This "religion" really speaks to me. I am agnostic, but after researching them, i think I finally think I found a religious group that I would feel comfortable in.
I've been to a few Unitarian sermons. While they claim to be open to all faiths it came across as still being very Christianized (at least the ones I went to). Though the sermon itself had a far more upbeat and less preachy feel to it.
I once spoke with the lady who ran the sermons (the pastor?) and had to explain the symbols on the shirt I was wearing were not satanic but symbol representing protection and balance from particularly from other belief systems. She eventually picked up on this relating one of the symbols to yet a third religious belief system, but for someone running an all denomination church I would have expected better.
This "religion" really speaks to me. I am agnostic, but after researching them, i think I finally think I found a religious group that I would feel comfortable in.
I really like these kinds of religions, which are inclusive to atheists/agnostics alike, but at the same time, give people a sense of community.
Also, on a side note, i think darwins parents were unitarians, and they actively supported his scientific studies, so they must be pretty cool.
It's too hard to judge from the site though. I would have to go to a sermon or two before I can make a decision.
The fact that they are all denomination is interesting, and I find would be more reflective of the various messiah/prophet's teachings. It is most certainly very interesting, I must say.
I've never heard of them, though. I'd like to know just how popular it really is.
I always thought agnosticism was the belief in uncertainty.
Which is correct. So how can someone who is agnostic go to a church that accepts all "faiths". Not being devils advocate here, it just doesnt fit to me.
I have many agnostic tendencies. I have beliefs and faith, but mostly I accept that everyone could be very wrong about everything ever. But then what is wrong, so I could be wrong about being wrong, because I also believe wrong and right are mostly man made morals, not that thats a bad thing. So with my belief I could not go sit at a church full of people who believe in god.
I sure wish people could sum up their beliefs on their websites. Isn't that why you have a website, so people can research and better understand your wacky beliefs? But yeah, the UUA website wasn't very helpful.
But the way I see it, there are two approaches to universalist dogma: 1) Everyone is right 2) Everyone is wrong
Now, if a group tries to endorse 1, they're basically adopting a logical contradiction. Christians think Jews and Muslims are going to hell, Atheists don't think there is a hell, Catholics think that everyone but them is going to hell... etc. The dogmas within these religious traditions are simply incompatible. As for 2, what exactly is it trying to say? If everyone is wrong, then essentially what you have is a new religion - one that essentially excludes all other religions. If the unitarian is trying to argue that we need no dogmas, isn't this statement dogmatic in itself?
But really, most of these churches are still founded in Christianity. They preach Christ's message of God's forgiveness. And that's why I'm distinctly uninterested in anything they have to say.
[quote]I always thought agnosticism was the belief in uncertainty.
Which is correct. So how can someone who is agnostic go to a church that accepts all "faiths". Not being devils advocate here, it just doesnt fit to me.[/quote]
No that's not correct. Agnosticism isn't a belief or lack of belief it deals with ones knowledge of spirituality.
gnostic; possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge. agnostic; not possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge.
theist; belief in a deity/s atheist; without belief in a deity/s
See the difference?
You can be gnostic or agnostic AND theist or atheist.
No that's not correct. Agnosticism isn't a belief or lack of belief it deals with ones knowledge of spirituality.
If you can be an agnostic theist/atheist, then how is agnosticism not a belief system? It seems to me that it amounts to 'we know too much to truly believe in theism, but we don't know nearly enough to commit to full atheism'.
gnostic; possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge. agnostic; not possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge.
Thats put it in a new light for me but I have to disagree with agnostic only meaning being without intellect or spirituality. I think it means to shun the idea that you can truly know all things or even anything. Although perhaps Im less agnostic that I believed. *sigh* all this belief is making me hungry.
But really, most of these churches are still founded in Christianity. They preach Christ's message of God's forgiveness. And that's why I'm distinctly uninterested in anything they have to say.
Then you are going to the wrong church obviously. The term church, doesn't mean christian, and you must have mistaken a christian church for a UU one. Some churches have the name "Unity" in it. That's not UU.
Now, if a group tries to endorse 1, they're basically adopting a logical contradiction. Christians think Jews and Muslims are going to hell, Atheists don't think there is a hell, Catholics think that everyone but them is going to hell... etc. The dogmas within these religious traditions are simply incompatible. As for 2, what exactly is it trying to say? If everyone is wrong, then essentially what you have is a new religion - one that essentially excludes all other religions. If the unitarian is trying to argue that we need no dogmas, isn't this statement dogmatic in itself?
You are missing the whole point. it is supposed to be a gathering of religions. Remember I said
"Religion"
. See the quotes? The whole point is to learn tolerance and knowledge, and honestly, it seems like only open minded people would go there in the first place, imho
I may be agnostic, but that's because it's more of a middle ground, sitting on the fence. The whole point is really just to believe, and respect all religions. Like the opposite of the Satanic church someone made a thread about earlier, which is all about mocking religion.
If you can be an agnostic theist/atheist, then how is agnosticism not a belief system?
As I said gnostic/agnostic deals with knowledge not belief. Not this knowledge could influence your belief.
based on your knowledge you could say. agnostic: "I don't know if there is or is not a God." gnostic: "I know there is or is not a God." This has nothing to do with your belief in God just your knowledge, but it can influence your belief.
Which would be. theist: "I believe God exists." atheist: "I do not believe God exists." Further more you can only fall under theist if you say you believe, otherwise you are not making a claim of belief which would put you as an atheist being without belief. This includes saying "I don't know".
Now how knowledge could influence belief. gnostic theist: "I know God exists so I believe in God." gnostic atheist: "I know God does not exist so I don't believe in God." agnostic theist: "I don't know or am not sure God exists but I still believe God does exists." agnostic atheist: "I don't know or am not sure God exists but I don't believe God does exists."
A gnostic atheist is often referred to as strong atheism while the agnostic is often referred to as weak atheism. Most atheists are agnostic atheists.
