Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Being UU


When I was teaching young ones at my church one year, I made up a song for them, and we sang it each week as we gathered. I used it to set the tone for our exploration in that Sunday’s lesson.

I’m a UU.
Who are you, you?
I’m a UU.
Who are you, you?
I’m a UU.
Who are you, you?
We can learn together.


The roots of the Unitarian side of my church go back to the Reformation era. Unitarians rejected the trinitarian dogma of the Catholic Church. God, they said, was one, a unity, and could not, should not be divided into three parts. Of course, that was apostate talk at the time.

Universalism dates to 17th century England where the doctrine taught that salvation by their Christian God was available to all, even Jews, not just those who subscribed to a particular belief system. They believed there was no pre-determination of salvation.

Fast forward a few centuries and the Universalists joined with the Unitarians to form a collaboration in 1961. Though both churches came out of Christianity, the 20th century church is not considered Christian with a capital C.

Rather, this theologically liberal church subscribes to shared principles and covenants rather than creeds. Today, only about 20% of UUs call themselves “Christian”. Our faith draws from many traditions and teachers who helped shape the current church.

I come from a rural Christian church background (read that “conservative”) and my husband was reared Catholic. It never sat right with me. The questions I had weren’t honored, respected, nor addressed to my satisfaction. The first time I attended a UU church, while in college decades ago, I knew I had found something that fit me. 

But it wasn’t until we had our own children that we began regularly attending UU services. There is no better foundation, we believe, for rearing future young people for this world’s work.

We affirm the following principles:
  1. 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
  2. 2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
  3. 3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
  4. 4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
  5. 5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
  6. 6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
  7. 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

I have many Christian friends and family who do not understand my choice. How can I not adhere to the tenets I was reared with? Quite simply. My church principles mean that the world should be a better place because I walked here.

I would not do or say differently if I believed in Heaven and Hell. I believe you do the right thing because it is the right thing not because of a reward or punishment at the end.

I do not know why the divinity or not of a great teacher like Jesus should cause me to do or say differently. His divinity--or not--simply has no impact on my actions or speech.

Many, many, many will not agree with me. But for those of you who know me, am I less a good person because I don’t accept what you do?

8 comments:

  1. Lots of UU's here in Buffalo, NY, Sharon. I certainly don't see you differently. Being an atheist that was raised RC, I've had my fill of dogma, as well as the ongoing harm that religion causes, and don't see why children need church at all, but that's not my business, right? Though I wish more people really would teach that 7th principle-- I know few who follow it well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I always appreciate your clear-eyed take on issues, Exploding Mary. I agree that organized religion has a terrible track record on an array of issues. We churched our kids so that they would be in a community that believed as we did; that it wasn't just us touting these values. I'll bet that's why Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and others engage their children in their faith traditions. We think the UUs fall in line with the doctors' credo--at least do no harm! Ha!

    ReplyDelete
  3. We used to have a song in the Episcopal Church making fun of our Anglican pretensions., sung to the tune of God Bless America: I am an Anglican / From Canterbury / I'm not High Church / Nor Low Church / Simply Protestant, Episcopal and Free / Not a Lutheran / Nor a Presby / Nor a Baptist... white with foam / I am an Anglican / Just one step from Rome / I am an Anglican / Via media, that's home...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paula, that is very funny! How healthy to realize you don't have a lock on getting good with God! In my spiritual search, I was confirmed as an Episcopalian and attended church for a long while. We never sang that song, however. I would remember it! Ha!

      I appreciate you coming by to comment. I hope to see you again. This blog ranges far and wide in topics!

      Delete
  4. It chills me to think you might lose friends because of your beliefs. I admire your honesty in being public about it. Though not UU, I agree with the statements. I guess we as individuals take a stand with each action and comment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, it's happened. As you know, I don't talk about being a UU much, but I decided I should. The world is getting so negative and narrow and conservative. Maybe I can be a little tiny light. (That's one of the songs for my memorial service--"This Little Light of Mine".)

      Delete
  5. Apparently. . .

    http://emersonavenger.blogspot.ca/2014/02/blasphemy-law-blasphemous-libel-misuse.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. I hadn't even heard of this suit. Thanks, Robin, for that very interesting link. I want to look up the other associated docs to get a clearer picture of what went on.

    ReplyDelete