[UU only!] Age and Humanism/Theism (ritual, tradition, beliefs, attend)

[Storm]

Add me to the ranks of the confused....

[bicker]

One key, of course, is the clear specification that religious expression is not a matter of imposition of dogma, but rather is solely a tool for lifting the spirit and drawing a clear parallel between the trappings of our faith and those of the broader society.

[J Bryson]

Originally Posted by bicker

One key, of course, is the clear specification that religious expression is not a matter of imposition of dogma, but rather is solely a tool for lifting the spirit and drawing a clear parallel between the trappings of our faith and those of the broader society.

Yes, definitely agreed.

Of course, our tradition has a strong spiritual history, much of which we understandably discarded as the church became more open and accepting of various faiths and none.

[bicker]

However, there is no sense in discarding every last bit of our spiritual history and still contending to be the same institution. What is essentially UU? The answer, I believe, is captured in the principle fostering the search for truth, i.e., the acknowledgment that it is something that shall never be achieved, and therefore further searching is absolutely consistent with the faith's tradition.

[J Bryson]

Originally Posted by bicker

What is essentially UU? The answer, I believe, is captured in the principle fostering the search for truth, i.e., the acknowledgment that it is something that shall never be achieved, and therefore further searching is absolutely consistent with the faith's tradition.

I like this.

One could therefore (somewhat inaccurately, but I like the thought) say that the one dogmatic creed of UU is the unwillingness to be weighed down by dogma.

[bicker]

Perhaps, even, the only.

And enough.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by bicker

What is essentially UU? The answer, I believe, is captured in the principle fostering the search for truth, i.e., the acknowledgment that it is something that shall never be achieved, and therefore further searching is absolutely consistent with the faith's tradition.

There is certainly a strong strain of that in the history of UU. However, if I had to choose, I would rather emphasize our penchant for social justice, which is communal, over our search for truth, which tends to be more individual.

But why choose? I really like our new "slogan" (for lack of a better word). "Come, nurture your spirit. Help heal our world."

Finally, a slogan that captures both aspects of Unitarian Universalism.

[bicker]

My problem with hinging UU on social justice is that it relatively inconsistent. In the past, UU social action has at one point worked to prohibit consumption of alcohol. I suspect that more recently UUs have been more likely to support doing away with Sunday blue laws, that (in part) place limits on alcoholic beverage sales. What accounts for this inconsistency? The fact that our search for truth has led us in different directions, over time. Do UUs repudiate themselves for our former support for prohibition? Of course not. We revel in the journey our search has taken us on. Right?

Perhaps my concern is related to how broad "social justice" is... one common thread that perhaps is the real lynch pin is that bit about "heal the world".

[Trey of Diamonds]

Originally Posted by Trey of Diamonds

Can you give a better explanation of what you mean by religious expression and language? I'm not sure of the context in this thread.

There have been a couple of us asking for clarification. I think I know how I want to vote but I would like a little more info before I do. Thanks.

[J Bryson]

Originally Posted by Trey of Diamonds

There have been a couple of us asking for clarification. I think I know how I want to vote but I would like a little more info before I do. Thanks.

From what I can tell, we're looking at language that is traditionally associated with more mainstream religious beliefs, such as "the sacred", "the divine", and reference to actions such as prayer. I'm not sure that "God" is among the terms being considered, but I'm not sure that it's not.