Unitarians (reject, salvation, tradition, beliefs, evolve)

[Fluffy]

What is the difference between straightforward Unitarians and the extra crunchy UU variety ?

You were right Maize there are no UU congregations in the UK that I can find so I'll have to look for a Unitarian Church to go to but I'd need to know more about them first .

[michel]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

What is the difference between straightforward Unitarians and the extra crunchy UU variety ?

You were right Maize there are no UU congregations in the UK that I can find so I'll have to look for a Unitarian Church to go to but I'd need to know more about them first .

Ah Grasshopper, that was my problem when I wanted to try U.U.

[Green Gaia]

Briefly, Unitarians tend to hold to more of the Christian belief system, mainly only questioning the doctrine of the Trinity. They will generally be more traditional in the Christian-sense and are considered a Christian denomination. UUs have moved away from the Christian tradition and are not a Christian denomination and we incorporate religious ideas from all religions an from the secular as well, into our services and beliefs.

From the Overview:

History
Traditionally, Unitarianism was a heretical doctrine emerging out of Christianity that rejected the doctrine of the Trinity. Although this belief was rejected by orthodox Christians, it did have a following in Transylvania in the sixteenth century. Michael Servetus, a Spanish Unitarian, was burned at the stake in Geneva, Switzerland in 1553 on the orders of John Calvin. In the United States, Unitarian churches were formed after a split in the Congregationalist church in New England. Each small town in the region typically had a congregationalist church at the town square. After the split, some of those churches remained congregationalist, while others became Unitarian.

Universalism was traditionally a doctrine emerging out of Christianity that rejected the doctrine of hell; instead, it believed that salvation was universal.

These two religious bodies always had a great deal of commonality and communication between them, and were often associated in the public eye. One observation made years ago about Unitarianism and Universalism, long before their merger, was that (paraphrase) "Universalists believe that God is too good to condemn man, while Unitarians believe that man is too good to be condemned by God."

Both Unitarianism and Universalism evolved over time into inclusive, tolerant religions, without strict dogmas. In 1961, American Unitarian Association (AUA) merged with the Universalist Church of America (UCA), thus forming the Unitarian Universalist Association.


Does that help? I will try to be more specific if need be.

[Fluffy]

No that is very helpful Maize, thank you. I just hope UU catches on in the UK!!

[Terrywoodenpic]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

What is the difference between straightforward Unitarians and the extra crunchy UU variety ?

You were right Maize there are no UU congregations in the UK that I can find so I'll have to look for a Unitarian Church to go to but I'd need to know more about them first .

If you try this site you will find a link to uu churches in the UK. Hope this is some help.
http://www.unitarian.org.uk/

Terry_______________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

[Fluffy]

If you try this site you will find a link to uu churches in the UK. Hope this is some help.
http://www.unitarian.org.uk/

Unfortunately no UU churches, only Unitarian Churches. The thing that attracts me is the non-denominational aspect... something which Unitarian Churches lack.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

Unfortunately no UU churches, only Unitarian Churches. The thing that attracts me is the non-denominational aspect... something which Unitarian Churches lack.

Well, it's not that we're non-denominational - we're an entirely different religion. Yes, we have a Judeo-Christian background and recognize that, but we no longer consider ourselves to be Christians as an organization or a Christian denomination. But individuals may identify as Christian.

[Fluffy]

Well, it's not that we're non-denominational - we're an entirely different religion. Yes, we have a Judeo-Christian background and recognize that, but we no longer consider ourselves to be Christians as an organization or a Christian denomination. But individuals may identify as Christian.

Yeah that is the kind of thing I meant, but I lacked the words . The main thing that prevents me from going to other places of worship is that I do not wish to mix with people who are of identical beliefs to me or only vary slightly. I want to be part of a community which shares some ideals, nicely summed up in the essentials of UU, but which does not ascribe to a specific religious denomination outside of itself. I want to be part of a place where a Muslim, a Jew and a Heathen would feel equally comfortable praying and worshipping and learning around me as I would around them.