General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why does every religion on the planet [View all]Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)The UUs started out as two denominations in the abolitionist movement, although their roots go back several centuries. Michael Servetus is considered the first Unitarian (believer in one god) and he was barbecued at the stake by John Calvin, who he pissed off mightily. Servetus was a doctor who knew about the blood circulation before William Harvey and also did not believe in infant baptism.
The Universalists believed in Universal Salvation and the two denominations merged in 1961. They are a non-creedal religion, which I think is probably unique. They have guiding principles but not creeds.
I've been a UU since I discovered them in 1979. They are generally atheists, agnostic or pagan. Or just questioning. There are ex-Jews, ex-Christians, and those raised with no religion. There are supposedly Christian UUs but I have never met one. They draw from many spiritual traditions and tend to be highly educated and liberal. The largest UU congregation in the world is in Tulsa, to fight the fundies.
Because it is explicitly non-Christian, it's the only church I will set foot in.
www.uua.org