I Love Unitarian Universalists

[Smoke]

On another thread, I was reading another of lilithu's posts, and I thought, "I just love UUs."

I'm not interested in becoming a UU; if I don't end up officially becoming a Quaker, I probably just won't have a religion. But I love UUs. Wiccans, Pagans, and Heathens of various sorts charm me; Buddhists impress me; Taoists challenge me; atheists help balance my tendency to mysticism; but as a group, there's no one like Unitarian Universalists. Pound for pound, the UUA must have more intelligence, thoughtfulness, and tolerance than just about any other religion.

So this is a thread for appreciation of UUs. Why do you love UUs?

 

[jamaesi]

I just love a religion and people that welcome so much diversity and dicussion and free-thinking.

My friends joke around that the UU church is about the only place a biracial gay Muslim woman with a mind of her own would be accepted. (And sadly it is true, sometimes.)

On another thread, I was reading another of lilithu's posts, and I thought, "I just love UUs."

Lilithu's posts never fail to make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. :hug:

 

[michel]

I agree. Of all the religious groups, the UU's represented here somehow have to be the most understanding, humanitarian, well meaning people I know.

But there are some equally incredibly kind and wonderful atheists, Christians, and Muslims here. I suppose, there must be a rotten apple somewhere in the UU barrel; I mean, life cannot be that wonderful........or am I a cynic ?

 

[lilithu]

On another thread, I was reading another of lilithu's posts, and I thought, "I just love UUs."

Very glad to see that I am representing my faith well. Thanks MB.

So this is a thread for appreciation of UUs. Why do you love UUs?

The usual reasons that people give, diversity and tolerance.

But I'll give you a very personal reason that illustrates that diversity and tolerance. For various reasons I have always felt like an "outsider." My family was one of only two Asian families in a neighborhood that was otherwise all white. When I got sent to Lutheran school, I was the only one who kept questioning the conservative religious teachings. The "outsider" mentality became part of my identity so that even amongst friends I am always stepping back and taking a look with the critical eye of an outsider. "How would someone who is not part of this group view us?" And that includes UU. I am constantly telling people in my church what we're doing wrong, how things could be better, and sometimes we even get into arguments. But after the discussion is over (and I don't mean resolved), we almost always end with a smile and a hug. Whatever disagreements separate us, we affirm our connection in community. It's at that moment that I think "I just love UUs." Because that's what diversity and tolerance truly is all about.

Lilithu's posts never fail to make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. :hug:

Wow, that is not how I view myself at all. Thanks jamaesi. Now I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :hug:

 

[Buttons*]

UUs are amazing people! I'm happy i've gotten to see the kind of love and tolerance that can come from simply trying to understand others.

I love you guys *hugs*

 

[turk179]

Here's a little known secret. I really want to have UU/Wicca as my religious title. I think that what I believe about Wicca and the beliefs and practices of Unitarian Universalists would be the perfect match. I believe that it would be the most perfect way to express my beliefs. Who knows, maybe someday.

 

[lilithu]

Here's a little known secret. I really want to have UU/Wicca as my religious title. I think that what I believe about Wicca and the beliefs and practices of Unitarian Universalists would be the perfect match. I believe that it would be the most perfect way to express my beliefs. Who knows, maybe someday.

If that's what you want, why can't you have it? UUs don't require that you give up any prior "affiliations." I personally know Buddhist UUs and Christian UUs and Hindu UUs and Pagan UUs and atheist UUs. Oh yeah, and Deist UUs. I think you'd fit right in!

 

[standing_alone]

Why do you love UUs?

OH, I JUST LOVE UUs! :jiggy: There's a small Unitarian Universalist church in my hometown that I went to a few times (thanks to a friend of mine) and it was just the greatest church I've ever been too. I was still Christian the first time I went and I was suprised at how much more involving and intimate the sermons were - well, which I guess is more accomplishable when the congregation is about a dozen or so. And even though I'm secular now, I can still go there to persue spirituality or whatever, or just be able to converse and share ideas with some neat and great people. Another thing I liked is members could write sermons, there was no pastor or anything. Everyone seemed to be equal. I just loved it! Oh, and the free food and coffee! I really am thinking about going there when I'm back from college this summer. Awesome place! So open and welcoming! Also, the new LGBT organization that's starting in my hometown meets at their church! I just love Unitarian Universalists! :blowkiss:

 

[Squirt]

Why do you love UUs?

I love UUs because they aren't always telling me that I worship a "different Jesus" than the rest of Christianity. They don't feel it necessary to misrepresent the doctrines of my faith, and I don't believe I've ever heard a UU tell me that I belong to a cult. There's a lot to like about UUs! :highfive:

 

[Ibrahim Al-Amin]

I agree with all of these comments. UUs have been the most kind and respectful group I have ever encountered - thanks for being who you are! I'm even going to attend a service soon - we have one UU church on my island.

IA-A

 

[Green Gaia]

I am humbled by the beautiful statements made here and embarrassed because I know I don't live up to the comments made or to the UU standard 100% of the time.

 

[standing_alone]

I am humbled by the beautiful statements made here and embarrassed because I know I don't live up to the comments made or to the UU standard 100% of the time.

Nobody lives up to the standards they wish to follow 100% of the time, so I wouldn't worry about it. You seem to be doing a fine job representing Unitarian Universalism, in my opinion.

 

[lilithu]

I'll echo Maize's sentiment that all of this admiration while deeply appreciated is embarrassing, which is why I have not properly thanked yall for the nice words. Part of me wants to warn yall that there are UUs who don't live up to our ideals, because I don't want you to visit a UU congregation and be unpleasantly surprised. We can be intolerant, unfortunately. We can be intolerant of conservatives/republicans. We can be intolerant of Christians, depending on the congregation. In our zeal for social justice we sometimes commit the same "sin" of overgeneralizing. But the good thing about us is that if you point out to a UU how (s)he is being intolerant (s)he will usually stop to consider it. So I think we're for the most part a great bunch (thank you very much!) so long as everyone knows we're not perfect.

And standing_alone, I loved your response to Maize.

 

[standing_alone]

Part of me wants to warn yall that there are UUs who don't live up to our ideals

That's very true, but there's always bad with the good. All I can say is from my own experience is that UUs rock!:jam:

And standing_alone, I loved your response to Maize.

Why, thank you.