A question for non-theist UU's. (hell, attend, church, atheist)

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

*** MOD POST ***

Let's stick to the topic and remember the no proselytizing rule, please.

Let me just add to Katzpur's MOD POST that this thread is in DIR and asks for responses from non-theist UUs. Any post introducing an outside viewpoint will be deleted and a warning may be issued.

If this is in anyway unclear, feel free to send me a PM.

[Nanda]

Is there no answer to this question?

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by Nanda

Is there no answer to this question?

I hope there is, i'm also quite curious as to why an atheist would join a UU church.

I have my suspicions it may be due to the community aspect, but would love to truly understand.

[Nanda]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

I have my suspicions it may be due to the community aspect, but would love to truly understand.

That's what I figured, but then I thought, if that were the only reason, why not just get a hobby? Which is probably a very ignorant assumption of me, but how am I ever going to learn any better if no one ever answers my question? *hint hint*

[Pariah]

I believe Robtex is a Unitarian Universalist Atheist.
Perhaps you could send him a private message?

[Nanda]

Originally Posted by Pariah

I believe Robtex is a Unitarian Universalist Atheist.
Perhaps you could send him a private message?

I was kind of hoping for a more well-rounded dialogue... I know there are a few UU Atheists on here, and I'm sure their reasons are all uniquely individual. I guess if it comes to that, I'll have to try PMing them all individually.

My next thread will be titled "Why don't UU Atheists want to talk to Nandas?"

[rojse]

What is a UU, or a Unitarian Universalist?

[robtex]

Originally Posted by Nanda

Why join and attend a church if you don't believe in god?

I don't actually attend any churches anymore but to answer your question on this I was a UU when I was looking for a religion and God and than became an atheist. I may not fall into the bounds of the question but as I don't go to church anymore but would say if I had more time I likely would. UU is by far, the most academic non-agendaed institution that does this. Lots of people make good friends doing this and see no reason to leave when and if they settle on atheism. I didn't build the friendships due to hectic work schedules and lack of time when I went to UU but if I did and had the time I likely would have remained active.

According to religious tolerance.org about 41 $% of uu's are humanists, of which a large percent are likely atheists,
http://www.religioustolerance.org/u-u1.htm

However, in this lifetime we can each make a choice to push for agenda to embrace our neighbor, be apathetic to their existence, or have emotions ranging from destain to mild uncomfortable based on their theistic mindset. UU is a tool for embracing our neighbor regardless of beliefs or lack thereof. The agenda of UU being one of tolerance.

Irregardless, if one believes there is a god or not I think the more common bound exists for agreeing on the 7 principles of UU:

http://www.uua.org/visitors/6798.shtml

For me, UU is about having the freedom and liberty to answer the questions about God, and spiritual (including it doesn't exist) indpendant of social actions or pressure for a desired social course. I see UU as a strong academic and social structure that seeks to embraces the differences of theists and non-theists alike, in a celebration of diversity as opposed to an organization that seeks to shape beliefs of its members.

As a footnote, I am going to go out on a limb and say I think you likely have been reading about secular humanism. If so, If you take your secular humanists readings, but it next to UU readings i bet you will find more similarities than differences.

[Nanda]

First off, let me say THANK YOU for answering! I was pretty sure that no one was going to by this point.

Now, in your case, you joined while searching for God, then became an atheist - I can understand that, having made personal connections, you'd be inclined to stick around. But what about people who are already atheists when they join? What, I wonder, makes them choose to seek out a church community in the first place?