Dec 25, 2011

a safe place-unitarian universalist fellowship

This is a fellowship 

this is our principles 
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 growthin 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.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) 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.
These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.

 for more info go to http://www.uua.org

6 comments:

  1. Great information.

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  2. I'm an outsider looking in at the Universalism you present here. I know very little about this religion. However, this I do know. Every religion is different and they all exclude the others as being truth. ALL! Therefore, when Universalism says it takes wisdom from all other religions and tries to blend them, what they are really doing is just taking their favorite parts and probably leaving out those things that disagree with their points of view.

    For instance, your post mentions Judaism and Christianity. One says Jesus is NOT the Messiah, the other says Jesus IS the Messiah. They can't both be right, one IS WRONG! Why would you want to follow a religion that is taking "truths" and "wisdom" from something that can't possibly be right? I mean really, one of these 2 religions has got to be wrong. There is NO way they are both right!

    Just a thought. I like what you said about wanting to find love. Today is the day after Valentine's Day and I have some thoughts on love. Maybe you would like to read them. However, it isn't written yet, so be patient :-) I will probably get the post online in an hour or two.

    Hope you have a good day and that we can "talk" some more. I've bookmarked your blog. . . .

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your perspective on what you read. Religion is just so hard to ever understand unless you are just talking about your own personal faith or belief. I am UU because I am not made to believe any religion is right OR wrong, I just need to be true to my own personal thoughts and try to respect others who are peaceful in theirs. I posted UU info for the people who are LGBTQ to know that they can have their faith and be a part of a community that will not only tolerate them, but totally accept them.

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  3. UU is about teaching and thinking. We do not follow a dogma or a set 'one way'. You can not have truth when it is not personal. In UU your truth is just that yours, not just doing what you are told to do. UU is more about personal responsibility and moral/social action than it is about who is or isn't 'right' or even a Messiah. The truth we seek comes from knowledge and searching, not from one particular thought process or one religion. We are seekers of wisdom. We can feel free in taking some of the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, and even Winnie the Pooh to give us some peace or to help us in our journey to a peaceful and love filled life where justice prevails for all.

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  4. Truth, wisdom, justice, personal responsibility -- all those things are good and we should all strive for them. As is love and acceptance. Many religions have many different ideas and they can't all be right. Why would you seek knowledge from liars? Or worse, lunatics? I've read about some pretty crazy ideas from various religions. Anyway, I posted an essay a few minutes ago to my blog that is entitled "Happy Valentines Day!" and it is about finding love and acceptance. I apologize for it being wordy, but that's the way I write. I hope that everyone finds TRUE love and acceptance.

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