Does your religion make you a better person than you would otherwise be without it? n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

43. Probably.

First we would have to establish whether Unitarianism is a "religion" by your definition. The closest the UUs ever get to imposing a doctrine is in their 7 Principles:

1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

As for beliefs, not long after I joined I was invited to participate in a multi-session Religious Education group called "Create Your Own Theology." We examined various theological perspectives & discussed them at considerable length, & at the end each came up with their own perspective, which they shared with the group. Most were one or another flavor of agnostic, while I had more deist and Buddhist leanings.

The church is very involved in gay rights (our minister emerita and her partner were the lead plaintiffs in WI's recent Right To Marry Suit). The head of the local ACLU chapter is a member, as is the doctor who founded the local free clinic.

In general, the church is an association of people from whom I draw (and to whom I hope I return in some measure) sustenance and inspiration.