Unitarians

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I was not evading "what the Unitarian Church believes and preaches?" as much as pressed for time, I posted just the seven principles of the Unitarian-Unversalist church. Having attended a historical Universalist Church service, they are nice trinitarians (God is too good to condemn a soul to eternal hell.) In contrast, I am one of the 'jack booted' Unitarians in our Church. So how did I become one?

I grew up in Disciples of Christ on Sundays, my mother's church, and for two years, attended Episcopalian private school, five days a week. Living in Oklahoma, there were a lot of denominations that tried to recruit but no success. Then one Sunday, I went to a local Unitarian service in Stillwater Oklahoma that was different.

In the music, I felt God's Spirit. Growing up, I played piano, violin, trombone, and until my voice changed, sang in the choir. But this was the first time I felt the presence of God in the music. Even today, "Sprit of Life" remains the most repeatable sensation of God's presence:


Aside from the usual "show" and call to pay the ticket (keeping the church afloat,) the ministers have universally been interesting. Instead of barely keeping my eyes open hearing variations of the same obscurium posted by another in this thread, Unitarian minister sermons have been nearly 95% interesting and intellectually challenging. Surprised, I went to the Oklahoma State University library to read up on Unitarianism. Today, Wiki provides an excellent starting point:

Unitarianism[1] is a nontrinitarian movement of Christianity, which affirms the unitary nature of God as the singular and unique creator of the universe[2]. Unitarian theology critiques the traditional Christian theology of the Trinity, which regarded God as three distinct but unified beings—transcendent Creator God, human Savior God (i.e., Jesus Christ), and immanent Spiritual God (i.e., the Holy Spirit). Unitarians viewed this understanding of God as a later theological corruption, and they embraced a view of God as a singular, unified entity; in most Unitarian theological interpretations, Jesus Christ retains highest respect as a spiritual and moral teacher of unparalleled insight and sensitivity, but he is not regarded as divine, or at least his divine nature is not on the same level as the singular and unique Creator God.[2]

So I remain a Unitarian because:
  • God's spirit is in the music
  • Sermons that treat us as intellectually curious and quick thinkers
There are other good and bad reasons for being a Unitarian. Sometimes we deal with "walking wounded" cast out by other denominations who often bring bad theological habits. We also have our occasional "Karens" but mostly we are safe, sane, people who want to make lives better for everyone.

Bob Wilson

ps. Another verse:


pps. Another:
 
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I read those principles and again makes more sense to your responses. Seems that UU is more social/political than religious. Having said that it borders on atheism if they don't believe that Jesus is the divine Son of God. Christianity believes that he died on the cross and was resurrected to save us from our sins and a path to Heaven if we believe in him.

So that begs another question. Do and the UU believe in the divine God?
 
believe that Jesus is the divine Son of God. Christianity believes that he died on the cross and was resurrected to save us from our sins and a path to Heaven if we believe in him.

So that begs another question. Do and the UU believe in the divine God?
That first paragraph of the wiki on Unitarianan explains both my and Unitarian faith:
  • God is - I sense God as the Spirit when we sing “Spirit of Life”
  • Jesus - teaches us how to live the Kingdom of God even as I type this note.
As for ‘Christias’ Churches’, Christian nationalists are as near as the radio dial. Never forget the Devine Pharos and Caesars. How about Hirohito?

My God is the Spirit in the music. My teachers are Jesus and Unitarian sermons teaching how to live in the Kingdom of God. But like EVs, not for everyone.

Bob Wilson
 
Again, my interpretation of what you said is that you don't believe God is Divine, but more a feeling of well being. And you did not say that you believe that Jesus can get you to Heaven, but rather is a historic figure some of whose teachings you accept and try to live by. Basically you are saying you are an atheist along with the UU church members if that is what they believe also.

You know, I never heard of the Unitarian Church until this forum. But when I googled it, I was surprised we have some here, too. I guess it fits what some people want to believe and how they live.

I was going to ask you also if you believe in the Devil, as described and referred to in the scriptures? But I can guess your response to that.
 
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