I will talk about the main reason why I left Unitarian Universalism in this post. Hope you read this with an open mind. And I do appreciate the Unitarian Universalist community.
The Reason Why I Left Unitarian Universalism
The main reason that I left Unitarian Universalism was I had not prepared myself enough to cope with the faith diversity. I had not prepared myself to get offended by others because of what I believed was different from theirs.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate what UU has done, and some of their beliefs are really meaningful and hit me. I’ve known that UU allows and encourages people to follow their faiths and find the meanings and truth in their life. The fact that UUs join together to fight for human rights, against racism, and support LGBTQ+ rights is what I’ve been searching for.
But the diversity in beliefs and offenses caused by it kind of tears me down. As I couldn’t stand the offense, I decided to left UU, but I still appreciate and support what UU has brought to the community.
What is Unitarian Universalism?
Unitarian Universalism is the liberal religion that was formed in 1961 when two separate denominations, Unitarianism and Universalism, were merged. Unitarian Universalism (UU) is characterized by a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.”
The root of UU is from Unitarianism and Universalism. Unitarianism was formed on the belief in a single God’s existence. Meanwhile, Universalism was built on the belief that all human beings gain salvation.
What is the faith of Unitarian Universalism?
The faith in Unitarian Universalism is based on the “Seven Principles,” focusing on supporting “the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” These principles are a guide for followers to adhere to the religion.
Besides, Unitarian Universalists embrace people of diverse faiths (atheists, humanists, Christians, and pagans, to name a few) and encourage broad-minded acceptance of each individual’s search for truth and meaning in life. Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to “find their own spiritual path.”
The Seven Principles of UU are:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in 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.
What Do Unitarian Universalists Believe In?
Unitarian Universalists can believe different things. They have a wide-range belief that is different from individual to individual. You will see that some will believe that God has plans for us, while others believe that they are the ones holding and controlling their destiny.
The Unitarian Universalist community has a diversity of beliefs, but it is not truly correct to say that they can believe in whatever they want. Their beliefs will be based on and guided by the Seven Principles. They believe in the covenant. They believe:
All souls are sacred; There is a unity that makes us one; Salvation in this life; Courageous Love has the power to transform the world; and Truth continues to be revealed.
– UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION
Do Unitarian Universalists believe in the Bible?
Yes, some Unitarian Universalists believe in the Bible.
Though the root of UU is from liberal Christianity, specifically unitarianism and universalism, the belief in Bible is not required. The Bible is considered a profound, rich resource of stories and wisdom. Unitarian Universalists can read, study, and share ideas from any philosophy or religion.
FAQs
Is Unitarian Universalism growing?
It is perhaps no surprise that the Unitarian Universalist Association is one of the fastest-growing denominations in the country, ballooning 15 percent over the past decade when other established churches were shrinking.
Do Unitarian Universalists believe in heaven?
As Unitarian Universalists come from different backgrounds with different beliefs, some of them believe in haven, and few of them believe in divine judgment after death.
“… The Universalist side of our tradition broke with mainstream Christianity by rejecting the idea of eternal damnation,” according to the Unitarian Universalist Association website.
Are Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists the same?
Theoretically, Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists are quite different.
Unitarians were a liberal Christian faith that denied the doctrine of the Trinity. Meanwhile, Unitarian Universalists were the result of the consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist denominations. This means Unitarian Universalists assert no creed and encourage broad-minded acceptance of each individual’s search for truth and meaning in life.
But practically, Unitarian Universalists are Christian in some places, and many members of the Unitarian Universalist community have referred to themselves as Unitarians or UUs.
Tracy M. Hall was born in 1995 and studies society, human behavior, and mentality. She’s captivated by people’s interactions and motivations. After studying sociology, she got a Ph.D. in social psychology from Carnegie Mellon University. She wrote about human interaction, separation, and the future.
Tracy M. Hall is a social butterfly who likes meeting new people. She’s a superb listener and often acts as a confidante or mediator, eager to help others. Tracy’s life is an open book; Tracy shares her experiences to benefit others. She’s a natural optimist who feels everyone has something to offer and loves helping others realize their best.
Tracy M. Hall volunteered with mental health groups for years. She’s dedicated to destigmatizing mental illness and assisting.
I appreciate this article, yet am left wondering what it is that you believe. Forgive me for not taking the time to read more of your blog, if it is explained there.
My struggle with UU has mostly been the emphasis on the first principle, especially when that is at the expense of other principles, especially the 5th and 7th. In UU, it has come to be that individuals can be *harmed* by the free speech of others. Feelings of one person can can suppress free speech and open discourse of others. One misspoken sentence can bring swift severe condemnation. I was once rebuked for simply saying I was not ready to discuss a topic (rebuking/condemning another UU) that was not on the agenda and I had not given any consideration – my answer was supposed to be obvious – and it was a meeting where I was not expecting to speak at all (I had not spoken in the previous 6-8 meetings or so).
I have found a home in a Buddhist Sangha, and while it’s not perfect, I haven’t been chastised even though I am not perfect!
The modern UUA has no connection to its roots. There has been no Unitarian theology or Universalism included in the teachings for over 100 years. The UUA is simply a political club of intolerant progressive leftwing activists and Democrat party functionaries. It is not a growing religion, it has been dying for decades and is shrinking in membership, getting older, shrinking youth numbers and has not kept up with the nation’s population growth. There are going to be a lot of empty UUA buildings in the next 20 years.