Why aren't there more Unitarian Universalists? (ritual, reject, contradiction, beliefs)

[Green Gaia]

When I was looking for a church home, one that fit my beliefs and allowed me the freedom to be who I am without judgement, I literally cried tears of joy when I found the UU church. Here was exactly what I was looking for, waiting for me with open arms. It wasn't long after I learned of them that I started to wonder, "Why aren't there more Unitarian Universalists?" It seemed perfect to me, the perfect church that allows individuals to explore their spirituality. So why weren't more people even aware this church existed? I went looking for answers, online of course, and found the very question I was asking answered on the UUA's website:

Why aren't there more Unitarian Universalists?

While most people turn to religion for comfort, and answers that are beyond challenge, Unitarian Universalism challenges the person to find his or her own answers. Even on those rare occasions when it suggests an answer, our religion often insists that the person challenge, compare and weigh the proposed prescription.
In the United States, most religions are authoritative, in contrast to Unitarian Universalism which is based on reason and the individual's freedom of belief.

For most people, our religion presents an excess of freedom; many prefer someone else or some institution to provide the answers to life's mysteries.

Culturally, most Americans do not realize that Unitarian Universalism even exists. Millions pass through high school and college without ever hearing or reading about this religion, a situation made possible because most Americans recognize only three major religions: you are either Catholic, Protestant or Jewish. Unitarian Universalism, a very different way of approaching religion, is none of the above.

For these reasons, plus our aversion to proselytize, most new members are forced to "stumble" on our religion; it's a wonder that we have as many members as we do. But maybe this small publication will provide some useful information to those who might be considering an alternative to mainstream religion.

That answer made sense, but I wondered if there wasn't something more. Any thoughts? Should the UU church try to be more visible, and if so, how should we go about doing that?

[Runt]

T'shirts (lol, just kidding)

We are very into social action, but we should be more open about it. Perhaps put in newspapers "The Unitarian Universalist Church is doing a fundraiser for _________, all welcome to particpate" rather than just encouraging social action through our congregations. (Make it a UU sponsored event rather than a UU event).

Team up with other churches on social action efforts.

All around just work to make the name Unitarian Universalism more well-known in the community, so eventually people will seek, on their own, to find out what Unitarian Universalism (as a religion rather than a social action group) is.

[painted wolf]

I think that UU's eclectisism (sp) makes it difficult for many people to accept... when someone asks what UU believes the answer is pretty much everything...

for people who like answers in black and white intoducing grey to the palette can be difficult. :roll:

wa:-do

[Runt]

"Eclecticism", I think... yes, it does seem to discourage some people. When people ask about another person's church, they merely want to see if that church believes the same things they do. An answer that implies that the church "believes anything" is too general... unfortunatly, most people want concrete answers and therefore will shy away from a religion that seems to encourage them to think for themselves...

However, Unitarianism is one of the 6 fastest growing religions in the United States, so we must be doing SOMETHING right! :P

[Alaric]

A religion that wants people to think for themselves still seems like a contradiction in terms to me. Does the UU church acknowledge that there is only one reality even if people seek it in different ways, and would a minister point out some logical flaw in a member's beliefs if s/he spotted it?

[Green Gaia]

Alaric - A UU minister might offer another point of view, another way of looking at a belief and then allow the person to come to their own conclusion. But I don't think one would ever tell a person they were flat out wrong.

[Runt]

Alaric, there are SOME principles that the UU congregation holds as "truth". They are:

*Every person is endowed with inherent worth and dignity (rejection of original sin)
*We are a part of an interdependent web of existence and must respect and protect it, not lord over and exploit it.
*Evil does exist in the world and must be fought responsibly with justice, compassion, and love.
*Both men and women are equal spiritually (meaning both can be prophetic and both are worthy of giving spiritual council. Obviously most religions regard men as being "above" women, and the holders of religious power.)

Other than that... well, we're free to build our own worldview.

[Hirohito18200]

I think many people view UUers as uber-tolerant peace nicks and refuse to accept pacifism and moral flexibility as a true religion. I don't necesarily believe this myself, but I know many who do.

Then again I know many people who believe that 5/6 of the world is going to hell, but that's another story. :cry:

[Hirohito18200]

I think many people view UUers as uber-tolerant peace nicks and refuse to accept pacifism and moral flexibility as a true religion. I don't necesarily believe this myself, but I know many who do.

Then again I know many people who believe that 5/6 of the world is going to hell, but that's another story. :cry:

[Runt]

Originally Posted by Hirohito18200

I think many people view UUers as uber-tolerant peace nicks and refuse to accept pacifism and moral flexibility as a true religion.

I agree. I think many people view us that way... but these people fail to see the difference between the SOCIAL aspect of UUism and the SPIRITUAL aspect. They'd have to actually go to a service to see the spiritual aspect, rather than reading about the social actions and political views that most UUs (most, but not all... we do have some people who lean in the conservative direction... but even they are generally more moderate than in many other "church" religions) have in common.