Hello! I just found out about this group today, and I wanna share some thoughts I had about this amazing community!
Growing up, religion was never really a big part of my life. My dad is an atheist, my mom is more of a spiritual agnostic type, and while my grandparents are catholic, they are quite liberal and don’t try and force any beliefs. As a little kid, I thought maybe there was a god but I also honestly didn’t care all that much because my family never attended church and I never had any teachings placed upon me. I was in a very unique situation where I could actually make these decisions on my own with no influence. A few years ago, I came to the conclusion that I am an atheist. However, I’ve always tolerated other people’s faiths (as long as they don’t use their faith to hurt others). I’ve always admired those who truly follow Jesus, who I do think was a real person (I don’t believe in any divinity but I believe he existed). His real teachings were very simple, essentially “be a good person, love each other, care for the less fortunate, etc.”
Even as an atheist, I think someday I’ll attend a UU service. Maybe even join a congregation. I appreciate how progressive this community is and the variety of religious beliefs will make for a really interesting and engaging philosophical melting pot. I am so excited to have found this. As a bisexual man who is very left leaning, I am so glad not only for myself, but for Christians who can join this community to follow Jesus without hurting anyone. I don’t have any plans to “convert”, although for this you don’t really need to. This is the perfect thing for me. I’m not religious but I enjoy learning about belief systems and I find the discussion very interesting. I am very excited.
I grew up evangelical and began deconstructing at 24. Identified as an atheist for 15 years and am about to begin seminary to become a UU minister. It’s been a wild ride and you are welcome here. Check out the local congregations- there is a wide range of experiences from location to location and possibly week to week
Joining is never required but always appreciated. We love having more folks in covenant with us
I’m so happy for you! I think I will join tbh. If not for anything else, I’d do it to support the group. I love the message. I love the community. And I love discussing philosophy and the nature of life. Plus I am a very scientifically minded person, so usually religion doesn’t mix with that all too well 😅 But UU being pro science and progressive and all these wonderful things is perfect. This community absolutely must expand and continue doing good around the world.
There are atheists in most UU congregations, so you would be welcome.
Love it! 🫶
In my experience, there are more atheist/agnostic/humanist UUs than theists.
> His real teachings were very simple, essentially “be a good person, love each other, care for the less fortunate, etc.”
What a beautiful summary of much of what is important in liberal religion! You should be very welcome in a UU church.
Awww thank you I appreciate it :) I’ve always felt that this is how people should follow Jesus. That’s always how I interpreted it. Again, i dont personally believe there was anything inherently special or nonhuman about him just that he was a really good guy (if you personally believe differently about Jesus’ nature then thats fine and I’d totally be open to a respectful discussion!). Jesus certainly wasn’t a tyrannical conservative white Christian lmfao he was a poor, dark skinned Jewish man of Middle Eastern descent. Since I’m an atheist I don’t believe in any “one true” religion but I love this group regardless and i honestly think UU aligns closer to Jesus’ teachings than perhaps any other denomination (I know this group isn’t centered around Jesus or any other particular figure but I use him as an example because I think UU follows his teachings extremely well). I find religion fascinating and I enjoy healthy discussions about beliefs! I think we can and should all learn from each other.
Glad to have you and hope your experiences are all good. We UUs are just people however, and are prone to bad, selfish decisions like anyone else. I will mention your comment about not planning to "convert." Well, there is nothing to convert you to. We have no creeds. We only agree to act responsibly toward one another (covenant) in what ever way our individual congregations word it.
Yes absolutely. I only really said “convert” cause I don’t know exactly what to say lol. But I appreciate it! The group as a whole seems to be a positive place and it’s nice to have smth like that yk