only on par with the both Buddhists and the followers of Swami Chidvilasananda. IMHO

I'm sure it would depend on the minister but if your at all curious, I'm fairly certain that you won't be disappointed.

[topherX]

5. My UU experience

I’ve been attending a UU church for a few months. I have also attended a men’s group at the church for the past year. I’m somewhat green to the experience and I’ll share my thoughts. I’ve enjoyed the UU services and the people that I’ve met there.

I like that the UU services are geared towards personal and spiritual growth. I’ve learned quite a bit about caring for myself, others in my community and around the world. The UU church that I attend pulls from a variety of different authors and books. While they refer to the bible sometimes, they also pull from other religious texts, various poetry and philosophy texts.

Like many Christian churches, the UU church I attended stresses the importance of helping others. I’ve come across many opportunities to help others out. The one difference between helping as a UU is that we don’t help others to convert them to our faith. We do it because it’s the kind and just thing to do.

I respect that the UU church is open to people that have various religious beliefs. I grew up in the Catholic faith and I’m quite familiar with masses. At present, I consider myself to be a non-theist. I feel as welcome at the UU church other members who have other, and seemingly opposing, religious beliefs. We all care about humanity. I haven’t felt like anyone was trying to force me to think or believe any certain way. If there’s one message that I’ve gotten from my experience with the UU is that there isn’t just one path, but many ways to achieve fulfillment and spiritual growth.

The best way to find out about the UU church is by attending a number of services. Get involved in some of the weekly activities.

I found a really neat website that contains UU sermons given at a church in Austin, TX. I got a much better feel for the UU message after reading some of these. Check it out:

http://austinuu.org/sermons/

Good luck! =)

[Ready4Change]

6. I attended one UU wedding.

Came away very impressed, favorably. I too am gunshy of organized religions, and if I were to forced to choose one, I'd choose UU.

[Bouncy Ball]

7. I'm not a UUer yet

but have wanted to go for quite some time. I simply had horrible experiences with mainstream churches (really hypocritical and judgemental people--not towards me, but towards others, and I would expect a church to be the last place I'd find such huge heaping servings of judgementalness!).

So I am gunshy about churches right now, but really wanting to go to a UU one. I've researched them extensively and they seem like a perfect fit for us.

Now it's just a matter of going. I have such a negative association with "church" now, it's hard to. But I know if I make myself and it is a good experience, I'll get over that.

Sigh. Let us know how it is!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. I understand completely.

And I hate the idea of "meeting people at church"... but UU sounds very different.

Like I said, I'll be attending after New Year's. I'm simply too busy with moving to a new apt. and multiple business trips right now. I'll keep ya posted. :hi: