Comments on: Find This Banner

By: Greg L

Greg L — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:26:01 +0000

The BRUU website has the text of every sermon given over the past few years. It’s interesting reading.

I think BRUU falls into the side of UU that tries to help people recover from their belief in the bible, but that’s based on reading through those sermons rather than attending services there. I understand that’s not what all UU is, but because there appears to be no consistent dogma for the UUA, there’s a fairly wide variation in what each congregation looks and acts like.

Regardless, this is a very liberal organization that engages in a significant amount of radical political activism. I’m unaware of any other religous organization sending delegations to Richmond to lobby for “marriage equality”, for example. I don’t know of any other denominations which have an official policy regarding gun control, minimum wage, rights for the transgendered, international trade and sex education either. And I’ve never seen faith promoted by showing films celebrating homosexuality as an official function of a church. These folks really test the limits of what I’d even consider to be religion.

Even if we don’t agree with them, taking their signs is intolerable, and in this case I think that theft is very counterproductive. I hope someone’s conscience bothers them to the point they return it.

By: Anonon

Anonon — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 23:36:53 +0000

We had Jews and a couple of Taoists, but no Pagans at our UU Congregation. I called family in New York who still attend and they have no Pagans either in their church, although UU’s generally welcome everyone. So again, don’t assumptions on a denomination based on BRUU.

By: Batson D. Belfrey

Batson D. Belfrey — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:53:11 +0000

“We were Christ based in our worship, although we discussed other faiths and their views.”

Maybe the particular church that you attended was a bit more traditional, but the BRUU is not. Why would a “Christ-based” faith have a Pagan council? When last I checked, Paganism is NOT Christ-based. Pagans for Jesus? I think not.

By: Anonon

Anonon — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:31:03 +0000

I went to the UU church with my parents when I was a young adult and I disagree with your assessment of the faith. We were Christ based in our worship, although we discussed other faiths and their views. My family attended Bible study and discussed the life and teaching of Christ. Maybe you can say something about BRUU if you have attended their services. I have not - I no longer attend a UU church, opting for a large, non-denominational church in McLean. But I find it offensive when members of one denomination or church judges members of another and their beliefs, especially when the motives are political.

By: Greg L

Greg L — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:07:51 +0000

Lots of very highly educated people have nevertheless been terribly wrong on many things. I seem to recall one of these instances involving a defense of communism to the effect that no matter how many people are murdered or repressed by Soviet communism, because their goal is so noble we shouldn’t be concerned. Plenty of very highly educated people thought Reagan was wrong to push the Soviet Union, when that effort resulted in the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The wealth of folks like Ted Turner, Barbara Streisand and George Soros hardly make their silly arguments more compelling. While I’m thrilled folks are educated and/or wealthy, it is in no way a determining factor in whether they’re right on the issues or not.

By: Big Dog

Big Dog — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:35:52 +0000

FYI - Unitarians have one of highest education and
income levels of any faith in America.

By: Big Dog

Big Dog — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:12:27 +0000

Thomas Jefferson letter to Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse
(June 26, 1822) -
“I rejoice that in this blessed country of free
inquiry and belief … that there is not a young man
now living in the United States who will not die a
Unitarian.”
Of course, Mr. Jefferson’s projection was well
off the mark, but no religion per member, fought
more for abolition of slavery and the end of Jim Crow
laws.
It is not a “moonie group”, but a liberal faith
with a long and valued history in this country.
That said, I have attended services at BRUU on
occasion and have friends who attend. More
often than not, I have been inspired, but, also,
think they push inclusion way too far - Wicans,
even as a small minority in a minority, make me
very uncomfortable.
Unique experience, in Manassas, to find
myself the most conservative person in a church.

By: Batson D. Belfrey

Batson D. Belfrey — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:09:35 +0000

“churches shouldn’t prostitute themselves for political purposes.”

Charles is correct, but calling the BRUU a “church” is a stretch. Churches tend to be associated with Christian faiths. There are many Pagans at the BRUU. Churches, have some foundation in canon, doctrine, or at least some article of faith. This “church seems to be founded on “it’s all good…except for Christian Conservatives”. I could go on and on, citing examples of why this “church” is little more than a club for social activists.

By: charles

charles — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 02:44:04 +0000

I noticed the sign was missing when I joined the Allen/Jackson walk. At the time I speculated the church may have decided that a church building is not an appropriate venue for political sloganing. Sorry to hear that the sign was stolen, both because people shouldn’t steal signs, but also because churches shouldn’t prostitute themselves for political purposes.

By: AWCheney

AWCheney — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:05:46 +0000

As I have said before (maybe not in exactly these words or quite this strongly), there is only one really good reason for demanding that the theft and destruction of signs, regardless to whom they belong, cease immediately, and that is because it is WRONG.