Saturday, November 01, 2003
  Aaaah!! Religion!!! I just took a kind of 'what religion are you?' test. The results are below. Looking over them, I am of two minds. I'm thinking - Yes, yes this is exactly what I believe! And then it hits me. How is this a religion? In my mind at least, religion is about following the tenets of faith that you adopt and accept as an adult. Personally, I think Christianity is not the Way, but I have a deep and abiding respect for those who follow their faith, whatever it may be. Christians believe that priests cannot marry and that priests cannot be men. Now, had this been something they came up with last week I'd probably have quite a bit to say about it, but these are prime tenets of their faith. These things are part and parcel of their faith. I would no more say to them 'hey you, let women be priests' then I would tell them to change their Bible or the way their churches are designed. We expect the Church to 'modernize', as if is as simple or as unimportant as going from horse-drawn buggy to car. These people do as their religion commands them. They give up things; they abstain from certain things; they walk the path their god asks them to walk. No matter how hard that path may be, no matter how 'silly' or 'old-fashioned' it may seem to us. That, to me, is a definition of bravery and faith. It's a very good thing. So bleh. Yes this is what I 'believe'. I don't have half the will-power of the religious. Oh well. Unitarian Universalism A liberal and diverse religious organization comprised of mostly atheists (or non-theists), agnostics, Humanists, liberal Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Neopagans, etc. Belief in Deity: Very diverse beliefs - Unitarian Universalists welcome all deity beliefs as well as nontheistic beliefs. Some congregations are formed for those who share a common belief, e.g. Christianity. Incarnations: Very diverse beliefs, including belief in no incarnations, or that all are the embodiment of God. Some believe Christ is God's Son, or not Son but "Wayshower." Origins of universe/life: Diverse beliefs, but most believe in the Bible as symbolic and that natural processes account for origins. After death: Diverse beliefs, but most believe that heaven and hell are not places, but are symbolic. Some believe heaven and hell are states of consciousness either in life or continuing after death; some believe in reincarnation; some believe that afterlife is nonexistent or not known or not important, as actions in life are all that matter. Why evil? Diverse beliefs. Some believe wrong is committed when people distance themselves from God. Some believe in “karma,” that what goes around comes around. Some believe wrongdoing is a matter of human nature, psychology, sociology, etc. Salvation: Some believe in salvation through faith in God and Jesus Christ, along with doing good works and doing no harm to others. Many believe all will be saved, as God is good and forgiving. Some believe in reincarnation and the necessity to eliminate personal greed or to learn all of life’s lessons before achieving enlightenment or salvation. For some, the concepts of salvation or enlightenment are irrelevant or disbelieved. Undeserved suffering: Diverse beliefs. It would be a rare Unitarian Universalists that believes that a literal Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God’s plan, will, or design even if we don’t immediately understand it. Some don’t believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, and most take a humanistic approach to helping those in need. Contemporary Issues: The Unitarian Universalist Association’s stance is to protect the personal right to choose abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and non-violence, and environmental protection. Anne let this go at 11/01/2003 09:55:00 PM

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