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🌌 Spin Into Unitarian Universalism
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- čas přidán 31. 08. 2022
- During the first #52in52 - one of the strangest sights was attending a Unitarian Universalist church. It was church... but I never recalled any mention of Christ or a saw a cross. Instead, the most surprising find was a poster of the 100 most influential Unitarians and Universalists, which included an image of Charles Darwin.
Another insight was attending churches that were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, who many consider to be greatest American architect of all-time. Lo and behold, Wright was also a Unitarian and designed this building for his local church in Madison, Wisconsin.
Few insights from this visit:
1) UU is a liberal religious movement mainly concentrated in the U.S. Lots of calls for social justice, inclusivity, and the like.
2) Paid to go on a tour to learn about Wright and this church. Inside the hearth is a circle of names that influenced him, most notably the "transcendents" Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
3) Wright originally designed the end of the roof to be so low, you had to bow to enter. It was on purpose, since Wright concluded everyone should bow going into church. Well, safety codes didn't like the idea of so many people bumping their heads, so they had to lower the ground to make it work.
4) The original church is still used from time-to-time for key events, but now main services are at the atrium on the other end of the horseshoe-like building expansion.
5) Lots of flags, signs, and children's art for LGBTQIA+, Ukraine, Black Lives Matter, etc.
6) Everyone was required to wear a mask.
7) Tandem preaching. Two preachers going by Team Kelly (both reverends first names were Kelly) would give short sermons lasting 5-10 minutes, then allow the other reverend to do another short sermon. Different.
8) Really didn't know what to think of this afterwards. Felt like church for agnostics. Very fluid, with God being referred to as "The Holy One of Many Names." Found myself with my fingers under my jaw contemplating what I witnessed, almost like looking at an abstract art piece.
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“I want to defeat previous biases I developed from childhood”. Amen
As a UU, I want to say thank you for this wonderful video. What I would like to add is a definite answer to one of your questions. You asked what was the one centralized thing that we as UU identify with that makes us all UU. The answer is actually 3 things. 1) All UU's subscribe to the 7 Principles of UUism. The congregation would have recited them at the start of the service. Unfortunately, as you stated, you missed that part. 2) Which is a big one that you also missed, is the flaming Chalice. We started this tradition during the Holocaust as we were persecuted by the Nazi's. It is a beacon of hope. (Christian UU's view it as the flame of the holy spirit coming out of a communion cup) and 3) Our 3 Holidays of: Flower Communion in the Spring which again, started during the Holocaust, Water Communion in the fall to mark our homecoming and ingathering for the academic year and Chalica on Dec. 1st which celebrates our perseverance through the darkest of our time. Also, not to throw shade, but the reason we stopped calling ourselves Christians was because 125,000 of us were killed by people who called themselves Christian, so we walked away and decided to just be among ourselves. I hope this helps. Blessed Be.
why would a christian church create ritual out of the holocaust?
As another UU I wanted to say I agree with what you said, just wanted to add that if being a Christian requires a belief in the Trinity then arguably our movement was never considered to be Christian from the beginning for rejecting that doctrine (and also for rejecting other doctrines like Original Sin and eternal hellfire).
After leaving the hardline Latin Mass Catholicism I followed for years because I no longer believed in most of the doctrine I tried the Episcopal Church for some time but I didn't really fit in there because in my experience even liberal Christians will draw the line somewhere (most often Jesus' divinity and the Resurrection) and that's when I realized I was no longer a Christian by any traditional definition. I like to say UU has been a refuge for people and "heretics" that may not fit or be wanted anywhere else and that's what it has been for me (especially after becoming an atheist and adopting a Humanist worldview).
I really think our movement is basically its own thing at this point and we should drop the "church" label for most of our congregations to avoid confusion, mine uses the "community" label instead.
You are brave :) What adventures you have. I love your descriptions of each of the churches you visit.
Unitarian Universalism = "free and responsible search for truth and meaning" Liberal church
The Principles and Purposes are statements of shared values that Unitarian Universalist congregations agree to uphold:
1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
8. Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
9. There is God. God is love
A couple of thoughts on the origins of Unitarian Universalism (but keep in mind that I'm not an expert): Both the Unitarian churches and Universalists were originally Christian but were not considered orthodox. Unitarians, as the name implies, did not accept the doctrine of the Trinity; and Universalists, contrary to Calvinists and many others, believed salvation was available to all and perhaps even that all would eventually be saved. The denomination (now uniting the two groups) has evolved a good deal since the 1800s and, though some attention is given to Christ, does not typically make him the focus of belief or worship.
