Unitarians

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As Catholics, what do you think of Unitarians?

I've met alot of Unitarians who are former Catholics and I've always wondered why that was the case.

FYI: The Unitarians are represented by two organizations in the United States-- the Unitarian Universalist Association (www.uua.org) and the American Unitarian Conference (www.AmericanUnitarian.org). From my understanding, the UUA is very liberal and welcomes a broad range of beliefs, whereas the AUC is more traditional and God-centered but still "Unitarian Christian."

-- Dave (nomail@thistime.com), November 20, 2004

Answers

I do not think of them.

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), November 20, 2004.

Unitarianism attracts "cafeteria Catholics" and even "cafeteria Protestants", because it offers just what these people are seeking - the freedom to believe whatever they want to believe and to reject whatever they want to reject while still remaining accepted members in good standing of their "church" (if you can accept the notion of a "church" without a creed or any defined beliefs).

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), November 20, 2004.

I would agree with you, Paul. But, considering the church question, I guess "church" can be defined in different ways. After all, many Christian churches in other denominations are not led by a creed, such as the Disciples of Christ, the Congregationalists, United Church of Christ, Quakers, etc. Instead, most claim, they are "led by the Spirit." More power to 'em I say. I'm happy being Catholic, they're happy being something else, and that's that. The Unitarians are a bit odd, I'll agree to that, but they have done good work for civil rights and social justice, I'll give 'em that much.

-- Dave (nomail@thistime.com), November 20, 2004.

Goods works won't get you into Heaven, only Jesus can do that and Unitarians reject Jesus and His teaching. So if following after a religion of works is what someone wants to do, they just realize that there's hell to pay in the end.

David

-- non-Catholic Christian (no@spam.com), November 20, 2004.


To non-Catholic Christian--

I wouldn't go so far as to say Unitarians and others like them will go to Hell (in my opinion, it's not our place to say). Also, not all Unitarians reject Jesus and his teachings. Now, whether or not Unitarians follow a traditional or authentic Christianity is up to debate I guess. Jesus Christ and Christianity, in some form or other, do play an important role in the lives of some Unitarians. Don't write off the whole bunch just because of a few bad apples.

In regards to your comment on salvation, it's that age-old Christian question. Is it works? Is it faith? Is it both? Or is it something else, such as the grace of God the Father alone? I don't know. Who's to say on whom God smiles, except God alone?

-- Dave (nomail@thistime.com), November 20, 2004.



Besides: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, even probabbly Thomas Jefferson were Unitarians.

Now, that expains the religious tolerance in the Constitution.

The Christian Yahwist

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), November 23, 2004.


No, the Unitarians are no more tolerant than most Protestants. The religious tolerance is in the Constitution because the Catholics insisted on it, to prevent the Puritans from banning all religions besides their own, as they had done repeatedly in colonial times whenever Britain left them sufficiently to their own devices, and to stop the Episcopalians from doing the same in Virginia.

Dave, it’s grace which gives salvation. When we have faith we accept this grace. We know we have faith because of the works we do.

-- Steve (55555@aol.com), November 23, 2004.


Now, whether or not Unitarians follow a traditional or authentic Christianity is up to debate I guess.

Dave,

In my opinion, authentic 'practice' and the eventual repose of one's soul are two entirely different things. Beyond a shadow of a doubt it can be stated based upon objective observation what is authentic vs. pagan -uncertainty only applies to the matter of eternal life.

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), November 24, 2004.


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