Unitarian Universalism The Religion of Pluralism Tolerance Freedom

Unitarian Universalism The “Religion” of Pluralism – Tolerance - Freedom

The Need to Study UUA ► Ignored ► New for past 30 years dynamics at work now ► Dangerous Ignorance of Potential

Background Information Unitarianism The doctrine that there is only one God not a holy Trinity of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in one subsistence. Universalism Holds that all living beings will attain complete salvation. Later: All religions are equally valid means to truth – a universal world religion or blend of global faith positions

History of the Movements Origin of Unitarianism Ideas ► 16 th c. Post Reformation Radical Wing § Servetus: Forerunner (founder? ) § Sozzini (1539 -1604) – Established Socinianism § Biddle (1615 -1662) “Father of English Unitarianism” ► Migration to American soil – Boston MA § The Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, and the neighborhood of Boston § King’s Chapel

History of the Movements Origin of Unitarianism Ideas ► Key proponents of Unitarianism in America § Channing, William Ellery (1780 -1842) “Apostle of American Unitarianism” ►Baltimore Sermon: “Unitarian Christianity” § Emerson, Ralph Waldo (1803 -1882) Principle lecturer propagating Unitarianism ►Divinity ►Nature School Address the Oversoul of which man is part ►Transcendental philosophy

History of the Movements Origin of Universalism Ideas ► Roots in Zoroastrianism & Eastern religions ► Proponents § Murray, John (1741 -1815) Universalism developed into a denomination § Ballou, Hosea (1771 -1852) “Father of American Universalism”

History of the Movements Three Phases of Development ► Conservative Era 1800 -1835 § Scriptural authority and supernatural elements ► Idealism and Age of Reason Era 1835 -1885 § From unorthodoxy to non-Christian philosophy § German influences on academia on East coast ► Secularism Era 1885 -2007 § Pluralism § Humanism § Alternative Spiritualities

Organization of the Movement ► Headquarters: ► Current Statistical Information ► Transforming ► New Boston MA organization today Evangelistic Approach ► Cause for Concern

Teachings of the U. U. A. ► Common Theme: Freedom § 1961 Declaration of Purpose § 1985 Revision ► Doctrinal § § § § and Tolerance divergences Authoritative writings Trinitarian Position Jesus Man and Sin Salvation Eschatology – heaven / hell / afterlife Church

Responding to Unitarian Universalists ► Step One: Information and Education ► Step Two: strategize response § Apologetics focused on key pressure points § Problem: Convincing of ultimate truth ► Groundwork before they can “hear” gospel § May require crisis – breakdown of worldview § Gradual disappointment with emptiness of self-worship § Ultimate inconsistency in absolute tolerance & freedom