As for Ralph Waldo Emerson, he was a Unitarian minister for a time but left the ministry (and effectively left the church) because of disagreements over communion and other issues. (He found that the standard "mode of commemorating Christ"--by consuming bread and wine that represent Christ's body and blood--"is not suitable to me.")
Thanks for sharing you experience in some random visit to churches. That was a unique church way of worship. Your content is amazing and unique.
I didn't know about this before, but now I can find out a little through the information you provide. Thanks for that.
Emerson and Thoreau are both revered by Unitarian Universalists. you'll actually find a lot of their churches are named after them.
I didn't believe you until I just Google'd it haha. Interesting.
@@52churchesin52weeks they're really more transcendentalists than christian. I grew up bouncing back and forth between the UU church and the Baptist church in my formative years which led me to really seek out what I actually believed on my own. I will say, I've traveled all over the world and ended up in Istanbul airport right after a bombing, Ukraine at the beginning of a war, Romania on the 13th floor of a really crappy apartment building during an earthquake. The interconnected web of existence didn't really feel like it gave me as much comfort in those moments as Jesus did. I got love bombed into the Jehovah's witnesses for a hot second but the way they talk about Jesus just didn't sit right with me. I went into all of those experiences with an open mind, but the holy spirit resides in my heart. I don't think there's any church that has it all right but I'm really quick at this point to put boundaries where I know they should be. We don't all have to think alike and the truth may look different from different perspectives but that doesn't mean that there isn't one truth. We just have a limited point of view. Seeing things from different angles helps, but the truth is still the truth even if we don't see it in it's fullness. That's my perspective anyway. Thanks for sharing your journey.
MLK had roots in UU as well.
Wow! I do love the architecture!!
Thanks so much for offering this balanced view. I never really thought about their belief system before.
Thanks for doing the video of UU. Next time you go ask someone, like the pastor, what holds the church together. Please do not make assumptions. UU's believe in the love of God and serving one another. We are all part of the infite but become closer to him by helping one another. We don't claim to know what many churches call heaven but we do believe our job is to help make heaven on earth as best we can while we can. I'm new to UU so this my thoughts after about 3 services. For me my commitment to God is through how I treat others, even those who I disagree with.
How is it that we can love our neighbors as ourselves?
Wonderful insights. I am also Unitarian but do not believe in a god. It is a place where one makes their own choice about the existence or lack of a god, gods or goddess. Mainly a love for all of existence holds us together and we love and respect all others including other faiths on their own paths toward enlightenment and making the world a better place.
The UU faith has NO beliefs using Creeds. UU is a Faith of Covenant between members.
Cool looking building
Interesting. I never heard of this type of church before.
We are a well-kept secret.
Loved that opening hymn!
In this video l noticed a large lump above your left eye. Are you okay? Thank you for foraging through all these religions. I have wondered about them but never made an effort to figure them out.
Wow. Abstract. Nothing to ground the religion. Very interesting
They’re grounded in 7 principles & 6 sources.
Lol! You really courageous Frank. I don't if I can do this 😃😃
Yup, you can!
I bet within 20 miles of you are 25 denomination's.
So here's your challenge.
1 week your church, then alternate back to yours for the whole year.
This will go by faster than you will believe.
unlike David who is searching for an answer to his heart, you might be content with your spiritual level.
Go to other churches, not to see the differences but to learn why they are, what motivates them.
In this you may find many more friends.
At the very least you will have walked a mile in another man's shoes that you can grow so much more than you thought.
Imagine if those who professed to believe in God stopped persecuting those that believe in God?
You'll never be the same. David isn't.
It is impossible for him to return to what he was 9 years ago.
I've attended a UU church pretty frequently in the past. Nice people. Great coffee. But soooooooo wrapped up in liberal politics.....I just couldn't go back. For me, it was a deal breaker.
It's not so much that UUs are wrapped up in liberal politics as it is their spirituality is encompassed in the action of justice, equality, equanimity, and in having open hearts and open minds that welcome and include all.
