'_' d....thank you so much for this video..speaking as someone who had a 'turbulent past' when it came to nonsecular stuff but 'gained my sea legs' in a Unitarian universalist church (Hamilton, Ontario).
@@francesrude3007, I like that trinity much better than the Abrahamic one, er 3. But is there a Doctrine, Dogma, or horror movie that is worse? Scratching my head...
Reminds me of an old joke. Someone in a town was burning down churches. When the Protestant church was on fire, the pastor ran in and saved the Bible. When the Catholic church was on fire, the priest ran in and saved the Eucharist. When the Unitarian church was on fire, Bob ran in and saved the coffee maker.
@Caleb P It sometimes works the other way, too. For several years in the UU none-dare-call-it-church church in my town I was the leader of the "Christian" faction. Delivered sermons on a regular basis, and celebrated Mass on numerous occasions. When I first showed up, the old school agnostics figured that the neo-Pagans and I would fight it out until nobody was left but the old school agnostics. Not that the fellowship could have even survived with only them. Well, it happened quite the opposite. The neo-Pagans quickly figured out that I actually knew my stuff, and I quickly figured out that they knew theirs. We helped each other on our projects and on several occasions concelebrated 4-altar Mass with the liturgy taken primarily from Bible readings. Stuff they had no idea was in there. .......I eventually left, not because of any conflict, but because I'd outlived my usefulness there. Didn't burn any bridges, and kept in occasional contact. A few weeks ago I found out that they have a project of taking everything I wrote, which was on paper, and converting it to electronic file format so it can be put online. Several years ago there was a fire that caused a lot of damage, and one of the first concerns was "did the library survive?" and that was primarily about the stuff I'd written, which as it turns out many people have been curious about and actually read.
I was also raised Unitarian, and the lessons I learned about religion, philosophy, politics, sexuality, and community stick with me. I left because my particular church had a power vacuum after our minister left, and lots of the higher up members scrambling to get as much influence as possible. It definitely wasn’t the church I was raised in, but I still believe in its values of truth, justice and fairness.
I was born and raised a UU, too, I still belong to my new church, but I quit going because they`re kind of snobby perfectionists that always ask me why I`m not perfect like they are, lol! But they still got the best God damned Doctrine and Dogma of any other church I know: None! Praise science, peace, and love!
Can't resist sharing at least one Unitarian joke as explained by a Unitarian: Unitarians initially united on the faith that "We believe in one God." Later, to incorporate the increasing number of atheists, it became "We believe in no more than one God." With the rise of neo-pagan beliefs, the appreciation of ancient goddesses and such, it became "We believe in One God, more or less."
A variation of this is the different definitions of "monotheism". Jews: There is one God. Catholics: There is one God, at least. Unitarians: There is one God, at most.
@@altavatan1558 What else can you do when you`re agnostic? Accept Jesus` ritual blood, sacrifice as a get out of hell free card so we can sin all we want? Where are the morals in that? And why would God need a burnt offering to appease Himself anyway? Nobody will explain why blood must spill for god to forgive? I call bs!
@@ComradePhoenix Probably. Most people I talk to have never heard of UUs, so they'd hardly have something to make fun of. My sister made a meme that said "UUs when they hear 'lean on me.'" And it was this image: i.redd.it/t0jekxiftbh41.jpg
Thank you for this remarkable video, nuanced, rich in information, well documented and illustrated. Really a great work ...the kind of work we can expect from a fair and serious historian! And this deserve a salary! I did not know that Unitarians had had such an influence in the United States and, all in all, a very positive one. You made my day because I really learn something.
You could pay a visit, then, if only a virtual one. Go to UUA.org, click "Find a Congregation," and enter your city or ZIP code. Plenty of online services and podcasts.
Cynical Historian - "hey you got a pre civil war american who you think is cool?" Everyone - "yes" Cynical Historian - "want to know what religion they were?" Everyone - "but i havn't even told you thei... Cynical Historian - "unitarian"
My greatest fear is becoming stupid in my old age . As long as you keep posting I will try and keep up .Thanks for posting your sources , I have reading to do .
I'm a former minister with a conservative Christian denomination. After being kicked to the curb for "teaching liberal and anti-Christian doctrine", I discovered the UU denomination. They welcomed me with the proverbial "open arms" and I've been happy and comfortable ever since.
Depending on how Christian you actually where I would not walk into the unitarians because at that point you're a glorified deist I'm not trying to be rude but after going over there believes it looks like they just took some things they like from Christianity and Incorporated that into deism
As someone who wasn't forced into a church, I will always find it interesting to listen to the views of those who where. I think my mother would have liked this group, she encouraged her children to find and walk their own religious paths.
I joined the UU Congregation I belong to now in about 2002... I attended a "new folks" group where we were encouraged to ask any questions we had about Unitarian Universalism; another person in the group was destined to become a good friend to me; she said her daughter - a Pagan with UU friends - had told her to check out the UU Faith Path... she said she had encouraged her daughter to find something greater than herself to believe in; then she said, "Personally, I think you all may get tired of me - I Question Everything - and I have driven priests and ministers absolutely Crazy!" We Didn't get tired of her - she and I both ended up serving on the Congregation's Board of Trustees! (And I have found that serious theologians Welcome Questions!) This lady started a Scholarship Committee to award one scholarship each year to an "at-risk" student graduating from the local high school; after her death a couple of years ago, we put her Name on the scholarship to memorialize her. I am on the Scholarship Committee now and I am happy to note that my friend not only found a place where she could "fit in" but one where she could "change lives!" - Joe WolfArth
I started following your videos a few months back, and really appreciated your style and the depth at which you tackled topics. I'm also a longtime UU who occasionally worries that most UU Churches and Fellowships don't spend enough time studying our own history. Thank you for doing this - I'll probably find a way to show it in our Fellowship someday!
Hey there! Just so you know, the standard term for a Jewish house of worship is "synagogue" not "temple". The liberal Jewish denominations (the concept of denominations don't make sense in actual Jewish texts, but that's a research rabbit hole in of itself) use the term "temple" due to 19th century assimilationist politics, but in actuality there was only one Temple, that existed in Jersualem prior to the Diaspora.
My family is Wiccan but we still went to a UU church for years when I was a kid. Some of the chillest group of people I've ever met really, they knew what we were and didn't really seem to care lol. My folks wanted me to see how other religions worked instead of insisting theirs was the only good one, and they got to socialize
You and your family practice Witchcraft. Can you introduce me to the girls from the Original Charmed- They were also Wiccan Practioners. I think at least when they were doing the original TV Series- they were pretty hot. I alway liked Shannon Doherty the best. The Show wasn't the same without her.
This really is a great video. One thing that you seem to underplay is the continued influence of the Unitarians. Even as the organization dwindles, their ideas continue to dominate. Much of our national conversation regarding racial and sexual issues are largely framed in terms that the Unitarians set. Your video is truly thought provoking in the most honest sense of the terms "thought" and "provoking." Congratulations.
I believe the next step in the evolution of Unitarianism is their churches will become community outposts for progressive-communist indoctrination, if they are not doing that already. The places I've seen locally look awfully suspicious in that regard.
@@rudyschwab7709 Some Unitarian-Universalist churches have regular guest speakers from other religions, including Wiccans and Satanists, as well as more mainstream world religions. Of course other churches also have more "liberal" sects that are accepting of various beliefs shunned by the more othodox believers of said religion
Lisa, listing the ice creams at Rev. Lovejoy’s table: “Wow, look at all these flavors! Blessed Virgin Berry, Commandmint, Bible Gum…” Rev. Lovejoy, handing her a bowl: “Or, if you prefer, we also have Unitarian ice cream!” Lisa, peering into the bowl: “There’s nothing here.” Rev. Lovejoy, crossing his arms smugly: “Exactly.” I first learned about Unitarians from the Simpsons. lol
Unitarians were a mix of humanists and Christians by the late 1800s, and the humanists were gaining. The same thing was happening with the Universalists, but more slowly.
Very interesting and very informative. I've recently been reading up a lot on Unitarian belief and history (mostly out of interest in the Transcendentalists and Newton's Unitarian beliefs) and it's much more complicated than I expected. Thanks for this video.
I describe myself as a solitary, syncretic Unitarian Universalist neo-pagan atheist, and I can attest to one thing about UUs: if you're looking to get away from organized religion, check out your local UU fellowship/church. UU fellowships/churches are about as far removed from organized religion as you can get!
@@YankeeNationalist , permit me to reverse the question: what's the point of "centralized" religion? Is it to dictate what people are supposed to believe? Is it to create a power base? Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations are each individual groups that agree to abide by particular rules or practices based on our seven principles. We do so without a hierarchical structure and without a core belief system. The point of joining a UU congregation is much the same as that of any other religion: we gather together to explore how to be decent people and to celebrate those life events and personal experiences that move us to a sense of awe and wonder. We support one another when things get bad -- when disasters strike, whether they affect an individual, a family, or the whole community. We come together because we seek a framework upon which we can hang our personal experiences, our relationships, and our life cycle events and make sense of it all. That said, as a student of the sociology of religion, I define religion as a social system that regulates behaviors and relationships between members of a community bound together through practices and values grounded in beliefs about human nature, the reasons for human existence, and humans relationships with transcendent reality. Notice the emphasis on relationships and behaviors: in my experience with a variety of religions, I find Christianity unique in emphasizing belief over behavior. This is why UUs are a unique bunch in the US: to us, how you behave as a member of a UU congregation is far more important than what you believe. Christianity debates dogmas, often intensely enough that serious conflict arises. UUs debate covenants among members of congregations regarding how we behave with one another. I hope that helps.
@AnarchoRepublican , let me note a few things and ask you a couple of questions. First, we generally refer to ourselves as "Unitarian Universalists", not "Universalist Unitarians". It may seem a minor detail to you, but it's more significant to us. If being respected is important to you, please be sure to offer others respect. Second, Unitarian Universalism is, by our own admission, a liberal religion. By that, we mean that have no doctrine or dogma that members of our congregations have to profess. Many congregations support liberal causes, including policies affecting members of the LGBTQ+ community. But we understand the limitations of the Johnson Amendment and are, as a whole, not political. Congregation members may be politically active, but congregations are not. That said, congregations are often socially active. Many of us, both individually and as members of a congregation, feel the need to support those who are oppressed within the towns or cities within which we live. We often charge our ministers to speak on behalf of our congregations with the prophetic voice, speaking truth to those in power. This is something most all religions do. I think it would be a reasonable guess that if you practice a religion as part of a congregation, your congregation does likewise. I have no quarrel with that -- I only quarrel with those who insist that theirs is the only voice that should be heard. So, my questions to you . . . First, you said UUs "are very organized when it comes to pushing far leftist politics..." Would you please define what you mean by "far leftist politics"? What is it about particular politics that make them "far leftist"? And how do "far leftist" politics differ from what your political practices or beliefs are? Second, when you talk about "pushing . . . politics", do you mean advocating for particular issues, or do you include advocating for particular politicians? Finally, I see you sign yourself as "AnarchoRepublican". Is that title related to your political stance? If so, would you please explain a little about what it means to you? Perhaps it's because I'm in my 60s, but when I learned about politics Anarchists and Republicans were thought incompatible. I'd very much appreciate a better understanding of what you mean by the term.
@@johndemeritt3460 Ignore that. People like that aren't Christian, but a syncreticism between fundamentalism and money worship. The prosperity gospel is a Christian version of Ayn Randism. These folk believe mainline Christianity isn't true Christianity. (Episcopals, Methodists, Presbyterian, UCC, etc..) Thats why they like going to megachurches, it's essentially a cult.
Thank you. I grew up in Texas UU churches. My experience was very much like yours in relationship to learning about most religions and visiting other churches. All were welcomed to our churches and many many ideas were presented in our church. However, my mother did teach me the history of the church. I was persecuted in school for being a Unitarian and called a devil worshiper by the so called girls counselor.
Politics were big in the Dallas churches I attended also. Many an afternoon and evening was spent drinking coffee and planning the protests and work against the war in Vietnam.
I have watched again. And will warch again. I have also watched the one on Lutherinism. Dont worry, I also have watched others of yours. Thanks and Thanks again.
I actually grew up Unitarian and I really enjoyed this history of the religion. I remember going to all the different churches and temples as a kid as well and found it very neat. I ended up leaving when I was 18 for personal reasons, but also because I felt that the others in my age group had become influenced by a negative liberalism that I found very detrimental. But I still remember my time there mostly with fondness.
You don't have to jump through flaming hoops to be Unitarian. The Christians have their Trinity nonsense, believe children are born in sin so need to be baptised... it goes on and on. I rather be a Unitarian than put up with that shit.
Thanks. Really interesting. My dad was a Unitarian minister, and my great grandparents were congregationalist missionaries. Learned a lot from the video.
I always wondered what happened to all the Unitarians in the States after reading a list of Presidents' religious affiliations. I was blown away to see how big it was. Side note: the whole reason I looked that info up was because our National Cathedral is Episcopalian; which I always found weird since so many settlers in the new world were fleeing religious intolerance and the fact that the Episcopalian church is a branch of the Church of England.
Actually, he was a "dux"so that would translate to duke/prince in english. Btw. Are there Romanian Unitarians? Because unitarianism -as i know- started in Transylvania with Ferenc Dávid.
Universalism was more of a "working class" religious movement than Unitarianism, but both Unitarians and Universalists were heavily involved in liberal activist movements in the 19th century (like abolitionism, women's suffrage, free education in public schools, etc.). Unitarians began allowing non-Christian and nontheistic beliefs in the 1890s, and many Universalist churches were very liberal and religiously pluralist by the 1950s before the merger. In 1913, the largest Congregational church association adopted the Kansas City Statement of Faith, which allows Unitarian theology, does not mention predestination or original sin or substitutional atonement, and says the will of God is in the Bible without saying the Bible is inerrant. My guess is that there are lots of liberal Unitarian Christians in the United Church of Christ, which is a larger denomination than the Unitarian Universalist Association.
You call that liberal, it is just proper behavior to others, and being concerned for more than your own self interests. Unitarians are not Christians, so allowing non Christians is okay, however belief in God, in Jesus the teacher, not the Christ or Messiah, and interpreting the Bible using your own rational thought are Unitarian. Allowing nontheists etc is Universalst not Unitarian.
Love from Taipei. This episode shows how through out human history, philosophy and religion were rarely divisive from each other. Speaking of Emerson, he was longtime highly respected respected as the push towards American literature. I think it shall be interesting to many if you can create an episode of American literature history.
One reason Unitarianism has flagged was best said by J. Gresham Machen about 100 years ago (though he was talking about mainstream liberals): "They have set about the difficult task of calling the righteous to repentance."
My opinion is that most people want a Church, a dogma, traditions, the Hail Marys, let someone else take your transgressions away.... It's a social event too.
An interesting video. Currently there are about 200,000 Unitarian members in the U.S. Like most religious Faith's, the membership is in long-term decline. Another interesting topic would be the political influence of Quakers in colonial America. Once Quakers were no longer allowed to hold political office, and restrictions were made based on personal habits, their numbers plummeted.
I think it was pretty brave of you to discuss religion so publicly. Especially on the internet, where you can almost guarantee at least some disrespectful push-back. I salute you
Before the advent of the "Rural Cemetery" movement; that allowed all members of a community to be buried in the same cemetery.*** each church had its own cemetery. In New England, New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania and some areas of the Old Northwest (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois); if you got to small towns that had been thriving until the end of WW1 (when those places began to decline) one can still find the old Unitarian cemeteries. Often times, the church itself is no longer there; but you can see the more elaborate grave markers above the wildflowers and grass. (The local historian can help you find those places) ***Some community "rural" cemeteries might have a Jewish or a Catholic section; However, most Catholic churches had (and still do have) their own cemeteries; as do the Orthodox churches.
Thanks for info on Unitarianism. 4 times I jumped into Unitarianism, at widely different times in my life, each time eventually leaving with greater conviction of leaving.
Yes, Mohammed did not believe in the trinity. But at the same time, he thought the Virgin Mary was apart of the Trinity. Clearly Mohammed was pretty ignorant on what any of this was.
I don't think so. Mary or Mariam was part of the Trinity, she was the mother of Isa. Mr. M was a bit strange, some say he was epileptic, he married a old rich woman, I guess everyone of his time was ignorant including European Christians.
Back in my student days I had a born and bred Unitarian friend who complained that her congregation was being infiltrated by "seekers" searching for a spiritual home. "They don't stay long, they consider Unitarianism a way station on the road from Judaism to atheism."
I live in lansdale PA. New in America. I just today knew about Unitarian beliefs. Now I feel interest in it. So I should know it exactly. For this may I've your help ,please.
Well done videos, I have been enjoying your channel. Could you do (or have you done?) a video on how evangelicalism lead to post modernism? You made a passing comment, I wish you could have expounded on.
Fellow UU. Had very similar experience at Sunday school that you did. I also think that it was a hugely positive influence on my life, and am super grateful to have been exposed to so many different belief systems. I've thought about going back to a u.u church as an adult, but havent made it yet. I think if I had kids I would start attending again. I really do think exposure to different beliefs as a child is so important. Great video!
The official at my first wedding (1967) was a Unitarian minister, who explained that Unitarians were Christians, but with some differencs. Nowadays, it seems like Unitarians aren’t necessarily Christian, or even Deist, at all. I don’t see the point of a sect that has no continuity in its core beliefs. Why pretend it’s a church if it is no longer?
I think they're dedicated more to helping individuals discover life's meaning for themselves rather than dictating the terms for salvation. No need for authoritarianism if you respect the individual.
I think that there is a tendency for churches to drift from a centrist appeal to progressively more extreme views, losing membership all the way. Once a politically and theologically mainstream church drifts even slightly, it loses members opposed to the change, and attracts members with preexisting proclivity to the new direction. This causes progressively more extreme drift, and a decline in membership due to the smaller numbers at the tails of the bell curve. The ultimate fate may well be a church with extreme creeds and a membership of one.
Very informative, as always, Cypher. I do find it ironic that so many try to emphasize the Christian roots of the founding of America, and--while significant--they seem quite silent about the Unitarians. Even Deists get more coverage. And when I hear people quoting John Adam's quote about the necessity of a "religious people" for our government to succeed--which were accurate--they forget that for him, "religious" included "Unitarian", and not the orthodox Trinitarian groups that Evangelicals and other conservative Christians belong to today. Of course, the Unitarians today aren't what they were in Adams' day (as you point out), but they still would be considered arch-heretics by any conservative Christian theological measures (I mean, the Trinity and the Incarnation are just about the most essential marks of orthodoxy today).
