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UNPACKING UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALISM:
UNDERSTANDING AND EVANGELIZING MEMBERS OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES (UUA)
By Cky J. Carrigan, Ph.D. (Feburary 2000)
If Southern Baptists are serious about winning North America to Jesus, then Southern Baptists will get more serious about interfaith evangelism. And if Southern Baptists get more serious about interfaith evangelism, then Southern Baptists will have to learn to unpack the complex suitcase of Unitarian-Universalism.
Who Are Unitarian-Universalists?
Individual members of the Unitarian-Universalist Association of Churches (UUA) are a loose confederation of self-described "heretics." They are an extremely liberal religion that champions the cause of extreme religious tolerance. As a matter of fact, they are so liberal that only 9.5% of Unitarian-Universalists describe themselves as some kind of Christian. Members of UUA churches describe their theological perspectives in various ways. A recent internal UUA survey of over 8,000 members showed that roughly 46% considered their own theological perspective to be humanism and 19% were earth-centered. Mere theism describes 13% of them and 6% of them prefer mysticism. Nearly 4% of UUA members claim Buddhism and about 1% claim Judaism as their own theological perspective. And, about 13% considered their theological perspective to be outside the scope of all the above.
UUA total membership has increased by about 25% since 1982. The vast majority of its present membership of 213,000 does not have a UUA background. There are probably three main reasons for this increase in non-biological growth. Some of the increase was a result of Baby Boomers looking for moral education for their children outside of any particular theological context. Some of the growth was a result of women looking for a church that promotes women's rights. About half of UUA clergy are women. And, some of the increase was due to the UUA practice of performing same-sex marriages. Gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people are generally attracted to UUA because it is inclusive on issues of sexual-orientation.
What Do Unitarian-Universalists Believe?
The vast diversity among UUA churches, both within each congregation and between congregations, make it virtually impossible to summarize UUA doctrines. All UUA churches have, however, adopted seven key principles that express a broad consensus of beliefs about religion in general. Each member congregation of the UUA covenant with each other to affirm and promote:
1) The inherent worth and dignity of every person; 2) Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; 3) Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in their congregations; 4) A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; 5) The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within their congregations and in society at large; 6) The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and 7) Respect for the interdependent web of all existence.
UUA believes it is a living religious tradition that draws from many sources. The six sources upon which it draws include:
1) Direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder;
2) Words and deeds of prophetic women and men;
3) Wisdom from the world's religions;
4) Jewish and Christian teachings;
5) Humanist teachings; and
6) Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions.
Consider the following evangelistic guidelines for witnessing to Unitarian-Universalists in light of the above description of UUA beliefs about religion in general,
1) Be patient and take time to find out exactly what your particular UUA friends believe before charting a particular course of evangelistic action to lead them to saving faith in Christ. They may be atheistic or theistic, or have a Christian or Jewish background. They might even be Wiccan or Buddhist. You can not challenge a set of beliefs unknown to you, and it is very difficult to advance someone's thinking if you do not know where to begin.
2) Be especially gentle, humble and non-judgmental. A confrontational or super-direct approach will almost certainly be met with a great deal of unnecessary resistance. Remember, Unitarian-Universalists highly value religious diversity. Listen carefully to their beliefs, look for some common ground, and gently suggest the Christian alternative. Make sure to communicate clearly that they are free to reject your worldview. You may want to soften your presentation by sprinkling your conversation with phrases like, "It seems to me," or, "Perhaps," or, "Have you ever considered?" This kind of approach does not compromise your conviction. It merely demonstrates subtly that you value them as a person, you value their opinion, and their search for truth.
3) Be prepared to use reason. Unitarian-Universalists are generally well-educated or at least well-read. They value reason. They will not be easily moved from their positions merely on the basis of your appeal to an unsubstantiated faith. Emphasize the reasonable aspects of Christian truths. Demonstrate that Christianity is a reasonable faith, in fact, the most reasonable faith. Emphasize the host of rational and empirical evidences that support the claims of Christianity.
