"This is the year we get LOUD. Hold on, be strong, and start fighting."

[Bouncy Ball]

This was said by the minister at my Unitarian Universalist (UU)church this morning. UU is a liberal religious organization, a creedless congregation, which welcomes all faiths, agnostics, atheists, etc.

Anyway, he was talking about how we are going to become a "welcoming congregation" which means we not only welcome GLBT members, but we acknowledge that the issues they face are difference from what hetero Americans face AND that we will fight alongside them for their rights.

He gave a really moving talk on why he supports GLBT rights, and I didn't see a dry eye in the place. Sniffing and Kleenex out.

He then told us that another UU church in this area burned to the ground last week. So far, they aren't sure if it's arson or not, but it's uncertain. He said to EXPECT some retaliation of some sort, so we're not surprised by it.

We'll have big banners up all over, proclaiming us as a welcoming congregation for the GLBT community and he said "this is the year we get loud. Hold on, and be strong."

I got chills. I'm going to be there, holding on, being strong, and fighting.

[roguevalley]

1. sigh. I wish a UU was near to me. I would join.

[Bouncy Ball]

2. It's so damn awesome.

He also talked about "this damn war" and women's rights to their own body and how a billion people in this world don't have access to clean water. He slammed Bechtel.

Then afterwards, we had a forum on exactly what we are going to do to fight for GLBT rights, as a congregation. We're going full steam ahead. Now I won't feel so alone in the fight anymore.

Have you ever tried looking for a Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF)? It's UU around the world and they are usually located where there isn't a regular UU church.

http://www.uua.org/clf/index.html

[MuseRider]

Good for them! And you!

We have a UU church here and we also have a "gay" church (I did not know about that church until I worked on the last campaign). Go for it. If I was a church going person that is where I would go. The minister there actually did my marriage since my husband is Jewish and the Rabbi at the time would not marry us and the minister at "my" church would not either. Do you also have an Equal Justice Coalition close by? They are also very good to work with. Ours is fairly new, 1990's. I am going to the meeting tomorrow night for the first time to report on how things went inside the election group. We must get on top of this stuff.

[mitchtv]

3. It's too bad they are just a small percent of the churches

Xians. like Muslims have allowed their churches to be hijacked by extremists. Fundamentalism is the greatest danger to democracy in the world today.
Anyway, good luck.
It's time to greet Fundies at Sunday School with lurid blowups of the children maimed by their war in Iraq.

[Bouncy Ball]

4. I know, it is too bad.

But this little UU church I go to has just exploded in the past year, thanks in part TO the fundies and the bushbots. People get more and more alarmed and are seeking out liberal religious organizations.

I think I heard the lay minister say they've gained 30 new members just in the last three months (lessee, that's since the election!).

And for a church that started off with under 100, adding a third is a big deal. It's starting to get crowded!

[FtWayneBlue]

5. the growth is outstanding

our UU here in Ft Wayne has added 10 just in the last 3 months, and we see more new people each week.

[Bouncy Ball]

10. It was that danged election, I'm sure of it.

It's what finally drove my husband and I to FINALLY get off our butts and go visit one. I'm glad we did.

[Misunderestimator]

6. That is so wonderful, BB.

There's a church I might step foot in... just to be around such good people. :hi:

[Bouncy Ball]

9. Look for one in your area.

http://www.uua.org/

I was more than pleasantly surprised. I was so thrilled, this was my fifth Sunday in a row. And I never did that with ANY church! LOL! I told a guy there that today. I said "I've never gone to any church five Sundays in a row" and he laughed and said "congratulations!"

But being surrounded by people who actually care about the same issues and love to use their brains will do that to me.

[Meeker Morgan]

7. I haven't had any dealings with you UU ...

... but it sounds intriguing.

I sort of vaguely associate Unitarians with the old temperance movement or something like that.

I think I understand most of what you said, but what is "creedless"?

Just how creedless? What if someone who believed in firey Hell wanted to join?

[Bouncy Ball]

8. It doesn't matter what you believe, is what it means.

There is no "creed" or "doctrine" or set of beliefs everyone has to believe to be a part of a UU church.

Which means you could be atheist, agnostic, pagan, Wiccan, Jewish, Catholic, Baptist (we don't get a lot of them, as you can imagine), Buddhist, Hindu, whatever.

You don't even have to identify yourself as an "anything" just human.

They like to say that our human conscious is our guide instead of any book or set of beliefs we must accept without questioning.

They like it when people question things, use their brain, etc.

