Religious Diversity

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Religious Diversity

• Unitarian Universalism in the Bible Belt

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Unitarian Humor

• What do you get when you cross a UU with a
  Jehovahs witness?
• Someone who knocks on doors for no apparent
  reason
• Did you hear about the UU who died and came to a
  crossroads. In front of him was a sign that
  pointed the way to heaven. There was another sign
  that pointed the way to hell. The third sign
  pointed to a discussion about heaven and hell. So
  of course the UU chose the discussion.
• Why did the UU cross the road?
• To support the chicken in its search for its own
  path.

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Principles Based

• We, the member Congregations of the Unitarian
  Universalist Association, covenant to 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 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 peace, liberty and justice for
  all
• Respect for the interdependent web of all
  existence of which we are a part

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1961 Two Religions Become One

• Unitarian beliefs in Christianity go back to the
  beginning
• 325 ad, Nicene Creed adopted and dogma of the
  Trinity is established
• 1553 Michael Servetus burned at the stake for his
  anti-trinitarian beliefs
• Unitarian groups form in Poland, Transylvania,
  and England in 1500s

• Belief in universal salvation condemned as heresy
  in 544 ad
• Radical Samuel Gordon driven out of Massachusetts
  for his belief in universal salvation
• 1779 first Universalist church formed in
  Gloucester, Mass

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Inspirations
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More Inspirations
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Who attends?

• Christians who believe in the life that Christ
  modeled for us
• Theists who believe in God but not the trinity
• Humanists who believe that people are basically
  good
• Pagans who find spiritual meaning in the natural
  world around them
• Mystics who are seeking direct connection with
  the universe
• Atheists who value the community and the moral
  system that is taught
• People who used to be Catholic, Protestant,
  Jewish, un-churched who are looking for a
  religious community to call home because their
  old beliefs no longer fit