Let us fight these evil forces here and now to help create that Paradise of which the poets speak.. Have some faith and reject biblical inerrancy and literalism. Unitarians hold that the orthodox Christian world has forgotten and forsaken the real, human Jesus of the Gospels, and has substituted a Christ of dogmatism, metaphysics, and pagan philosophy. What do UU believe about Jesus? King Solomon wrote, Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins (Eccl. More Info. . With just one exception, every UU I have known personally was an atheist. Thanks Mark for writing. On the authority of reason and common sense, and on the basis of research into the Bible, Unitarians are satisfied to look upon Jesus as a great and inspired moral and spiritual teacher. RESPONSE: Dr. Chwoworsky offers another equivocation to divert attention away from answering the actual question, just so he can answer one he thought should have been asked. More recently, though, Unitarianism is an outgrowth of the Enlightenment thinking of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, where supernatural revelation took a backseat to human autonomy and reason. The congregation occupied several locations before moving to historic Washington Park building (now The Transept). Note: this reflection was written at the end of Rev. And what you call new is actually nothing more than citing the Bible, which is what all biblical Christians have been doing since the dawn of the church at Pentecost. Then, to add to the confusion, he turns around and damns the biblical concept of hell by imposing upon God something that really turns Him into an idol by presupposing that because God is a God of Love and Mercy, then by default, He could not be a God of Justice. Now, if his disciples could do nothing, just how incapable is the lost man, dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 21:22). That person will stand before the Lord in judgment , claiming to have done so many wonderful things in Jesus name, only to be rejected by him, as the Unitarian rejects him today, as a practitioner of lawlessness and a final declaration from Jesus, I never knew you.. Norman English Gothic architecture, built of, Founded in 1941 as The North Shore Unitarian Society, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock is a spiritual home that nourishes both the heart and mind. In my experience UU is an anti-christian cult that for some bizarre reason likes to play church: UUs views of Christianity make Southern Baptists look tolerant! The Universalists organized their first church in the United States in 1780, with the Unitarians following in 1825. Your damning commentary about modern Christian belief system[s] is a classic example, as it is more of a testament about yourself than some nebulous system that has no specificity. Contemplating alternative forms of our common faith may reveal new possibilities for congregational life. First, despite earlier proclamations that Unitarians love the person and message of the Galilean, if the Unitarian is disobeying Jesus on something as fundamental as making disciples or converts, then just how much in love can the Unitarian be with either him or his message? Hades, which was another term used by Jesus to describe hell, was cited as a place containing those who underwent eternal torment amid flames (Lk. is the largest one-church UU congregation. He, like so many like him, whether Unitarian or otherwise, wishes to think that he can reason his way to the truth. We came from a aChristian background but have become something different. If by heaven you mean an abode of eternal light where the saved and redeemed enjoy everlasting bliss, and if by hell you mean the devils eternal darkness where the wicked suffer unending torment and punishmentthe Unitarians emphatically repudiate such beliefs. 1:23). They oppose his deity, his word, his sacrifice, his example, and his authority. Status: Full Member Our current building in the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood was dedicated in 1959. The Theology of Unitarian Universalists Our contemporary churches are populated with Christians, atheists, humanists, Jews, Buddhists, and even Wiccans. The UUs see their community as an opportunity to grow and learn and from there one often finds a specific spiritual path to migrate to that is a good fit for them. The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) has designated LUUF a "Welcoming Congregation", signifying its recognition that our church in Wayne cherishes diversity as it celebrates and supports the lives, relationships and contributions of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer members and friends. It is the main reason so many are running away from this new iteration of Christianity. no such thing, His instruction was, do not believe them (Matt. Further evidence of their opposition is the hypocritical misquote of Jesus admonition to the churches in the Book of Revelation (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). Church of America and the American Unitarian Association, Unitarian There are no exclusionary factors. Both movements became more organized. We are a Welcoming Congregation. Wiccan, Druid or other Neopagan tradition. Let us remember that parts of his dream are still unfulfilled. 8:20). 4300 Hampton Heights . While I appreciate your opinion, it really did not deal with anything in the article, which was heavily documented with primary source material. Of course, not all instances of heaven represent the abode of God. So, the Unitarian rejection of Jesus as the Christ is without warrant. 