January 22, 2023: “What is Unitarian Universalism” Sermon

Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
2672 E. Alluvial Ave
Fresno, CA 93720
[phone]
www.uufresno.org/
Questions? Contact Chloe at [e-mail]

[@teachermerritt1735]

I so love and thoroughly accept this belief. Finally found my spiritual family, philosphy, and way of being. Thank u

[@marcoquiroz3558]

"From emptiness to everything". You found nothing, because a universalist doesn't believe in anything.

[@user-yu2sq2pv2o]

Dont follow Unitarian Universalism, or any denomination, follow God, and love others. Follow God no matter how tough it may be, the real God - the real Holy Spirit quietly whispering the truth in the midst of the false gods screaming.

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

Sorry to hear that.

[@richiemitchell6899]

Straight Parents took me to a small UU in central Iowa as a kid. So grateful everyday of my life.

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

Child abuse. So sorry.

[@richiemitchell6899]

Hahahahahahahahahah

[@sylmanyeki9323]

I like how u deliver your message! Thank u

[@ElizaHamilton1780]

I wonder if I’ve been a Unitarian all along and didn’t know it? I started looking for videos here after a discussion on X about religion.

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

Fuhgeddaboudit. A rosey path to a fiery end.

[@kevo88961]

This Cult is actually very beautiful.

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

A good religion to live by but not a good religion to die by.

[@billmactiernan6304]

I will listen to you. You will listen to me. We will have a Conversation, And become Community.

[@jaysteinke6629]

And it is a beautiful phenomenon for those in that moment. Nonetheless, we UU's are going to STAY nowhere *near* yet out of that forest if we don't start taking serious account of the faith's generational cliquiness as well as the relative stronghold held by its white, upper-middle class landed gentry.

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

​@@jaysteinke6629does that mean most unitarian are from money? Probably depends where you go to church, some are just normal paycheck to paycheck people. But you always need some of the congregation to have money, that's what keeps it going.

[@jaysteinke6629]

@@angelgirldebbiejo It means most Unitarians in my experience who occupy monied statuses -- ones they've likely already been occupying for many years -- are either given to responding to most problems in weak, performative ways or holding up those statuses as ones that invariably possess greater knowledge and/or authority to respond to those problems (whether they actually do or not).

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

Yeah, how's that working? Satan is real. This is a false religion,

[@jamesvandemark2086]

I always carry that UU card with the short explanation points on the back! Only the Bahai's I've met already knew! Start by mentioning that UUs founded HARVARD.

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

That won't matter much when one is smattering in HELL for eternity.

[@concoxxion2964]

What you spoke is beautiful... And should resonate with anyone who truly loves and honors Jesus. ❤

[@bouffant-girl]

Amen 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

Interesting since Jesus's message is contrary to this false prophet.

[@cheri9168]

I think our ALL loving God has sent us here to learn to be a community, learn to be as one. To love each other and not judge. One religion is not any more correct than another religion. You’ve been brainwashed to think you are in an elite club for God. Our spirits all belong to him in the end. We will find more joy in this world if we all realize this And live this life to the fullest. Because we are here to walk our most beautiful spiritual path with his wisdom, love, And understanding and discover our purpose. Not walk with fear or judgement.

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

Pablum.

[@nathanharmon8971]

This feels a lot more like a philosophy and a worldview than it does a religion. How is the religion different than any other educational charity? Trying to be non-judgmentally curious here, I hope that comes across

[@HappyMomma412]

Religion can be a lived philosophy. A way of moving through life, a journey. It is not always a set of rules.

[@Fr0g-iw5xi]

The definition of religion isn’t simple, it’s argued about by theologists but UU is considered a religion using the current official definition of religion

[@Colleen0862]

Religion is a particular set of Supreme beliefs among individuals and groups of people.

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

Religion is just something you follow with like beliefs, set guidelines etc example you follow going to the gym religiously 5 times a week. Your devoted.

