Unitarian Universalists Evangelizing?

Let's check in on the Unitarian Universalists, shall we? David Haldane, staff writer with the Los Angeles Times, writes about their newly-launched "evangelism" effort.

Quotes:
>>A denomination with no formal creed, a low profile and a strong tradition against proselytizing,<<

If you had something great and could share it with others without losing anything, wouldn't you pass it along?

>>Unitarian Universalists — Unitarians for short — are trying something new: a splashy dose of evangelism. Using radio spots, newspaper ads and mass mailers, they hope to spread the word (lower case) about their faith's openness, diversity and undogmatic approach.<<

Uh, there's a problem here. They don't have a faith per se. The only thing they have is an organization. So why exactly would they be "evanglizing", except to swell their ranks for no other reason than the perpetuate an organization with no solid goal or purpose? "Openness, diversity, and undogmatic" are buzzwords for saying they will not actually try to influence toward improving, specifically in your morality or your relationship with God.

>>"Imagine a religion where people with different beliefs worship as one faith."<<

That's nonsense, on the order of asking us to imagine a square circle. How can that be one faith, when they all believe different things? It's like saying people who do not speak each others' languages are carrying on a conversation because they are all talking. Words mean things. Faith is only as good as the object in which it is place. I can have all of the faith in the world that Madonna is a virgin, but it would be faith in vain.

>>The roots of Unitarian Universalism can be traced back to two Christian denominations. Unitarianism, which took root in Eastern Europe in the 1500s, rejected the Trinity in favor of G-d as one entity."<<

Sigh. The Trinity is an essential of the Christian faith, and is a word used to describe G-d because there is one G-d, and three distinct "persons" exist eternally as G-d - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The the Father is G-d, the Son is G-d, and the Holy Spirit is G-d, but the three aren't each other. I don't think it can be fully apprehended by our tiny minds in their current state, but then we are talking about the Almighty, and why should we believe we could completely and totally understand G-d?

Anyway... you dump the Trinity and you are no longer Christian. It is that simple.

>>Universalism, started formally in 18th century America, believed in the eternal salvation of all souls.<<

So Jesus Christ suffered and died either for no reason, or for our salvation, but if it was for our salvation, nobody is left out? The foulest, most vile and evil rejector of G-d is still saved? Hitler was saved? Then pray tell, what is the point of life? What is the point of living a good life and fellowshipping with G-d now, if G-d will fellowship with all of us, even the unrepentant?

>>Often associated with liberal political and social causes, the church today upholds seven principles promoting tolerance, compassion, justice, spiritual growth, the search for truth, democratic participation and respect for the "independent web of all existence of which we are a part."<<

Tolerance? Really? Do they tolerate Trinitarianism?

Compassion? Is is compassionate to encourage people to continue in their sin?

Justice? Who's definition of justice?

Spiritual growth? How? What would that look like?

Search for truth? Well, I guess when you claim it doesn't really matter what people believe, you'll have to keep searching because you never can arrive at something you don't really believe exists.

>>Donald E. Miller, executive director of USC's Center for Religion and Civic Culture, says he's not surprised that Unitarianism is on the march at a time when membership of most mainline Protestant denominations is in decline.>>

It is mainly theologically liberal denominations at are in decline. Denominations that teach orthodox Biblical doctrines are growing.

>>By borrowing outreach techniques of evangelicals and targeting gays, liberals and others "trying to escape fundamentalism," Miller said the current Unitarian revivalism was "a very smart marketing move."<<

"Escape fundamentalism"? What would life look like if people decided they could "escape fundamentalism" in traffic laws? In math? If by fundamentalism, you mean the basic teachings of the Bible, then go ahead and "escape", but don't pick and choose terms and concepts from the Bible and then claim any sort of legitimacy. The Bible itself does not give you that option.

>>"We don't have some fixed-in-stone creed or list of beliefs required of members," said Millspaugh, who describes himself as a "naturalistic theist" influenced by Buddhism.

"You don't have to believe certain things about G-d or no G-d, Jesus or Buddha, one truth or many truths. We come from many different paths, all seeking a religion with room for deep questions that might have more than one answer."<<

This is the kind of thinking that happens when you dump logic and reason. There are different religions out there, and they should worship seperately. Should a vegetarian and and someone who wants to keep kosher join in eating pork chops with me? Some questions have more than one answer, such as "What two numbers can you add to reach the sum of 4?" "What is the nature of G-d?" is a question that can't have conflicting true answers.

>>"I like that it embraces all religions," said newcomer Teresa Geldmacher, 50, who said she was raised Roman Catholic but hadn't been to church in years.<<

You can't embrace all religions, because many are mutually exclusive. And again, I ask... do they accept Trinitarianism? The answer is no.

>>"I was brought up Christian, but couldn't accept the teaching that Jesus died on the cross for our sins."<<

Okay, so you reject the Bible. Do you believe you are without sin, or that there is some other way of dealing with sin?

>>The service, she said, "was much more along the lines of what I consider true spiritual teachings, which look to accept rather than to reject."<<

They reject the Trinity. They reject the Bible. And I'll believe Jesus over you, thank you.

The Bible and orthodox Christianity promote some basic essential beliefs about the nature of G-d and the nature of man, and our relationship with G-d. It's okay... people have the freedom to believe different things. But stop the nonsense of saying that it is all the same. It isn't. If the UU Church is advertising, it means you believe you have something better to offere people, or, maybe, you are just doing it to get their money.

Ultimately, though, evangelism means spreading the good news, which the UU Church is definitely not doing.