An "Organized" religion that is Very Dude like

[BikerDude]

I've never been much for the organized religion thing but if I had to pick...

http://www.uua.org/

Adherents of Unitarian Universalism base their beliefs primarily upon their own experiences and are not committed to any one religious system. They believe that individuals have the right to decide for themselves what to believe in and that others should not infringe upon this right. As a result, one such believer might lean toward liberal Christianity, while another might lean toward New Age spirituality. There is no real dogma beyond tolerance?for everything except biblical Christianity. They reject the Bible as a book of myths?denying it is the Word of God?equating it with barbaric writing that has little to do with modern man. They reject the Bible's portrayal of a Triune God, leaving the concept of God up to each individual's imagination.

To the Unitarian Universalist, Jesus was a good moral teacher, but nothing more. He is not considered to be divine, and every miracle associated with Him is rejected as being outside of human reason. Most sayings of Jesus recorded in the Bible are regarded as embellishments on the part of the authors. Among the Universalist beliefs: Jesus did not die to save mankind from sin, as man is not a fallen sinner; emphasis is placed on humankind's capacity for goodness; sin is completely relative, and the term itself is rarely used; man saves himself through personal improvement, salvation being a purely worldly experience, a "waking up" to the world around oneself. This is very important, for death is final. Most Unitarian Universalists deny the existence of an afterlife, so all we have on earth is all we'll ever get.

[Reverend Al]

Organized?  That must be exhausting.

[Leopoldrose]

I've never been much for the organized religion thing but if I had to pick...

http://www.uua.org/

Adherents of Unitarian Universalism base their beliefs primarily upon their own experiences and are not committed to any one religious system. They believe that individuals have the right to decide for themselves what to believe in and that others should not infringe upon this right. As a result, one such believer might lean toward liberal Christianity, while another might lean toward New Age spirituality. There is no real dogma beyond tolerance?for everything except biblical Christianity. They reject the Bible as a book of myths?denying it is the Word of God?equating it with barbaric writing that has little to do with modern man. They reject the Bible's portrayal of a Triune God, leaving the concept of God up to each individual's imagination.

To the Unitarian Universalist, Jesus was a good moral teacher, but nothing more. He is not considered to be divine, and every miracle associated with Him is rejected as being outside of human reason. Most sayings of Jesus recorded in the Bible are regarded as embellishments on the part of the authors. Among the Universalist beliefs: Jesus did not die to save mankind from sin, as man is not a fallen sinner; emphasis is placed on humankind's capacity for goodness; sin is completely relative, and the term itself is rarely used; man saves himself through personal improvement, salvation being a purely worldly experience, a "waking up" to the world around oneself. This is very important, for death is final. Most Unitarian Universalists deny the existence of an afterlife, so all we have on earth is all we'll ever get.

My wife goes to uu. I tried it. While I agree that the principles are very Dudeist, when your ass is in the chair is still feels very much like church.

[BikerDude]

My wife goes to uu. I tried it. While I agree that the principles are very Dudeist, when your ass is in the chair is still feels very much like church.

Maybe a more Dudeist version would involve bowling and oat sodas.

[The Guro]

The UUA view the Bible as much more than a book of myths... While they do not see it as a static work to exclude all others. You are wrong in your observation. At least according their own information regarding the subject. Much like the tolerant and accepting of others view that I was led to believe existed here... apparently.

http://www.uua.org/beliefs/welcome/sacredtexts/151245.shtml

[NiJoDude]

I'd go with this one, should I be excommunicated from dudeism.

http://nativeamericanchurches.org/

Abide.

[Anchorite83]

I prefer disorganized religions; Dudeism, Subgenius, Discordianism, etc.

[jgiffin]

I went to a unitarian church with a friend's family several (i.e., way too many) times when I was young. Can confirm it feels very much like church-church. Also, if you're studying the Jesus as a moral teacher, well, you would very arguably be better served studying moral philosophers. You know, guys/gals who underpin their tenets on logic rather than picking and choosing which parts of a fictional work to believe and which to ignore. I mean, it's really no less arbitrary than what the early church did with the plethora of gospels. Maybe less self-centered and more consistent, but still...nah, man, I'm good.

[Anchorite83]

"...He sniffs the creamer before he buys it. Carefully reviews all the labels and ponders them, then chooses the most modestly priced option and pays with a post-dated check."

[jgiffin]

"...He sniffs the creamer before he buys it. Carefully reviews all the labels and ponders them, then chooses the most modestly priced option and pays with a post-dated check."

Either this post is densely and beautifully meaningful or I'm overthinking things because I'm drunk again.

Are you saying unitarianism is one of the least spoiled religions on offer in the community and that it may be a comparatively good return on your time if you don't invest too heavily in it?

If so, well-fucking-put, man. If not, sorry. Drunk me may be projecting.

[Anchorite83]

It's from the original Dude De Ching; #38. Religion.

[jgiffin]

It's weird how some sayings, phrases, and whatnot (like that one) are applicable to so many very different things.

[Anchorite83]

It's weird how some sayings, phrases, and whatnot (like that one) are applicable to so many very different things.

The Dude De Ching is infinite in its wisdom 

[Rev. Jimmy]

UU is where I go when I feel inclined to go to church. I don't believe in supernaturalism, but I enjoy a UU service for the connection. I was raised a United Methodist and have mostly positive memories of that church, 3,000 years of beautiful tradition and all that. So although I don't believe in a supernatural deity, I enjoy some aspects of the church experience and connecting with like-minded people. By the way ... any of you Dudes know what to do if you no longer have the email that confirms your ordination? Does it matter much if I'm not planning to do any officiating?