To put it bluntly most Christians don't like Unitarianism Baptist Methodist Catholics Lutheran's ECT most view them along the lines of the modalists and I see them as glorified deists at this point they might as well just be their own thing because they certainly aren't Christian
there was some communication back and forth between the English unitarians and Polish ones. So much so that it caused a big uproar about Socinianism (named for the Polish founder of that theology), and that is what John Biddle was caught up in
Thanks for replying! The Polish Brethren or "Socinians" were really a fascinating group. It's a shame they essentially were made scapegoats for all who collaborated with the Swedish invaders during the so-called Deluge and exiled. BTW Fausto Sozzini himself (known in Polish as Faust Socyn or Socinus in Latin) was actually an Italian, who came to Poland in 1579. While he became one of the leaders and main theologists of the movement, he was hardly its founder as it officially split from the Polish Calvinists in 1565 and was already going one for a decade before that.
Very interesting... One mild complaint: I definitely wanted to read all of the material in the various quotations and charts etc. that appeared on screen, but not infrequently they were whisked away before I could finish. (And yes, I went on to watch the Lutheran video, which was likewise quite engaging.)
@Hissam Ullah The Trinity is Magic! There is only 1 God .... But Jesus and the Holy Spirit are "Aspects" of God! .... Many Ancient Religions and Hinduism have this Concept!
I got him! Nah you just winged him and made him a Unitarian. Sorry I had to, the Simpsons is where I heard for the first time. Great video, I honestly knew nothing about Unitarianism.
With the advent of the King James Version, the bible became more accessible to the common man in England. But despite this, it was the educated who took advantage of it and made it a point to read and study more deeply into it. As a result, it was discovered that the trinity doctrine was not something to be found in the bible. Many learned men came to appreciate this point and rejected it. This is why it was considered a growing idea among intellectuals in the late 1600s. Sir Isaac Newton was among these. Joseph Priestly was a chemist who began writing on the subject. He also rejected the idea of an inherent immortal human soul and believed that the first century Christians had to true faith and that any deviation from it was a corruption. His writings sparked huge debates not only in the church but even in the government. In 1791 a mob destroyed his home and lab causing him to eventually flee to America. He was followed by many others such as a man named Henry Grew. He was a Baptist Minister who was considered an intellectual who took time to study the bible as well on his own. After 4 years, we withdrew from the church along with many others. He went on to write many papers dealing with the unitarian ideas as well as on the immortality of the soul, and the false idea of a fiery Hell. This all came about because some honest men decided to actually examine the bible for themselves rather than listen to a preacher tell them the common idea's that supported a church. As time went on, more people, as you say, unitarian thought grew, became convinced that what they were learning was true. One group that didn't actually grow out of the unitarian idea's but was influenced by the idea of deep study of the scriptures, came into existence in the later half of the 19th century. Today you know them as Jehovah's Witnesses. They refute the trinity doctrine as well as the inherent immortal soul and hellfire. And unlike unitarians, they refuse to become politically involved in any way. While Unitarianism is mostly considered an English and later American patron, Jehovah's Witnesses have become an international organization with adherents in every country on Earth with the exception of 3. So in a way, Unitarianism, the idea of one God and one son as separate person, is still very much alive. Unfortunately the unitarian church known now as the Universalist Church has rejected the original idea's of study of the bible and it's teachings and now has become a very liberal movement advocating things that the bible condemns. by the way, I love your video's. Very informative and right on the money.
Thanks! I'm a CUUPS member, and I never thought of the irony before. I see, though, that one God can be represented by various religions, under the leadership of what we perceive as multiple gods. The UU church must have wanted to provide a place to make all free-thinkers (making a journey from traditional (calvinism) feel welcome.
I know this is about America but the Transylvania connection is interesting and many UUs are aware of it. I'm a Quaker and regard UUs as on a somewhat parallel track. I've embraced Bucky Fuller as a Transcendentalist for the future and for our time. His great aunt Magaret Fuller was a prominent Transcendentalist.
Great historical video. But I found the cartoons distracting, except for the one about the Hubble telescope and the image of the bearded guy in the clouds. I liked that one.
Nuclear Cat Baby In most states it didn’t become illegal until the 70s and 80s because for most of history the idea of two men marrying was so far fetched and wrong that laws to keep it from happening weren’t even necessary.
@@rubynelson1164 They conducted "blessings" of the union. Even before same-sex marriage was legal, some states (such as California) allowed civil unions.
Universalism started from the first century on through the 5th Century, the Apostle Paul was one of the main Church fathers who was a Universalist along with Origen. Five out of six schools of thought in the first five centuries were all Universalist.
Was Paul a Universalist or Not? No. 🤔? Romans 13 [1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Yes, this is the crux of the issue. Paul spoke in both veins, that's an undeniable fact. Double-minded in his thinking? Schizophrenic? Senile? Here's a list of all his universal statements. The list is impressive: 1 Tim 2:4 - salvation of all desired 1 Tim 2:6 - Christ was ransom for all 1 Tim 4:10 - Christ was savior of all, especially (and therefore not limited to) those who believe 1 Cor 15:22 - all made alive in Christ 1 Cor 15:27 - all subject to him Phil 2:10-11 - all will worship him Col 1:20 - all reconciled in Christ Romans 5 (cf 1 John 2:2) - all justified and made righteous 2 Cor 5:19 - all reconciled Romans 11:32 - all receive mercy Eph 1:9-10 - all gathered up in him And verses with limitarian readings: 2 Th 1:9 2 Th 2:10 Now if we go on the sheer weight of Pauline scripture, then clearly universalism wins hands down. But if we take the position that one drop of poison contaminates the entire cistern then limited atonement seems to come out on top.
@@412JFury Clearly Saint Paul wasn't schizophrenic or senile, you wrong him to say such things. You also seem to be misinterpreting him somewhat. There are other verses that imply limited salvation - see Romans 11:22 he is generous with you, as long as you remain faithful. Otherwise you will be cut off. St Peter warns: there are however, some points [in Paul's letters] that are difficult to understand, which people who are ignorant and immature in their faith twist, as they do with the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16 In all that Paul teaches, we must always remember he is below Christ, who clearly taught hell exists.
there was actually some communication back and forth between the English unitarians and Polish ones. So much so that it caused a big uproar about Socinianism, and that is what John Biddle was caught up in
@@CynicalHistorian we're still alive:-) in Poland and Hungary unitarius.org/ but most of us are Christian Unitarian like Faustus Socinus, Ferenc David et consortes
A Roman Catholic might say that the reason New England went from Puritan to Unitarian by the American Revolution was because Protestants believe in sola scriptura. They do not have the magisterium of the catholic church and an infallible Pope. However the French Revolution gives the lie to that. Being Roman Catholic did not save France from the atheism of the French Revolution.
Can anyone explain what the motivation is for being a devout Unitarian Universalist is? If it's theologically empty, why organize? Why take time out of your week for it? Why pay tithes? Is it a social group? Or a political power disguised as a religious group?
Justin Bowling as a UU, I can say that the church gives me a place to explore my own faith and spirituality in community. I can come to my faith in my own time, can challenge myself and grow. The misconception is we can believe anything we want, which isn’t entirely true. Read the 7 principles of the faith and try to live them and you will see being a UU is serious work. Most people get confused by a religion not telling them what to believe so they don’t see it as a religion. However, we accept that everyone’s spiritual journey is unique and different and make room for each person to find it on their own. As we say, we care more about deeds than creeds.
As a UU, my experience is that most congregants find participation fulfilling and being a part of our shared UU faith provides meaning in an often alienating world. Many people turn to UU who have been rejected by the faith of their upbringing: for instance, I've know quite a few LGBTQI UU's who left the Catholic church and embraced Unitarian Universalism. Additionally, interfaith couples may choose to raise their children in a UU congregation which honors religious diversity. Although there is no dogma, the cynical historian is not accurate in his description that UU doesn't have a theology. Religious freedom is the basis for UU beliefs, with a shared understanding that truth is not sealed. While UU's may have differing understandings of the hereafter, focusing on the here and now and promising to live our principles is core to being a UU. We consecrate the holy here on earth. UU provides a spiritual home where congregants can explore our belief system and nurture our capacity to love. We may find solace in the sacred space of a weekly service; others may carve out time in our busy lives for ritual and community, some may be intellectually challenged by the sermons, while venturing into the infinite mystery with our finite minds may be appealing to others, or attending worship might offer a grounding to be our higher self.
Hey. Great video. I just want to add that aside from the Unitarian church there are some other groups that are also unitarian and that have no further connection to the Unitarian body discussed in the video. E.g.: Jehovas Witnesses for one. What these churches don't have in common with the Universalist Unitarian is that they are often a bit more exclusive and less universalist and probably not so progressive/politically involved. Obviously, all these other groups also use the same history of unitarian persecution in their historical narratives. I found the above video interesting because I was not aware of any of it (easy I guess if you're not American). I was only aware of the other unitarian groups such as the JW's, Christadelphians and such like (who also had their start in the US). I thoroughly enjoyed the historical video!
Google UCA, Unitarian Christian Alliance. A group of Christians from different backgrounds and slight doctrinal differences that all DO agree that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are separate (non-trinitarian). True Biblical Unitarians, like the video mentioned in history. Fun fact, first century Christians were also "Biblical Unitarians" so to speak. The Trinity doctrine did not gain wide acceptance until the council of Nicaea. So history is basically amazing and can teach us many truths.
People ask me what Unitarianism is, and the only good answer that I have been able to come up with is "the only dogma is that there is no dogma". Which of course is inaccurate, but it does sum up some of the core characteristics.
