5. Religious experience is most fulfilling in the context of a tradition. Our religious tradition is the Unitarian tradition, which emphasizes the importance of reason in religion, tolerance and the unity of God.
This has come up often in our meetings, and it the one for which there seems to be no real answer.
What is tradition? I would agree with Tevia from "Fiddler".
So I have a hard time really finding Tradition in American Unitarianism.
Yes, we have History, no doubt. But Tradition?
Does anyone have anything substantial to offer in terms of Unitarian Traditions? I certainly cant think of any.
Kenn
North American Unitarian traditions: congregational polity, the unipersonality of God, tolerance, ordination by congregation (rather than by a denominational entity), a positive view of humanity (rather than the default negative position of original sin), the use of reason in religious practice, respect for science, a rejection of creeds as a test of membership...I'll stop now
Yes, but I don't view these as "traditions". Rather "qualities" of our faith.
I mean things that Unitarians DO, either together or privately, that are unique to our faith.
Baptists baptize, Jews Mitzvah, Snake-handlers handle snakes, Catholics hold communion, Jehovas-witneses well, witness, etc.
What do WE DO?
Are any of the New England establishing congregations known for some definitive mode or token of worship or fellowship?
Thats what I was getting at.
I dare say our lack of things to DO has allot to do with the dilution of Unitarian faith into the UU.
Our congregation has done allot of thumb-twittling. When we tried to embrace the "traditions" of mainstream Christianity, it nearly broke us down. But with nothing to "Do" we face an equally dangerous dilemma.
Thats why URF has lots of "Programs" which give us things to "do" together, but none, I feel, are distinctly Unitarian.
BTW. We are continually broadening our focus toward "Biblical" religion, rather than exclusively Christian. Unitarian all the same.
Kenn
Was there "Squabbling" here?
...and tradition can evolve-somebody had to do it first!
As for squabbling, it certainly wasn't my intent and I hope no one felt animosity from me. But I agree with Rev. Dorris' point that people want, in the end, what works. Indeed we should focus on that...
relgious unitarian you are talking about!
for one moment i wondered what made it 'christian'....my bad.
what 'tradition'?
I'm afraid I don't understand your questions Torahobservant-what exactly are you asking?
Hey all, I'm not a member of the AUC, although it's possible I may agree with their principles. Anyway, I'm a bit confused with the AUC's stance on the role of Christianity.
The website in particular seems to pay a large amount of attention to Unitarian Christianity, and much of the reference/focus I've seen within the forums and the website is to this particular form of Unitarianism.
The first principle of the AUC, however, states "God's presence is made known in a myriad of ways. Religion should promote a free and responsible search for truth, meaning, communion and love.", which to me would suggest that the AUC is open to Unitarians of all beliefs/persuasions.
I was hoping - as a curious explorer of the faith - that someone could please clarify the official position of the AUC on this issue? Is there a primary focus on Christianity? Thank you very much.
The AUC has, from its start, taken a "broad church" stance and welcomes all people who hold to monotheistic Unitarianism, which includes Unitarian Christianity as well as non-Christian Unitarians (such as myself). I am a classical Deist in theology: i.e. I am a monotheist who believes God is not a tyrannical, magical, irrational being, but rather a wise, benevolent Creator who has given us reason, compassion and other gifts and expects us to live ethical lives. God is available directly to everyone (we don't need priests, messiahs, etc.) and we don't need divine revelation to know God. I recommend reading "The Aim of the AUC" (
http://www.americanunitarian.org/Aim.htm) and also my article "The Connection of Deism to American Unitarianism" (
http://www.americanunitarian.org/demaydeism.htm).
Best wishes.
Typically we haven't made that distinction, although I would guess most of us view God as a personal being. But the idea that God is known in many ways, I believe, certainly leaves room for your view.
Personally I don't see as much of a difference between then two-though I think God has very personal characteristics (especially Intelligence and Emotion) He/She/It is not a person at all, and we easily forgot it is we who forget that we are created in his image, not the other way around...