UU Beliefs (Creator, Deist, creation, hell, doctrine)

[uumckk16]

I'm just curious about the beliefs of the UUs here on RF concerning God. How would you classify yourself? I realize that this is quite an oversimplification. Feel free to post and elaborate!

For the sake of the thread we'll use these definitions (http://reference.aol.com/dictionary):
Monotheism - the doctrine or belief that there is but one God
Polytheism - belief in or worship of more than one god
Agnosticism - a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and prob. unknowable; one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god
Atheism - a disbelief in the existence of deity

Furthermore, what do these beliefs mean to you? How do they effect your daily life?

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I'll start.

I'm a monotheist. More specifically, I'm a deist. I believe in God as the Creator and as eternal and infinite. I believe that God loves all of God's creation, which just happens to include me. I pray to God nightly, but not to ask favors (I do not believe God can interfere in our lives directly; I do believe through good deeds and loving hearts we can bring ourselves closer to God; the one exception to the no-favors rule is that I do ask God to look after those who have passed on); instead I use prayer as a way to sort of anchor myself, think about what I can do to make the world a better place, etc.

Belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person is also central for me. Personally, one reason I believe this is I believe every person is God's child and thus has inherent worth and dignity. I try to remember this as much as possible, but I'll admit I'm definitely still working on it

[sparc872]

I chimed in because I do consider myself sort of a UU'ist, I have never been to their church however. I put down atheist.

Furthermore, what do these beliefs mean to you? How do they effect your daily life?

My belief in no God or afterlife has shaped me enormously. They have changed my whole outlook on life for the better. I no longer fear that my loved ones will go to Hell or that I will. I feel like I am more inquisitive than I used to be; I need to understand things. Being an atheist makes me want to change the world for a better, because I believe this is all we get. This is our one chance and everyone should be allowed to live life as happily as nature will allow.

[uumckk16]

Originally Posted by sparc872

I chimed in because I do consider myself sort of a UU'ist, I have never been to their church however. I put down atheist.

Awesome, welcome! How come you've never been to a UU church? Have you ever looked on uua.org to see if there are any congregations near you? (Just wondering, not seeking to "convert" you or anything )

Originally Posted by sparc872

My belief in no God or afterlife has shaped me enormously. They have changed my whole outlook on life for the better. I no longer fear that my loved ones will go to Hell or that I will. I feel like I am more inquisitive than I used to be; I need to understand things. Being an atheist makes me want to change the world for a better, because I believe this is all we get. This is our one chance and everyone should be allowed to live life as happily as nature will allow.

This was very interesting for me to read, because I've never heard this perspective before. (I haven't had many religious discussions with atheists.) But truly, I find that great. It sounds like it has indeed made your life much better and that's wonderful. For me, that's the biggest thing when it comes to belief...if it makes you feel good and doesn't hurt anyone else, go for it.

Thanks for the reply!

[Green Gaia]

If pressed, I tend to call myself an agnostic theist. Meaning, I'm not sure there is a deity out there that created this world for a purpose and is watching everything we do, but I think something caused all this to happen. Although I'm not sure that that something is what most people would call God. I probably have many deist leanings as well.

I do not pray to this something/God/mystery but I am aware that there is much about this world I don't know and don't understand. I don't believe that if there is a God we are obligated to worship it. But I just can't completely give up my theist thoughts. There is something larger, a bigger picture if you will, that we just don't get yet.

[uumckk16]

Originally Posted by Maize

If pressed, I tend to call myself an agnostic theist. Meaning, I'm not sure there is a deity out there that created this world for a purpose and is watching everything we do, but I think something caused all this to happen. Although I'm not sure that that something is what most people would call God. I probably have many deist leanings as well.

I do not pray to this something/God/mystery but I am aware that there is much about this world I don't know and don't understand. I don't believe that if there is a God we are obligated to worship it. But I just can't completely give up my theist thoughts. There is something larger, a bigger picture if you will, that we just don't get yet.

Agreed. Of course I am not sure either, and I don't believe we are obligated to worship. I think our beliefs are actually very similar...I just tend to give in to the beliefs that comfort me more. Part of that is prayer...I pray because it makes me feel better, not because I think it's what God wants me to do.

I like what you said about not knowing/understanding/"getting it". There is so much out there to learn, as individuals and as a species! It really is true that the more you know the more you realize you know nothing...I've definitely noticed that as I've progressed through my education.

Thanks for the reply, Maize

[Green Gaia]

I was the agnostic vote, btw. Had to be different.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by uumckk16

I do not believe God can interfere in our lives directly...

May I just ask that you clarify... Are you saying that you do not believe that God is capable of interfering in our lives, or that you do not believe that He chooses to? (I realize this isn't a debate thread, and I have no desire to debate this issue. I just want to know if I'm understanding your point of view correctly.)

[uumckk16]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

May I just ask that you clarify... Are you saying that you do not believe that God is capable of interfering in our lives, or that you do not believe that He chooses to? (I realize this isn't a debate thread, and I have no desire to debate this issue. I just want to know if I'm understanding your point of view correctly.)

Good question. If I answer honestly, I'd say that I believe that God is not able to, anymore than I believe God is able to defy the laws of nature even though I believe God created them (sorry for the redundancy, I don't like using pronouns to describe God). However, it is entirely possible that God simply chooses not to. Regardless, I don't believe that God chooses to save a certain person from a disease or allow a certain person to be killed in a car accident, to get a person hired or make a person meet up with someone they will later fall in love with. In other words, I don't believe God interferes in our actions and choices. As for inspiration and enlightenment (for lack of a better term)...I can try to describe my beliefs if you want, but it would probably be long, rambling, and confusing. Send me a PM if you're really curious

[Mercy Not Sacrifice]

Agnosticism is the closest thing I could pick here, if my beliefs even have a label.

I honestly have no clue if I'm still a Christian or not....

EDIT: Crap, I saw what forum this was in AFTER I voted! That's what happens when you vote in the poll listed on the front page...Oh well. I have some UU in me