Oh just a small correction 3:44 it's not a quote from the prophet (pbuh) rather the quran. The holy scripture of Islam. The quotes of the prophet are referred to as Hadith. So yes muslims are strictly opposed to trinity, something that made learning to understand it later in life really hard for me, I still got a long way to go.
The 1st century believers were Unitarian (non trinitarians). But they weren't what we call universalist today. I became a non trinitarian after I studied the OT. The trinity came about by the Catholic church.and the truth was mostly stamped out after 325 ad.
seriously, bugs needs to stay out of albuquerque. he always makes the wrong turn there. why's he go there so much anyways? what is he, on meth or something?
My family attended a Unitarian fellowship when I was a kid in the 1960s and early 70s. I hated it. Thank God, my parents didn't participate in the wife swapping. It was the hub for anti-war activism in our California town so it served that good purpose but it was certainly not centered around God. My mother, who taught Sunday school was told she could not mention God. As a young child I learned this important lesson from the experience: intellectuals are not always wise and parents are not always right
@@m.inthedesert7134 How egotistical to infer that not believing in _your_ opinion about a mythical sky fairy is the same as not believing anything. I'd hazard to guess you're uncomfortable with critical thinking.
@@diyimprover6887 I believe they thought people who believe in God are not very smart. I heard the talk and I thought they might even be right. But it bothered me. There's a superior smugness to that notion that I didn't want to be part of. I admit to being a little hyperbolic about them not believing in anything, obviously I can't know that. It's just how it seemed to me as a child drinking in the conversation. If the purpose of church is to engage in religion of some sort... ANY sort... that didn't happen. And this was no place for kids. I didn't need to know about wife swapping at 9 yrs old. I didn't see it, mind you... I just heard the whole soap opera. Who was sleeping with who. I'd look at their kids and wonder if they hated their home life. Divorces were the obvious outcome. Do you get why I have contempt? I don't care if other people believe in God or not and I'm very open-minded about the various ways people see reality. THEY were not open-minded enough to allow my mother to talk about God in a gosh-darn Sunday school. Imagine intellectuals (most were teachers at the local collage) putting a restriction on speech and ideas while simultaneously luxuriating in their own image of open-minded hipness. These were not bad people (they were great anti-war activists) but any lessons I learned there were not what they intended. I'm not sure I'd take back the experience though. Those unintended lessons have been invaluable. I mean that sincerely. I'd be surprised if today's Unitarian fellowships are anything like the one I attended. It was the 1960s and 70s... everything was wild and weird
That isn't Unitarianism. God and the human Jesus, not the razzle dazzle one, are part of Unitarian beliefs. You don't need to got to some fellowship to swap wives, just stick a flamingo statue in your front garden.
It's a shame that in Germany Liberal Protestant Religion has never gained so much influence. We had Free-religous Congregations - only some have survived or transformed into Humanist Communities. Thank you for this Video!
Not to be a huge nit picker, but Muhammad’s dismissal of the trinity was predicated on the erroneous view that Christians considered Mary, God and Jesus as a single God head. He wasn’t invalidating the trinity under traditional Nicene doctrine
@Dick Kickem further evidence: directly from the Quran-which specifically references the erroneous view that Christians viewed Mary as a god: “And when God said, ‘O Jesus son of Mary, didst thou say unto men, "Take me and my mother as gods, apart from God"?’ He said, ‘To Thee be glory! It is not mine to say what I have no right to. If I indeed said it, Thou knowest it, knowing what is within my soul, and I know not what is within Thy soul; Thou knowest the things unseen I only said to them what Thou didst command me: "Serve God, my Lord and your Lord." And I was a witness over them, while I remained among them; but when Thou didst take me to Thyself, Thou wast Thyself the watcher over them; Thou Thyself art witness of everything.’ S. 5:116-117
The anti trinitarian movement is as old as Jesus himself. They were debating the nature of Christ even in the time of Constantine. I am related to William Ellery Channing via his grandfather William Ellery. William Ellery was one of the signers of the declaration of Independence from Rhode Island. Over the decades the Unitarian has become very diffuse and vague. I can't even regard it as a church anymore. It's more of a secular philosophical organization. The last time I was in a Unitarian church I used the phrase God and several people said they were "offended". The UU has become so diluted theologically it's kinda meaningless now. Dr. Janice Ellery
So, if Unitarians don't really have a set belief system, how do they ordain ministers/chaplains/ or priests? Also, what is the difference between someone who is only a Unitarian, and someone who is only a universalist?
I was looking online recently at things trump has done to make immigration, legal or otherwise, harder (my mom has had cnn on a lot, *sigh* due to covid concerns) and the first result I saw was a Quaker wbsitetha clearly had done its homework. I knew the Quakers were staunch abolitionists but I didn't know their progressiveness extends to today, good on you Quakers!
@@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat Oh, we certainly are progressive...liberal! Most were fine with marriage equality decades ago. Quakers were the first faith group that said women were the equal of men, both in the larger society and within meetings.
I believe you're forgetting the early 1930s when many Unitarians decided to embrace humanism, which was then a new religion that discarded "superstition" (i.e. beliefs in the Virgin Mary and the Resurrection), sought to be rooted in science and more relevant to the times by emphasizing (liberal) social activism.
6:00 that's supposed to say "his home"
'_' d....thank you so much for this video..speaking as someone who had a 'turbulent past' when it came to nonsecular stuff but 'gained my sea legs' in a Unitarian universalist church (Hamilton, Ontario).
a lot of people don't really seem to understand what the trinity is
@@rogeliovaldez9689 Some count ISIS, HORUS ANS SEB( sometimes called Seth) as trinity
Look into how it ties into the foundation of new amsterdam there's a reason they all went to boston
@@francesrude3007, I like that trinity much better than the Abrahamic one, er 3. But is there a Doctrine, Dogma, or horror movie that is worse? Scratching my head...
Reminds me of an old joke. Someone in a town was burning down churches. When the Protestant church was on fire, the pastor ran in and saved the Bible. When the Catholic church was on fire, the priest ran in and saved the Eucharist. When the Unitarian church was on fire, Bob ran in and saved the coffee maker.
I used to know a Unitarian named Bob, so this is extra funny. He would definitely save the coffee maker.
there's another joke "The last time someone mentioned Jesus Christ in the Unitarian Church was when the janitor fell down the stairs"
@Caleb P It sometimes works the other way, too. For several years in the UU none-dare-call-it-church church in my town I was the leader of the "Christian" faction. Delivered sermons on a regular basis, and celebrated Mass on numerous occasions. When I first showed up, the old school agnostics figured that the neo-Pagans and I would fight it out until nobody was left but the old school agnostics. Not that the fellowship could have even survived with only them. Well, it happened quite the opposite. The neo-Pagans quickly figured out that I actually knew my stuff, and I quickly figured out that they knew theirs. We helped each other on our projects and on several occasions concelebrated 4-altar Mass with the liturgy taken primarily from Bible readings. Stuff they had no idea was in there. .......I eventually left, not because of any conflict, but because I'd outlived my usefulness there. Didn't burn any bridges, and kept in occasional contact. A few weeks ago I found out that they have a project of taking everything I wrote, which was on paper, and converting it to electronic file format so it can be put online. Several years ago there was a fire that caused a lot of damage, and one of the first concerns was "did the library survive?" and that was primarily about the stuff I'd written, which as it turns out many people have been curious about and actually read.
Ha! :)
Skip the service if you wish, but missing coffee hour is poor form!
I was also raised Unitarian, and the lessons I learned about religion, philosophy, politics, sexuality, and community stick with me. I left because my particular church had a power vacuum after our minister left, and lots of the higher up members scrambling to get as much influence as possible. It definitely wasn’t the church I was raised in, but I still believe in its values of truth, justice and fairness.
Sounds like your congregation needs you!
Fairness.... Hmmmm... That's one very subjective ideology.
I was born and raised a UU, too, I still belong to my new church, but I quit going because they`re kind of snobby perfectionists that always ask me why I`m not perfect like they are, lol! But they still got the best God damned Doctrine and Dogma of any other church I know: None! Praise science, peace, and love!
@@TingTingalingy And people are people; c`est la vie!
@@drivinsouth651 I agree, until Liberals arrive.
Can't resist sharing at least one Unitarian joke as explained by a Unitarian: Unitarians initially united on the faith that "We believe in one God." Later, to incorporate the increasing number of atheists, it became "We believe in no more than one God." With the rise of neo-pagan beliefs, the appreciation of ancient goddesses and such, it became "We believe in One God, more or less."
A variation of this is the different definitions of "monotheism". Jews: There is one God. Catholics: There is one God, at least. Unitarians: There is one God, at most.
yes! they take from "all" religions and pick what they like, something like a spiritual religious buffet.
@@altavatan1558 What else can you do when you`re agnostic? Accept Jesus` ritual blood, sacrifice as a get out of hell free card so we can sin all we want? Where are the morals in that? And why would God need a burnt offering to appease Himself anyway? Nobody will explain why blood must spill for god to forgive? I call bs!
@Tom Bergere iam willing to have a convo with you on this if you want .
@@ericmiller6056Catholics believe in only one God
Never get a Unitarian Universalist angry at you-- they might burn a question mark on your yard.
That's hilarious!
As a UU, I unironically laughed.
@@ComradePhoenix Me too!
@@jeremy1392 I don't think anyone laughs harder at UUs than we laugh at ourselves.