4) Be conscious of gender and racial equality issues. Be careful not to create any unnecessary stumbling blocks. Unitarian-Universalists highly value racial and gender equality. Any subtle signs of racial or gender superiority by you will be met with extreme resistance. Make sure to emphasize the biblical model of racial and gender equality in God's universal family.
5) Be sensitive to environmental issues. Be careful not to offend unnecessarily the environmental sensibilities of Unitarian-Universalists. They are generally very environmentally conscious and nature friendly. Make sure to emphasize the biblical model of caring responsibly for God's creation.
Secular Humanism
Since about two thirds of UUA members are either secular humanists or neo-pagans (earth-nature centered religion), perhaps a closer look at the basic features of these two worldviews is in order. Secular humanism is "any set of beliefs that promotes human values without specific allusion to religious doctrines." Humanism traces its roots to China and classical Greece and Rome. Its origins are linked to the Enlightenment and the scientific revolution of the modern world. All secular humanists are atheists, but all atheists are not necessarily secular humanists. Worldviews that merely reject the existence of God are not necessarily the same as the humanist worldview. To be a humanist, one must be committed to the positive belief in the possibilities of human progress and to the values central to it. In other words, a nihilistic atheist is not a humanist, because he is not optimistic about humanity's future.
Some noteworthy self-described humanists include John Dewey, American philosopher and education reformer; Isaac Asimov, science fiction writer and religion critic; Joseph Fletcher, father of situation ethics; Betty Friedan, founder of the National Organization of Women (N.O.W.); and B. F. Skinner, founder of behavioral psychology.
In connection to the basic claim of atheism, humanism is anti-supernatural in its orientation. It does not believe in supernatural acts of any kind. It regards the universe as self-existing and uncreated. It affirms the atheistic evolution of all things including man. Humanism also rejects any supernatural grounds for an ethical system, and it rejects any possibility of life after death.
In humanism, man is a highly evolved animal who is the measure of all things. His basic problems are superstition and ignorance. Reason and technology are the chief solutions for his problems. Religion is merely superstition with some good moral teachings mixed in, and Jesus Christ, if historical at all, was merely a moral teacher.
On the contrary, genuine Christianity affirms the existence of a personal moral God. It affirms the supernatural acts of this God in creation of the universe and in other historic events like the incarnation of God in Christ and His bodily resurrection. Man was created in the image of God, but is now fallen, or incapable of solving his chief problem--sin. The answer to man's problems is faith alone in Christ Jesus alone because of grace alone from God. The ethical system of genuine Christianity is based on biblical revelation from a moral God. Genuine Christianity also affirms life after death and believes Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, God incarnate, and unique Lord and Savior.
Pre-Evangelism Strategy For Secular Humanists
Secular humanists are basically atheists who deny the very existence of a personal living God. Therefore, arguments for the existence of God prepare the UUA heart for evangelism. It is very difficult to apply John 3:16 to the life of someone who rejects the very existence of a God who loves the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son. There are several compelling arguments for the existence of God, but space does not permit us to look carefully at them here. The two most common evidences for the existence of God are the very existence of the universe itself, and the intricate design of the universe. These arguments are called the cosmological and the teleological arguments respectively. Basically, the cosmological argument argues for God on the basis of the presence of the universe. If there is a universe, then there must have been a Universe Maker, God. The teleological argument argues for God on the basis of the design of the universe. If the universe looks like it has been designed, then there must have been a Universe Designer, God. Please consult the appropriate FAITH training materials that dedicate sessions to apologetic arguments for the existence of God. You may also consult the following five books for detailed arguments against atheism and for Christianity: Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig, Scaling the Secular City by J. P. Moreland, Christian Apologetics by Norman L. Geisler and Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli.
Neo-Paganism
Nearly one in five Unitarian Universalists describe themselves as an advocate of an earth-centered or nature based religion. Other common terms for this kind of religion is paganism, the new paganism, or neo-paganism. Witchcraft is also associated with paganism. Paganism is so prominent in the UUA that there is an official organization of pagans who are affiliated with the UUA. The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) exists to promote pagan and earth-centered spirituality in the UUA.
