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BUUF

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

 
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ON BELONGING TO A UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP

 

We Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to use our own minds, hearts, and experiences to arrive at answers to the major questions that arise from being human.  Naturally, this leads to a wide variety of viewpoints. 

Here are some from people in Australia: 

 

 

“We are not required to believe something that contradicts the laws of nature.”

“Many people in atheist and humanist organisations are always talking about people's rights, but never their responsibilities.  I cannot accept the existence of a power greater than humans, therefore I am an atheist, but I am not comfortable with the "angry" atheists' self centred approach.  I share the values affirmed by Unitarians, am accepted by them, and am comfortable with their approach to life.  I am a Unitarian who is a "religious" atheist. ”

 “We are not concerned about salvation.  We regard this life as the most important and should live it to the full; it is the only one we are sure of having.  We should behave well because of the effects of our behaviour in THIS world. ”

“Unitarians affirm that deeds are more important than creeds.  Our religion is an attitude of mind which affects the way we relate to other people and the world; it is not just a formality. ”

“We do not take a single authoritative view of the role of humans here on Earth.  We can accept that we are here as the result of a long evolutionary process and that we are not the ultimate end of that process.  That does not mean we have no purpose, because we can give ourselves a purpose; to make this world a little better while we are here. ”

“Unitarianism is an inclusive religion. Therefore we can draw on many sources of wisdom and insight.  Change of belief is not merely permitted, it is expected.  New information and experiences make our own lives paths of spiritual evolution and growth. Our faith is a part of us which develops as we journey through life rather than being something which is imposed on us by an outside authority. ”

“We can choose to believe that there is some kind of creative force that is greater than humans, but do not have to regard it as being supernatural.  This non-physical force would be part of the universe rather than external to it, hence would not override the physical laws. ”

“I do not believe in the orthodox Christian dogmas such as the Virgin Birth.”

“Unitarians have a positive view of humanity.  We believe that no one is born bad, and that the inherent goodness in us will flower if it is nurtured in a caring environment in which we learn to take responsibility for our actions.  We can aim to become better people without having to regard ourselves as bad now. ”

“I was impressed by the history of Unitarianism and the great people who have been part of the movement.  I have the feeling of being proud to be in their company. ”

“I did not feel comfortable in my previous congregation because I could no longer believe the things we were supposed to believe.  I wish I had discovered Unitarians existed earlier in my life.”

“Everyone has been very good to me and you are now like a part of my family.”

“In the natural world there is a network of physical laws plus, it seems to me, an even greater spiritual force.  It is the part of that force that is in us that gives each of us intrinsic worth.  All of us should therefore be allowed freedom of thought and the chance to reach our full potential. ”

 “We wish to find channels to help us express faith and hope and love.”

“I have never been able to believe that Jesus Christ was "the only begotten" son of the Father".  I have always believed that all of us are children of God, and always have been.  Perhaps Jesus had a more clearly defined concept of God - if you like - and was gifted in this way.  But we are all equally ‘of God’.”

“When I first came to the Unitarian Church as a visitor I was surprised to learn that it is not necessary to believe all those difficult dogmas such as the Doctrine of Transubstantiation, Virgin Birth, etc.  Bit by bit I discarded all the clutter of Christian belief and felt a great sense of relief.  Then I was able to begin to think for myself. ”

“Why belong to any church at all?  Can't I be a "Unitarian" without belonging?  Not really.  Most of us aren't resolute or gifted enough to achieve our full potential living as hermits.  Good company helps. ”

“For me, a major aversion is the mind set of people who are certain that they have the right and only, and often fixed, answer to life's complicated questions.  The authority for their certainty may stem from the written word, revelation, their own or someone else's belief, etc.  I cannot accept answers based on such underpinnings, which after all, actually only derive ultimately from some other human beings' assertions.  It is a blessing to be able to move amongst Unitarians who share my outlook on this, and generally hold that our answers must worked out by ourselves, and be constantly tempered and consistent with the advancing state of knowledge.”

“Because we have young children, we started wondering "Will school help them develop ethically and spiritually?".  A "maybe" answer to both questions wasn't good enough.  We started searching for a community of people among whom a religious spirit - but not dogma - flourished but where our children would never feel guilty or outcast for not believing what others believe.  We want them to learn about, and to respect, others' beliefs, but to be free to discover truth for themselves.  The Unitarian Church meets our needs.”
   






 
 

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