Is anyone UU? Can you better explain this religion to me?
813059
I'm a sixth generation Universalist (Unitarian Universalist since the merger). I think the best place to start is with our principles and purposes (despite those whose ignorance and lack to initiative leads them to the brash statement that we don't stand for anything):\n\n>>\n\nThe Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association\n\n    We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote\n\n        * The inherent worth and dignity of every person;\n        * Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;\n        * Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;\n        * A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;\n        * The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;\n        * The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;\n        * Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.\n\n    The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:\n\n        * Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;\n        * Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love;\n        * Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;\n        * Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;\n        * Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;\n        * Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.\n\n    Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.\n\nThe Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association\n\n    The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.\n\n    The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member congregations and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.\n\n    Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any congregation unless such is used as a creedal test.\n\n<<\n\nYou can find a lot more information at the denominational web site listed below.\n\nAnd I will be happy to do my best to field any questions you might wish to email me.
778244
To me none of this makes any sense. Things like this is what made me question the validity of religion in the first place.\n\nI DO believe in the ultimate being. This world & its functions didn't create itself. There were programs to follow & rules set forth.\nSure the universe probably came from a big bang. But something had to make the bang possible. Evolution all well & good, yes, but something was programmed to make that possible.\nI'm not an atheist because of religious reasons but rather for logical reasons. Something had to come from something.\n\nBut I don't believe in this Satan Devil character at all.\nIt's hokey.\nGod created an assistant???\nWhat the hell does God need an "assistant" for anyhow?\nThis is not limited mankind this is Ultimate Being!\nGod needs nothing but God.\n\nIn fact this whole thing about God needing us makes no sense either. For what?\nIf God needs others then God is limited and not the ultimate being. And if what we refer to as God is not the ultimate being than who is? I ain't got time for no middlemen. Who's the top dog?\n\nMy theory on this whole universe is that it is nothing more than God exploded. All pieces and parts within are fractions of the whole, the ultimate. From a simple rock to the species of mankind to oil sludge.\nWhy this happened no one will ever know. We're only fractions and we can only get fractional information.\n\nIt is true. God always was and always will be. But hell if we'll ever know why that is or why it should be.\nJohn Lucas
397395
I believe in rebirth. How do scientists explain child prodigies? Mmmm probably the data was downloaded when they were in the womb ! \n\nI think every religion has its own version -> of what happens after death <-. It is something which can only be experienced and not explained. Heaven and hell are concepts to keep people in check . If you are happy today you are in heaven and if you are depressed or sad you are in hell. Neither exist.\n\nIf god really loves everyone (which includes me) why cant he forgive me later? And what is good and bad ???? Relative terms.... Without knowing what bad is you dont know what good is. If everyone is good who is bad ? Then what happens to hell ? I dont even believe in sins. Can you show me one person who has not committed any of the 7 Sins? \n\nI think the best way to find the truth is stop idiosyncrasies. Search for GOD within yourself. See GOD in everyone , everything and everywhere. Jesus is in your heart dont wait for him, experience him . NOW.
221771
Someone's already beaten you to it.  It's called the Councl for a Parliament of World Religions.  You can read about it here: http://www.cpwr.org/
1068721
I see it as a religion of those who don't believe in a supreme being. Since religion is a belief in something then same goes for them.
871891
i'm guessing the overlap is that unitarians don't necessarily believe in God and libertarians don't necessarily believe in government?  just a little joke...i don't know much about either philosophy...
745674
Historic Unitarianism believed in the oneness of God and not the Christian doctrine of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in one God) proclaimed at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Historic Unitarians believed in the moral authority, but not the deity, of Jesus. Unitarians are characterized by some as being identified through history as free thinkers and dissenters, evolving their beliefs in the direction of rationalism and humanism.\n\nTry going to this website. It give you loads of infomation.\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarians\nHope this helps.
206710
Hope I'm not out of topic but I joined the Seventh Day Adventist a few months ago.  I believe they observe and follow the bible and teachings of Jesus a lot closer than most denominations do. The Seventh Day Adventist keeps all the commandments including the four one(which alot of denominations ignore) and abstaining from pork and other unclean animals.  So far I am happy being a Seventh Day Adventist and so far I havent seen any major flaws in their doctrine.  I'm on my way to Sabbath School now but I'll definately check out that link to the former Adventist Yahoo group when I get back and view some of the opinions on there.  May God Bless.
1124815
It's a great concept. I am leaning towards it. I'm not in religious organization nor do I go church but I do believe in God. I have been studying religious Humanism which I believe is the same as Christin humanism. I believe in the trinity but yet I see contradiction in the scriptures. In my heart, I believe that Jesus was God. I just started studying this in the past few months.
1108625
I think its just like any other religion you can find fanatics in any of them. I keep and open mind. There is good and bad in all religions. My husband is a Desert Storm vet and during the war I was a member of a support group we invited the local Muslim leaders to come and explain the religion, they were very nice. I enjoyed it alot.
293776
I'm a pentecostal,here is a site you can go to. UPCI.org     I hope you find what your looking for and understand my religon. And GOD Bless
1174557
It's kind of a new concept, but folks have been trying to reconcile the different 'versions' of religions for years.\n\nGod is not 'one' with the universe. He's the creator, everything else is the created.\n\nGod is 'One', 3 persons, - one god head.\n\nThe only human person to come to earth as God, - is Jesus. Others may not have even made this claim, - but his followers may have exalted, him to that status.\n\nAnd no, God the Father did not appear as these other forms. If another religious icon, aligned correctly with Bible teachings, -then great. I still give credit to the original author, - ie God of the Hebrews.
224210
Go to www.beliefnet.com and take the Belief O Matic quiz.  It is not definitive but it can give you a good idea of what religion to investigate.  :)
969064
I would say similar things of my beliefs that you have said, but I have never really felt that I needed to belong to a religion.  These are your beliefs - great.  Why label it?  Why not be free to decipher the mysteries of life for yourself without having a leader to tell you what you should do or what not?\n\nThis is so often my question.  We are supposed to be good people - no problem.  We are supposed to emulate a spiritually high rated ancestor, as it were - ok, I can see how that might help the quest.  We are supposed to allow a group of "religious leaders" to tell us how we should vote and live and give?  I don't think so.  \n\nReligion can be helpful for some people - don't get me wrong - but you have already come so far as to develop the tenets of your own personal religious philosophy or statement - why now look for a group?  You can live the ordinary life in a non-ordinary way and learn and see things on the road less travelled that others don't often see.  I think we should all just call ourselves Religiously Unaffiliated.\n\nPeace!\n\nPS - If you really want a church or a group, you might try the Universal Life Church (http://www.ulc.net/) or Unitarian Universalists.  Faith.com has a ton of info - I am sure you could find something of interest there.\n\nThe next day:\nDude, you gotta check this out:  http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html\n\nIt's the Belief-o-matic - a quiz that will tell you how your answers compare to the world relgions.  It was fun and interesting.\n\nPeace!
744067
Regarding your Edit:  I think you are not getting many answers because people are weary of your antics.  Also, I noticed you seem to be confusing some of your religious terms and cultural precepts, so you may want to check your sources a little better before you start on your next spin off.
341138
Pagan is a prechristian religion.  It's mainly based on understanding the cycles of nature and living with th earth.  It makes much more sense to me than modern religions like Christianity.
677477
That's amazing... I've found a new religion.  FSMism!  :-P