Sunday, March 2, 2008

Unitarian Universalist?

I was raised as a Christian, I guess. We didn't attend church very often, but my Mom did cite the Bible or Jesus occassionally in her lectures. When I became an adult and decided I should find a church I never even considered non-Christian ones. I attended the Catholic church associated with my college and I did enjoy it. However, I was never a true believer, and as time went on I became more and more agnostic.

So there's the background. Here's the current situation. I am a mother, and I am entrusted with teaching my children about religion. This has proved harder than you might think. If I was a Christian I could just regurgitate what the church tells me, and that would be that. Also, teaching morality is much easier with God. "Behave or God will throw you into eternal hellfire" is a GREAT threat. The problem is I don't believe it. So I am faced with a challenge. How do I raise moral kids with a basic understanding of what religion is without lying to them.

With such a daunting task I can understand why some people might turn to the Unitarian Universal (church). It's sort of like an anti-church. It is based on 7 principles
  • 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.
I LOVE all these ideas. I am teaching all these ideas to my kids. I think the world would be a better place if everyone followed these practices. BUT...

I am a skeptic and I don't think it is possible. The very base of religion is faith that your beliefs are "right". A church that says everyone has a good a shot at being right isn't a church.

1 comment:

Lizzy Jane said...

I think becoming a Unitarian Universalist is a great way to teach your children about religion without committing to one! I thought I might become one myself. I liked the precept that they don't expect you to check your brain at the door of the sanctuary. Although, coming from Roman Catholicism (by way of Humanism) I missed all the pomp. I find the services boring in general...that and the closest church was 40 minutes away...so I'm still without church.