A question about Unitarian Universalism

[ἔρως-φιλία-ἀγάπη]

I've considered officially converting to UU and calling myself a Christian-influenced UU, but not going to church (church just isn't really for me), but I had a rather large complication. I read some stuff on the website, and it seems, well... too optimistic for someone like me. I am a realist who realizes problems in the world and doesn't rely on religion as a crutch to escape those problems. I can love and try to change the world, but I don't think it will really do too much. The leaders are all corrupt and tyrannical, and the corporations are too greedy. All people care about are simple things: money, sex, power, fun. I find it very difficult to live in a world such as this, but I suffice somehow. Anyway, changing the world with love and promoting well-being and harmony for all seems to be central to UU. I fully believe I should love others, and promote well-being, but I don't think it will really do much in the end. People are too blinded by their petty desires.

Some call me cynical. Some call me pessimistic. I am probably a mix of both, but I am also a mix of both realism and idealism.

So, how do my beliefs on human nature and human interaction figure into Unitarian Universalism?

 

[wil]

I've considered officially converting to UU and calling myself a Christian-influenced UU, but not going to church (church just isn't really for me), but I had a rather large complication. I read some stuff on the website, and it seems, well... too optimistic for someone like me. I am a realist who realizes problems in the world and doesn't rely on religion as a crutch to escape those problems. I can love and try to change the world, but I don't think it will really do too much. The leaders are all corrupt and tyrannical, and the corporations are too greedy. All people care about are simple things: money, sex, power, fun. I find it very difficult to live in a world such as this, but I suffice somehow. Anyway, changing the world with love and promoting well-being and harmony for all seems to be central to UU. I fully believe I should love others, and promote well-being, but I don't think it will really do much in the end. People are too blinded by their petty desires.

Some call me cynical. Some call me pessimistic. I am probably a mix of both, but I am also a mix of both realism and idealism.

So, how do my beliefs on human nature and human interaction figure into Unitarian Universalism?

Namaste.................................

Say how about giving us that name phonetically?

Anywho...of the UUs I know, they are mostly liberal...but question everything...Existence of G!d included...

But seems like you are fairly set in your ways...what is it that is in UU that interests you?

 

[ἔρως-φιλία-ἀγάπη]

Namaste.................................

Say how about giving us that name phonetically?

Anywho...of the UUs I know, they are mostly liberal...but question everything...Existence of G!d included...

But seems like you are fairly set in your ways...what is it that is in UU that interests you?

eros philia agape. Three different Greek words for different types of love. Our English understanding of love is far inferior to the Greeks understanding, who had five words that we translate as various types of love.

I have no problem with liberality. I am almost entirely theologically liberal. I a also cool with questioning everything... I do so quite often. I even sometimes do question God's existence, but such is generally useless, because there is nothing which would make it certain whether God exists or not. I by default believe in a God, and I probably will never stop believing in a God, even though I consider myself an agnostic.

What is it about UU? Mostly universality (apparently, that's a real word; Mozilla spell check didn't catch it). I love how it supports a personal search for truth not based on any dogmatic creed and how it supports people of different religions coexisting together. It is rare to see that in this world. In addition, I am both unitarian and universalist. Equal truth in all religions, enlightenment through earnest seeking and finding of that truth. It is much like my beliefs.

 

[Allogenes]

I've considered officially converting to UU and calling myself a Christian-influenced UU, but not going to church (church just isn't really for me), but I had a rather large complication. I read some stuff on the website, and it seems, well... too optimistic for someone like me. I am a realist who realizes problems in the world and doesn't rely on religion as a crutch to escape those problems. I can love and try to change the world, but I don't think it will really do too much. The leaders are all corrupt and tyrannical, and the corporations are too greedy. All people care about are simple things: money, sex, power, fun. I find it very difficult to live in a world such as this, but I suffice somehow. Anyway, changing the world with love and promoting well-being and harmony for all seems to be central to UU. I fully believe I should love others, and promote well-being, but I don't think it will really do much in the end. People are too blinded by their petty desires.