Neo-Paganism and witchcraft are very diverse religious movements with a variety of fluid beliefs and practices, so the following descriptions may not precisely fit all persons who consider themselves to be earth-centered or nature based. Witches and neo-pagans are also not precisely the same groups, but as a general rule they both worship the Great Mother Goddess in some form. The Great Mother Goddess is often seen in three aspects as Maiden (Kore), Mother (Diana) and Crone, or Old Woman (Hecate). For some, the Great Mother Goddess also has a consort called the Horned God (Pan). In the Middle Ages, Christians identified Pan as the Devil himself, but neo-pagans and witches strongly deny that they worship the Devil of Christianity. There is also some recognition of an entire pantheon of deities who may manifest themselves at certain seasonal festivals.
Magic (usually spelled "magick" in this context) is a common practice among neo-pagans and witches. Magick is "the art of causing change through the use of the cosmic power that is believed to underlay the universe." It can be used to change matters of the mundane world like health or work conditions or romance. Magick can also be used to change more important things as well.
The Pagan community generally sees itself as devoted to good rather than evil. They generally admire nature and natural things and affiliate with ecological causes, natural foods and remedies, and animal protection. Extreme feminism, homosexuality and goddess worship are also prominent themes in witchcraft and neo-paganism.
Evangelism Strategy for Neo-Paganism
Most UUA pagans will probably not be convinced of their errors by an appeal to scripture, but some of them will have a Christian background and may be positively influenced by the Bible's prohibition against their beliefs and practices. Therefore, consider the following passages that challenge witchcraft and neo-paganism. The Bible condemns witchcraft and magic (Lev. 19:26, 31; Deut. 18:10-11; 2 Chron. 33:6), the worship of other gods or goddesses (Ex 20:3; 1 Kin 11:4-5) and the worship of nature (Rom.1:21-25). The Bible also affirms the reality of Satan and his evil influences (Zech 3:2; Mat. 4:1-11; Luke 6:45).
Other approaches, however, might be initially more helpful for witnessing to witches and neo-pagans associated with the UUA. Witches and pagans do not actually acknowledge the existence of Satan, but because they are essentially idolaters, Satan is their master still. Pagans may not admit it, but they live in a state of fear. Whatever magickal forces are available to them to manipulate their world are also available to others. We know that Satan is a tempter, accuser, devourer and deceiver. He is not interested in doing good to, or for, any child of God. He will exact his wages from all idolaters sooner or later, and when he does, the Christian alternative will be the only safe place of refuge from Satan's oppression. Therefore, witnessing to witches and neo-pagans should be seen as seed-sowing in soil that may not be presently fertile, but may become fertile at some point in the future. We know that everything pagans are searching for can only be found in Christ. Love your pagan friends sincerely. Tactfully show them that the only way to an abundant life is through Christ, and wait for Satan to let them down. He will. When he does, be there to re-enforce the love and truth of Christ.
Conclusion
Unitarian Universalists are a very diverse lot. They are searching for meaning and value in life outside the scope of Christianity altogether. They reject Christianity primarily on the basis of its strict moral code and its supernatural orientation. They are not very tolerant of biblical, evangelistic Christianity, so do not expect an open invitation to your message. By any standard, Unitarian-Universalists are a hard people to win to Jesus. You might even say that they are impossible to win, but with God all things are indeed possible. Therefore, pray very hard, prepare very hard, persuade very hard and persevere to the end with your UUA friends. Never give up. Never surrender. Someday they may become disillusioned with their Christ-less program. Someday they may realize that there can be no effective moral code without a Supreme Code Giver. Someday they may recognize the futility and meaninglessness of a God-less world. Southern Baptists need to be there and be ready on that someday.
Copyright 2000 by Cky J. Carrigan. All Rights Reserved.
***The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the North American Mission Board, the Southern Baptist Convention, or any other Southern Baptist Church or Agency***