I am not religious and have no desire to start being now but sometimes I just want the community people get with church. I am craving connection with the community and feel it’s very healthy for families and neighbors as well. The United States is seriously lacking in third spaces and communities. It’s leading to a serious loneliness epidemic… Just wondering if there is anything that can fill that need for non-religious folks?
Check your local Unitarian Universalism (UU) branch.
https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/about-article-2
"Section C-2.1. Principles.
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."
Fellow UU here, second checking them out. Wanted to emphasize that there’s no expectation to believe a particular religious text. Our services lately have been around the themes of practicing resistance (which can take many forms) and being resilient in the face of adversity. Our congregation celebrates holidays from most major religious traditions as well as secular holidays like Earth Day and Trans Day of Visibility. I’m also a big fan of the community volunteer opportunities and music program. Each congregation is a bit different based on the membership, here’s a link to find one near you. Many stream services on Zoom so you can check them out with very low commitment.
…getting some very religious vibes from this text
I mean, the UU church is still a church after all, but without a lot of the toxic trappings. You aren’t going to get anyone telling you the only way to get to heaven is through Jesus for example.
https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/beliefs/christianity/views-jesus
"UUs may view Jesus as a moral exemplar, practicing the compassion, generosity, and mercy that he preached. In his own life and in stories like the Good Shepherd and the Good Samaritan, Jesus calls us to connect: to transcend pride and selfishness and choose instead to love and serve, to do good, and to care for each other.
For some, Jesus is a prophetic leader and an instrument of the divine. They may or may not believe Jesus was the son of God or was resurrected but share with Christians a conviction that his witness has the spiritual power to redeem mistakes and save lives. Many describe a personal relationship with him that strengthens and inspires. Jesus calls us to discover new life and truth by following him.
Others view Jesus as a reformer and dissident, an underdog and ally. He was executed as a political criminal because of his teachings, but his life made an impact, then and now. He called out injustice in his own community and in the government. He stood with and spoke up for the most vulnerable, and he challenged his followers to feed the hungry and visit the imprisoned. Jesus calls us to transform, to resist the unjust systems that divide us, and reshape them for good."
Personally, I wouldn’t be comfortable with any field of thought other than “Jesus was a literary fiction, constructed by the early church as a method of control over an illiterate populace.” but then that’s why I don’t go to church. 😉
Interesting, how you suddenly make that switch from some super abstract, nebulous nothingness to a lengthy framing of Jesus.
I don’t, it’s the UU folks, and each UU church is slightly different. You can see my personal opinion at the bottom. 😉
Thought I’d share that UU congregations I’ve been a part of really don’t like focusing too much on Jesus/Christianity, especially outside of the high Christian holidays. We even held an Earth Day service on an Easter Sunday because we have more members who identify with various varieties of paganism/wicca or are agnostic
I’m an atheist, and a UU church is the only church where I felt truly accepted and comfortable. Granted, this is in CO in a progressive area.
The minster was a lesbian woman, and her sermons were just stories about kindness and courage and connection. It was great.
I don’t think I have heard anyone mention god in the year I was there. YMMV.
I have a couple of friends who go to one of the UU churches in Dallas. I think maybe Roe came from it.