Catholicism to Unitarian Universalist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My formerly Catholic DH attends UU services and has asked me to attend sometimes (I am Jewish). My problem with UU is there is no God there - only whatever higher power you believe in.

See I will have a problem with the free for all type of environment. I would rather convert to Judaism and have some type of purpose, history, tradition, and structure. Is the UU like secular humanist?

Some UUs are Humanists, some are Deist, some are Christian, some are Jewish, some are Hindu, some are Buddhist, some are Wiccan,..... We are brought together by our ascribing to our 7 Principles, which do not require a belief in g-d nor preclude belief. The service is usually structured like a Protestant Christian service (music throughout, greetings,readings, collection ,homily/reflection, benediction).

I see it referred to as "free for all", but it is because we are free to forge our own path in a responsible search for truth and meaning. We also support others in their searches. While we are free to figure it out for ourselves, it is more solemn and deliberate- it isn't willy nilly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My formerly Catholic DH attends UU services and has asked me to attend sometimes (I am Jewish). My problem with UU is there is no God there - only whatever higher power you believe in.

See I will have a problem with the free for all type of environment. I would rather convert to Judaism and have some type of purpose, history, tradition, and structure. Is the UU like secular humanist?

Some UUs are Humanists, some are Deist, some are Christian, some are Jewish, some are Hindu, some are Buddhist, some are Wiccan,..... We are brought together by our ascribing to our 7 Principles, which do not require a belief in g-d nor preclude belief. The service is usually structured like a Protestant Christian service (music throughout, greetings,readings, collection ,homily/reflection, benediction).

I see it referred to as "free for all", but it is because we are free to forge our own path in a responsible search for truth and meaning. We also support others in their searches. While we are free to figure it out for ourselves, it is more solemn and deliberate- it isn't willy nilly.

Individual UU members may identify with whatever religion (or no religion) that they like, but they will not practice it at a UU service. As described above, they will go through the UU routine service. The focus one week may be on teaching about a particular religion, but it won't be about trying to convince people that they should convert to that religion. They may observe the holidays of various religions without making any pretense of believing in them. I once went to a sort of dual Christmas/solstice service at a unitarian church in December.

[Anonymous]

I'm one of the UU PPs and I can't wait for our kids to be old enough for OWL. It's a great program, and the young adults I've met who recently completed it are articulate and confident. I do sometimes get frustrated with the services (certain ministers are more focused than others) but the RE program keeps us going there. I think if the RCC scandal is on your mind, it's worth at least looking at a program that teaches kids to understand and protect their bodies.

That said, I've also had great experiences at liberal Christian churches and my childhood PCUSA church had a wonderful and supportive youth program.

[Anonymous]

I would investigate the more progressive traditional churches (like Lutheran, Episcopalian, or Presbyterian) before trying UU. Or, compare all of them. There is no problem going to visit once or twice and see how you like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went as a kid some. For me it’s too amorphous to offer spiritual direction. The atmosphere was like a conference room at a big, liberal, contentiously run nonprofit. It was interesting but didn’t have the mystery I like in my religion. [/b]As a kid I was also uncomfortable with the sex ed curriculum used in the high school religious ed program. In theory as an adult I think it is ok, but as a sporadic attendee I didn’t feel comfortable enough with the other kids or leaders to want to talk about such personal things[b]. My take was that UU would be a great fit for an older couple looking for community primarily, but it’s pretty far from main line churches.

I'm a former Catholic who was looking into UU myself. However, what you mentioned makes me pause. What personal things where you require to share? Also, is the sex ed curriculum similar to what you may learn in health class in a public school or is it way out in left field?