@@ComradePhoenix Probably. Most people I talk to have never heard of UUs, so they'd hardly have something to make fun of. My sister made a meme that said "UUs when they hear 'lean on me.'" And it was this image:
i.redd.it/t0jekxiftbh41.jpg
Thank you for this remarkable video, nuanced, rich in information, well documented and illustrated. Really a great work ...the kind of work we can expect from a fair and serious historian! And this deserve a salary! I did not know that Unitarians had had such an influence in the United States and, all in all, a very positive one. You made my day because I really learn something.
You could pay a visit, then, if only a virtual one. Go to UUA.org, click "Find a Congregation," and enter your city or ZIP code. Plenty of online services and podcasts.
Cynical Historian - "hey you got a pre civil war american who you think is cool?"
Everyone - "yes"
Cynical Historian - "want to know what religion they were?"
Everyone - "but i havn't even told you thei...
Cynical Historian - "unitarian"
Yup ! Pretty much ! (5/5/20)
orchidorio here with you’s
My greatest fear is becoming stupid in my old age . As long as you keep posting I will try and keep up .Thanks for posting your sources , I have reading to do .
That is why upon turning 50 I will off myself
@@CayeDaws Good bye.
Caye Daws might as while live a Teddy Roosevelt life style and go explore uncharted seabeds!
@@CayeDaws Why 50? How old are you now?
I'm a former minister with a conservative Christian denomination. After being kicked to the curb for "teaching liberal and anti-Christian doctrine", I discovered the UU denomination. They welcomed me with the proverbial "open arms" and I've been happy and comfortable ever since.
So what do you believe now?
Teaching anti Christian doctrine? 🤔
What does that mean?
@Noah Scheid I'd rather they answer
Depending on how Christian you actually where I would not walk into the unitarians because at that point you're a glorified deist I'm not trying to be rude but after going over there believes it looks like they just took some things they like from Christianity and Incorporated that into deism
@@HerveyShmervy Why do you care? Who died and left you God?
As someone who wasn't forced into a church, I will always find it interesting to listen to the views of those who where.
I think my mother would have liked this group, she encouraged her children to find and walk their own religious paths.
You put where instead of were.
I joined the UU Congregation I belong to now in about 2002... I attended a "new folks" group where we were encouraged to ask any questions we had about Unitarian Universalism; another person in the group was destined to become a good friend to me; she said her daughter - a Pagan with UU friends - had told her to check out the UU Faith Path... she said she had encouraged her daughter to find something greater than herself to believe in; then she said, "Personally, I think you all may get tired of me - I Question Everything - and I have driven priests and ministers absolutely Crazy!" We Didn't get tired of her - she and I both ended up serving on the Congregation's Board of Trustees! (And I have found that serious theologians Welcome Questions!) This lady started a Scholarship Committee to award one scholarship each year to an "at-risk" student graduating from the local high school; after her death a couple of years ago, we put her Name on the scholarship to memorialize her. I am on the Scholarship Committee now and I am happy to note that my friend not only found a place where she could "fit in" but one where she could "change lives!" - Joe WolfArth
@@cuucnsbfl9913, I praise science and the truth! Amen!
Good for your Mother...you lucky soul!
I started following your videos a few months back, and really appreciated your style and the depth at which you tackled topics.
I'm also a longtime UU who occasionally worries that most UU Churches and Fellowships don't spend enough time studying our own history. Thank you for doing this - I'll probably find a way to show it in our Fellowship someday!
What do you get when you cross a Unitarian with a Jehovah's Witness?
A knock on the door for no apparent reason.
Honestly that’s a dumb joke
I’ve always heard a different punch line:
“Someone who knocks on your door to ask about your religion”
Hey there! Just so you know, the standard term for a Jewish house of worship is "synagogue" not "temple". The liberal Jewish denominations (the concept of denominations don't make sense in actual Jewish texts, but that's a research rabbit hole in of itself) use the term "temple" due to 19th century assimilationist politics, but in actuality there was only one Temple, that existed in Jersualem prior to the Diaspora.
TheEDBShow Technically, the correct term, to quote Jesus, is "synagogue of satan".
TheEDBShow True "Shul" is used in Orthodox not synagogue Greek. Shalom
Tenak Talk channel explains
jewishhistory.org
DIAZ52 sounds like you know the bible, why don't you tell me the exact chapter and verse in which jesus said that?
Then why do conservative Jews that I know say they are goin to temple?
@@odysseusrex5908 this is disproved in the Tanakh a number of times
My family is Wiccan but we still went to a UU church for years when I was a kid. Some of the chillest group of people I've ever met really, they knew what we were and didn't really seem to care lol. My folks wanted me to see how other religions worked instead of insisting theirs was the only good one, and they got to socialize
You and your family practice Witchcraft. Can you introduce me to the girls from the Original Charmed- They were also Wiccan Practioners. I think at least when they were doing the original TV Series- they were pretty hot. I alway liked Shannon Doherty the best. The Show wasn't the same without her.
This really is a great video. One thing that you seem to underplay is the continued influence of the Unitarians. Even as the organization dwindles, their ideas continue to dominate. Much of our national conversation regarding racial and sexual issues are largely framed in terms that the Unitarians set. Your video is truly thought provoking in the most honest sense of the terms "thought" and "provoking." Congratulations.
Wow,
Hippies go way back.....
I believe the next step in the evolution of Unitarianism is their churches will become community outposts for progressive-communist indoctrination, if they are not doing that already. The places I've seen locally look awfully suspicious in that regard.
@@rudyschwab7709 You Trump supporter.
@@locutusdborg126 communism sucks.
@@rudyschwab7709
Some Unitarian-Universalist churches have regular guest speakers
from other religions, including Wiccans and Satanists, as well as
more mainstream world religions. Of course other churches also
have more "liberal" sects that are accepting of various beliefs
shunned by the more othodox believers of said religion
Mencius Moldbug could have told you that.
Lisa, listing the ice creams at Rev. Lovejoy’s table: “Wow, look at all these flavors! Blessed Virgin Berry, Commandmint, Bible Gum…”
Rev. Lovejoy, handing her a bowl: “Or, if you prefer, we also have Unitarian ice cream!”
Lisa, peering into the bowl: “There’s nothing here.”
Rev. Lovejoy, crossing his arms smugly: “Exactly.”
I first learned about Unitarians from the Simpsons. lol
Starting to love Unitarians
Unitarian universalist were a later adaptation of unitarianism. Early unitarians were closer to biblical unitarian movement.
Unitarians were a mix of humanists and Christians by the late 1800s, and the humanists were gaining. The same thing was happening with the Universalists, but more slowly.
Yes you are right. U.U is fair enough. But what's the point? Belonging.
Very interesting and very informative. I've recently been reading up a lot on Unitarian belief and history (mostly out of interest in the Transcendentalists and Newton's Unitarian beliefs) and it's much more complicated than I expected.
Thanks for this video.
Complicated? Like, there is no God, prophet, Doctrine, or Dogma; technically, it isn`t even a real religion, lol!
I was a Unitarian for 20 years and while I’m no longer active I still respect its tenets. It’s just not a cohesive organization.
I describe myself as a solitary, syncretic Unitarian Universalist neo-pagan atheist, and I can attest to one thing about UUs: if you're looking to get away from organized religion, check out your local UU fellowship/church. UU fellowships/churches are about as far removed from organized religion as you can get!
John Demeritt That sounds so decentralized that what would even be the point of joining?
@@YankeeNationalist , permit me to reverse the question: what's the point of "centralized" religion? Is it to dictate what people are supposed to believe? Is it to create a power base? Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations are each individual groups that agree to abide by particular rules or practices based on our seven principles. We do so without a hierarchical structure and without a core belief system.
The point of joining a UU congregation is much the same as that of any other religion: we gather together to explore how to be decent people and to celebrate those life events and personal experiences that move us to a sense of awe and wonder. We support one another when things get bad -- when disasters strike, whether they affect an individual, a family, or the whole community. We come together because we seek a framework upon which we can hang our personal experiences, our relationships, and our life cycle events and make sense of it all.
That said, as a student of the sociology of religion, I define religion as a social system that regulates behaviors and relationships between members of a community bound together through practices and values grounded in beliefs about human nature, the reasons for human existence, and humans relationships with transcendent reality. Notice the emphasis on relationships and behaviors: in my experience with a variety of religions, I find Christianity unique in emphasizing belief over behavior. This is why UUs are a unique bunch in the US: to us, how you behave as a member of a UU congregation is far more important than what you believe. Christianity debates dogmas, often intensely enough that serious conflict arises. UUs debate covenants among members of congregations regarding how we behave with one another.
I hope that helps.
@AnarchoRepublican , let me note a few things and ask you a couple of questions.
First, we generally refer to ourselves as "Unitarian Universalists", not "Universalist Unitarians". It may seem a minor detail to you, but it's more significant to us. If being respected is important to you, please be sure to offer others respect.
Second, Unitarian Universalism is, by our own admission, a liberal religion. By that, we mean that have no doctrine or dogma that members of our congregations have to profess. Many congregations support liberal causes, including policies affecting members of the LGBTQ+ community. But we understand the limitations of the Johnson Amendment and are, as a whole, not political. Congregation members may be politically active, but congregations are not.
That said, congregations are often socially active. Many of us, both individually and as members of a congregation, feel the need to support those who are oppressed within the towns or cities within which we live. We often charge our ministers to speak on behalf of our congregations with the prophetic voice, speaking truth to those in power. This is something most all religions do. I think it would be a reasonable guess that if you practice a religion as part of a congregation, your congregation does likewise. I have no quarrel with that -- I only quarrel with those who insist that theirs is the only voice that should be heard.
