Roots (sunday)

[Kungfuzed]

We went to Roots class last night. Most of it was about the Nicene Creed and how the Orthodoxy and the Heterodoxy were formed, and how Unitarian Universalism is a Heterodoxy. We also went over some church history of the Unitarians and the Universalists. There was alot of focus on freedom and the freedom of religion. There are typically no symbols on or in the church because symbols mean different things to different people and if you put up one persons symbol you'd have to display them all. Then, of course, I asked about the chalice and it seems that it's not really a religious symbol though it does identify the religion. It had something to do with bringing the Jews to safety during the war, like a secret symbol they could use to identify a friend who could help. The minister likes to wear lots of symbols on her robe.

There were eight of us in the class, including the teacher. Most of them were former Catholics or Episcopalians.

At the end I asked about how they go about spreading their beliefs since they can't tell anyone what to believe. How does the church survive without any evangelism? Those who really live the principles of the church and are very involved in the community seem to have the best results as far as educating others and bringing them to church.
I still haven't met the ministers yet. I think there's two of them right now who take turns because they're just temporary. The congregation just elected a new minister who will start in August. At the end of the service they form a long line and everyone shakes hands and talks with the minister. I just haven't bothered standing in line yet.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Kungfuzed

There are typically no symbols on or in the church because symbols mean different things to different people and if you put up one persons symbol you'd have to display them all.

So what if different symbols mean different things to different people? There are UU churches with symbols from all of the major traditions in their sanctuaries. I wish we had that, instead of our bare walls. I think too often we end up with the lowest common denominator of religion, which is nothing.

Originally Posted by Kungfuzed

Then, of course, I asked about the chalice and it seems that it's not really a religious symbol though it does identify the religion. It had something to do with bringing the Jews to safety during the war, like a secret symbol they could use to identify a friend who could help.

I don't see why they said the chalice is not religious. Its origins are very much like the Christian fish. Just because we understand the beginning of a symbol does not take away its religousness.

It was used during WWII as a "secret code" to indicate resistance to the Nazis. If a Jew was seeking assistance to get out of the country, for example, if he or she saw the chalice pin on the administrator, she or he then knew that this person would do everything they could to help. It became a symbol of hope, resistance to oppression, and safety.

Originally Posted by Kungfuzed

At the end I asked about how they go about spreading their beliefs since they can't tell anyone what to believe. How does the church survive without any evangelism?

What am I, chopped liver?

Originally Posted by Kungfuzed

Those who really live the principles of the church and are very involved in the community seem to have the best results as far as educating others and bringing them to church.

Amen! The best evangelism is to live ones values.

[Kungfuzed]

Originally Posted by lilithu

So what if different symbols mean different things to different people? There are UU churches with symbols from all of the major traditions in their sanctuaries. I wish we had that, instead of our bare walls. I think too often we end up with the lowest common denominator of religion, which is nothing.

I think UUs make up for the lack of symbols in their church with bumper stickers. You can't even tell the color of some cars in the parking lot when you look at them from the back.

Originally Posted by lilithu

I don't see why they said the chalice is not religious. Its origins are very much like the Christian fish. Just because we understand the beginning of a symbol does not take away its religousness.

Well, I don't think she specifically said it wasn't religious, but that's what I got out of her explanation.

Originally Posted by lilithu

What am I, chopped liver?

I've actually read a few articles on your blog. You're doing great.