Questions

[Huey09]

Ive been on here a awhile and I've been kinda off put by abrahamic religions' message: "believe what I do or burn forever." That kinda never struck me as making sense. Why would God be all loving and mericful but if you didn't belive the exact same as one group you're screwed? Some God
But anyway I have heard of the seven principles of the UU and I can agree but are there any other core beliefs? And are there any religious books you adhere to? Or forms of prayers? I've seen the flaming chalice but are you required to do that? Such as what if a former muslim perfers salat instead is that wrong? Sorry for all the questions but I'm just very interested.

[bicker]

First, those UU principles are indeed the core beliefs. You'll be surprised just how much of what's important in life is covered very well by those seven principles. It literally takes a lifetime of learning to even begin to appreciate all that they encompass.

Second, with regard to religious books and such, note that right below the seven principles, you'll typically see:

Unitarian Universalism (UU) draws from many sources:

• 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;
• 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;
• Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
• 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;
• 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.

These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.

Note also that many congregations source wisdom far wider than that. Rumi has recently been one of the most frequently quoted spiritual figures in our congregation.

With regard specifically to forms and prayers, note the fifth principle:

The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations ...

This means that each congregation decides for itself, based on its own heritage and what new members bring into the congregation over time. This also reflect the "free and responsible" aspect of our search for truth.

There are two hymnals that are ubiquitous across UUA congregations: Singing the Living Tradition and Singing the Journey. (Let me know if you need links to find them.)

The flaming chalice is a symbol, and generally is operationally a touchstone or hallmark of UUs worshiping collectively (though surely there is nothing stopping anyone from using the flaming chalice for whatever personal form of worship they choose to engage in - it isn't wrong to practice your own rituals as part of your own personal "free and responsible search for truth and meaning", because of, among other things, our principle calling for "Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations").

We UUs like questions. One of the best signs I've heard of being posted outside of a UU church was "All Answers Questioned Here".

[Huey09]

Thank you very much friend. I have to admit I didn't expect anyone to answer.(Not that I'm not glad you did) I have been in and out of religion for 2 years. And I like what you guys have to offer. Maybe you can teach me a little more about your faith? (or is it an organization?) again not to offend but I know next to nothing except that they are a very open minded group who let people find God their own way. And that a couple of my presidents were UU.

[bicker]

The first place I went to learn about our UU faith was the book A Chosen Faith by Rev. Forrest Church and Rev. John Buehrens. However, as with many things, you can only get so much from a book (and from a discussion forum). I encourage you to visit a local UU church, and see what they offer. If you're lucky enough to live in the Atlanta area, you may have several close-enough choices. And keep in mind that since each church is independently governed, if one doesn't resonate with your beliefs very well, another might. We visited two UU churches in our local area before settling in where we are now.

Our church offers a basic class on UU four times a year. At the UU Congregation of Atlanta (just for instance), I see that they offer a course called Exploring UUCA - a three hour introduction to the church and to UU overall. The last offering they list was last Sunday, but I suspect you can expect to see another offering being made in a month or two.

[Huey09]

[quote=bicker;3030364]The first place I went to learn about our UU faith was the book A Chosen Faith by Rev. Forrest Church and Rev. John Buehrens. However, as with many things, you can only get so much from a book (and from a discussion forum). I encourage you to visit a local UU church, and see what they offer.
I have fortunately found one and hope to visit it as soon as possible. Barring any other difficulties. (I.E College, and the job).
If you're lucky enough to live in the Atlanta area, you may have several close-enough choices.
Unfortunately I do not. But I live in Augusta and hopefully I may be able to get a class at a local church as well. Thank you for helping me.
And keep in mind that since each church is independently governed, if one doesn't resonate with your beliefs very well, another might. We visited two UU churches in our local area before settling in where we are now.

I'll try to keep an open mind and hope that the local church I have can resonate with what I believe.

[Trey of Diamonds]

Greetings Huey09, best of luck in your search. Keep asking questions and we'll try to answer them. The UU DIR has been a bit quiet lately but there are still a lot of us around.

[Huey09]

Thank you. I have a question for you. Are all relgious texts accepted as paths to God? And are we all accepted as long as we strive to do what good we can with our lives?

[Trey of Diamonds]

Originally Posted by Huey09

Thank you. I have a question for you. Are all relgious texts accepted as paths to God? And are we all accepted as long as we strive to do what good we can with our lives?

Yes, no and maybe.

Some of us consider all religions and their texts to be sources to a universal truth. But its not a requirement, nor even a good generalization. There are many who go to a UU church and are adherents to one religion only, even while respecting other religions. Some consider Unitarian Universalism an actual religion with the 7 principles as the guiding force behind it. Others see the UU church as a place where all religions reside and not an individual religion at all.

As for your second question, Yes, all who strive to do good are accepted, but it goes further than that. While intolerance and hatred can get you barred from a UU Church, everyone is considered to have inherent worth and dignity according to our first principle. Sometimes its a struggle to find the worth and dignity in certain people but we work under the assumption that it is there if we choose to look for it.

My personal belief is that all religions are incomplete perceptions of a single truth and as such are all partially correct and mostly wrong. Because of this I would say that all religious texts are worthy of study and understanding with none better or worse than the others. I feel that the parts of these texts that are the most legitimate are those that you can find parallels to in most other texts. The Golden Rule for example.

[Huey09]

Originally Posted by Trey of Diamonds

Yes, no and maybe.

Some of us consider all religions and their texts to be sources to a universal truth. But its not a requirement, nor even a good generalization. There are many who go to a UU church and are adherents to one religion only, even while respecting other religions. Some consider Unitarian Universalism an actual religion with the 7 principles as the guiding force behind it. Others see the UU church as a place where all religions reside and not an individual religion at all.
Huh, I never thought of it like that. I alaways thought its was a religion into itself. For example a muslim is no longer considered muslim if they view things in a unitarian light same for the other two abrahamic faiths.
As for your second question, Yes, all who strive to do good are accepted, but it goes further than that. While intolerance and hatred can get you barred from a UU Church, everyone is considered to have inherent worth and dignity according to our first principle. Sometimes its a struggle to find the worth and dignity in certain people but we work under the assumption that it is there if we choose to look for it.
I feel the same struggle each day of my life.
My personal belief is that all religions are incomplete perceptions of a single truth and as such are all partially correct and mostly wrong. Because of this I would say that all religious texts are worthy of study and understanding with none better or worse than the others. I feel that the parts of these texts that are the most legitimate are those that you can find parallels to in most other texts. The Golden Rule for example.

I feel the same way never could wrap my head around this sleected group gets paradaise everyone else is either confused or wrong. Can Unitarians believe in an afterlife? or is the focus on living well?

[Trey of Diamonds]

Originally Posted by Huey09

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I feel the same way never could wrap my head around this sleected group gets paradaise everyone else is either confused or wrong. Can Unitarians believe in an afterlife? or is the focus on living well?

Both. We are all free to explore and chose our paths as we find them. There is guidance when asked for and support when its not.