So, my questions to you . . . First, you said UUs "are very organized when it comes to pushing far leftist politics..." Would you please define what you mean by "far leftist politics"? What is it about particular politics that make them "far leftist"? And how do "far leftist" politics differ from what your political practices or beliefs are?
Second, when you talk about "pushing . . . politics", do you mean advocating for particular issues, or do you include advocating for particular politicians?
Finally, I see you sign yourself as "AnarchoRepublican". Is that title related to your political stance? If so, would you please explain a little about what it means to you? Perhaps it's because I'm in my 60s, but when I learned about politics Anarchists and Republicans were thought incompatible. I'd very much appreciate a better understanding of what you mean by the term.
@@johndemeritt3460 Ignore that. People like that aren't Christian, but a syncreticism between fundamentalism and money worship. The prosperity gospel is a Christian version of Ayn Randism. These folk believe mainline Christianity isn't true Christianity. (Episcopals, Methodists, Presbyterian, UCC, etc..) Thats why they like going to megachurches, it's essentially a cult.
I really enjoyed this video. Thank you
Thank you. I grew up in Texas UU churches. My experience was very much like yours in relationship to learning about most religions and visiting other churches. All were welcomed to our churches and many many ideas were presented in our church. However, my mother did teach me the history of the church. I was persecuted in school for being a Unitarian and called a devil worshiper by the so called girls counselor.
Politics were big in the Dallas churches I attended also. Many an afternoon and evening was spent drinking coffee and planning the protests and work against the war in Vietnam.
Well you were a Universalist not a Unitarian. As to persecution, it is wrong, change schools.
I have watched again. And will warch again. I have also watched the one on Lutherinism. Dont worry, I also have watched others of yours. Thanks and Thanks again.
I actually grew up Unitarian and I really enjoyed this history of the religion. I remember going to all the different churches and temples as a kid as well and found it very neat. I ended up leaving when I was 18 for personal reasons, but also because I felt that the others in my age group had become influenced by a negative liberalism that I found very detrimental. But I still remember my time there mostly with fondness.
I do not much care for Unitarianism it basically just seems like glorified deism
You don't have to jump through flaming hoops to be Unitarian. The Christians have their Trinity nonsense, believe children are born in sin so need to be baptised... it goes on and on. I rather be a Unitarian than put up with that shit.
Thanks. Really interesting. My dad was a Unitarian minister, and my great grandparents were congregationalist missionaries. Learned a lot from the video.
Love the one second of x-files -intro-music. Perfect timing! And very interesting video. Thnx a lot :)
This was very fascinating! thank you for posting this
Along with the Milwaukee atheist your my favorite history channel! Great content 👍
I always wondered what happened to all the Unitarians in the States after reading a list of Presidents' religious affiliations. I was blown away to see how big it was. Side note: the whole reason I looked that info up was because our National Cathedral is Episcopalian; which I always found weird since so many settlers in the new world were fleeing religious intolerance and the fact that the Episcopalian church is a branch of the Church of England.
Anglican church.
Fun fact:The only unitarian king from history was John Zapolya,king of Transylvania
Actually, he was a "dux"so that would translate to duke/prince in english.
Btw. Are there Romanian Unitarians? Because unitarianism -as i know- started in Transylvania with Ferenc Dávid.
@Dominic bingo!
Universalism was more of a "working class" religious movement than Unitarianism, but both Unitarians and Universalists were heavily involved in liberal activist movements in the 19th century (like abolitionism, women's suffrage, free education in public schools, etc.). Unitarians began allowing non-Christian and nontheistic beliefs in the 1890s, and many Universalist churches were very liberal and religiously pluralist by the 1950s before the merger.
In 1913, the largest Congregational church association adopted the Kansas City Statement of Faith, which allows Unitarian theology, does not mention predestination or original sin or substitutional atonement, and says the will of God is in the Bible without saying the Bible is inerrant. My guess is that there are lots of liberal Unitarian Christians in the United Church of Christ, which is a larger denomination than the Unitarian Universalist Association.
You call that liberal, it is just proper behavior to others, and being concerned for more than your own self interests. Unitarians are not Christians, so allowing non Christians is okay, however belief in God, in Jesus the teacher, not the Christ or Messiah, and interpreting the Bible using your own rational thought are Unitarian. Allowing nontheists etc is Universalst not Unitarian.
Love from Taipei. This episode shows how through out human history, philosophy and religion were rarely divisive from each other. Speaking of Emerson, he was longtime highly respected respected as the push towards American literature. I think it shall be interesting to many if you can create an episode of American literature history.
One reason Unitarianism has flagged was best said by J. Gresham Machen about 100 years ago (though he was talking about mainstream liberals): "They have set about the difficult task of calling the righteous to repentance."
My opinion is that most people want a Church, a dogma, traditions, the Hail Marys, let someone else take your transgressions away.... It's a social event too.
As a gay man who survived an early life in evangelicalism I find UU an incredible congregation of individual spiritual development.
A gay man led astray from christianity into unitarianism this is what protestantism does to people🤦♂️🤦♂️
Thanks for posting your sources
An interesting video. Currently there are about 200,000 Unitarian members in the U.S. Like most religious Faith's, the membership is in long-term decline.
Another interesting topic would be the political influence of Quakers in colonial America. Once Quakers were no longer allowed to hold political office, and restrictions were made based on personal habits, their numbers plummeted.
Dude, I really wanted to learn about this myself! Thank you for this, your work is always solid
Great presenter! Genuine charisma. Came up on my recommends.
I think it was pretty brave of you to discuss religion so publicly. Especially on the internet, where you can almost guarantee at least some disrespectful push-back. I salute you
Before the advent of the "Rural Cemetery" movement; that allowed all members
of a community to be buried in the same cemetery.*** each church had its own
cemetery.
In New England, New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania and some areas of the
Old Northwest (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois); if you got to small towns
that had been thriving until the end of WW1 (when those places began to
decline) one can still find the old Unitarian cemeteries. Often times, the
church itself is no longer there; but you can see the more elaborate grave
markers above the wildflowers and grass. (The local historian can help you
find those places)
***Some community "rural" cemeteries might have a Jewish or a Catholic section;
However, most Catholic churches had (and still do have) their own cemeteries;
as do the Orthodox churches.
Thanks for info on Unitarianism. 4 times I jumped into Unitarianism, at widely different times in my life, each time eventually leaving with greater conviction of leaving.
Why did you leave and why did you have a "great conviction of leaving?"
Fun fact: Unitarian refugees went to Ottoman empire to escape persecution.
hamobu interesting
Yes, Mohammed did not believe in the trinity. But at the same time, he thought the Virgin Mary was apart of the Trinity. Clearly Mohammed was pretty ignorant on what any of this was.
Mecca was a very strange and syncretic place in the 7th century. You can't say he was ignorant of the actual theology, he was merely oblivious
I don't think so. Mary or Mariam was part of the Trinity, she was the mother of Isa. Mr. M was a bit strange, some say he was epileptic, he married a old rich woman, I guess everyone of his time was ignorant including European Christians.
Your subscriber counts increasing I feel like this time next year you'll be at 500k
11-months since your comment and he's still below 100K
F
Well, I was raised Unitarian. I've got to say, I enjoy the lack of dogma and guilt.
I am Catholic which means a lot of dogma and also a lot of Catholic guilt
Brian Watson atheism is much better tbh
the only thing that will get people upset with you is advocating for social conservatism
@@Matthew-tv3fz Even atheists sometimes attend UU congregations
Matt R. The logical conclusion of atheism is nihilism.
Back in my student days I had a born and bred Unitarian friend who complained that her congregation was being infiltrated by "seekers" searching for a spiritual home. "They don't stay long, they consider Unitarianism a way station on the road from Judaism to atheism."
I live in lansdale PA. New in America. I just today knew about Unitarian beliefs. Now I feel interest in it. So I should know it exactly. For this may I've your help ,please.
3:24 I'm interested in learning more about this "Holy Goat."
Boo .... See : Casper.
That's what I want at the center of my Nativity scene, a baby goat!
Well done videos, I have been enjoying your channel. Could you do (or have you done?) a video on how evangelicalism lead to post modernism? You made a passing comment, I wish you could have expounded on.
Fellow UU. Had very similar experience at Sunday school that you did. I also think that it was a hugely positive influence on my life, and am super grateful to have been exposed to so many different belief systems. I've thought about going back to a u.u church as an adult, but havent made it yet. I think if I had kids I would start attending again. I really do think exposure to different beliefs as a child is so important. Great video!
I concur!
Do you know what always amused me? We talk about religious tolerance in that period (XV-XIX) as if non-Christians were tolerated
There were not significant numbers if non Christians, so that was relevant in the conversation
Unitarians were persecuted because they were heretics according to the Trinitarians.
Good video. I learned a lot.
The official at my first wedding (1967) was a Unitarian minister, who explained that Unitarians were Christians, but with some differencs. Nowadays, it seems like Unitarians aren’t necessarily Christian, or even Deist, at all. I don’t see the point of a sect that has no continuity in its core beliefs. Why pretend it’s a church if it is no longer?
Why do Christians love to say other Christians aren't Christians? I dont get it.
I think they're dedicated more to helping individuals discover life's meaning for themselves rather than dictating the terms for salvation. No need for authoritarianism if you respect the individual.
Man I hope this video doesn't get demonetized.
going strong thus far
I think that there is a tendency for churches to drift from a centrist appeal to progressively more extreme views, losing membership all the way. Once a politically and theologically mainstream church drifts even slightly, it loses members opposed to the change, and attracts members with preexisting proclivity to the new direction. This causes progressively more extreme drift, and a decline in membership due to the smaller numbers at the tails of the bell curve. The ultimate fate may well be a church with extreme creeds and a membership of one.