It is a progressive orthopraxy (as opposed and orthodoxy) centered in social justice and uplifting the underserved and overlooked.
It's a practice of active compassion and compassion should never be political.
@@stevenvaleriojr1177
Those are an awful lot of words that positively scream "Marxism" to me, but you're free to think that's a good idea if you wish.
Your remarks do, though, bring to mind the most cringe-worthy thing I have ever witnessed in my life. It would have been hysterical if it wasn't so embarrassing.
Imagine, if you will, a congregation composed almost entirely of midwesterners of Nordic/northern European origin (with a couple of token indigenous members). You know, the progressive, enlightened kind of people who talk a lot about social justice and equity but really have no sincere interest in the people they think they are somehow helping with the soft racism of low expectations. Someone had the brilliant idea to invite the leadership of the local chapter of the NAACP over for the annual MLK, Jr observance. Now, that in itself was perfectly OK. Have a nice Sunday service in the company of guests. What could go wrong? Some of the remarks during the service were obviously platitudes and overcompensation, but it was not humiliating.....until.....
We were all instructed to surround the pews in a big circle and hold hands. And then it happened. The Norwegian pediatrician pulled out his trumpet and started playing a medley of "Negro spirituals". What is one to do? Laugh? Cry? Flee in horror? Or stand there and join in at the crescendo and sing a verse of "We Shall Overcome" while watching the dumpster burst into leaping flames?
The guests didn't stick around for coffee hour, btw. Neither did I. I felt too embarrassed for the entire congregation. It wasn't cool and inclusive, it was a parody. And they didn't seem to notice. That was the really bad part. They were congratulating themselves for being so welcoming and inclusive. The trumpet soloist was praised for his musical prowess. And the community leaders who were our guests couldn't get out quickly enough.
@@stevenvaleriojr1177 Those are an awful lot of words that positively scream "Marxism" to me, but you're free to think that's a good idea if you wish.
Your remarks do, though, bring to mind the most cringe-worthy thing I have ever witnessed in my life. It would have been hysterical if it wasn't so embarrassing.
Imagine, if you will, a congregation composed almost entirely of midwesterners of Nordic/northern European origin (with a couple of token indigenous members). You know, the progressive, enlightened kind of people who talk a lot about social justice and equity but really have no sincere interest in the people they think they are somehow helping with the soft racism of low expectations. Someone had the brilliant idea to invite the leadership of the local chapter of the NAACP over for the annual MLK, Jr observance. Now, that in itself was perfectly OK. Have a nice Sunday service in the company of guests. What could go wrong? Some of the remarks during the service were obviously platitudes and overcompensation, but it was not humiliating.....until.....
We were all instructed to surround the pews in a big circle and hold hands. And then it happened. The Norwegian pediatrician pulled out his trumpet and started playing a medley of "Negro spirituals". What is one to do? Laugh? Cry? Flee in horror? Or stand there and join in at the crescendo and sing a verse of "We Shall Overcome" while watching the dumpster burst into leaping flames?
The guests didn't stick around for coffee hour, btw. Neither did I. I felt too embarrassed for the entire congregation. It wasn't cool and inclusive, it was a parody. And they didn't seem to notice. That was the really bad part. They were congratulating themselves for being so welcoming and inclusive. The trumpet soloist was praised for his musical prowess. And the community leaders who were our guests couldn't get out quickly enough.
More or less our goal is spiritual enrichment and aiding society
1:54 sums up unitarianism very well
As a convert to UU from Catholicism I wanted to add that I would say that for the most part our movement is it's own thing at this point despite it's beginnings as a very liberal Protestant denomination and because of that I think we should stop calling most of our congregations "churches" to avoid confusion, I think statistically most of us are Humanist like I am. I like to say that what binds us together is our unity in diversity of personal theology and our predecessors basically took the liberty of conscience in Protestantism to its logical conclusion and made it absolute, I also like to say that our movement has been a refuge for heretics no one else will take and I don't mind the abstraction and I tell people that because of its loose doctrine it's not for people who expect absolute doctrinal answers (like I did for most of my life with things like the Catechism).
