SteveGrayFTW
Member
Hi there,
I have been searching for some time to try to find a way to "classify" my beliefs, and hopefully try to find others with similar beliefs.
A little backstory first...feel free to skip this part.
I was raised in a Catholic household, but not a deeply religious household. I tried to obtain a stronger connection with Catholicism myself in my late teens/early 20s, went through RCIA, and had my baptism. Through all of that, I never really felt a strong connection with the church, but the idea of "original sin" scared me, so I went through with the classes and had the baptism anyway. I never returned to the church since, or any church for that matter, save for weddings, funerals, etc...and I have never even picked up my baptismal certificate.
Today, I think the best way to classify myself would be an Agnostic Theist. I wholeheartedly believe there is a God, or Supreme Being out there, because the universe, and life itself, is too awesome to have just happened by chance. Beyond that though, I have no idea. In my view, Christianity MAY have the right idea when it comes to their beliefs, but for all we know, the Greeks, the Egyptians, or even some Alien race out there may have the right answer.
In the end though, we all believe in the same thing, even if the interpretations and technical details of that belief vary. And I believe that's the way it's intended, if we were meant to have all of the answers, God would have come down and clarified his stance to each generation when they start to stray.
That doesn't mean I still wouldn't like some answers, but I'm willing to accept that I probably won't ever know everything, at least not in this life.
ANYWAY...to the main point of the post:
Through all of that searching, I stumbled upon (or, well, belief-o-matic'd myself) into reading about Unitarian Universalism. I have to say, I like it. I believe the Seven Principles and the Six Sources are a great base to work off of, and I like the idea of a religion that acknowledges the fact that we are not sheep...that we can have our own beliefs and interpretations yet still work towards a common goal.
And you don't condemn science, which is great, as I personally love science.
I still have a few questions about all of this in practice though, so hopefully you guys will be able help me out and point in the right direction. I have seen a lot of sources say to talk to a Minister, and while I believe that is important, I feel like I'd be given the "party line"...and feel in some ways I'd be able to get better answers from the practitioners themselves, who at one point (or still do) have their own questions and doubts.
1. What would I consider myself? UU accepts all faiths and beliefs, but does a person believe themselves to be of that faith, but practicing Unitarian Universalism, or do they just consider themselves Unitarian Universalists. In my case for example, would I be a Agnostic Theist practicing UU, or am I a UUist. I saw some earlier posts about hypenation too, but they make it seem like that practice has gone out of favor.
2. UU accepts all faiths and beliefs, but does everyone embrace all of those differences, or do they mostly stick with their kind and just accept the others as being there? I guess a better way to ask that is, does it get "cliquey" among the people who share similar beliefs within UU?
3. Do the Ministers usually try to mix it up, when talking about certain beliefs, or do they tend to stick with they know, or what there own beliefs are? Like if the Minister considers his views to fall more in line with atheism, will he speak from only an atheistic point of view, or will he try to incorporate other beliefs so that everyone is equally represented?
4. Are their opportunities to learn about other beliefs, or is that something you'd pretty much have to do on your own time? I would love to learn about the beliefs, rituals, etc of other religions. Is the UU church a good place to do that, since they encompass all of those groups, or is it pretty much "you have your beliefs, go with what you know"?
5. Do I have to attend services to consider myself an UU? I probably would, but if I can't find a church or service that I feel comfortable in, can I abide by the principles on my own and still consider myself to be an UU in good standing, or would I be considered a UU "in name only"?
6. I understand that with a diverse bunch of people, you're going to have a bunch of different political beliefs, but I also understand that the Church considers itself to be somewhat liberal. Does the Church itself attempt to lobby or influence any sort of political agenda, piece of legislation, or party? For example, the Church supports equality, including same sex marriage, which is awesome, but they try to help push for the passing of same sex marriage legislation, or do they try to remain neutral when it comes to politics?
7. How would I approach my friends and family with the fact that I've joined UU? As stated before, I didn't grow up in a very religious household, but it was Catholic nonetheless. Coming out as gay was enough to freak out many family members, I feel like saying I've joined a non Christian church would basically push everyone over the edge. In theory, its none of their business, and they should be happy with the fact that im accepting of everyone, but family dealings aren't necessarily always that easy. :/
8. The UU is accepting of everyone and their beliefs, but exactly how far does that extend when you are dealing with groups outside of the church? I am all for acceptance, but I do not want to feel accepting and understanding of those religious groups who try to push their beliefs on others, who try to persecute based upon their beliefs, or who are willing to kill in the name of their God. In some ways I feel UU may back me into a corner like that, because it'd be hypocritical to condemn muslim extremists or the WBC, while preaching overall acceptance.
Those are the questions I can think of right now, if I think of more (and I'm sure I will) I will post those as well. I thank you all for hearing me out and hopefully providing me some answers. I apologize if any of my questions skew or misrepresent a viewpoint, but that is why I am asking, so that I can learn from those who actually know what is going on.
