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.
 
Hopefully this will clarify:
… God is Divine … Jesus teachings you live by.

… the Unitarian Church, how they live.

… the Devil
My experience with God is probably something in our species to a greater or lessor extent. It explains why so many people worship God in one form or another.

Jeasus is our teacher who like others, show us how to bring the Kingdom of God into our lives.

Read the Wiki on Unitarianism and our history that goes back generations. I certainly did not invent it but adopted what makes sense. You might do the experiment and visit a Unitarian congregation and then share it with us.

As for the Devil, there are evil humans like our sociopath in Chief. At one time in the Marines I had prisoner escort duty:
85% - too young and poor judgement
10% - just opportunists practicing their craft
5% - bat guano crazy who did evil just to see the expression on your face

No body gets out of this life alive. Some go early, others go later, and some deserve killin’.

Bob Wilson
 
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I don't know, Bob. You say that you follow Jesus's teachings, but hate and advocating killing is not what Jesus teaches. I have seen your hatred of Trump and Repubs many times, and that is common with far left Dems. They have actually celebrated Charlie Kirk's death, and for sure would do the same if Trump was assassinated. TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) is a real thing and those inflicted with that mental illness, just can't help themselves. TDS is very much in conflict with Jesus's teachings. It would behoove you to seek psychological help.

TDS has been identified as a mental illness, unfortunately inflicting a large number of far left people. Here is a clinical description.
 
hate and advocating killing is not what Jesus teaches. I have seen your hatred of Trump and Repubs many times,
Did someone ask about the “Devil?” I’m not one to admire wicked people.

The sociopath in Chief has a long history of lying, cheating contractors and suppliers, marital infidelity, and association with a pedophile pimp. Perhaps he is what MAGA folks love and admire?

Hate, not so much as need for distance. In contrast, I never met the man but my late wife’s first husband: broke her nose several times; committed marital rape when she was unconscious; kidnapped her kids, and; eventually alienated them from him. That is the type of detestable behavior I could hate. Would you?

As for Republicans, I will by November have paid $12,500, 30% of my retirement income in 2026 to cover my 56 year old, grandmother who is my house keeper and health care monitor. I am 76 and Monday, she got me to my 6:15 AM right eye surgery and home while taking her 6 month old grandbaby. She has a fecal Blue Cross insurance with absurd copays and extra charges. Last year she could afford to pay her own medical insurance. Should you love the Republicans for that price hike I must now pay?

Jesus teaches we should shelter those who are naked, feed the hungry, and take care of the sick. Did the Republicans do that?

I do as Jesus taught me. Yet even Jesus took a whip to the money changers in the Temple.

I don’t care if you are only interested in the “Catch 22” heaven after death instead of the Kingdom of God Jesus taught us for this life. I think a Unitarian visit would be an interesting experiment for you.

Write it up like a trip report. Once shared here, propose a denomination and I will do a similar trip report. I’ve done Universalist, LDS, Catholic, Seder, and others in the past. A field trip poses no terror in me.

Bob Wilson
 
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Your opinions about Trump and Repubs are again brought to fore by your TDS. You don't accept that the majority of voters brought him to power (in a landslide), and he is trying to do what he promised. He actually accomplished a lot of that in his first year. He still has a lot to do with solving the problems Biden and the Dems caused, like inflation, crime, illegal immigrations and high healthcare costs (Obamacare), Iran war (Dems refusal to stop Iran aggression and nuclear threats). But obviously with your affliction, you are blind to that and the real truth.

Dems and left wingers everywhere are prone to violence when they can't win with fair elections. We had the same in Canada, when Stephen Harper was Prime Minister, one of the greatest in recent history. The left wingers relentlessly protested and rioted, instead of respecting democracy.
 
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