If being Christian requires belief in the Trinity then arguably our movement hasn't been considered to be part of Christianity at all from the very beginning in the 1700's since it was founded on the basis of rejecting that doctrine (and others like Original Sin, that's the doctrine that made me leave Catholicism altogether). I like Unitarianism because after I stopped believing in most of the crucial doctrines I didn't really feel I belonged in any Christian denomination anymore (even though I tried the Episcopal Church for some time) as in my experience even liberal Christians will draw the line somewhere and most often that line is the Resurrection. I still wanted some sort of community and UUs were the only ones where I felt that, we still have Christians in our communities but outside New England they're not the majority in most congregations.
Even as a Latin Mass Catholic I started to develop the habit of visiting other churches and places of worship to better understand Protestants, whom I disliked otherwise, and that opened my mind a bit. I still do that with the local ecumenical group and most recently I visited a Hindu temple and a mosque before that, I don't know if it's yours but I came across a blog with a very similar premise and although we may not agree on theology I appreciate the content you make.
Most religions are bound together by a common set of beliefs or a founder. UUs are bound by an agreed covenant as to how we are going to be together and treat one another. We are all seekers and activists who enjoy being in a community with other open-minded people. Every UU church is a little different depending on the members of the congregation and although there are commonalities every service is different.
Turn turn turn by the Byrds
Thanks for clarifying, guess I mixed up the songs I heard during the service. "Turn Turn Turn" was The Byrds (with Pete Seeger), then Chet Powers with The Youngbloods was "Everybody Get Together." Shows how much I know '60's music haha.
@@52churchesin52weeks And of course the words of "Turn Turn Turn" are mostly from Ecclesiastes -- so that means the Bible did make it into this UU church service a bit. I love that song, by the way, but I don't think it (or 60s popular music in general) is quite up to conveying the fullness of Christian spirituality.
I can’t exactly describe it but I felt a extremely confusing spirit when I seen the service. A really dark and unsettling feeling…
Wisdom and discernment!
It doesn’t have to be confusing. UUs draw guidance from all religions & secular sources for guidance. They adhere to 7 principles & 6 sources (one of those sources is the Bible). I’ve invited to speak at a UU congregation numerous times a year as a guest.
Amazing all the man made Churches out there.
All churches are manmade.
Very interesting. It’s sad to me that they have cut out the savior of the world in their efforts to save the world. Side note, loved the points made about the trees and the cross. Love your project. Getting so close to 1k subs!
Is that the UU church in Madison?
Yeah, across the street from the hospital.
I stayed in a Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel several years ago and thr the ceilings were only 6 feet high and then the sprinkler system later added made it even shorter
Interesting. Where was the hotel?
@@52churchesin52weeks It is the Historic Park Inn in Mason City, Iowa
I’ve stayed in another one designed by him called the Price Tower. It’s in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Any plans to visit a Jehovas Witness church? Apologies if you have already! I'm not a JW, just think it'd be interesting
JW is on the radar. I need to do two visits in one week to make-up for a missed week, so plan to do JW on a weekday night.
Have you tried a unity chruch
No, never heard of it. Unity sounds related to UU, is there any crossover?
@@52churchesin52weeks I do not think so a guy called Fillmore or something like that founded I think they're related to centers of Spiritual Living or something to that effect I know Betty White was a member of the unity
This really opened my eyes to what universalists believe.
I think that you are letting your childhood bases get in the way. I'm sorry, but you can't explain everything to everybody. Some just won't get it and you have to be OK with that. You just don't get Unitarian Universalism.
I would love for you to explain it to me. Please.
It isn't grounded...I think that's the point.
Rainbow and Ukraine flags? Religion seems less like a grounded rock and more like a reed blowing in the wind.
Interesting hymn... I know from being in the psychology field (I work for a Christian agency... but learning from a more "worldly" organization) "Spirituality" simply means finding a meaning in life. Literally anything that gives a person purpose and drive. I mean I get it... but... Jesus is the only way, truth, life, door, etc!
Songs were very unique. They had a band who played '60's covers (sound from my recorder came out horrible, so didn't feature that here), and then the church would sing from the songbook/overhead with this "father spirit, mother spirit" song. A lot of the literature (and obviously songs) were within the last 50-100 or so years.
Are they worshiping Christ or Mother Earth?
UUs draw guidance from all religions & secular sources. So their services can be different every week of the year.
They worship the father spirit and the mother spirit.
