AboutJon Bond Expertise Will answer all questions regarding Unitarian Universalist (UU)church; including ancient history (Universalists go back to at least 250 A.D.) and medieval history (Unitarians look to 1553 A.D. as their beginning) up to merger of the two movements in 1961 and continuing up to present. Am familiar with Christian church organizations and relationship of UUs to traditional churches.
Experience Currently member of Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado. Past vice-president of Board of Trustees and currently on Membership Committee. Have taught UU history for over 20 years. Have attended Unitarian Universalist General Assemblies (annual meetings held in June) for past 15 years.
Organizations Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado
Expert: Jon Bond Date: 5/25/2005 Subject: Curious...
Question I am 26 years old, married, no children, and up until now, Catholic. I recently have questioned some of the teachings of the Catholic Church. I have always thought of myself as mostly Catholic. Now, my husband and I are at a point in our lives where we are thinking of starting a a family. I am researching other religions to see if there is a better fit for what we value so that we may teach our children our beliefs and feel confident in taking them to church.
What are the fundamentals that your faith teaches? I view the Bible as being inspired by God, but full of contradictions. I see it more of a guidebook to refer to. Is this something that is accepted in your faith?
Any basic information you could provide would be appreciated.
Again, thank you,
Carolyn
Answer Dear Carolyn:
First, my apologies for a belated reply to your serious questions. I have been out of town and have just now (Saturday) returned to my “home base.”
I'm one of over 250,000 people in the UU (Unitarian Universalist) tradition and, if you ask another UU, you may get a different (but, hopefully, not conflicting) answer. I'd like to divide my answer into three parts: first, a background of our association and then an answer to your two questions. 1) What are the fundamentals that your faith teaches? 2) do UUs view view the Bible as being a guidebook to refer to?
Before I get started, let me complement you on seeking a religious group that emphasizes Religious Education, called “RE” in the UU Church, for children. We pride ourselves on offering a number of different curriculums for our children.
First - a background (including where the two groups originated): The concept of Unitarianism generally looks to a Catholic priest, Michael Servetus, as a spiritual originator. Servetus was born in Spain in 1511 and died in 1553, after attacking the doctrines of the Trinity.
Unitarianism is a doctrinal system characterized chiefly by a belief in the unipersonality of God and the normal humanity of Jesus, as contrasted with the Trinity and the eternal deity (divinity) of Jesus. Most Unitarians I've spoken with reject the divinity of Jesus, but do recognize
him (Jesus) as a great moral teacher
Universalism is the theological doctrine that all souls will ultimately be saved and that there are no torments of hell. Universalism has been asserted at various times in different contexts throughout the history of the "Christian church"--e.g., Origen in the 3rd century. The Universalists
also denied the miraculous element in Scripture, and rejected such important Bible doctrines as the total depravity of man and the Trinity.
The Unitarian Universalist Association was created in May of 1961 as a merger of Unitarians and Universalists.
1)- your question - What are the fundamentals that your faith teaches?
There are no creeds, only statements of purpose. We pride ourselves in welcoming atheists and humanists. Recently (in the last six or eight years), the UU organization took a survey to find out what we believe is important in our
religious lives.
Almost 10,000 Unitarian Universalists took the time to fill out and return the survey, giving us all an invaluable snapshot of who we are. Our association has been enriched by the knowledge gained from the answers many UUs provided.
This survey began a process designed to reach out to all UU individuals and congregations called "Fulfilling the Promise." This Concept was set in motion by the Unitarian Universalist Association's Board of Trustees. Its
goal was to help us move toward agreement about why we come together as congregations and as an association, and what we hope to accomplish.
The survey questions came from individual UUs, as did the suggested responses. More than 500 people helped create this survey. We hope you will find your own experience reflected in the questions and answers, even if the exact language you would use is not perfectly captured here. What
follows are the total tabulations for the first 8118 surveys. Question number 30 results follow:
Please check the one of the following which best describes your theological perspective:
o Humanist: 46.1%
o Earth/Nature centered: 19.0
o Theist: 13.0
o Christian: 9.5
o Mystic: 6.2
o Buddhist: 3.6
o Jewish: 1.3
o Hindu: 0.4
o Moslem: 0.1
o Other: 13.3
The balance of the questions (age, sex, length of church membership,etc.), gave us a picture of who we are demographically and as church persons. They provide a picture of what we say our values in religious community
are. I have carefully reviewed our Principles and Purposes. Carolyn, when you ask “What are the fundamentals that your faith teaches?” you only have to read our Principles and Purposes in their entirety.
See what you think!
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association,
covenant to 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.
The living tradition which we share 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-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision.
As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
The Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association
The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of
its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.
The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member societies and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by
any society unless such is used as a creedal test.
Carolyn, it seems to me that your question of “What are the fundamentals that your faith teaches?” would fit in nicely with what we pride ourselves most in; to wit, we encourage each individual to “find their own spiritual path” and, more importantly, to change what you believe as your life situations change.
Now, as to your last question: “do UUs view view the Bible as being a guidebook to refer to?” Thankfully, I believe you will say, this question is best answered by saying that we (UUs) have a belief in the Bible as especially unique and inspired: There is also a belief that every revelation of truth in every era of human history should be highly revered and esteemed. I personally agree that the Bible has a number of contradictions. I have identified over 130 such contradictions.
For more information on the UU religion, please feel free to check out our web site http://uua.org/ A good book to check on is "The Unitarian Universalist
Pocket Guide" - ISBN 0-933840-45-4
Carolyn, thank you for taking the time to question our beliefs and good luck in your search for a UU group that would support your spiritual search.