Here's the website for the national UU association. Very involved in social justice issues, peace, equality, etc.

http://www.uua.org/

It's a very, VERY liberal religious organization. I can't think of another type of church I could walk into here in Texas where I would hear the minister say "this DAMNED war!" Or where I'd see him walking around after the service, smoking a cigar (outside) and bitching about neocons.

[undergroundpanther]

17. I have ben burnt by many churches

I'm not a human..in my own mind I am a pather..will they let me in if I promise not to claw the furniture? *smirk*

Notice I said nothing about biting..because I don't trust easy and churches even harder to trust.

Ever notice when a zoo panther gets loose in a town,everyone wants to catch it,hide from it, hunt it down, traquilize it or kill it? That is how I feel in churches..I am not dangerous unless people want to control me and keep me in a cage for being what I am.
Is UU really different?
Different enough to handle the likes of a cat like me?

[BearFlagDemocrat]

18. This might be helpful...

More info: http://www.uua.org/newcomers/index.html

WHAT WE BELIEVE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person

Justice, equity and compassion in human relations

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning

The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large

The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you looking for a religious home?

Unitarian Universalists say:

"I want a religion that respects the differences between people and affirms every person as an individual."

"I want a church that values children, that welcomes them on their own terms--a church they are eager to attend on Sunday morning."

"I want a congregation that cherishes freedom and encourages open dialogue on questions of faith, one in which it is okay to change your mind."

"I want a religious community that affirms spritual exploration and reason as ways of finding truth."

"I want a church that acts locally and thinks globally on the great issues of our time--world peace; women's rights; racial justice; homelessness; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights; and protection of the environment."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion born of the Jewish and Christian traditions. We keep our minds open to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places.
We believe that personal experience, conscience, and reason should be the final authorities in religion. In the end religious authority lies not in a book, person, or institution, but in ourselves. We put religious insights to the test of our hearts and minds.
We uphold the free search for truth. We will not be bound be a statement of belief. We do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. We say ours is a noncreedal religion. Ours is free faith.
We believe that religious wisdom is ever changing. Human understanding of life and death, the world and its mysteries, is never final. Revelation is continuous. We celebrate unfolding truths known to teachers, prophets, and sages throught the ages.
We affirm the worth of all women and men. We believe people should be encouraged to think for themselves. We know people differ in their opinions and lifestyles, and we believe these differences generally should be honored.
We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. The here and now and the effects our actions will have on future generations deeply concern us. We know that our relationships with one another, with diverse peoples, races, and nations, should be governed by justice, equity, and compassion.

[Maat]

11. Oh, Bouncy Ball, that is so neat!

I'm certainly with your church in spirit.

I felt so bad, however, when I read about what happened to the other church. Tragically, this reminds me of another period in our history. We (those of us fighting for social justice) must remain strong. The other church's congregants are in my prayers (positive energy sent their way).

[Maat]

12. And I support my UU sisters and brothers to the max!

I love visiting my local UU church. I'm a Religious Scientist, another progressive church that extends a warm welcome to the GLBT community.

On edit:

I relate - I had not attended church since I was 15 years old. 30 years later, at 45, I discovered my church - and I've only missed a couple of Sundays since; and it has been a year and a half. You see, the pastor "excuses" me when I have to go to another holy place during football season every other Sunday (it's a big joke between us - I have season tickets to the San Diego Chargers games).

[Q3JR4]

13. This is the year we get LOUD. Hold on, be strong, and start fighting,"

why can't gays and lesbians have this mentality?

[libnnc]

14. because we're used to being told to wait...

shut up, sitdown, your issues just aren't important enough to fight for.

We've been told that we are selfish, have caused Democrats to lose elections because we have too many "fringe, weirdo" people who are too "out there" and mainstream society is just too freaked out by us.

We've been told a lot of things. I ain't listening anymore.

[swimmernsecretsea]

15. Martin Luther King talks at length about waiting for one's rights

I don't recall the speech offhand, but if I find it I'll post it. It's good to listen to.
Martin

[Bouncy Ball]

20. I say you should.

You have every right to get loud, be strong, fight.

Go for it!!!!!! I'm right there with you!

[swimmernsecretsea]

16. What a wonderful message to find on a Monday morning.

Thanks for posting it.

It sounds like a wonderful religious group. I'll have to find out more about it.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

19. That is so very cool

thanks

[Jamastiene]

21. I'm shocked to hear that.

You must live in a blue state. That would never happen here. Maybe your pastor has the right idea. The religious base of the progressive movement, I believe, have the most power to change things.