I think the OWLs classes are one of the best thing about RE in a UU Church. My children went through it and liked it too. They go through the good, the bad and the ugly. They address what is a healthy relationship and what is not. They learn how to react if they are caught in a situation that is uncomfortable. They learn how to have those uneasy conversations. It is an abstinence now approach (at least the 8th grade year long class is) and that works for many children. Knowledge is power. OWLs stand for Our Whole Lives. There is an aged adjusted curriculum that is for 1st graders (where do babies come from), 5th graders (changing bodies), 8th graders, Highschool/college and adults. The 8th grade is a year long class, the others are usually 4-6 weeks. IME, The 8th grade class gets really close and that helps form the high school youth group for those who stay.

OWLs was developed by the UU and the UCC denominations together and has been around since the 1960’s.

OP here, and this part - the comprehensive sex and relationship discussion among teens - actually sounds very good to me. Thanks for explaining more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My formerly Catholic DH attends UU services and has asked me to attend sometimes (I am Jewish). My problem with UU is there is no God there - only whatever higher power you believe in.

This is OP. I can see how that would be unfulfilling for some. For me, that higher power can be God, while the person sitting next to me might put a different name to it (if putting a name at all), and it wouldn't change the personal relationship I was trying to have with God. That's sort of how I look at it.

[Anonymous]

I found UU too mushy for me. I like the liturgy and the structure and the Eucharist, and found the Episcopal church to be a good fit. I like that there is real doctrine and beliefs, but it's also welcoming of people in very different places on their faith journey.

[Anonymous]

NP: my husband is quite UU and I am Catholic. Our son was raised in both churches and took OWL at age 14. I think he has a very healthy perspective towards sexuality now a few years later. However, he says that as much as he identifies with UU principles, he believes in God. He says that he feels more comfortable around Catholics because of their sense of community which translates to service.

It is tough to be Catholic right now, but maybe because I lived through the great transitions of Vatican II and the Civil Rights movement, my commitment is less to the institution's worst traits than to the many good and great things that it does with and for others. Those transitions forced me to anchor my faith in a different way.

You got some good responses here. Every UU church is different depending on the congregation and the minister. So shop around.

With that said and after reading your responses, may I suggest that you go check out a Lutheran church - where you will find similar liturgy in some respects, less dogma, and children's programming?

The other place to check out is a United Church of Christ Congregation. Very liberal Christians.

[Anonymous]

Geez, just go to any church. They all make you reflect and feel better in an hour or so. As far as the great beyond --- well I'll go to whoever's great beyond will take me.

Having said that clearly I'd rather go to the good place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geez, just go to any church other than the Catholic one. They all make you reflect and feel better in an hour or so. As far as the great beyond --- well I'll go to whoever's great beyond will take me.

Having said that clearly I'd rather go to the good place.

Fixed it.

[Anonymous]

Check out UCC as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TL;DR

If you want a boring, empty creed, UU is for you.

What do you get when you cross a Unitarian with a Jehovah's Witness? Someone who goes door to door with nothing to say.

Rude.

What exact experience do you have with a UU church? Have you attended one?

NP, but I have to agree. UU believes in nothing. If you are a departing Catholic you should look at Lutheranism, Anglicanism or Episcopalian. UU believes in nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TL;DR

If you want a boring, empty creed, UU is for you.

What do you get when you cross a Unitarian with a Jehovah's Witness? Someone who goes door to door with nothing to say.

But will present you a contract you must sign with a definite amount your family must contribute to belong, apparently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TL;DR

If you want a boring, empty creed, UU is for you.

What do you get when you cross a Unitarian with a Jehovah's Witness? Someone who goes door to door with nothing to say.

But will present you a contract you must sign with a definite amount your family must contribute to belong, apparently.

You clearly have never met my husband or anyone with a long history with UUism. You also don't understand the role UUism and its adherents have played in U.S. history. And almost all churches ask for a financial pledge of support. Please take your snark elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TL;DR

If you want a boring, empty creed, UU is for you.

What do you get when you cross a Unitarian with a Jehovah's Witness? Someone who goes door to door with nothing to say.

But will present you a contract you must sign with a definite amount your family must contribute to belong, apparently.

No. Where did you hear this?