Can DU help me with some info? re: Unitarian Church

[TAPat]

My partner and I are interested in maybe checking out the U.C. in our town.

Neither of us is *religious* in the usual sense - we believe in what I like to call the "Energy of All" as a sort of god - we believe in the ideas that folks say are Jesus' teachings - and we, above all, believe in the Golden Rule.

Neither of us would have even discussed taking our 6 year old to church, but my partner happened by the U.C. the other day and saw a large number of the congregation outside with signs supporting same sex marriage. Evidently this particular church has been performing unions for over 20 years... These people seem like a great bunch of folks (one can assume that they are probably pretty progressive on a great number of issues!) and we feel that we could benefit from, and add to, the community there.

I am curious about U.C. services - are they really Bible/God heavy or are they more simply spiritual-type sermons? Frankly, I can't deal with the *preaching* thing, but I like the drawing together of positive energy. Now, I understand that all churches/congregations are different, so I am just asking in general.

Thank you all, in advance, for any insight you might like to share! :hi:

[MsUnderstood]

1. IVE attended the unitarian church in my town

It is a very cool place to go.

The church is completely welcoming of gays and lesbians. The belief system is not that they believe in a christian god but that they believe in teh worth and dignity of every person.

The church I went to had members involved in progressive projects in the town.

[TAPat]

3. Thanks - that's actually

what I was hoping to hear - Sort of like the Quakers in many ways.

I know a bit about the Quakers as my mom their lobbyist in California for a number of years.

[Ian David]

2. If I were Christian, The Unitarians would be my church

I strongly urge you to give them a chance.

But if you don't like them, check-out Reconstructionist Judaism.

[Poiuyt]

7. You don't have to be Christian to attend the UU

At ours, we have Christians, atheists, Buddhists, pagans, wiccans. I've just started going, so I don't know all the stripes, but all are welcome.

Our UU Fellowship is not at all Biblical type preachy. It's more philosophical discussions

[Totally Committed]

4. UU (Unitarian Universalist) is the Church for you!

It is a NON-DENOMINATIONAL, non-Christian-based Chrurch that is based on Social Justice and Peace rather than the tenets and trappings of Christianity. The Bible is not read (at least, not at my UU Church), and our congregation has as mmany atheists in it as believers. Some of those who attend are Jewish, Hindu, and Greek Orthodox (Michael and Kitty Dukakis attend our church at least a few times a year, and are good friends with our Pastor, who is a Buddhist.) The teachings of Gandhi, Buddha, Martin Luther King, and others are just as important as the teachings of Jesus. YOu are allowed to believe or not believe as you feel. And, my church, because it is in Massachusetts, marries many gay and lesbian couples (who often remain members afterward), so their kids grow up right along with ours! It's great! I only attend services about 3-4 times a year (I am most decidedly NOT "religious", but rather "spiritual"...), but I always go to the social justice events, and volunteer along with them regularly at the Food Bank, the Homeless Shelter, the Veterans Hospital, or the Nursing Homes in the area along with the rest of my fellow UUs whenever I can.

Please do look into your local UU Church. It truly is different from one to the next, as the Pastor who runs it, makes it (in my experience) in his or her own likeness.

TC

[TAPat]

8. Great! Thanks alot for

your experience! I just finished looking at their website (Duh! Why didn't I think of that before?) and they sound really cool. Definitely more along the lines of philosophical teachings.

We think that our daughter, especially, would benefit from a *universal* education on religion.

Thanks again!

[Totally Committed]

11. Peace, Love, Understanding, and Social Justice for all! ---

Just a wonderful community, without all the Bible-thumping I always found elsewhere.

And, you are very welcome!

TC

[soothsayer]

5. When I've gone the services are really high brow---Bach, Beethoven,

but I don't recall God coming up even once. The folks who make up the congregation have a certain look to 'em----like thespians or people who make crafts. I can't define it, but I can definitely spot it. Verrrry cool church!

[Jackpine Radical]

6. Our UU congregation is pretty far left. The minister is openly lesbian.

Across the front of the church are symbols from several major religions. The UUers use the little lamp symbol to represent themselves. There is a group called CUUPS, which is a pagan group that has found a welcome and a home in Unitarianism.

[Burma Jones]

9. UU is the only church I've heard the word "Shit" used

We sang Monty Python's "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" as a Hymn

In another UU church, they served Wiccan Communion, Ginger Snaps and Apple Cider..........

[TAPat]

10. 3 words for that: Right On Man! nt

[Vidar]

12. Unitarians are a creedless church who leave individual beliefs up

to the individual