MERTON CONSIDERS UNITARIANISM

MERTON CONSIDERS UNITARIANISM

I visited a Unitarian church, this Sunday, which is one of the churches of my childhood.  I am thinking that going to church would be good for me right now in my life, but I am at a point where I think if there is to be church at all, it should be a very non-churchy church... one without creed, dogma, or pressure to believe anything at all, except in love and kindness.  That would be the Unitarian church.  I invited a friend to attend with me, and he cannot, since he works on Sundays.  However in our correspondence, we did discuss God, religion, etc.  This is my letter responding back to his letter, in which he thanked me for the invitiation, explained he must work on Sundays, and gave a bit of his own philosophy concerning God, religion, church, etc.  

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Hi M,

The Unitarian church is different.  I do not know if you read the little blurb I sent you or looked at the link.  You could be an atheist, agnostic, Christian, Buddhist, or whatever and feel comfortable there.  It is a forum for people of good will to follow their own path to whatever they come to believe is God, or not believe in God if they wish.  

The throughline is love, humanity, loving and helping others. I just thought it was time to interact a bit more, and I like the non creedal, non dogmatic approach of the Unitarian church. It feels right for me, I think, right now. Really, it is just like going to hear a little lecture on some thoughtful/loving topic each Sunday, singing a few Peter Paul and Mary-ish songs, and then having coffee afterwards.  That's pretty much it  

The people at Unitarian churches tend to be liberals, kind, tolerant, etc.  And there is a definite support of the gay community.  The first thing I saw on the wall when I went to game night was a little poster letting those know who visit that it is a gay affirming church. And this is prominently displayed in the bulletin.  I like that.

I agree with all you said, below.  I do think that many traditional religious structures cause a lot of pain for a lot of people and misrepresent God.  I am much more universal in my beliefs at present, very simple... I liked your description of God... as you were trying to put it/him/her into words.  I also like the descriptions that many people who have had Near Death Experiences give of God, the afterlife, the other side, etc.  

I am not terribly attached to church or going to church right now... but I just thought I would give it a try.  It seems like something that might be beneficial for me for various reasons. I am not looking for an answer, to be saved, or anything like that. The Unitarian church is, I think, the most non churchy church there is, without dogma, any requirements of its members other than to be on their own journey and to love one another.  

This is the non creedal covenant of the Unitarian church I am considering attending:  "Love is the spirit of this church, and service is its law. To dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another-  this is our convenant."  I am familiar with that covenant, from my days as a child in the Unitarian Church, where my Dad, birthmother and I attended.  So, I know quite a bit about the Unitarian philosophy, having been through religious education there as a kid.  

This involves presenting the child with the various religions and philosophies of the world, so that when he/she grows up, he can decide what he believes... ie choose his own religion (or not)... or choose pieces of various religions and philosophies to make his own sort of smorgasborg of truth that makes sense to him/her.  This is something that all sorts of churches would find horrible, since they are interested in teaching children and members about dogma and getting a commitment to this dogma from their members.

I tried going back to Episcopal mass the other night (which is, at least in the parrish I attended, a liberal and very gay affirming faith, and has a really lovely liturgy that appeals to me aesthetically). But I found the service requiring me to say out loud all sorts of creeds and dogma which I do not think I really believe anymore.  I do agree with you that (at least to me) God is something much simpler and more elemental... and all these dogmas and creeds are man's creation, mans attempt to turn the simplicity of God into something manipulative, power based, sometimes greed based.  

So, if I am going to go to church, which I think might be good for me at present, I am thinking I will try the Unitarian church down the street from me, for the reasons stated above.  I like Unity, downtown, too... but still I think it is just too associated with one philosophy, that of the Filmores (which I like, but I just do not want to be tied down to any one philosophy or system of thought right now).  Just to be with loving people who are each on their own individual journies is enough for me right now.  I think saying, "We believe in love and helping and supporting each other" is enough.  Not too much more need be added, really.

K, nuff for now.  Just was a thought inviting you.  I thought you might like the Unitarian church, and that visiting it might be something nice to do together that we both might resonate with...

Michael