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From: strickln@ihlpa.UUCP (Stephen D. Stricklen)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc
Subject: Re: Re: one more time...
Message-ID: <2008@ihlpa.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 8-Oct-86 14:42:54 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihlpa.2008
Posted: Wed Oct  8 14:42:54 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 16-Oct-86 04:29:37 EDT
References: <2fa71dcd.33cd@apollo.uucp> <2fa77b2f.46@apollo.uucp> <1500@mtx5a.UUCP> <2722@burdvax.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Indian Hill
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# That's an interesting statement because many "mainline" denominations would
# affirm the things you are saying.  There are ministers in the PCUSA church,
# for instance, that deny the divinity of Christ and the bodily resurrection.
# 
# #Consequently, I
# #am considering the Unitarian Universalist Church in my search for
# #truth: an organization that accepts ANYONE who is interested in
# #talking about religious issues, in fellowship, and in people being
# #supportive of each other. To me, that's what religion should really be
# #all about, not this literalist argument over dogma and the contents of
# #a document that has been twisted and altered for nonreligious reasons
# #over a span of 20 centuries.
# #
# 
# That's what you think religion is all about.  That sounds a little to
# wishy-washy for me.  I want to be a part of a group that knows where it is
# going and is willing to help others find the way.  Christianity is a
# religion that has a foundation outside the mere imaginations of men.  As it
# has been said of the Jews, so it is true also of Christians, we are a
# people of the Book.  

I find the above comments quite bigoted.  Religious and belief systems are
extremely personal things.  My church (a Unitarian Universalist congregation)
believes that one's religious beliefs are so important in life that no one
and no institution may be allowed to dictate them.  We know exactly where
we are going and we have many ways (not just one!) to help individuals find
their path through life and their own personal truth.  

# 
# Unitarian Universalists are most certainly not Christians, but I guess
# that's what you are looking for.  You appears as if you have made up your
# mind about who Jesus Chrsit is and you don't want any part of it.  That's
# OK, just don't tell Christians what Christianity is.
# 

I am sure there are at least as many definitions of "Christian" and
"Christianity" as there are religious denominations.  Some Unitarian
Universalists consider themselves Christian, just as some consider themselves
Deists or atheists.  Most of us, however, want no part of getting caught up
in labels such as these.  As for Jesus, we spend much of our church year 
studying his teachings.  We believe him to be one of the greatest prophets
to have ever lived.  However, we believe him to be one of many, many
persons whose religious writings and teachings can offer us guidance and
fresh viewpoints of the world and universe about us.

Steve Stricklen
AT&T Bell Laboratories
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