We respect differences:UU's often distinguish themselves from ordinary Christians in this manner. Whereas Christians are narrow and intolerant, UU's are supposedly open and accepting.
in fact, we thrive on them: whether its a belief in one God, many Gods, no Gods, God within us all, "the Force," or “the Sacred.” It is our diversity of opinions and beliefs, and our acceptance of our differences that make us a Fellowship of equals.
In reality, though, UU's and Christians are both accepting of diversity within limits. The only difference between them is in where those boundaries are. For example, in my church, you're free to say Jesus will return before, during, or after the tribulation, but people won't like it if you start saying Jesus is not God. At the UU Fellowship of Tyler, you're free to say there's a God or there isn't a God, but trying telling people Jesus is the only way to salvation and see how accepting they are of differences.
UU's are masters of euphemism. They use it to the point of misrepresenting themselves.
3 comments:
Thanks Jeff. I noticed that last night when I looked at his web page. I'm very interested in knowing what he has to say about it.
Steve,
Think about what you're saying. UU's have a point of view. They are unaccepting of any point of views that contradict their point of view. Do you see that? That's the only point I meant to make.
Now I would agree that the umbrella of orthodoxy within UUism is broader than it is for Christianity. But that isn't how the UU's in Tyler differentiated themselves from other churches in Tyler. They differentiated themselves by saying they respect differences and the other churches don't. However, as we've seen, both churches respect differences within their umbrella, but not outside of their umbrella.
The only real difference between the UU's and the Christians in Tyler is where they draw the boundaries. They are misrepresenting themselves to imply otherwise.
Steve,
I think you have a good point there. I guess to a degree, our slogans in this country can be misleading as well. Of course it isn't illegal to be a nazi in this country; it's just that you can't get elected. But yeah, I see your point. All laws restrict freedom, and all governments have laws.
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