Very informative, as always, Cypher. I do find it ironic that so many try to emphasize the Christian roots of the founding of America, and--while significant--they seem quite silent about the Unitarians. Even Deists get more coverage. And when I hear people quoting John Adam's quote about the necessity of a "religious people" for our government to succeed--which were accurate--they forget that for him, "religious" included "Unitarian", and not the orthodox Trinitarian groups that Evangelicals and other conservative Christians belong to today.
Of course, the Unitarians today aren't what they were in Adams' day (as you point out), but they still would be considered arch-heretics by any conservative Christian theological measures (I mean, the Trinity and the Incarnation are just about the most essential marks of orthodoxy today).
To put it bluntly most Christians don't like Unitarianism Baptist Methodist Catholics Lutheran's ECT most view them along the lines of the modalists and I see them as glorified deists at this point they might as well just be their own thing because they certainly aren't Christian
Interesting topic. Did you find in your research any information about the Polish Brethren and their influence on Unitarianism?
there was some communication back and forth between the English unitarians and Polish ones. So much so that it caused a big uproar about Socinianism (named for the Polish founder of that theology), and that is what John Biddle was caught up in
Thanks for replying! The Polish Brethren or "Socinians" were really a fascinating group. It's a shame they essentially were made scapegoats for all who collaborated with the Swedish invaders during the so-called Deluge and exiled.
BTW Fausto Sozzini himself (known in Polish as Faust Socyn or Socinus in Latin) was actually an Italian, who came to Poland in 1579. While he became one of the leaders and main theologists of the movement, he was hardly its founder as it officially split from the Polish Calvinists in 1565 and was already going one for a decade before that.
didn't know that. I was focused on the US, so Polish-Lithuania only came up tangentially. interesting
Very interesting... One mild complaint: I definitely wanted to read all of the material in the various quotations and charts etc. that appeared on screen, but not infrequently they were whisked away before I could finish. (And yes, I went on to watch the Lutheran video, which was likewise quite engaging.)
well, you can always stop the video, and study the charts that way.
@@bobelschlager6906 True, but less fun, that way... 😕
Excellent video.
"Pismo beach and all the clams we can eat."
Proud to be UU! Proud to stand for human rights! Striving to be better person for living by UU principals.
I’m a proud Unitarian Universalism
Trinitarianism is monotheistic. Three persons one nature.
@@bhrismaw-q Jesus has both natures, divine and human.
@Hissam Ullah The Trinity is Magic! There is only 1 God .... But Jesus and the Holy Spirit are "Aspects" of God! .... Many Ancient Religions and Hinduism have this Concept!
@Hissam Ullah Which One ... Ra,Zeus,Odin?
I got him! Nah you just winged him and made him a Unitarian. Sorry I had to, the Simpsons is where I heard for the first time. Great video, I honestly knew nothing about Unitarianism.
With the advent of the King James Version, the bible became more accessible to the common man in England. But despite this, it was the educated who took advantage of it and made it a point to read and study more deeply into it. As a result, it was discovered that the trinity doctrine was not something to be found in the bible. Many learned men came to appreciate this point and rejected it. This is why it was considered a growing idea among intellectuals in the late 1600s. Sir Isaac Newton was among these. Joseph Priestly was a chemist who began writing on the subject. He also rejected the idea of an inherent immortal human soul and believed that the first century Christians had to true faith and that any deviation from it was a corruption. His writings sparked huge debates not only in the church but even in the government. In 1791 a mob destroyed his home and lab causing him to eventually flee to America. He was followed by many others such as a man named Henry Grew. He was a Baptist Minister who was considered an intellectual who took time to study the bible as well on his own. After 4 years, we withdrew from the church along with many others. He went on to write many papers dealing with the unitarian ideas as well as on the immortality of the soul, and the false idea of a fiery Hell. This all came about because some honest men decided to actually examine the bible for themselves rather than listen to a preacher tell them the common idea's that supported a church. As time went on, more people, as you say, unitarian thought grew, became convinced that what they were learning was true. One group that didn't actually grow out of the unitarian idea's but was influenced by the idea of deep study of the scriptures, came into existence in the later half of the 19th century. Today you know them as Jehovah's Witnesses. They refute the trinity doctrine as well as the inherent immortal soul and hellfire. And unlike unitarians, they refuse to become politically involved in any way. While Unitarianism is mostly considered an English and later American patron, Jehovah's Witnesses have become an international organization with adherents in every country on Earth with the exception of 3. So in a way, Unitarianism, the idea of one God and one son as separate person, is still very much alive. Unfortunately the unitarian church known now as the Universalist Church has rejected the original idea's of study of the bible and it's teachings and now has become a very liberal movement advocating things that the bible condemns. by the way, I love your video's. Very informative and right on the money.
Are you still in Burque? If so, then Hello! I grew up UU too, though this was in Wisconsin.
currently yes
Regarding Lutherans, I was listening to a Lutheran sermon and the minister admitted that there has never been a Lutheran President yet.
Thanks! I'm a CUUPS member, and I never thought of the irony before. I see, though, that one God can be represented by various religions, under the leadership of what we perceive as multiple gods. The UU church must have wanted to provide a place to make all free-thinkers (making a journey from traditional (calvinism) feel welcome.
I know this is about America but the Transylvania connection is interesting and many UUs are aware of it. I'm a Quaker and regard UUs as on a somewhat parallel track. I've embraced Bucky Fuller as a Transcendentalist for the future and for our time. His great aunt Magaret Fuller was a prominent Transcendentalist.
I know this is an old vid but cheers that was great!
@4:26 that's Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal! yeah I know you probably found stock footage, but still, just a few miles or so from where I live :P
Yeah, just stock footage that's copyright-free. That's cool though
I was also raised UU, and I found this fascinating. I recently learned that contemporaries Isaac Newton and John Milton were both anti-Trinitarians.
Great historical video.
But I found the cartoons distracting, except for the one about the Hubble telescope and the image of the bearded guy in the clouds. I liked that one.
When I was a kid, in the 70s, many, but not all Unitarian ministers were willing to conduct marriages of same sex couples.
Same sex marriage is an oxymoron.
Same sex marriage was not legal in any state in the 70's. How could Unitarian ministers conduct marriages?
Ruby Nelson It may have been legal in some states.
Nuclear Cat Baby In most states it didn’t become illegal until the 70s and 80s because for most of history the idea of two men marrying was so far fetched and wrong that laws to keep it from happening weren’t even necessary.
@@rubynelson1164 They conducted "blessings" of the union. Even before same-sex marriage was legal, some states (such as California) allowed civil unions.
Universalism started from the first century on through the 5th Century, the Apostle Paul was one of the main Church fathers who was a Universalist along with Origen. Five out of six schools of thought in the first five centuries were all Universalist.
How was Paul universalist??
Was Paul a Universalist or Not?
No. 🤔?
Romans 13
[1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Yes, this is the crux of the issue. Paul spoke in both veins, that's an undeniable fact. Double-minded in his thinking? Schizophrenic? Senile? Here's a list of all his universal statements. The list is impressive:
1 Tim 2:4 - salvation of all desired
1 Tim 2:6 - Christ was ransom for all
1 Tim 4:10 - Christ was savior of all, especially (and therefore not limited to) those who believe
1 Cor 15:22 - all made alive in Christ
1 Cor 15:27 - all subject to him
Phil 2:10-11 - all will worship him
Col 1:20 - all reconciled in Christ
Romans 5 (cf 1 John 2:2) - all justified and made righteous
2 Cor 5:19 - all reconciled
Romans 11:32 - all receive mercy
Eph 1:9-10 - all gathered up in him
And verses with limitarian readings:
2 Th 1:9
2 Th 2:10
Now if we go on the sheer weight of Pauline scripture, then clearly universalism wins hands down. But if we take the position that one drop of poison contaminates the entire cistern then limited atonement seems to come out on top.
@@412JFury Clearly Saint Paul wasn't schizophrenic or senile, you wrong him to say such things. You also seem to be misinterpreting him somewhat. There are other verses that imply limited salvation - see Romans 11:22 he is generous with you, as long as you remain faithful. Otherwise you will be cut off.
St Peter warns: there are however, some points [in Paul's letters] that are difficult to understand, which people who are ignorant and immature in their faith twist, as they do with the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16
In all that Paul teaches, we must always remember he is below Christ, who clearly taught hell exists.
I wish Jefferson had been right, at least in the sense that he intended at the time.
UU do not have shared religious beliefs but they do share common values, such as humanism.
Unitarians were big in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from ~1560s to 1650s, when after the swedish deluge all protestants started to be persecuted.
there was actually some communication back and forth between the English unitarians and Polish ones. So much so that it caused a big uproar about Socinianism, and that is what John Biddle was caught up in
Some of my Swedish friends called Sweden back then as "Protestant ISIL", only half jokingly when we were talking about the 1600s...
@@CynicalHistorian we're still alive:-) in Poland and Hungary unitarius.org/ but most of us are Christian Unitarian like Faustus Socinus, Ferenc David et consortes
John 17:3 English Standard Version (ESV)
3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, AND Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
A Roman Catholic might say that the reason New England went from Puritan to Unitarian by the American Revolution was because Protestants believe in sola scriptura. They do not have the magisterium of the catholic church and an infallible Pope. However the French Revolution gives the lie to that. Being Roman Catholic did not save France from the atheism of the French Revolution.