[@isolatedfellow]

why does it have to be a religion lol

[@sylmanyeki9323]

This was a great service! Thank u

[@AlanAranguizPeterson]

You are such a great speaker and I enjoyed this sermon. I was totally involved in every idea that you spoke about. I look forward to watching and listening to more. Thank you.

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

This guy is nicer than Jesus who spoke against sin, Hell and the Devil. He didn't die on the cross for this nonsense.

[@ekRapid]

I'm a pantheist and I was curious about your faith, it seems you hold ideas that sound great and magical, but the paragon view, comes at the price of severe weakness and disconnection from reality and nature, weakness which hurts more good people in the long run. Learning over past actions of the Unitarian Universalism, show that they often ended on the side of the oppressing force and led to a great deal of death and suffering, despite the kind heart wishes. In essence, I'm sure you guys make for the best kind of neighbors(in times of peace), but when it comes to making tough political situation, or having someone watch your back against a vicious enemy I would have other neighbors.

[@Victor-wz7yk]

Hi we need sermons in Spanish pls.

[@irin9218]

Not suprised by this. The Bible spoke of this that in the last days, people would want to hear things that tickle their own ears. Though speaking the points of Judeo Christian values, UU have chosen to distort much of Gods Word, denying the Divinity of Christ.

[@user-gu7lv9gk8m]

No one cares about your bible

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

Amen!

[@richiemitchell6899]

2000 year old ideas can change duders!

[@bravingbrivatebrian]

Christ would mock you if he wasn't a true spiritual being

[@richiemitchell6899]

I would mock you but I’m a true spiritual being. Grow up

[@Thegratefuldad44]

Great sermon!

[@thisaintreal]

You don't earn salvation, it's given freely to those that ask, and believe in the death and resurrection of our Lord. Who died so you don't have to, for he is good and just. But no man is good, we all fall short, and even your good deeds are like dirty rags. So it's not through merit that you are saved, but through faith in Jesus death, resurrection, repentance and turning from sin. God will not force you to love him, because that wouldn't be love. And if you wish to live separate from him, then he will honor that, there's always consequences for our decisions, In everything we do in life, and as eternal beings the only other place there is to go after death, is away from God like you wanted which is hell. Eternal separation from God. Make know mistake God didn't send you there, you chose to go there. There is no moral standard with out God. Good and evil become subjective. And anyone could decide what's good and evil, which is chaos. Good and evil, right and wrong would be so convoluted anything could be justified, even murder. Without God's standard, you have nothing to measure your morality against. And your moral standard becomes a subjective preference, where it's all relative, there is no morality only preference.

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

Amen!

[@DaleWes]

what does the rainbow stole mean? not familiar with this liturgical color

[@christo-chaney]

Likely means they’re fully accepting of LGBT+ people.

[@ottovonapps]

🤣 good one!

[@MissMocha]

@@christo-chaneyah yes we have a church that has taken God's meaning of the rainbow and twisted it and gave it to sinners. and im supposed to believe this church is full of truth? theyve already started with a lie

[@christo-chaney]

@@MissMocha the rainbow in Genesis doesn’t originate from Christianity. It’s in a text that predates your religion. Being LGBT isn’t a sin.

[@marcoquiroz3558]

I challenge you to tell me the difference between this religion and any atheist non-religion, or even a Satanist anti-religion

[@richiemitchell6899]

Goodness duder

[@alejandromeza7204]

this is such a better sermon than the one in Riverside

[@tjjames2296]

This almost feels like a South Park bit, but even they couldn't come up with this level of hilarity

[@richiemitchell6899]

Cause it’s good wake up bro.

[@DV-mq5fv]

They must believe that the Bible is not the word of God. If they believe it IS the word of God, why would they not follow the detail of God's word?

[@christopherflux6254]

They don’t believe it’s inerrant. For some UUs it’s no more Gods Word than the Quran or even the Complete Works Of Shakespeare.

