Is Unitarian Universalism a REAL religion? (Jesus, rituals, reject, beliefs)

[Faint]

After reading "about us" information on several UU websites (and also past "stickys" and what not here on RF), I'm still not sure whether UU is actually a religion, a social organization (like Boy Scouts of America), or just a label for people "not elsewhere classified".

Hopefully some UUs here can give me some insider info about their meme-complex to end my confusion. For instance, on the UUA.org website, there are seven "principles and purposes" listed. What if I only followed/agreed with four out of the seven--can I still be a UU? What if I believed in accepting what is reasonable from other religions, but was intolerant towards certain tenets of others? As I understand it, a person can be agnostic/atheist or a theist and still be a UU. They can either take part in a ritual, or not agree with rituals. They can attend church or not. They can accept this spirituality, or that one, or have no spirituality at all! How is this a religion?

[Green Gaia]

After reading "about us" information on several UU websites (and also past "stickys" and what not here on RF), I'm still not sure whether UU is actually a religion, a social organization (like Boy Scouts of America), or just a label for people "not elsewhere classified".

From 100 Q about UU:
Is Unitarian Universalism really a religion?

In dealing with beliefs and theology, it's important to note that Unitarian Universalism is a way of being religious rather than a religious doctrine. For us, religion is an ongoing search for meaning, purpose, value and spiritual depth in one's life. We believe that individuals are entitled to make their own search, and that not all persons (not even all UUs) are going to share the same beliefs.

Ours is a non-creedal, non-doctrinal religion which affirms the individual's freedom of belief. For this reason it is not possible to give a blanket answer to whether or not UUs believe in God, Jesus, the Bible or life after death. Although we do not all believe the same thing about these and other matters, we do believe that each person has the integrity and the ability to come to terms with their religious beliefs in a way that is right for that person.

What if I only followed/agreed with four out of the seven--can I still be a UU?

Simply: no. We don't have many rules, but in order to be a UU you must affirm the 7 Principles.

What if I believed in accepting what is reasonable from other religions, but was intolerant towards certain tenets of others?

I do not accept certain tenets of most other religions, i.e. Christianity and Islam's stance on homosexuality. But I can still be tolerant of followers of other religions and believe in there right to practice their faith.

As I understand it, a person can be agnostic/atheist or a theist and still be a UU.

That is correct. We do not have a defined doctrine of God. Members are free to develop individual concepts of God that are meaningful to them. They are also free to reject the term and concept altogether.

They can either take part in a ritual, or not agree with rituals. They can attend church or not. They can accept this spirituality, or that one, or have no spirituality at all! How is this a religion?

Because a central principle of our religion is A free and responsible search for truth and meaning for everyone. We don't all agree on everything and that's OK because we recognize that we are all different and what speaks to one person may not another and everyone is encouraged to explore their spirituality and find truth and meaning.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by Faint

For instance, on the UUA.org website, there are seven "principles and purposes" listed. What if I only followed/agreed with four out of the seven--can I still be a UU?

Which three might be objectionable?

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.

Originally Posted by Faint

What if I believed in accepting what is reasonable from other religions, but was intolerant towards certain tenets of others?

Unitarian Universalists are not expected to believe that everything anybody believes is true.

Originally Posted by Faint

As I understand it, a person can be agnostic/atheist or a theist and still be a UU. They can either take part in a ritual, or not agree with rituals. They can attend church or not. They can accept this spirituality, or that one, or have no spirituality at all! How is this a religion?

Do you feel that a religion must be exclusionary? That uniformity is necessary in a "real" religion?

[Jaymes]

Well, I don't see how it's "fake"... did they make it with synthetics?

[Sunstone]

It seems to me that UUism is a sane religion. Perhaps it's this admirable sanity that makes it seem a non-religion to some of us.

[Faint]

Thanks for the quick responses...

Originally Posted by Maize

... in order to be a UU you must affirm the 7 Principles.

This is really the heart of the matter then. So basically, someone may be a UU and not know it as long as they already believe in these 7 principles? Moreover, any extra principles that they add to this list on their own is okay as long as they don't conflict with the first 7?

With that in mind, I could start a religion with only 4 of those 7 principles, and call it Faintism (for example), and I could then claim that all UUs are also Faintists (although they may not know it yet)? Do I have that right?

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

Which three might be objectionable?

I hadn't really thought about that, I was just giving an example "what if" scenario.

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

Do you feel that a religion must be exclusionary? That uniformity is necessary in a "real" religion?

No, but I believe a religion should have set criteria for it's followers, so that one can tell the difference between a UU and someone who is not. But Maize answered this above, by explaining the 7 principles as being necessary. So there are still rules.

[Faint]

Originally Posted by Jensa

Well, I don't see how it's "fake"... did they make it with synthetics?

Would you call the BSA a religion? They have principles too.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by Faint

This is really the heart of the matter then. So basically, someone may be a UU and not know it as long as they already believe in these 7 principles?

In essence. Many come to UU and say, "I've been a UU for years, but just didn't know it."

Moreover, any extra principles that they add to this list on their own is okay as long as they don't conflict with the first 7?

Yes, but they must not conflict with the 7