I actually went to a UU church in my 20s. I’ve always been an atheist and I’ve made no secret of it and I didn’t then and not only was everyone cool with it, plenty of them were also atheists. Including the minister, who became a UU minister because his father was an abusive evangelical minister who taught him how to speak in a church and he rejected all of his father’s ideas and became a progressive voice in the best way he knew how. The first time I went, they were celebrating Bob Marley’s birthday. I was hooked right away. It was a great way to have a social group at the time and also a great way to find social justice causes to work on.
These days, I’m in my 40s and I’m living in a different place. The church is on the other side of town, I have no idea who the minister is, and I wouldn’t be able to convince my wife and daughter to go anyway, so it isn’t worth it.
But if you’re young, an atheist, and are interested in social justice and also want a social life, you could do worse.
I’m an atheist as well and went to a UU church for a little bit in my mid 30s.
I enjoyed it. It was a nice third place. The people were all over the place with regard to their beliefs.
Really it was what I think church should be in the 21st century. Scripture is read but it was pretty much only positive messages and relevant to current events. The minister was wildly liberal and progressive. We sang. Scripture and songs were from all the major religions, not just Christianity or even Abrahamic. Really it was treated more of a “history of religion” than preaching. Religion itself has some positive messages and a very important place in history.
That is super interesting. I had no idea that there was decent, non-judgemental denominations like that. Especially ones that are so old. It’s still, not for me, but its nice to know that, occasionally, ‘Christian’ churches can actually be cool like that.
Sure. They aren’t really Christian anyway. They came out of Christianity, but they call themselves a creed rather than a religion. Basically, “don’t be an asshole” and you’re welcome.
I actually went to a UU church in my 20s. I’ve always been an atheist and I’ve made no secret of it and I didn’t then and not only was everyone cool with it, plenty of them were also atheists. Including the minister, who became a UU minister because his father was an abusive evangelical minister who taught him how to speak in a church and he rejected all of his father’s ideas and became a progressive voice in the best way he knew how. The first time I went, they were celebrating Bob Marley’s birthday. I was hooked right away. It was a great way to have a social group at the time and also a great way to find social justice causes to work on.
These days, I’m in my 40s and I’m living in a different place. The church is on the other side of town, I have no idea who the minister is, and I wouldn’t be able to convince my wife and daughter to go anyway, so it isn’t worth it.
But if you’re young, an atheist, and are interested in social justice and also want a social life, you could do worse.
I’m an atheist as well and went to a UU church for a little bit in my mid 30s.
I enjoyed it. It was a nice third place. The people were all over the place with regard to their beliefs.
Really it was what I think church should be in the 21st century. Scripture is read but it was pretty much only positive messages and relevant to current events. The minister was wildly liberal and progressive. We sang. Scripture and songs were from all the major religions, not just Christianity or even Abrahamic. Really it was treated more of a “history of religion” than preaching. Religion itself has some positive messages and a very important place in history.
That is super interesting. I had no idea that there was decent, non-judgemental denominations like that. Especially ones that are so old. It’s still, not for me, but its nice to know that, occasionally, ‘Christian’ churches can actually be cool like that.
Thanks for sharing!
Sure. They aren’t really Christian anyway. They came out of Christianity, but they call themselves a creed rather than a religion. Basically, “don’t be an asshole” and you’re welcome.