[@christo-chaney]

All Christian’s believe the Bible is Gods word but how many different Christian denominations are there again?

[@ottovonapps]

Because they hate God; therefore, they make their own god to justify their sins and sinful lifestyle.

[@christo-chaney]

@@ottovonapps they clearly don’t hate God. Not everyone is a Christian…thank God!

[@ottovonapps]

@@christo-chaney what God are you thanking?

[@sullivanbiddle9979]

These people claim to be Christian? Can one of them tell me where in the bible it says to express love to someone else you must ignore/deny their sin?

[@christo-chaney]

UU draws from all religions…not only yours.

[@user-no7vv5gi2v]

UU isn't christian

[@christo-chaney]

@@user-no7vv5gi2v some UUs are Christians. Other UUs are not.

[@user-no7vv5gi2v]

@@christo-chaney It should follow then that UU isn't christian

[@WillowMoonShine]

What is wrong with ignoring a sin, only God judges, not us.

[@beantown_billy2405]

So you're not Christians, right?

[@earthangelbaby_]

Many UUs are Christians. Not all. This faith community holds love at the center of all, and a Christian UU believes God is love and we need to love each other.

[@quralwilliams9716]

@@earthangelbaby_god is also a judge who’s anger at human sin burns as hot as a trillion suns. If love is all that God is then hitler and baby rapists get off Scott free. There is a very real place called hell and denying it doesn’t stop it existing but only ensures that you will end up there if you don’t put you’re trust in Christ who took the punishment for you on the cross.we all have broken the Ten Commandments and God says Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Christ will save you but you need to repent of this idolatry making a God to suit you’re sins

[@user-gu7lv9gk8m]

Why would they be?

[@chrisk3536]

​@@user-gu7lv9gk8m Why would you not be?

[@seta-san2149]

I’ll tell you what it is. It’s an atheist who refuses to embrace the joy of sleeping in on Sunday.

[@richiemitchell6899]

I do it all the time bro. Hungover with my head on some big tits. No god involved.

[@TheTopN8]

HERESY

[@user-gu7lv9gk8m]

Which is good.

[@JYDIVISN]

Just your opinion

[@rolandjosef7961]

Clearly Jesus of the Bible is not at the center of this religion.

[@user-gu7lv9gk8m]

Ewwww keep jesus to yourself.

[@jahsunhandy]

I love UUs because they come the closest to the truth, they are the most similar to the creation teachings of BILLY EDUARD ALBERT MEIER, who has been supported as a prophet by the PLEJAREN, who came from 500 light years away to help the eternal spirit of Billy, who has been the same spirit as many prophets, including Immanuel (the actual human that Jesus story is about), Isaiah, Mohammed, and three others, according to the Plejaren, humans who are far advanced ahead of our current very low spiritual and technological levels. The told Billy that they contacted him because of hos very ancient spirit, the same one who was NOKODEMION, billions of years ago and who developed the creation teaching which has allowed so many human civilizations to flourish peacefully in all the universes. It recognizes the miracle of life, it honors the omnipotent creation, as the source of so many blessings, and it honora c4ation andnlife and the very special and real position humanity has in creation as veing self aware, containing an infinite spirit that will be reborn over and over again, to evolve and grow, recognizing that love is the most core and sacred thing and is something to be cherished and increased. That regardless of our level of understanding, we are all valid, and equal. The only rules we must obey all ways are natural law. We must hold life sacred and attempt 5o increase love and life in the universe. Life is sacred and we prove this through tolerance and service. Yet, we dont shy from standing up against tyranny, and acknowledging any lie for what it is, always taking responsibility for our life and actions and whatever else we can. So you see, it seems similar to me. I love the UUs. If you want to know more go to the .org at Figu. And check out thefutureofmankind wiki that ends in .co.uk , its not futureofhumanity, nor Wikipedia, so good luck. Blessing

[@simonhole8661]

So nothing to do with Christianity then? Nice to know

[@RaidenDEVOUR]

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Do not be fooled. A Church is a building used for Christian worship. UU is not Christian. UU denies Christian beliefs while claiming to still be a Church. UU is designed to make you feel good, not save your soul from sin.

