Catholicism to Unitarian Universalist

[Anonymous]

A long time UU here and would like to address a few points:

- Regarding whether UUs have "no beliefs"- Unitarian Universalism emphasizes religion as an ongoing process rather than a fixed dogma that one must believe. Within that, individual UUs certainly have strongly held beliefs. As a common ground for spiritual inquiry, UUs follow the 7 principals (https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/principles).

-Regarding OWL- I'm an OWL teacher. Others have explained the curriculum well. I just wanted to add that typically, it is not part of the Sunday School program that anyone can just pop in to. Usually students sign up for the full course which is offered at a specific time- often separate from Sunday school hours. Students are expected to attend all classes and visitors are not allowed. This is for the very reason PP noted: the class works best when participants trust each other. Participation is encouraged but definitely not required.

-Regarding tithing. There are UUA guidelines, but no one has to follow them. The church is funded by the members so financial contributions are important. Everyone who joins the church will be asked to make some ongoing financial contribution but it can be very minimal if an individual feels that's all they can contribute. Contributions of time (singing in the choir, teaching RE, serving on a committee, setting up for services) are also greatly appreciated and a great way to feel a part of the community.

[Anonymous]

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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?

I experienced it when I joined a UU church.

You're right! I never knew! UUs tithe. So you pay 10% of gross for a faith that believes in . . . absolutely nothing. Wow, what a racket.
Time to start my own church. https://www.uua.org/finance/fundraising/generosity/185418.shtml

Uh, no. Never. In fact, UUs are probably one of the more significantly underfunded on the Christian faiths precisely because they don't expect a certain amount of $$ for anything. They ask that people support the congregation in an amount, and people do so according to their comfort level. There is no buying seats for major holidays, no tithing, no nothing. Not even an $$ for religious education.

(UU is not a Christian faith, one of it’s sources is Christianity, but it is not the only source. )

Not true. They expect 10% of adjusted gross income

Please provide a link. I am a cradle UU and have attended UU congregations all over the us during my life. I am 54. none of the congregations I have attended had this as a recommendation or expectation- except at the tippy tippy top of the suggested giving amount. If this were true, we would not have had the financial difficulties we have had over the years. Usually, we aim for 2.5%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A long time UU here and would like to address a few points:

- Regarding whether UUs have "no beliefs"- Unitarian Universalism emphasizes religion as an ongoing process rather than a fixed dogma that one must believe. Within that, individual UUs certainly have strongly held beliefs. As a common ground for spiritual inquiry, UUs follow the 7 principals (https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/principles).

-Regarding OWL- I'm an OWL teacher. Others have explained the curriculum well. I just wanted to add that typically, it is not part of the Sunday School program that anyone can just pop in to. Usually students sign up for the full course which is offered at a specific time- often separate from Sunday school hours. Students are expected to attend all classes and visitors are not allowed. This is for the very reason PP noted: the class works best when participants trust each other. Participation is encouraged but definitely not required.

-Regarding tithing. There are UUA guidelines, but no one has to follow them. The church is funded by the members so financial contributions are important. Everyone who joins the church will be asked to make some ongoing financial contribution but it can be very minimal if an individual feels that's all they can contribute. Contributions of time (singing in the choir, teaching RE, serving on a committee, setting up for services) are also greatly appreciated and a great way to feel a part of the community.

Thank you! Another life long UU here and I was hoping to find this already posted. The above is accurate in my 40+ years as a UU. I have attended as a child and adult and been active in multiple UU congregations in different states.