I'm a UU. I don't "worship" anything. Respect, perhaps awe, but no "worshiping". That just sets you up for exploitation.
So, which religious affiliation do you align yourself with today, David?
Hey, thanks for watching. After doing this, best term I've heard is interdenominational as long as Christ is at the core. I rather like to see what we can agree on as opposed to becoming sidetracked by minor issues that cause division. I'm not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, so no way does that happen 100% of the time.
@@52churchesin52weeks Christ body was broken, the church is called Christ's body, therefore it is broken. So as Christ was resurrected, so shall the church be made into one whole church. The Doctrines that are built on a false foundation are like columns that stand on a false foundation and will collapse when the churches are shaken in the days to come, and the people that want peace and order will flee to the places where there is shelter and there is a true foundation that upholds it, each one will fall until there is only the single church. This is so because as Christ's Body was broken, so was Jesus resurrected, and as the church is broken, the church will again be made into one whole. Those who have ears, let them hear, and they who have eyes, let them see. The Thunders have uttered it.
I think Unitarian Universalist isn't anything goes to church you can do whatever you want
It is a fun club for liberal people of different backgrounds to gather around. 😂
I have some really cool spiritual stories. I would love to share with you.
Send 'em on over, always curious to hear that.
@@52churchesin52weeks by email? How do I send them? I have journals full by the way. I will send you a couple from my mom and couple from me. I intend to write a book one day.
Wow...church with no mention of Jesus? 🤔 Were they at least singing about Jesus!
Generally no, but for some occasions yes. We have a traditional Christmas and Easter service for people who swing that way. We also celebrate the origins of Yule and Solstice. I know it may sound confusing and we are ok with that. I am Unitarian but do not believe in a god. It is a place where one makes their own choice about the existence or lack of a god, gods or goddess. Mainly a love for all of existence holds us together and we love and respect all others including other faiths on their own paths toward enlightenment and making the world a better place. Truly all are welcome!
Truth is the essence of all things. Physical and spiritual. Either God is a glorified man who gave us spiritual bodies, or it is false. Either He created a physical earth whereby our spirits can experience the physical or that is not true. Either He chose His best pick to carry out His plans for His spirit children (Jesus Christ) or that is a fairy tale. Either this Jesus Christ called prophets down through the course of man's history to make known the rules God the Father wants us to live or Jehovah (Jesus) did not. Either Jesus Christ and all stories pertaining to Him are true or they are not. Either our spirits live on when our bodies die or we don't. For me, I believe Jesus Christ. I'm one of millions and millions of people that do. But I respect and support one's right to believe whatsoever he or she will. Free Agency is as important as is truth. Just saying.
Honestly i didn’t enjoy this video it had nothing to do with the beliefs of this church just the architecture
Appreciate the feedback, Josh. It's funny, sometimes there's comments that wants to know more about the church/beliefs, other feedback prefers reactions/feelings. Try to find an in-between.
@@52churchesin52weeks I get it even looking at this churches Website it’s hard to understand it watched your other videos and liked them
Jesus wasn’t a Christian. A Christian is a follower of Christ so he couldn’t follow himself. The Christian church is man made. Jesus did not go to church. He was Jewish. Churches cause divisions. Everyone claims to have the true church and religion. The Unitarian Universalist fellowship brings everyone together and we find common ground in the dignity,compassion, justice and equity of all people.
You're just a bunch of Lefties with a "church" covering.
Yeah... is "Truth" subjective or objective?
Revelation 2:5-6
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Revelation 2:15
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
there are some really pretty UU churches but I hate Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings
Not a UU here. What I like about UUism: the free and responsible search for meaning. Having gone through a faith crisis in my own faith tradition, and subsequentially being paralyzed by doubt and agnosticism for years, searching for meaning is something I can relate to.
What concerrns me about UUism: their openness has made them an easy target for postmodern leftwing ideology, which can be quite hostile. Unlike the precepts of UUism, this ideology requires orthodoxy. I've never heard of a UU minister being defrocked until Todd Eklof, see "The Gadfly Papers."
'Architect' is not equal to 'engineer'.
Wow all together different than the unitarian church I went to. The one I was at just a lot of left wing, arrogant fanatics. I was like WHAT??? Scared me so bad, I never went back
projected hymns are so tacky
Great a church that stands for nothing