[@richiemitchell6899]

You sound crazy

[@RaidenDEVOUR]

@@richiemitchell6899 what about what i have said sounds crazy?

[@richiemitchell6899]

Spout biblical line…. Magic man. It doesn’t take the Bible to be good a person. Plenty of Christian kill every day. Most people are just trying to be better. JC got nothing to do with it.

[@richiemitchell6899]

No one comes through the father except through me. Is that like I’m your face!!

[@richiemitchell6899]

Or in your butt

[@atiqrahman7289]

Unitarian Universalism ----- can just say what the words are---- UNITY and UNIVERSALITY. UNITY AND UNIVERSALTY OF US ALL. UNITY OF DIVINITY, UNITY OF HUMANITY-----AND UNITY OF ALL COSMOS. THIS UNITY OF US ALL. UNITY OF THE UNIVERSE. DOESN'T IT MAKE THE REALITY OF UNITY OF UNIVERSE.

[@flyingeagle8231]

"I believe in you, you believe in me" will not get you into Heaven. This is nothing but a feel good church, not one you should trust to lead you to God. I feel sorry for its followers.

[@theundeservedflavor]

I love the sentiment but the whole "if there's a God" vibe is where you lose me. The gospel is a loud, confident, declaration that we have an intimate, loving Father that would move heaven and earth to commune with us in our every moment! The inclusivity of our Father is scandalous! I'm not so sure about your take on the term "heretic." Yes, it's "able to choose," but more specifically it "one who chose a doctrine at variance with established or dominant standards." I like it. I'm a heretic.

[@user-gu7lv9gk8m]

Can you prove God's existence?

[@user-yu2sq2pv2o]

​@@user-gu7lv9gk8mthe Gospels have a lot of historical evidence, and theres the fact that there are 2.4 billion Christians worldwide according to secular sources, and I would bet atleast 1 billion of them could tell you that they've had an undeniable personal experience with God. But look for Him yourself, you'll find Him.

[@GerardPerry]

So being cut off from The Lord in perpetuity is a "minor thing?" Pursuing faddish social justice initiatives is more vital than saving someone from eternal death?

[@jaysteinke6629]

Gerard, I was *born* Unitarian, so I can actually speak for many of their inconsistencies and shortcomings. Before that, though, are you part of a religion that tells you no change (social or otherwise) can be made by any other faith because only YOUR faith knows what changes REALLY need to be made? Well, then you haven't read a damn thing about the UU church and maybe ought to start. I'll give the UU's props for extending their warmth to other socially active faiths in getting involved in supporting making significant changes instead of boasting solely of its own effectiveness in doing so. (Un)fortunately for you, that's where this discussion changes... You really don't know about an organization or entity unless you know about that organization's or entity's problems (especially from having experienced those problems firsthand). Purely and simply, if the religious organization or entity of which you're a part doesn't have its own problems and internal conflicts, then you're living in a dream world. UU's are *often* insufferably bad judges of character, haughtily academic, astonishingly weak-kneed at acknowledging new members, middle-class like there'd be nothing for them to work with in any other tax bracket, exceptionally mediocre permissive parents who don't know how to speak to their children in private if they're upset with them, surprisingly prolific in the divorce department, and being just as prideful in their performative social actions as their genuine ones. Your statement, however flawed, judging the church for only being a church for those "(P)ursuing faddish social justice initiatives" isn't entirely wrong. But you have to be able to make the most informed judgement and making the most informed judgement about something comes from directly experiencing it.

[@MikeRosoftJH]

And why should anybody be "cut off from the Lord in perpetuity" for nothing but their honestly held beliefs? Doesn't it seem to you as extremely petty?

