Unitarian Universalism

[Synful*Luv]

Anyone know anything about this religion? Read below and then tell me what do you think...I'd' like some educated opinions.


I've been reading up on it and can't decide if it sounds great or if it sounds like a cult. I've listed their principles and their beliefs. They draw on all the teachings of every religion and try to weed out the myths from the facts. They practice education as opposed to someone telling you to shut up and believe what they tell you. They also celebrate Christian holidays (Christmas) Jewish holidays (Yom Kippur), Pagan Holidays (Winter Solstice), and a few they made up to celebrate the Earth, like Flower Communion.

Religions within their religion are:


* Christianity
* Humanism
* Paganism
* Theism / Deism
* Buddhism
* Judaism
* Hinduism
* Atheism / Agnosticism
* Islam




There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

* The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
* Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
* Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
* A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
* The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
* The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
* Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Unitarian Universalism draws from many sources:

* Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
* Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
* Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
* Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
* Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
* Spiritual teachings of earth-entered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.

 

[Farzin]

Whats the difference between a religion and a cult? All the same if you ask me.

 

[Synful*Luv]

To a certain extent...I agree. Some people are know to follow religion blindly and to great lengths. I've seen that a lot up here as 90% of the population are Christian Reformers who can't think for themselves...but that's not what the thread is about.

Opinions on this one religion in question? There are many atheists who follow this religion as well it seems.

 

[Illuminattile]

They also celebrate Christian holidays (Christmas) Jewish holidays (Yom Kippur), Pagan Holidays (Winter Solstice), and a few they made up to celebrate the Earth, like Flower Communion.

Sounds like a scam to get more days off work each year.

Whats the difference between a religion and a cult? All the same if you ask me.

I don't see how this is either, really. It's just a collection of people with different beliefs, accepting each other for having different beliefs. I don't see how UU is a religion any more than this forum is.

 

[Synful*Luv]

Well, perhaps that acceptance would make them a better form of religion if one had to choose a religion because most Christian religions preach acceptance of all people, etc, right? And this religion actually does that as opposed to others...or am I way off base here?

 

[Jokerman]

A religion is something you're born into; a cult is something you join. So Chrisitianity is a religon if you were born into it but a cult if you're a born-again Christian. It's not the belief system itself that distinguishes a religion from a cult, but your relationship to it.

Unitarian Universalism is one of most liberal groups to belong to, and I've never heard any bad cult things about it, but if you already have such liberal religious ideas, I don't see the need to belong to a group. It's like belonging to a group that doesn't believe in groups. I guess if you just want a place to go with like-minded open people then it's better than most.