Nice reference to 3 minute philosophy. Almost forgot he existed.
Can anyone explain what the motivation is for being a devout Unitarian Universalist is?
If it's theologically empty, why organize? Why take time out of your week for it? Why pay tithes?
Is it a social group?
Or a political power disguised as a religious group?
Justin Bowling as a UU, I can say that the church gives me a place to explore my own faith and spirituality in community. I can come to my faith in my own time, can challenge myself and grow. The misconception is we can believe anything we want, which isn’t entirely true. Read the 7 principles of the faith and try to live them and you will see being a UU is serious work. Most people get confused by a religion not telling them what to believe so they don’t see it as a religion. However, we accept that everyone’s spiritual journey is unique and different and make room for each person to find it on their own. As we say, we care more about deeds than creeds.
As a UU, my experience is that most congregants find participation fulfilling and being a part of our shared UU faith provides meaning in an often alienating world. Many people turn to UU who have been rejected by the faith of their upbringing: for instance, I've know quite a few LGBTQI UU's who left the Catholic church and embraced Unitarian Universalism. Additionally, interfaith couples may choose to raise their children in a UU congregation which honors religious diversity. Although there is no dogma, the cynical historian is not accurate in his description that UU doesn't have a theology. Religious freedom is the basis for UU beliefs, with a shared understanding that truth is not sealed. While UU's may have differing understandings of the hereafter, focusing on the here and now and promising to live our principles is core to being a UU. We consecrate the holy here on earth.
UU provides a spiritual home where congregants can explore our belief system and nurture our capacity to love. We may find solace in the sacred space of a weekly service; others may carve out time in our busy lives for ritual and community, some may be intellectually challenged by the sermons, while venturing into the infinite mystery with our finite minds may be appealing to others, or attending worship might offer a grounding to be our higher self.
Hey. Great video. I just want to add that aside from the Unitarian church there are some other groups that are also unitarian and that have no further connection to the Unitarian body discussed in the video. E.g.: Jehovas Witnesses for one. What these churches don't have in common with the Universalist Unitarian is that they are often a bit more exclusive and less universalist and probably not so progressive/politically involved. Obviously, all these other groups also use the same history of unitarian persecution in their historical narratives. I found the above video interesting because I was not aware of any of it (easy I guess if you're not American). I was only aware of the other unitarian groups such as the JW's, Christadelphians and such like (who also had their start in the US). I thoroughly enjoyed the historical video!
Google UCA, Unitarian Christian Alliance. A group of Christians from different backgrounds and slight doctrinal differences that all DO agree that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are separate (non-trinitarian). True Biblical Unitarians, like the video mentioned in history. Fun fact, first century Christians were also "Biblical Unitarians" so to speak. The Trinity doctrine did not gain wide acceptance until the council of Nicaea. So history is basically amazing and can teach us many truths.
With the war in Ukraine, I wonder how much of an influence Rodnovery is having in UU churches (the "old gods" of the ancient Slavs).
People ask me what Unitarianism is, and the only good answer that I have been able to come up with is "the only dogma is that there is no dogma". Which of course is inaccurate, but it does sum up some of the core characteristics.
Oh just a small correction 3:44 it's not a quote from the prophet (pbuh) rather the quran. The holy scripture of Islam. The quotes of the prophet are referred to as Hadith. So yes muslims are strictly opposed to trinity, something that made learning to understand it later in life really hard for me, I still got a long way to go.
The 1st century believers were Unitarian (non trinitarians). But they weren't what we call universalist today. I became a non trinitarian after I studied the OT.
The trinity came about by the Catholic church.and the truth was mostly stamped out after 325 ad.
All the Christians are at fault: Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, they are all Trinitarians.
This is excellent. We're still here. (Rev Matt Smith, Unitarian minister, Suffolk, UK)
6:00 "... his hime."? Yeah, I guess if a bunch of dudes was going after my princess, I'd be out too.
LOL, that was supposed to say "home"
@@CynicalHistorian 😁 Great work though my man! Love your videos.
An excellent job on the history of Unitarians in the USA.
seriously, bugs needs to stay out of albuquerque. he always makes the wrong turn there. why's he go there so much anyways? what is he, on meth or something?
My family attended a Unitarian fellowship when I was a kid in the 1960s and early 70s. I hated it. Thank God, my parents didn't participate in the wife swapping. It was the hub for anti-war activism in our California town so it served that good purpose but it was certainly not centered around God. My mother, who taught Sunday school was told she could not mention God. As a young child I learned this important lesson from the experience: intellectuals are not always wise and parents are not always right
Well, at least they didn't serve Kool Aid.
@@diyimprover6887 They would have had to believe in something to bring out the Kool Aid... and then it would have been cocktails.
@@m.inthedesert7134 How egotistical to infer that not believing in _your_ opinion about a mythical sky fairy is the same as not believing anything. I'd hazard to guess you're uncomfortable with critical thinking.
@@diyimprover6887 I believe they thought people who believe in God are not very smart. I heard the talk and I thought they might even be right. But it bothered me. There's a superior smugness to that notion that I didn't want to be part of. I admit to being a little hyperbolic about them not believing in anything, obviously I can't know that. It's just how it seemed to me as a child drinking in the conversation. If the purpose of church is to engage in religion of some sort... ANY sort... that didn't happen. And this was no place for kids. I didn't need to know about wife swapping at 9 yrs old. I didn't see it, mind you... I just heard the whole soap opera. Who was sleeping with who. I'd look at their kids and wonder if they hated their home life. Divorces were the obvious outcome. Do you get why I have contempt? I don't care if other people believe in God or not and I'm very open-minded about the various ways people see reality. THEY were not open-minded enough to allow my mother to talk about God in a gosh-darn Sunday school. Imagine intellectuals (most were teachers at the local collage) putting a restriction on speech and ideas while simultaneously luxuriating in their own image of open-minded hipness. These were not bad people (they were great anti-war activists) but any lessons I learned there were not what they intended. I'm not sure I'd take back the experience though. Those unintended lessons have been invaluable. I mean that sincerely. I'd be surprised if today's Unitarian fellowships are anything like the one I attended. It was the 1960s and 70s... everything was wild and weird
That isn't Unitarianism. God and the human Jesus, not the razzle dazzle one, are part of Unitarian beliefs. You don't need to got to some fellowship to swap wives, just stick a flamingo statue in your front garden.
It's a shame that in Germany Liberal Protestant Religion has never gained so much influence. We had Free-religous Congregations - only some have survived or transformed into Humanist Communities. Thank you for this Video!
Not to be a huge nit picker, but Muhammad’s dismissal of the trinity was predicated on the erroneous view that Christians considered Mary, God and Jesus as a single God head. He wasn’t invalidating the trinity under traditional Nicene doctrine
@Dick Kickem further evidence: directly from the Quran-which specifically references the erroneous view that Christians viewed Mary as a god:
“And when God said, ‘O Jesus son of Mary, didst thou say unto men, "Take me and my mother as gods, apart from God"?’ He said, ‘To Thee be glory! It is not mine to say what I have no right to. If I indeed said it, Thou knowest it, knowing what is within my soul, and I know not what is within Thy soul; Thou knowest the things unseen I only said to them what Thou didst command me: "Serve God, my Lord and your Lord." And I was a witness over them, while I remained among them; but when Thou didst take me to Thyself, Thou wast Thyself the watcher over them; Thou Thyself art witness of everything.’ S. 5:116-117
Hey my dude I grew up in Atascadero/San Luis Obispo! I would go to my friends house in Grover at least once a week! That's crazy!
The anti trinitarian movement is as old as Jesus himself. They were debating the nature of Christ even in the time of Constantine. I am related to William Ellery Channing via his grandfather William Ellery. William Ellery was one of the signers of the declaration of Independence from Rhode Island. Over the decades the Unitarian has become very diffuse and vague. I can't even regard it as a church anymore. It's more of a secular philosophical organization. The last time I was in a Unitarian church I used the phrase God and several people said they were "offended". The UU has become so diluted theologically it's kinda meaningless now. Dr. Janice Ellery
So, if Unitarians don't really have a set belief system, how do they ordain ministers/chaplains/ or priests? Also, what is the difference between someone who is only a Unitarian, and someone who is only a universalist?
Unitarians are biblical while Unitarian Universalists believe everyone is saved so it doesn't matter what you believe or teach.
this sect lives by the creed love thy neighbour out of most christianity bar the Quakers
I was looking online recently at things trump has done to make immigration, legal or otherwise, harder (my mom has had cnn on a lot, *sigh* due to covid concerns) and the first result I saw was a Quaker wbsitetha clearly had done its homework. I knew the Quakers were staunch abolitionists but I didn't know their progressiveness extends to today, good on you Quakers!
@@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat Oh, we certainly are progressive...liberal! Most were fine with marriage equality decades ago. Quakers were the first faith group that said women were the equal of men, both in the larger society and within meetings.
The problem with unitarianism is that it doesn't inspire devotion, which makes being in that religion redundant.
Good point.
I grew up in New England and there are still tons of Unitarian churches.
UUs are everywhere. I was born in San Luis Obispo and grew up in Las Vegas, both of which had a strong Unitarian presence
They were part of the American Revolution. I volunteered for a year or so in one of their soup kitchens here in NYC.
I believe you're forgetting the early 1930s when many Unitarians decided to embrace humanism, which was then a new religion that discarded "superstition" (i.e. beliefs in the Virgin Mary and the Resurrection), sought to be rooted in science and more relevant to the times by emphasizing (liberal) social activism.