Unitarian Bible study

Coincidence?

Above from http://www.xkcd.com/

Five people who are members of my church teach at the local community college. It's a small church, about 35 official members, with others coming and going. What is such a coincidence is that they all teach English. I think one of them is the head of the English department.

Is there something about English and Unitarians? Or is it really a coincidence. Hmm.

A., Inquiring minds want to know!

I'm Committed

This week I signed the membership book at the Unitarian Univeralist congregation I have been going to for over 2 years. I am officially a member. I really like the people who go there. I never thought I'd join a church, before I went to a UU church (aka congregation). I grew up Seventh-day Adventist, a pretty conservative Christian church, along with going to their church schools. It's not just going to their church and forgetting about it the rest of the week. It's a whole lifestyle. It probably was good that my dad joined the church when he did, he was drinking and drugging way back then.

Then I was Muslim for a few years. I really don't know what I believe, but I don't believe in Christianity. I'm pretty much agnostic. I thought all churches talked about Jesus and being saved. I didn't want to go to a place like that. I know there are people who believe that. That's great for them. But not for me. If you think I'm going to hell because of it, then great. I just don't need to hear it. Keep those kinds of opinions to yourself, and I'll keep mine to myself of your beliefs.

What do Unitarian Univeralists believe? Here's some info from the Unitarian Univeralist Association Website

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.

They are accepting of everyone, no matter your belief or your lifestyle. Unitarian Univeralists are very non-judgmental and accepting.

A.

New Unitarian Forum I just found

I just found a Unitarian Forum. It's still small, but it looks like a great place to "meet" some Unitarians. Come and join in!

Faith of the Free

Anisah

You Might Already be a Unitarian Universalist

If you...

• Believe that every person is important and valuable.
• Feel there is a spiritual value in all the world's religions and philosophies.
• Find inspiration in the wonder of nature and the mystery of life.
• Want to help build a just society and peaceful world.
• Believe we should think for ourselves in our search for meaning.

You might already be a Unitarian Universalist.

This is from a pamphlet I got at church this past Sunday. This kind of thinking is what attracted me to the Unitarian Universalist Church. They let you be smart enough to decide what you believe, not just tell you to believe this or that or you're going to hell. I was in 2 religions that did that. Some UU's don't believe in God, some do. No one is there to tell anyone what to believe. The church I've been going to has a pretty small congregation. There is none in my town, this one is about 20 minutes from me, and there's another one 20 minutes in the other direction in a larger town.

I think that this is from the www.UU.org web site:

"With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed."

Most churchs or religions don't want you to question things very much, or at least not question what THEY say is right. You have to have "faith", even if things don't make sense. But you can't stop thinking when you are living your life. I am a questioner. I did go a long time in believing in Islam without questioning it, which was a mistake. Sometimes it's hard to question things and admit that you were wrong about what you thought, though. Whatever someone else wants to believe, that's great for them, but don't come to my house trying to convert me. That's why I have an attack cat *grin.

A.

From Islam to Unitarian Universalism

I found a former Muslim who is also a Unitarian, check out her story on her blog, link above. Glad to know I'm not the only one. She also wrote an Article for uuworld.org about her spiritual journey. A.