[@KittyShark701]

I don't want to worship a god that eternally damns his creations. I was a devout Pentecostal for many years but the more scripture I read the more I realized that this Christian god operates in fear and shame. He may be powerful but he does not seem to be good. He also seems obsessed with killing children. He demands worship. He brutally abuses his loyalist supporters (Job). He kills innocent children to punish others (Moses). He demands that supporters prove their loyalty through a willingness to murder their child (Abraham). He taunted his creations with rules he knew they would not follow and then punished them for it forever (Adam and Eve). When this god was ready to forgive his creations he created a child of his own and had it brutally murdered (Jesus). To "be saved" by this god one must thank god that he brutally tortured and murdered his child and fully submit to do and sacrifice anything if asked, completely submitting to this god's power....and this is called love!? No, seems more like a means of control.

[@ElizaHamilton1780]

Yeah, it’s a minor thing. You’ve got lifetimes to figure all of this out.

[@user-gu7lv9gk8m]

I don't have a Lord bcos I'm not a slave.

[@Milklit]

Describe the unitarian universal church in one word: Hersey

[@emiroze9438]

There is no one true way

[@ElizaHamilton1780]

Try learning to spell first, bruh.

[@Milklit]

@@ElizaHamilton1780 Angry over missing one letter, sad

[@merrittfallis6544]

Not angry - amused, surprised...... mostly amused. You gave us a buildup and then screwed up the spelling. I thought maybe you were trying to spell the word Hershey as in Hershey's chocolate. Are you aware that you can edit your comments?

[@Milklit]

@merrittfallis6544 yes, and I didn't care much about it. Figured people wouldn't care much about a typo, but seems like that is incorrect

[@user-rq1dm3ny3s]

What a crock. An insult to Jesus who shed His life's blood to save from sin, death and the grave. And Hell.

[@cameronconkle9579]

John Adam must be rolling in his grave right now. This was his religion and you soiled it.

[@user-gu7lv9gk8m]

John Adam would be proud of his religion.

[@kristinemacdougall]

cult...straight up cult

[@christo-chaney]

You don’t know what a cult is. Telling people to think for themselves isn’t a cult.

[@richiemitchell6899]

Literally the opposite of a cult.

[@fredericorodriguez808]

Theys support gays haha

[@Derek032789]

So?

[@user-gu7lv9gk8m]

Yes, thank God they do.

[@nataliemoraes2033]

​@@user-gu7lv9gk8mas Christians, we don't hate gays, but it's still a sin. God brought me out of being bi

[@richiemitchell6899]

Homophobia at its Finest.

[@j.knight9335]

It's anti-Christian heresy.

[@MikeRosoftJH]

In fact, you are sort of right on the second part. The word 'heresy' means 'choice'; and it's the whole point of the Unitarian-Universalist movement that people are free to choose their way. And so some members of the denomination are Christians, some are Jews, some are Secular Humanists, some are Neopagans, and so on.

[@j.knight9335]

@@MikeRosoftJH Choosing against the will of God is the path of Satan. You need to repent of your pride and convert to the traditional Catholic faith.

[@saulthechicanootaku]

Anything that isn't Christian is a heresy to you hateful bigots

[@arizonaandsmokes]

It's pro everyone. I'm a Christian I'm not a member of any church. You don't have to be to understand that all religion has taught us something we should agree and progress upon. I find christ to be most influential but others may find that meaning elsewhere. Your beliefs aren't invalidated by these folks others are simply included. Which might I add is very christlike.

[@j.knight9335]

@@arizonaandsmokes You don't believe in Christ. Jesus says that He is the only way to the Father. You reject that.

[@49perfectss]

Grow up and stop thinking magic is real theists 🤦‍♂️

[@concoxxion2964]

What you spoke is beautiful... And should resonate with anyone who truly loves and honors Jesus. ❤