So when I mentioned the other day that I started going to a UU church and
love it, it didn't occur to me that I might should expand on what Unitarian Universalism is. I find it a tad funny that that didn't occur to me since
I didn't even know what it was until my first year of graduate school.
Now, I'm new to the UU thing so I'll try my best to discuss it based on their website and the general feel I've gotten from attending services.
Basically, UU congregations share seven principles but individuals may hold different beliefs. On their website they list the following beliefs: Atheism and Agnosticism, Buddhism, Christianity, Humanism, Judaism, Paganism, and "others" (Islam and Hinduism). Apparently these last two haven't historically been part of their tradition but there's been growing interest.
The seven principles are:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
As for me, I went to church with my family pretty much every week (sometimes more) from when I was a baby (I'm assuming since I don't remember back that far) until I was in college. Even then, since we lived in the same city, I went with them fairly often. I grew more and more distant from the church in college and especially during graduate school when I became more and more liberal. I longed to go to church (my sister says out of habit) but I couldn't sit through services anymore knowing their views didn't mesh with mine.
And what are my views? If you want to put a label on it, I guess I'd be agnostic. I neither believe nor disbelieve. It sounds like such a cop-out. Haha! All I know is that I believe in those seven principles above. I believe my homosexual friends should have the right to be married. In fact, it's shocking to me that this inequality exists. And I also believe that not one of those beliefs listed above are better or more right than any of the others. I don't think any one of them should convert anyone else to their belief system.
That's what led me to the UU church. I really enjoy it because it's still in a traditional service format. I guess for some reason I was under the assumption that it wouldn't be. There's the opening stuff, offertory, sermon, and closing stuff. There isn't prayer (at least where I go) and the "hymns" and recitations don't mention a specific God but rather, reflect the principles. I've thought about stealing one of the hymnals to take home and play on the piano so I can learn the music--I even looked it up on Amazon...$35. It's been disconcerting going from knowing the majority of hymns (from my years in the church) to not knowing any. Though, when we went the last time we sang 'This Little Light of Mine' at the end of the service...I knew that one! They also do this 'closing circle' thing where they recite something I haven't learned yet so I just stand there looking like an idiot. I'm sure they don't think that but I sure do feel like it! The Hubs recited it a couple of Sundays ago and I stared at him in shock. Turns out he memorized it right before we stood up to do the closing circle!
Also, the UU church I attend doesn't have a minister; either because it's too small or because they don't want one. I haven't determined the reason yet. I gather that some congregations don't like having a minister because it lessens the members' ability to have open discussions/input on various topics. What we have instead are speakers and a retired UU minister who comes up every couple of weeks from Atlanta to do a sermon for us. I didn't think I'd like not having a minister but honestly, I think I like it better. Different views...different information...it's a good thing.
So yep, that's where I stand. I'm glad I let it all out because I haven't been able to do that with very many people while living here in the conservative South. Feel free to comment or ask questions. Also, here's the UU website if you're interested: http://www.uua.org/
And no, I didn't drink any kool-aid.
