Searching for community and the UU 'bible'...

Hi, I'm new to this forum *waves* and a relatively new UU. I have a couple questions (and I hope this is the appropriate place to ask them).

First, I do not have the opportunity currently to attend a UU church in person, while I'm aware of the Church of the Larger Fellowship I am searching for a place online to connect with other UU's so that I can feel part of a UU community. I find the CLF a bit... formal, if that makes sense. Does anyone have any suggestions about where I can find an online UU community?

Second, I am not Christian or Jewish, however I still find that the idea of some sort of 'bible' appealing. I would like to find, if it exists, a sort of UU hymnal/devotional/bible which includes UU sermons, poems, prayers, stories etc. which I can turn to when I feel the need for inspiration.

Does something like this exist? I have looked at "Awakening the Soul" because I found it referenced several places, as well as "Singing the Living Tradition," however neither of these seems to be quite what I am looking for. So I am wondering... do UU's have something like this? Do you use any particular books at home to inspire you?

I appreciate any feedback you can offer. Thank you so much!

-Chris

My recommendation is to start with A Chosen Faith.

Thought-provoking, entertaining sourcebook for searchers, newcomers and lifelong learners.

Click to expand...

It really crystallizes the essential aspects of our faith, in a single, easy-to-read volume.

Welcome!

Hi bicker!

I have looked at A Chosen Faith before, but I'll have to pick it up again. Thanks for the recommendation.

Yes, I've noticed that we don't have Bibles so much as reading lists. "A Chosen Faith" is a good start. I'd also recommend the various meditations and invocations in "Singing The Living Tradition" as an excellent source of inspiration.

The think I like best about A Chosen Faith is that it both short and comprehensive. It outlines, at least a high level, what it means to be UU, and why UU is indeed a religious faith. I haven't found any other reference that covers the entire breadth of material, so clearly and so concisely.

I have read one book this summer that I think should be required reading for UUs, because it places our faith in a historical context like no other book I've read: Out of the Flames. (Salon review.) This is a fantastic look at the genesis of modern Unitarianism.

Thanks again, I'll have to pick up Out of the Flames, it sounds interesting. : )

Chris

J Bryson, thank you for your input. If you don't mind me asking, do you personally use Singing the Living Tradition at home? I was thinking about buying a copy but after pursuing the online google books version I wasn't sure whether I wanted to buy it as I will be using it solely for the meditations etc. and it seems that the majority of the book consists of hymns.

cmsrin said:

J Bryson, thank you for your input. If you don't mind me asking, do you personally use Singing the Living Tradition at home? I was thinking about buying a copy but after pursuing the online google books version I wasn't sure whether I wanted to buy it as I will be using it solely for the meditations etc. and it seems that the majority of the book consists of hymns.

Click to expand...

I do. I borrowed it from my church, though, so expense wasn't an issue.

I suppose that as far as a Bible goes, I'd suggest some of Emerson's essays, whatever humanist literature floats your boat, the Jefferson Bible, and any meditations and/or prayers from any religious tradition whatsoever. I have a fondness for the Beatitudes in the New Testament, and for the Tao Te Ching. You may enjoy something from the Vedas, some works by Starhawk and/or any other neo-Wiccan writer, Johnathan Bach, Shakespeare, The Confessions of St. Augustine, Plato's Republic, or Johnathan Swift.

I'm currently reading Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz, which is a wonderful book on Christian spirituality.

I suppose the question would be this: What sort of spiritual journey do you consider yourself to be undergoing, and what would you like to learn about? We could probably start from there.

I will definitely add these authors to my reading list. I have always been fond of Emerson, and Shakespeare, though as a medievalist I don't think I will be able to bring myself to willingly peruse Augustine right now. ;p

Wow, that's a big question. : ) I'm not sure what sort of spiritual journey I'm on...I believe there is some kind of god in the universe though I do not believe in the Christian God or Jewish Adonai. Humanism interests me but I have not explored it very much at this time. Paganism also interests me and I have done some reading in this area however I find it difficult to fully embrace or accept pagan worship as it seems to be presented. Ultimately I am still trying to find out my own beliefs.

Does that answer your question? : ) I'm sorry if I seem a bit confused...but I suppose I am a bit confused about religion and spirituality. Right now I am just grateful to find a place to be where tolerance, peace, love and harmony are celebrated.

cmsrin said:

Wow, that's a big question. : ) I'm not sure what sort of spiritual journey I'm on...I believe there is some kind of god in the universe though I do not believe in the Christian God or Jewish Adonai. Humanism interests me but I have not explored it very much at this time. Paganism also interests me and I have done some reading in this area however I find it difficult to fully embrace or accept pagan worship as it seems to be presented. Ultimately I am still trying to find out my own beliefs.

