Unitarian Universalist (UU) info?

[LucySnow]

Is anyone here a UU member or has attended their meetings?

I've checked out the website of the local fellowship at http://uufsm.org/ and done some more reading online about the values they embrace, and I feel like in theory it's a really good fit with my personal convictions.

I would like to see what it's like in practice by attending services, but I'm rather nervous at the idea of just showing up out of the blue and walking into a room full of strangers for a completely unfamiliar experience. I don't know any UUs and I have no idea what to expect, since I've only ever been to Catholic Mass!

What is the service like? What are the people like?

 

[crabcake]

Is it my misperception or are politics weaved into their beliefs?

 

[Tonio]

Perhaps www.unification.org will help you start to get some answers.

I attended the UU congregation for a couple of years. Nothing was ever mentioned about Moon's cult. No one attempted to recruit me in that direction. In fact, the congregation was very open to individual differences in belief. Some of the guest ministers were Episcopalian, and I can't imagine that they would have had anything to do with a cult. I knew a few of the congregation members before I joined, and they would have left immediately if they were convinced that UU was a front for Moon.

An aside--your signature is very interesting. I've always thought of the Southern belle stereotype as just a regionalized version of the "spoiled daughter of privilege" stereotype. Paris Hilton is a great example. She's really not that much different from Scarlett O'Hara. Both of them think the world exists to serve their every need. My wife and I tried watching GWTW years ago, and turned it off after 45 mintues because we couldn't take Scarlett's whining.

 

[tlatchaw]

Is anyone here a UU member or has attended their meetings?

I've checked out the website of the local fellowship at http://uufsm.org/ and done some more reading online about the values they embrace, and I feel like in theory it's a really good fit with my personal convictions.

I would like to see what it's like in practice by attending services, but I'm rather nervous at the idea of just showing up out of the blue and walking into a room full of strangers for a completely unfamiliar experience. I don't know any UUs and I have no idea what to expect, since I've only ever been to Catholic Mass!

What is the service like? What are the people like?

Just so you know that many people do not consider them to be a Christian organization. Be very careful who you get involved with spiritually.

 

[LucySnow]

Again, IMHO, I really would suggest you do independent research and find out more background on this church that was founded in the 60's. Perhaps www.unification.org will help you start to get some answers.

Umm, thanks migtig, but I think maybe we're talking about two different groups? Rev. Moon's Unification church, founded in the 60's is a completely different entity that The Unitarian Universalism, which has its roots in 18th and 19th century movements in Europe and America (ie. the Transcendalists.) I just now thought to check the wikipedia entry on UUs and it does give a lot of info about the history.

Crabcake, here's what it says about politics:
"Unitarian Universalists have often been active in liberal political activism, notably the civil rights movement, the gay rights movement, the social justice movement, and the feminist movement. In the 19th century, Unitarians and Universalists were active in abolitionism, the women's movement, and other liberal social reform movements.... Most Unitarian Universalists oppose the death penalty and many are active in political movements to end it in the US. Some work for causes such as environmental protection, peace, feminism, gun control, free speech, safe and legal abortion, and animal rights. Others work to end homelessness, racism, domestic violence, homophobia, sexual assault, and HIV/AIDS. This is not to say that the politics of UUs are uniform. Like the beliefs of Unitarian Universalists, their politics are decided by individuals. But the principles of compassion, respect, justice, and diversity are the foundation of all UU politics. Politically conservative Unitarian Universalists point out that neither religious liberalism nor the Principles and Purposes of the UUA require liberal politics."

 

[Railroad]

Just so you know that many people do not consider them to be a Christian organization. Be very careful who you get involved with spiritually.

Risky. Could be educational, though.

 

[K_Jo]

My husband became a UU minister online for $5. They sent him a card for his wallet and a little white collar.

 

[LucySnow]

Just so you know that many people do not consider them to be a Christian organization. Be very careful who you get involved with spiritually.

My understanding is that some congregations are more theistic and others more humanistic, and that in general the attitude towards Jesus is one of accepting his teachings and values without necessarily seeing him as the son of God (because not all UUs believe in God--some are atheists, some are agnostic). Seems like pretty much anything goes...

Tonio, is that correct? I just can't grasp what the service is like. Are there hymns? What sort of a homily/lecture does the minister give?

 

[vraiblonde]

I just can't grasp what the service is like. Are there hymns? What sort of a homily/lecture does the minister give?

Go and see, then report back and tell us. If we don't see you for a few days, we'll know you got brainwashed by a cult and we'll send in a team to do an intervention!

 

[Nanny Pam]

Go and see, then report back and tell us. If we don't see you for a few days, we'll know you got brainwashed by a cult and we'll send in a team to do an intervention!

Crabcake & 2A. Now that would be interesting!!

 

[LucySnow]

Uh huh. The UU has it's roots in a Protestant movement (supposedly) that began in the 18th century, however was not founded in the US until 1961. I know. You can join whatever you want and do whatever you want. That's what's great about this country. I'm just telling in you IMHO that it is a front for other things. I can't be more specific than the very obvious hints I have given. :shrug:

ok, thanks for clarifying, migtig.

 

[Dondi]

Uh huh. The UU has it's roots in a Protestant movement (supposedly) that began in the 18th century, however was not founded in the US until 1961. I know. You can join whatever you want and do whatever you want. That's what's great about this country. I'm just telling in you IMHO that it is a front for other things. I can't be more specific than the very obvious hints I have given. :shrug:

Why even call it a religion if anything goes? Or for that matter why call it a church if atheists and agnostics attend? What would they preach about? Certainly, not God? It might as well be a lodge meeting or something.

 

[Goofing_Off]

Wherever you find two Jews, you find three religious opinions

Unitarian Universalists would be amazed at such unanimity

 

[Goofing_Off]

What's the difference between a Unitarian and a Universalist?


Universalists think that God is too good to send them to hell. Unitarians think that they are too good for God to send them to hell.

 

[Goofing_Off]

Q: Why did the Unitarian-Universalist cross the road?

A: To support the chicken in its search for its own path

 

[Goofing_Off]

It is show-and-tell day at school, and all the children are requested to bring in an item which illustrates their religious beliefs. David stands up and says "This is a star of David and I am a Jew". Dorothy stands up and says "This is a crucifix and I am a Catholic". Jimmy stands up and says "This is a coffeepot and I am a Unitarian".

 

[Goofing_Off]

What do UUs have in common with Pontius Pilate?

They ask, "What is truth?" and then don't stay around for an answer.

 

[Goofing_Off]

A UU meeting must seem strange to outsiders. A person will speak and says nothing. Nobody listens - and then everybody disagrees.

 

[Goofing_Off]

What's the difference between an agnostic, an atheist, and a Unitarian?

I don't know, and I don't care one way or the other.

 

[Tonio]

I'm just telling in you IMHO that it is a front for other things. I can't be more specific than the very obvious hints I have given. :shrug:

It would really help both LucySnow and myself if you could be more specific.