UU + Devout Agnostic?

[BrassFusion]

I always thought about attending a UU service to see what it was like, especially if they spend time discussing secular lifestyle philosophies instead of asssuming that

A. There's a God, and

B. He cares what we're up to.

Problem (maybe) with me is that I'm a rather devout agnostic. I feel it's pretty likely that there's no afterlife and no intelligent guiding hand in creation, but I have no way to prove it so I'm not sure about anything. I never will be sure about anything.

For those of you that have attended a UU church or are members, what's it like? Would someone like me fit in?

[Msterbeau]

I always thought about attending a UU service to see what it was like, especially if they spend time discussing secular lifestyle philosophies instead of asssuming that

A. There's a God, and

B. He cares what we're up to.

Problem (maybe) with me is that I'm a rather devout agnostic. I feel it's pretty likely that there's no afterlife and no intelligent guiding hand in creation, but I have no way to prove it so I'm not sure about anything. I never will be sure about anything.

For those of you that have attended a UU church or are members, what's it like? Would someone like me fit in?

I think I'm the only "active" UU here. I go to Birmingham Unitarian Church. (BUC)

UU is an association of congregations. Each one has a fair bit of leeway to structure their particular services to fit it's members needs. BUC leans pretty heavily towards the humanistic perspective. Other congregations might lean more Christian , Pagan or whatever. Most are like ours, generally speaking. Service tends to be geared towards relevant current events, topics of ongoing interest or discussions about other faiths. It's not always kept at a secular level, this is a religion after-all, but you're always free to develop your own point of view. "Deeds not creeds" is a preety good guiding philosphy for UU's. It's not about what comes after your dead, but what you do now, that counts.

If you want, I'd be happy to show you around. There are other congregations around Detroit too if BUC isn't convenient to get to.

[BrassFusion]

thnaks, it'd be cool to check anywhere out. I went to wayne state and on my way from the parking lot to school almost every morning, i passed the marquee for the UU church down there, i was always curious about it.

[Msterbeau]

I keep meaning to go to First UU. Just go. I'm pretty sure no one will bite. ;-)

[Fierce Critter]

There's one in Warren, that at one time was led by Marianne Williamson. Church of Today, I believe. At one time, they did television broadcasts on Sunday mornings, so you could actually see what a service at their church is like. If you Google "church of today" and "warren" you can probably find their website.

They seemed to tend towards invoking Jesus Christ, while using language like, "...or Buddha, Mohammed..." to express an openness to alternative modes of thought.

I applied for a job there once, in their publishing department. At the time, I was dipping my toes in a potential pagan path. During some general banter about this and that, I mentioned something positive in my life and the person interviewing me said, "Thank God" and without thinking, I responded, "Thank Whomever" and figured I lost the job right there.

But I was offered the job the next day. So I was impressed with the truly open-mindedness going on there.

[phee]

There's one in Warren, that at one time was led by Marianne Williamson. Church of Today, I believe. At one time, they did television broadcasts on Sunday mornings, so you could actually see what a service at their church is like. If you Google "church of today" and "warren" you can probably find their website.

They seemed to tend towards invoking Jesus Christ, while using language like, "...or Buddha, Mohammed..." to express an openness to alternative modes of thought.

I applied for a job there once, in their publishing department. At the time, I was dipping my toes in a potential pagan path. During some general banter about this and that, I mentioned something positive in my life and the person interviewing me said, "Thank God" and without thinking, I responded, "Thank Whomever" and figured I lost the job right there.

But I was offered the job the next day. So I was impressed with the truly open-mindedness going on there.

That was definitly not UU then.... UU would actually embrace that response

[Fierce Critter]

Phee - I think you're missing something there.

I was offered the job.

When I made that response, the interviewer kinda laughed and nodded. I thought she was just being polite, while in a hurry to usher me out the door. But apparently, it made a great impression.

Too bad I had to turn down the job offer. I couldn't do the commute.

[phee]

Oh.... gotcha

[Msterbeau]

FYI: Church of Today is now Renaisance Unity. They are not and have never been UU. Marianne was booted a couple years ago... I'm not sure what religion they are affiliated with.

[Fierce Critter]

Interesting. I thought they tried to pass themselves off under the UU umbrella...

[BrassFusion]

That's EXACTLY the sort of place i'd be interested in, lol... all i'd substitute with "thank whomever" is "thank us," maybe... I figure most positive things are the result of human effort and chance, but I don't see why I should worship luck.

Too bad you couldn't take the job. And that the church "changed formats." Warren's basically in my backyard.

[Msterbeau]

I went there a few times before I went to BUC. It struck me as far too large, "commercial" and over intellectualizing things. It wasn't what I wanted in a spiritual community.

[BrassFusion]

Over-intellectualizing? Sign me up... =(

[Msterbeau]

Over-intellectualizing? Sign me up... =(

OK. Here's a pen.

Over intellectualizing may be the wrong phrase. Marianne tended to go too deep into metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. That wasn't for me. It might be different now but I'm happy where I'm at.

Give both a try. You won't know until you actually experience them.

[BrassFusion]

so you recommend BUC first?

[Msterbeau]

so you recommend BUC first?

Sure... why not? :whistling

*I* like BUC and UU in general. You may not. But ya gotta start somewhere....