Click to expand...

As a former neopagan, I might be able to help with that. The great thing about it is that it's all about what feels right to you.

Does that answer your question? : ) I'm sorry if I seem a bit confused...but I suppose I am a bit confused about religion and spirituality.

Click to expand...

That's ok.

Right now I am just grateful to find a place to be where tolerance, peace, love and harmony are celebrated.

Click to expand...

And we're happy to have you!

Hi Storm, thanks for replying.

If you don't mind me asking... why are you a *former* neopagan? Also, what does a rogue panentheist mean?

I would definitely be interested in hearing any suggestions or advice you might have in exploring paganism.

Thanks again.

cmsrin said:

Hi Storm, thanks for replying.

Click to expand...

You're quite welcome.

If you don't mind me asking... why are you a *former* neopagan?

Click to expand...

I just outgrew it, theologically speaking. My personal beliefs developed to a point where I no longer felt honest applying the label, broad as it is. However, I do have a deep affection for it, and the roots go deep.

Also, what does a rogue panentheist mean?

Click to expand...

Well, it just means that I'm neither typical nor representative of panentheism. TBH, I lie somewhere between it and pantheism. If you'd like to discuss it further (without hijacking this thread ), the link in my sig is a good starting point.

I would definitely be interested in hearing any suggestions or advice you might have in exploring paganism.

Click to expand...

I'm terrible at just explaining things from a cold start. :sorry1: However, if you have any questions, fire away.

Thanks again.

Click to expand...

No problem!

I do find that Singing the Living Tradition can serve as an interesting sort of "prayer book"...yes, it is a hymnal, but sometimes just leafing through sections and reading the words of the hymns can be inspiring. When you're singing them, the depth of the meaning can get lost in the effort to follow the sometimes-complicated melody . There are more readings at the back than it seems.

To explore the humanist/reason-based view of religion, my current favorite is a very intellectual book from the 1950s, Religion Without Revelation by Julian Huxley. Huxley was a scientist and atheist (of a sort) who nonetheless had a great respect for religious ideas and institutions, and I believe that the first "source" of UU ("direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder...") draws upon the ideas in this book.

Huxley is writing from a very intellectual, professorial, point of view, so it's kind of a college textbook. But the chapter "Personalia" where he tells his own religious history is worth the struggle.

I'm not sure if this qualifies (especially since I haven't read it, nor even actually SEEN it)... from my readings I know that Thomas Jefferson published a "bible" -- really an adaption of the Christian Bible, but only including the philosophical teachings (and none of the "magic and witchcraft"). Has anyone seen this book? Is it a tome suitable to the UU perspective? Is it reprinted by anyone, today?

Here you go!

The Jefferson Bible

Thanks.

applewuud, I have added Huxley's book to my reading list, : ). Based on the number of people who have recommended "Singing the Living Tradition' I believe I may buy it, or at least take a closer (and less impatient) view of it on google books. : )

As far as Jefferson's Bible, I have seen it referenced before and I believe I will add it to my list too.

Ultimately I think I am searching for something i.e. UU 'bible' that doesn't exist... perhaps a better question would have been: what would you personally put in a UU bible? (Which I believe has been asked already.) The answer, if I remember correctly, would result in a bible that would rival the OED in size. : p

I have found this discussion interesting, and informative however, thanks!

Hi, welcome to the forum! I, also, recommend "Singing the Living Tradition" and use at home. Other books you might like are: "Freethinking Mystics with Hands" by Tom Owen-Towle, a UU minister, " Questions for the religious journey, finding your own path" by George Kimmich Beach, another UU minister.

Hi keithnurse, both of these books sound interesting...I'll add them too. (I have quite the reading list now!)

Thanks!
Christina

Greetings,

You can try the UU churches in Second Life, I believe there are two of them. I wish I could tell you more but I haven't actually done much Second Life. You can find more info here.

Second Life
Virtual Worlds, Avatars, free 3D chat, online meetings - Second Life Official Site

First UU Church of Second Life
Welcome to the FUUCSL Web Site

Articles about the First UU church in Second Life from UU World
uuworld.org : religious reality in a virtual world
uuworld.org : people of the first uu church of second life

3 minute YouTube video from the First UU Church of Second Life
YouTube - What Does It Mean To Be A Church?