American Unitarian Conference Forum

This link leads to a Unitarian Sermon from 1956 about the direction Unitarianism should take. I am in full agreement with this sermon although it was given more than 50 years ago. Many other Unitarians see this as a path to the future resurgence of Unitarianism. What do you think?

http://www-distance.syr.edu/zoerheidesermon1956.html



With love,

Rev Dorris

It seems the optimism...coming after WWII and Korea....was somewhat misplaced.  Unfortunately, the world was not and is not ready to embrace a universal religion.

The main problem for Unitarianism is the aspect we value the most....by distancing ourselves from the orthodox positions, we have not been able to replace them with a core set of beliefs that address the spiritual needs of most people.  Certainly, individual Unitarians have developed a personal theology that works for them...but nothing that is a common statement of belief....answers to the Big Questions.  We may say the orthodox positions are out of date, not literal etc...but we have not replaced them.  

The various flavors of Unitarianism and Universalism will have to develop a theology that offers some answers yet remains open to new truth...not easy.

Isn't it time we took positive steps to offer some of the answers to questions being asked?

It is easy to say the world is not ready and then do nothing..

Everywhere people are looking for alternatives because things can not continue the way they are going..

Maybe if all the individuals came together and worked as a team positive changes would be made.

I've been a member of the AUC for about 8 years. I was hesistent to join, because my experience with UUism was, although in many ways positive, was lacking in spiritual substance. Everyone was theologically, in the most fundamental sense, going in different directions.

However, on reading the 7 Religious Principles, I found myself with a clear vision of what AUC-style Unitarianism was. Combined with the writings of David Burton, Dean Fisher, other members, and the deep well of "traditional" writing (for me especially Alfred Hall & A. Powell Davies) they make it clear, for me, what Unitarianism is.

We believe God is one, real, loving, rational, compassionate, and ever-present. We believe that religion can is best expressed as loving humanity and loving God. We believe that the we demonstrate our love of God when we do God's work in this world, which includes tolerance and respect for others, and compassion for those in need. We believe that God's inspiration can be found in Christian writings, and in the writings of other religions, poetry, art, architecture, science, etc. If it is uplifting and inspiring, then we accept it as coming from God. We don't know what happens after death, although most of us believe we will in some way return to God. We focus on living this life as best we can, again as a means of worshiping God.

It's time for us to be visible...

As much as I agree with the above...it seems to me that the vast majority of people want to be spoon fed what to believe...it is easier, they can grasp it, they can identify with a historical figure who did supernatural things, there is a Book that has holy writ, tradition etc. etc.

I simply don't see that changing anytime soon.  That is not to say "we" cannot grow...but we will continue to appeal to the smaller number who are able to accept some uncertainty in their religion.

I think a Christian Unitarianism stands the greatest chance of growth.....but so far it has not taken off.

Certainly our faith won't appeal to everyone; but I don't think that most people are necessarily looking to be spoon fed, they are looking for a meaningful spiritual experience. We can and do offer that.

This N.Y. Times article from 1996 is somewhat related:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.ht...wanted=all

Unitarians Striking Chord of Spirituality
By GUSTAV NIEBUHR
Published: December 8, 1996
______________________________________
I checked my former UU church website out of curiosity to see if anything had changed....I note the following:

WINTER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday, February 3, 10:45 a.m. – “It’s February and I’m Already Falling Behind (Part 1)” Dan returns to ask “How can I catch up with life?” Spiritual development, ethical development, Unitarian Universalist identity, and faith development will be covered. The Adult Choir performs.

Sunday, February 10, 10:45 a.m. – “It’s February and I’m Already Falling Behind (Part 2)” Dan continues the two-part series asking “How can I catch up with life?” Spiritual development, ethical development, Unitarian Universalist identity, and faith development will be covered.

Sunday, February 17, 10:45 a.m. – “Unitarian Universalist Spirituality Practice” Dan asks “What is our spiritual practice?” The first of ten sermons leading into the Spirituality II classes on Monday nights. The Adult Choir performs.

Sunday, February 24, 10:45 a.m. – “How Can I Pray?” What is prayer and what are some of the many different ways that I can pray? The second of the Spirituality II series of talks.

A few years ago...the above topics would not have been well received....too may humanists would have objected....but I think even some UUA churches are finally trying to respond to the spiritual aspirations of their changing congregations.  However, I am not very confident in the actual content or commitment to the ideas.  

IF there were AUC affiliated churches, what are the specific or general methods that they could offer for satisfying spiritual needs?  Prayer and contemplation could be paths...but UUs don't emphasize it and AUC churches would need to develop them...we have a well of classical material (http://somesources.blogspot.com/2007/10/...rmons.html)...but new material would be necessary.  Inspirational writings, poetry, art etc. are forms of spiritual expression.

Our efforts, due to our geographically scattered membership, are going to be limited because we cannot have the immediate human contact that enhances such practices.

Maybe I am just in a religious funk....without a local outlet it becomes in many ways a non-issue.  When I look over the local church bulletins...I see the same old same old out of the mainline, evangelical and Catholic churches.  Unity is off on their "prosperity" stuff, Religious Science went hook line and sinker for The Secret.  Episcopal churches are splintering, Catholic churches have sex scandels on and on.  Maybe I am waiting for the "cosmic wheel" to turn a little more....

This progressive church...that I have mentioned before...has an online presence and coursework that may be a model for AUC activity: http://www.christ-community.net/
I initiated the Open Door process with them and the AUC - and all seemed well...but nothing seems to have come of it.  Anyway...the offer online course work...I have not tried any but it is a possibility.  I get turned off when I detect too much of a certain variety of political viewpoint infecting such churches.

I can relate to the religious funk feeling; as for your question about content, I have collected some great stuff from U*U sources, Jewish sources, Anglican ("Celtic Spirituality" as practiced in Scotland amongst some Anglicans) sources, R. Tagore, Kabir, a book with a ton of material from St. Francis, Rumi, St. Theresa, et al. I think all of this is fantastic material to use in worship and spiritual life. But we have to overcome the geography issue first

We've talked about "online congregations" before, and I'm going to do some more work on it. If possible, maybe we can plan a worship service online, and use some of the materials I've gathered for worship/prayer/etc.

It is great to see the activity generated by this thread.  

I do know that any thinking person does not want to be spoon fed a religious doctrine.  Most of the people that I come into contact with want some basic parameters and guidance in areas that they do not fully understand.  With thought and contemplation, they will accept or reject what is presented.  Each individual and group has their favorite scriptures, books, and ways to worship.  They are seeking to find a way of fitting that information with what others believe in a harmonious or compatible way.  Sometimes this is difficult but most of the time it is not.  They do seek what rings true to both their heart and mind.

Most important of all is that they are seeking to understand and learn. They are seeking to share their points of view and see if it works for others. These people go by many different labels and religious affiliations, or even reject religious affiliations but agree that there is One supreme being or force that governs all. They believe in love as the supreme unifier and in working together in a harmonious way for the human family.

With love,

Rev Dorris