20:15). All is right. We are a congregation of liberal religious voices in Lancaster County for over 100 years. You think truth is rooted in your personal opinions about the Bible, and God, and religion. Both Unitarians and Universalist stem for traditional/mainline Christian roots but are today not either pro or anti Christian. Numerous Unitarian churches are notable for having historic buildings, and there are former church buildings that are historic as well. Although Paul was speaking of the Old Testament when he wrote, a careful perusal through the New Testament will show that not only was the Old Testament inspired by God, but so was the New Testament. All that has to be asked at this point is, if what he says is true, upon what basis does he make his claim, given the prior testimony about rejecting the Bible as inspired and authoritative, since it is in the Bible where the teachings about Jesus and his message are found? Late Gothic Revival. As a Unitarian Universalist for fifty years I find some useful facts mixed with some misinformation. The exception this time is that Dr. Chwoworsky lifts up human effort, love, and humility before God as three additional elements of the creed. . His answers to those questions are indented and italicized, which are then followed-up with an evaluative response. Because of this total depravity of man, supposedly, God sent His only-begotten son into the world, to die for sinful men in order thatwhosoever believeth on Him may have everlasting life. For by grace you have been saved through faith has been exchanged for God helps those who help themselves. Sole dependence upon Gods perfect will is exchanged for a cooperative effort, whereby if man will simply do his fair share, then God will accept mans best, and God is then obligated to save man. They do not believe he is God incarnate or the Second Person in the Trinityor the final arbiter at the end of time who shall come to judge the quick and the dead.. It was baseless and rife with insults and untruths about MY faith. . These principles guide followers on their own spiritual search. 15:18, 23). It is a mix of engaging worship, religious education, opportunities for social action, and a community of caring, curious and compassionate people. Thus, you will enter into fellowship with other men and women who seek to worship God through truth, beauty, and goodness. It is not necessary and it is one of the MANY things that is killing Christianity. The people are the biggest asset Hence, Unitarianism is extremely non-creedal, at least in word, while arguing that what one feels is correct in terms of worshiping and serving God trumps absolute statements guided by divine inspiration. Some controversies have arisen due to Unitarian Universalism's unique structure. A typical UU member is more liberal, highly educated, higher IQ (lots of Mensa members), and enjoys the community of spiritual exploration and the integration of spiritual and daily life. Unitarians do not believe that Jesus is either the Messiah of Jewish hope or Christian fantasy. Conversely, if that is not the case, then all youre doing is lashing out against God. Covenanting Communities are a new kind of Unitarian Universalist (UU) group. These guidelines were suggested by a committee and confirmed by UU congregations While you are correct in your comment about many having left the teachings of Christ, it is clear by your personal attack, and total lack to any reference of Jesus teachings throughout your screed, that you dont have a clue what the Bible teaches about anything, much less what Jesus taught. Unitarians recognize the evil in our world and mans responsibility for much of it. 28:19-20). That, God saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity (2 Tim. Various congregations (churches, societies, fellowships, etc.) Earlier, Paul would write to Timothy, I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom (2 Tim. In fact, There is a lot of good teaching, some poor teaching, and a lot of opinionated history in those books. Now repent. So, if they are not rejecting what Jesus said, they abuse it, like all cults do to serve their anti-Christian agenda. There are seven Principles, which are paraphrased as follows. We are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. Texas lost its tax-exempt status after a government official decided that the church's lack of a unifying That is why Dr. Chwoworsky and others like him point to freedom, reason and tolerance as alleged virtues that they fawn over, even though anything Jesus, God, or the Bible have to say about certain subjects have been summarily discarded, unless it agrees with the Unitarian creed. www.uucsr.org. Therefore, I would recommend that you actually read it before you offer another specious response. Begun in 1774 in England, and then migrating to the United States in 1782, Unitarianism touts itself as an open-minded and individualistic religion that is allegedly a restoration of ancient Christianity. Learn about the seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote, and also the many sources from which we draw. Once again, you have not written anything here that is worth commenting on, mainly because they have nothing to do with article. Not only does Unitarianism have absolutely nothing upon which to base its nilly-willy religion, it has divorced itself from anything godly by rejecting Gods Word about itself, Gods Word about Himself, Gods Word about Jesus, Gods Word about Salvation, Gods Word about the Afterlife, and so on and so forth. Contact the congregation to learn specifically how they are accessible. Universal flood. 16:23), as well as abandonment and decay (Acts 2:27). That is, When it came time to hire someone new to lead the church, they chose a Baptist minister. There is practical wisdom in the saying: God helps those that help themselves. If man is to be saved, the image of God within man will save himhere as well as hereafter. You claim that not all Christians have lost their way, but it is quite apparent from your commentary that you are simply lost, period. Buice is an inspirational speaker and a community leader with a passion for compassion. though not all. The foyer of the meetinghouse was replete with iconography and symbolism representing virtually every world religion. While that may be true, one only has to ask, Which Galilean? Because clearly the Unitarian Galilean Jesus is not the biblical one. Congregations: 30 Sad to read your evaluation of UU. 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