-Steve
I have been searching for some time to try to find a way to "classify" my beliefs, and hopefully try to find others with similar beliefs.
A little backstory first...feel free to skip this part.
I was raised in a Catholic household, but not a deeply religious household. I tried to obtain a stronger connection with Catholicism myself in my late teens/early 20s, went through RCIA, and had my baptism. Through all of that, I never really felt a strong connection with the church, but the idea of "original sin" scared me, so I went through with the classes and had the baptism anyway. I never returned to the church since, or any church for that matter, save for weddings, funerals, etc...and I have never even picked up my baptismal certificate.
Today, I think the best way to classify myself would be an Agnostic Theist. I wholeheartedly believe there is a God, or Supreme Being out there, because the universe, and life itself, is too awesome to have just happened by chance. Beyond that though, I have no idea. In my view, Christianity MAY have the right idea when it comes to their beliefs, but for all we know, the Greeks, the Egyptians, or even some Alien race out there may have the right answer.
In the end though, we all believe in the same thing, even if the interpretations and technical details of that belief vary. And I believe that's the way it's intended, if we were meant to have all of the answers, God would have come down and clarified his stance to each generation when they start to stray.
That doesn't mean I still wouldn't like some answers, but I'm willing to accept that I probably won't ever know everything, at least not in this life.
ANYWAY...to the main point of the post:
Through all of that searching, I stumbled upon (or, well, belief-o-matic'd myself) into reading about Unitarian Universalism. I have to say, I like it. I believe the Seven Principles and the Six Sources are a great base to work off of, and I like the idea of a religion that acknowledges the fact that we are not sheep...that we can have our own beliefs and interpretations yet still work towards a common goal.
And you don't condemn science, which is great, as I personally love science.
I still have a few questions about all of this in practice though, so hopefully you guys will be able help me out and point in the right direction. I have seen a lot of sources say to talk to a Minister, and while I believe that is important, I feel like I'd be given the "party line"...and feel in some ways I'd be able to get better answers from the practitioners themselves, who at one point (or still do) have their own questions and doubts.
1. What would I consider myself? UU accepts all faiths and beliefs, but does a person believe themselves to be of that faith, but practicing Unitarian Universalism, or do they just consider themselves Unitarian Universalists. In my case for example, would I be a Agnostic Theist practicing UU, or am I a UUist. I saw some earlier posts about hypenation too, but they make it seem like that practice has gone out of favor.
2. UU accepts all faiths and beliefs, but does everyone embrace all of those differences, or do they mostly stick with their kind and just accept the others as being there? I guess a better way to ask that is, does it get "cliquey" among the people who share similar beliefs within UU?
3. Do the Ministers usually try to mix it up, when talking about certain beliefs, or do they tend to stick with they know, or what there own beliefs are? Like if the Minister considers his views to fall more in line with atheism, will he speak from only an atheistic point of view, or will he try to incorporate other beliefs so that everyone is equally represented?
4. Are their opportunities to learn about other beliefs, or is that something you'd pretty much have to do on your own time? I would love to learn about the beliefs, rituals, etc of other religions. Is the UU church a good place to do that, since they encompass all of those groups, or is it pretty much "you have your beliefs, go with what you know"?
5. Do I have to attend services to consider myself an UU? I probably would, but if I can't find a church or service that I feel comfortable in, can I abide by the principles on my own and still consider myself to be an UU in good standing, or would I be considered a UU "in name only"?
6. I understand that with a diverse bunch of people, you're going to have a bunch of different political beliefs, but I also understand that the Church considers itself to be somewhat liberal. Does the Church itself attempt to lobby or influence any sort of political agenda, piece of legislation, or party? For example, the Church supports equality, including same sex marriage, which is awesome, but they try to help push for the passing of same sex marriage legislation, or do they try to remain neutral when it comes to politics?
7. How would I approach my friends and family with the fact that I've joined UU? As stated before, I didn't grow up in a very religious household, but it was Catholic nonetheless. Coming out as gay was enough to freak out many family members, I feel like saying I've joined a non Christian church would basically push everyone over the edge. In theory, its none of their business, and they should be happy with the fact that im accepting of everyone, but family dealings aren't necessarily always that easy. :/
8. The UU is accepting of everyone and their beliefs, but exactly how far does that extend when you are dealing with groups outside of the church? I am all for acceptance, but I do not want to feel accepting and understanding of those religious groups who try to push their beliefs on others, who try to persecute based upon their beliefs, or who are willing to kill in the name of their God. In some ways I feel UU may back me into a corner like that, because it'd be hypocritical to condemn muslim extremists or the WBC, while preaching overall acceptance.
Those are the questions I can think of right now, if I think of more (and I'm sure I will) I will post those as well. I thank you all for hearing me out and hopefully providing me some answers. I apologize if any of my questions skew or misrepresent a viewpoint, but that is why I am asking, so that I can learn from those who actually know what is going on.
-Steve
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