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5 years ago ::
Oct 20, 2007 - 3:43PM
#1
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My singular experience with the UU church left me with a feeling that (at least the particular congegration I visited) was tolerant of all views as long as they mocked fundamental Christianity.
I've also done just enough reading on UU to be dangerous and it seems that there isn't any specific belief necessary, just a group of people getting together to feel spiritual (or in that one instance, "religious and pious") for an hour or so.
I'm not trying to pick on the UU faith, I just wanted to hear the thoughts of folks who are a part of it regularly and see if what I experienced was an aberration or not.
I liked some of what I've seen and read, but I can't help feeling that there could stand to be a little more structure without the loss of tolerance to others...
I appreciate your thoughts and responses.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 20, 2007 - 7:08PM
#2
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Was this negativity you perceived in response to something particular? I could see a visitor's getting this impression from a guest speaker we had at my church this past summer who spoke on his recently published book about how fundamentalist Christianity is in direct opposition to contemporary morality. Questions asked and comments made about his speech could well have suggested that our congregation was negative regarding Christianity.
Now, if that visitor were to come to several more services, s/he would soon find that positive references to Christianity and other religions are an integral part of the service. (We even mention God every now and again! ) Thus, forming an opinion based upon this one instance would be based on somewhat shaky ground.
Even though you may be disinclined to do so, I'd suggest attending at least 3-4 more services in order to be fair to this congregation. We're all human, and perhaps this was simply a "bad Sunday." If you find that Christian-bashing appears to be the norm, then a private conversation with the minister about what a negative impression you feel this gives might cause the congregation to do some self-examination.
If there's another UU church or fellowship within a reasonable distance, it's quite possible that it may be more congenial for you. Otherwise, there's the online UU Church of the Larger Fellowship. It's primarily intended for those too far from a church or fellowship for attendance to be practical. (I was a CLF member for a little over 15 years for that reason.) However, CLF membership is open to anyone and can be an option if your local church simply doesn't suit. The website is www.clf.uua.org. A 3-month trial membership is available to give you an opportunity to see if CLF might meet your needs. As I'd said on the old boards, I may even join CLF again just to have access to its marvelous lending library.
Hope you find what you're seeking,
Dot
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5 years ago ::
Oct 21, 2007 - 2:52PM
#3
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Thanks for that information. Actually a big part of it was based on the sermon from their interim senior pastor and the reaction that his tongue in cheek, and slightly snide comments got from the congregation. I'm not sure I'll be back, but mostly because most of my philosophies are very open, but I enjoy the challenge, both spiritually and intellectually from a loving and welcoming, but more fundamental church... Strange, I guess.
Thanks for the reply.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 22, 2007 - 12:33AM
#4
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Hmmmm...that seems very much in violation of the UU Principles and Purposes to me, then.
Since you indicate that you're disinclined to return (which is understandable), I'd suggest letting the church president know about what you experienced and how unwelcome you felt as a result. There's probably a link to contact the church president on the church's website. An interim minister may not be at that church much longer; the church's president likely will feel a greater responsibility for negative impressions that could drive away prospective members such as yourself.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 22, 2007 - 12:45AM
#5
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howdy Armchair Theologian,
i gave the local UU church here a good long try and had exactly the opposite experience as you did.
before i ever attended a service i had a long phone conversation with the regular minister here about whether or not this UU church was primarily Christian. she assured me that it was not. unfortunately she seems to be so Christian oriented herself that her idea of not primarily Christian and mine are very far removed from each other.
in my discussions with other members here i know that i'm far from alone in disliking the Christian overtones that so often seep into this minister's sermons. and i know from the member given sermons during this minister's sabbatical this last summer, which were humanist based with no Christian overtones, that the members seldom give those kinds of sermons themselves.
i'm of the opinion from my experience and from talking with others that the minister of each UU church has a large affect on its tone and topics.
so after a good 6-7 month testing of the waters i've left the congregation. i'll miss the coffee hours, but not the services.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 22, 2007 - 1:15PM
#6
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Actually, I know that they've since found a permanent pastor. It's not that I'm disinclined to return because of merely that comment or it's response. I spoke with several people after the service who were very kind and welcoming. I've simply realized that the intellectual challenge of listening to a good non-denominational sermon that dicusses being Christlike and trying to live a life of love, is more meaningful to me at this point in my life. I know that I don't agree with a lot of their "required" theologies, so hearing what God wants me to hear in those sermons is challenging at times, and moving to the point of tears when I manage to succeed. I may well visit there again because i think it's fantastic that the senior pastor is a woman! I'm thrilled when I see women in the real leadership positions in a church. I think they're more able to understand and demonstrate God's love than men are!
Thanks for your thoughts and advice!
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5 years ago ::
Oct 22, 2007 - 7:07PM
#7
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I cant speak for anyone else, but my experience with UU has not been like that at all. of course Im in Dallas tx the home of the bible belt and we have Christian who come from time to time, I myself am a mix ofhindu Christianity and Ive had no trouble at all.
I never hear anyone put others traditions down. infact one of our services was called "Where it is that they are right", they were speaking about Christianity and we had a service with the speaker who spoke about supernatural healing by Christianity and miracles, so we have had some speakers talk about the good affects of Christian belief.We also have investigated Christian and Catholic history from time to time, we just believe all faiths are good and we dont have that type of attitude there, christians are welcome in my church.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 22, 2007 - 10:17PM
#8
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Armchair_Theologian
My spiritual path is quite ecclectic but I'm still rooted in Christianity. Christian/panentheist/earthcentered/mildly Hindu in an Emersonian way/agnostic/believer/skeptical/Humanist - LOL
I am a member of a Christian study group at my church. There is one particular version of Christianity that UUs do in fact reject, that is the belief that all who do not accept a particular doctrine will be condemned to Hell, but of course that is not what liberal or even moderate Christians believe.
Unfortunately some UUs have had bad experiences with the Sunday school teachers of their youth and have somewhat unfairly dismissed all of Christianity as a result. This is a problem. It is not official policy and hopefully should never be preached from the pulpit. Sorry you had that experience.
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4 years ago ::
Nov 27, 2007 - 4:24PM
#9
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Armchair_Theologian wrote:
"I've simply realized that the intellectual challenge of listening to a good non-denominational sermon that dicusses being Christlike and trying to live a life of love, is more meaningful to me at this point in my life."
Two resources you might find useful:
"Engaging Our Theological Diversity” is a report from a commission of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This book-length report addresses your questions about UU responses to Christianity and whether a little more theological structure might be beneficial. It can be found online at
http://www25.uua.org/coa/
UU Christian Fellowship is an independent organization of UUs who still feel connected to, or curious about, or interested in Christianity. Visit UUCF"s website at
http://www.uuchristian.org
Jasmine
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4 years ago ::
Nov 29, 2007 - 9:50PM
#10
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Hi arnchair,
Sounds like you would be happier with the Congregationalist or the Quakers.
I do have to call you out on this gem:
" I'm thrilled when I see women in the real leadership positions in a church. I think they're more able to understand and demonstrate God's love than men are!"
Uh, sure......now, what were you saying about intolerance?
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