Christianity, Secular, Hinduism, Chinese Traditional Religion, Buddhism, Primal-Indigenous, Judaism, Neo-Paganism.
Christianity:
I grew up in a Christian society. I don't mean officially in terms of the govt, but in a society that's permeated with the Christian culture. I'm familiar with the stories, and often use those stories and that language with which to relate my own experience. Jesus is a role model and I feel an intimacy with other biblical figures, tho I interpret them differently than most mainstream Christians. I'm heavily influenced by liberation theology.
Secular:
By secular, I'm assuming "secular religion," ie - the national mythology that permeates the U.S. As opposed to secular just meaning anything that's not religious. For example, our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and Bill of Rights. For me, these things have religious/spiritual significance. I really do believe that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights. And that's not something that comes explicitly from other faiths, at least not as much. I also firmly believe in the separation of church and state - that it's good for both of them.
Hinduism:
My theology is pretty much Hindu. I believe in a God that pervades and sustains and is not separate from all existence, that is not an anthropomorphic being with superpowers. Basically, I believe in Brahman. And karma. I believe in the Hindu openness to different views, from monotheism to polytheism, everything has value and can be incorporated under its inclusive umbrella.
Chinese Traditional Religion:
What can I say? I am Chinese and grew up with Chinese parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles. How could I not be influenced? Westerners like to draw a contrast between Confucius and Lao Tse and favor the latter and disparage the former, putting them into nice, neat boxes. To me the Tao of Taoism and the Way of Confucianism are the same, just seen thru different eyes that emphasize their respective viewpoints. They are not truly seperable, at least not in Chinese culture. I believe in the Tao, the Way, the Dharma. That there is a natural order to things (which I believe bends towards justice).
Buddhism:
Pretty much already covered in Hinduism and Traditional Chinese Religion. Much of my family is Mahayana Buddhist, and much of Mahayana Buddhism is Buddhism influenced by traditional Chinese religion. The thing that Buddhism emphasizes more than Hinduism (tho it is there in the latter) is interdependency.
Primal-Indigenous:
All indigenous traditions that I've seen are more in tune with nature and the movings of the seasons than the more "evolved" religions. Certainly Taoism has such aspects. And I've recognized it in Native American, European, and African traditions. The four seasons and four directions are important in my spiritual practice, as well as the idea of "guardians."
Judaism:
I've argued and will continue to argue that Judaism was the first religion (on record) that introduced the concept of humanism to our culture, where there is a higher moral order than just what kings decree, a sense of justice that common people have a right to. The Jewish prophets spoke truth to power, even to God, and were advocates for justice for their people. Moreover, the concept of midrash, of continually interpreting scripture so that it is relevant for each age, I think is very UU tho we don't call it by that name.
Neo-Paganism:
Pretty much what I said for primal-indigenous, except that neo-paganism distilled these concepts into more easily accessible bits. For me, neo-paganism is what allowed me to reconnect with Chinese indigenous religion, both as a result of and in reaction to neo-paganism. So it's definitely an influence on me.
