In last month’s newsletter Jim McConnell mentioned that Heartha Whitlow was interested in opening up a dialogue within our fellowship on ideas of wholeness, transcendence, and god. As BUUF’s Director of Religious Education I’m willing to initiate the conversation.

This interest stems from the service when Heartha presented her UU Perspectives. Part of what Heartha said had to do with how we define Unitarian Universalism. Unitarian typically refers to the belief in God as one, as opposed to the Trinity, one of the reasons for which Michael Servetus was burned to death. While Universalism is primarily defined as recognizing the universal principles of most religions, it is also considered a belief that God will grant salvation to all human beings. I do not know how many UUs actually believe or follow these strict definitions. Many of us are humanists who do not even believe in “God” as it is traditionally defined, so why do we consider ourselves UUs?

One simple answer to this question is that Unitarian Universalism is open, accepting, and considerate of people who hold various and differing religious beliefs. I’m reminded of a story in which one child (or adult?) asks another, “Do you believe in God?” The other person answers in the affirmative and both share a sense that they have the same belief, although there are as many interpretations or beliefs in “God” as there are people on this planet. If each of us were to reduce our beliefs to writing, I’d wager that none of them would be identical. How many Catholics, bishops included, believe and follow every word of every Papal edict? How many Muslims, ayatollah included, believe and follow every word of every edict issued by the various Grand Ayatollah? If a Christian asks a Muslim “Do you believe in God?” and the response is “Yes,” do they both hold the same religious beliefs?

For me, asking questions is fun and I enjoy the search for the answers, however many there may be (a typical UU trait!). Language has always been problematic for me. When I’m asked if I believe in God, I have to ask the asker to define the words. What does the asker mean by “do you,” and “believe in,” and, of course, “god.” Once those terms are defined in a way that’s mutually understood, I can give a response that’s mutually intelligible and meaningful. I know on one level this may seem like I’m playing word games, but if the same word has a different meaning to two people, how can they communicate effectively?

Just as I define Santa Claus to my children as the spirit of giving (i.e., not a magical elf), I can define god as whatever created the universe, life, consciousness, and whatever else exists (perhaps the laws of nature, and/or the spirit of life), and what may ultimately bring everything to an end. I believe in gravity and centrifugal force and that I am alive (another word that should be defined!). If the “big bang theory” is how the universe as we know it came into existence, how do we know this is the first or only time? Perhaps the universe is timeless and there has been (and will be) a never-ending series of big bangs (with conscious life) followed by the universe collapsing back into itself.

I love listening to gospel music and Christmas carols, and with my definition of god I can translate the praise for Jesus in those songs into praise for my belief in the spirit of life, without feeling that I’m compromising by beliefs. I believe gods and goddesses have been created in our (human) image, from our (human) imagination, throughout history. I believe most religions were created to explain life, to provide guidelines by which to live, and then ultimately to control human behavior. I wish children all around the world would be educated on all the various religions, and then upon reaching adulthood be allowed to choose which faith or combination of faiths, if any, to follow. That’s part of the driving force behind this year’s RE program -- learning about many different faiths. At present, one can predict with a high percentage of accuracy the religion to be practiced by the children of the next generation based on where they are born and raised. I think children should be well-informed and have freedom of choice.

So, here the conversation has been initiated. Hopefully I’ve inspired you to write a response or post your own point of view. Please send me what you’d like published and I’ll get it in the next edition of In the BUUF.

Dave