FAITH
This month we explore faith, which can be known as a "thing" to inherit, discover, cultivate, explore, have, challenge, reject, protect, hide behind, find solace within, proclaim, and be motivated by. It is widely spoken of as something known to "get you through hard times"; to improve both mental and physical health. The Bible speaks of faith as that which we owe to God and as that which has its own rewards (ex: those who have Faith blessed, will never thirst, will be radiant, at peace, safe, prosperous and have their prayers answered, etc.)
Faith, understood as synonymous with belief, is commonly lifted up as the best way to make the impossible possible. At the same time, it can be recognized as blinding human beings to important truths, including that of their own ability and responsibility to reason and act with integrity on behalf of that which is just.
So what does it mean when we say Unitarian Universalists are a "People of Faith"? Unitarian Universalists are a People of Faith in that we are united around a set of shared religious values and principles. However, those are freely chosen, not imposed. We have have no creed which members are required to accept. We encourage one another to cultivate our beliefs freely and responsibly, and to bring them to life through our behaviors.
Fredric John Muire, in his book "Heretics' Faith" explains that the Unitarian Universalist context promotes an understanding of faith that combines belief and behavior. In that view it is not enough to simply believe something or talk about it. Instead, Unitarian Universalists are called to bring faith to life, by walking the talk.
This month we explore faith, which can be known as a "thing" to inherit, discover, cultivate, explore, have, challenge, reject, protect, hide behind, find solace within, proclaim, and be motivated by. It is widely spoken of as something known to "get you through hard times"; to improve both mental and physical health. The Bible speaks of faith as that which we owe to God and as that which has its own rewards (ex: those who have Faith blessed, will never thirst, will be radiant, at peace, safe, prosperous and have their prayers answered, etc.)
Faith, understood as synonymous with belief, is commonly lifted up as the best way to make the impossible possible. At the same time, it can be recognized as blinding human beings to important truths, including that of their own ability and responsibility to reason and act with integrity on behalf of that which is just.
So what does it mean when we say Unitarian Universalists are a "People of Faith"? Unitarian Universalists are a People of Faith in that we are united around a set of shared religious values and principles. However, those are freely chosen, not imposed. We have have no creed which members are required to accept. We encourage one another to cultivate our beliefs freely and responsibly, and to bring them to life through our behaviors.
Fredric John Muire, in his book "Heretics' Faith" explains that the Unitarian Universalist context promotes an understanding of faith that combines belief and behavior. In that view it is not enough to simply believe something or talk about it. Instead, Unitarian Universalists are called to bring faith to life, by walking the talk.