Some call me cynical. Some call me pessimistic. I am probably a mix of both, but I am also a mix of both realism and idealism.

So, how do my beliefs on human nature and human interaction figure into Unitarian Universalism?

I think most of my fellow UUs will agree that the important thing is to keep doing those things which you say you believe in doing - loving others, and promoting well-being; we may find it helpful motivationally to believe that we are making a real difference, but this is not required and in fact our optimism level varies from person to person and from hour to hour. It's the doing, not the believing, which creates at least whatever small chance there is of actually making that difference. So don't worry, you don't have to give up your pessimism, or whatever other belief you have honestly come by! And I do recommend that you check out one of our churches, if there's one near you - even if you don't care to come to Sunday services, you may find other activities there that you would like to participate in!

 

[ἔρως-φιλία-ἀγάπη]

I think most of my fellow UUs will agree that the important thing is to keep doing those things which you say you believe in doing - loving others, and promoting well-being; we may find it helpful motivationally to believe that we are making a real difference, but this is not required and in fact our optimism level varies from person to person and from hour to hour. It's the doing, not the believing, which creates at least whatever small chance there is of actually making that difference. So don't worry, you don't have to give up your pessimism, or whatever other belief you have honestly come by! And I do recommend that you check out one of our churches, if there's one near you - even if you don't care to come to Sunday services, you may find other activities there that you would like to participate in!

Alright, that helps a lot. Although, I seriously doubt there is a church near me. My city is a very traditional, Christian city right in the middle of the Bible Belt... haha. Although, there is a Christian science church...

 

[wil]

I think most of my fellow UUs will agree that the important thing is to keep doing those things which you say you believe in doing - loving others, and promoting well-being; we may find it helpful motivationally to believe that we are making a real difference, but this is not required and in fact our optimism level varies from person to person and from hour to hour.

Namaste Allogenes and welcome to I.O

Nice to have a UU aboard for the discussions, hope you can pop in every now and again... Interesting that you found us as the question by three forms of love arose...how was that? Or does G!d just work in mysterious ways?

 

[Allogenes]

Namaste Allogenes and welcome to I.O

Nice to have a UU aboard for the discussions, hope you can pop in every now and again... Interesting that you found us as the question by three forms of love arose...how was that? Or does G!d just work in mysterious ways?

I have a Google News Alert set up to send me just about everything in cyberspace that has the word "Unitarian" in it. I don't normally jump into discussions without lurking for a while to get to know the forum, but this struck me as a rather... cordial sort of site, so I made an exception. And I do plan to pop in again and explore the place!

 

[Snoopy]

rather... cordial

Ain't that so. We have canapes and Pimms after work on a Friday.

Snoopy.

 

[Ben Masada]

I've considered officially converting to UU and calling myself a Christian-influenced UU, but not going to church (church just isn't really for me), but I had a rather large complication. I read some stuff on the website, and it seems, well... too optimistic for someone like me. I am a realist who realizes problems in the world and doesn't rely on religion as a crutch to escape those problems. I can love and try to change the world, but I don't think it will really do too much. The leaders are all corrupt and tyrannical, and the corporations are too greedy. All people care about are simple things: money, sex, power, fun. I find it very difficult to live in a world such as this, but I suffice somehow. Anyway, changing the world with love and promoting well-being and harmony for all seems to be central to UU. I fully believe I should love others, and promote well-being, but I don't think it will really do much in the end. People are too blinded by their petty desires.

Some call me cynical. Some call me pessimistic. I am probably a mix of both, but I am also a mix of both realism and idealism.

So, how do my beliefs on human nature and human interaction figure into Unitarian Universalism?

You don't need religion to activate such noble aspirations as you describe yourself with having. Your way would be more fruitiful through Philosophy. Religion would only get on the way of your goals with the corruption within.
Ben

 

[niimmm]

You don't need religion to activate such noble aspirations as you describe yourself with having. Your way would be more fruitiful through Philosophy. Religion would only get on the way of your goals with the corruption within.
Ben

How can you asume religion would get in the way self-realisation and fulfilment? Secular philosphy has not such a perfect record either.

Simon