New subgroup for religious free-thinkers?

[E_Pluribus_Unitarian]

My experiences with this group tend to lead me to believe that it's not nearly as balanced as the group profile would have it be. A lot of what I'm seeing is a lot more secular in origin than religious, and even those of us who occupy the liberal-religious middle-ground are often subjected to ridicule. Would it be feasible for us to start a subgroup for those of us who are catching it from both sides in this never-ending "religion versus anti-religion" debate...those of us who see a valid middle-way that celebrates life in all of its natural majesty and mystery, that encourages personal disciplines of spiritual renewal without the dogma, that treasure the best guidance of science and the ways of democracy, and who see this sort of sacred community-building as a way to build up and enrich and sustain "free society" instead of undermining it? Frankly I'm just getting weary of having to go behind those who are continually lumping us together with the worst kind of authoritarianism, supernaturalism and hierarchical thinking which we so thoroughly refute. I would welcome any thoughts on whether a new subgroup should be started for "the rest of us"? Until then, I welcome you to my "Faith of the Free" Facebook page. Thanks so much!

[Goblinmonger]

1. Your wish is granted

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1222

Not very busy in there, though. But maybe you can make it more active.

[Goblinmonger]

2. Or if that one doesn't float your boat

then give this one a shot.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1226

There are a good number of religious safe havens on here where us nasty atheists can't post what we do in Religion. You are free to go there and post to your heart's content. I speak only for myself, but I never go to those groups even to troll and look for stuff that I can bring into Religion (like some do with the Atheist group).

[Taverner]

3. Define: Religious Freethinker

During my purgatorial state between theist and atheist I probably would have called myself that - but then again, I've also heard the term used for a Baptist who believes in Evolution

[cbayer]

4. While you sometimes have to dig through some muck to get to it,

there is a lot of substantial discussion going on here between religious free-thinkers and even non-religious free thinkers.

Since you can choose what you see, who you see and, most importantly, who you interact with, you can pretty much make this group what you want it to be. You can "trash" (hide) threads and ignore members, both technically or just literally.

That is the basic vision of the developers of DU3.

There are a couple of groups available that are safe havens, but they are labeled by particular religious belief group, and I think that has been an impediment to their growth.

It's Skinner's box, if you know what I mean.

Would like to see your Facebook group, but I don't do Facebook.

[rug]

5. There's a Catholic Group so I don't see why there couldn't be a Unitaran Group.

All you need is to start a thread in Meta and see if you can get ten Star Members to support it.

That's a large enough umbrella to encompass what you're talking about. Although I don't see how it could refuse secularists anymore than a UU congregation could.

[Goblinmonger]

7. If that thread is started

link to it here and I'll vote for it to get to the 10.

[rug]

9. How do you think his concerns about ridicule and god v. no god circular agruments would be addressed

Put in in the SoP?

[Goblinmonger]

10. Just like any other safe haven.

Put it in the SoP and have hosts that aren't afraid to ban someone. I doubt there would be much problem there if it were a safe haven. Those of us that want the debate will stay here.

[mr blur]

6. There already groups for "the rest of you" ( see above) It's hardly atheists' fault,

if no-one can be bothred to post in them.

You know, you moan about being ridiculed and not automatically accorded respect but you don't talk to each other is the safe havens already set up to keep you protected from those who disagree with you.

I have nothing to share with "Christian Liberals & Progressive People of Faith" - perhaps you do? Or perhaps it's easier to come here and whine about persecution?

[E_Pluribus_Unitarian]

8. Thanks for that!

I'll work on those. I'll share the link with those in my various FB groups and pages. And, o course I'll be routinely checking out this one as well, because you folks do dig up such great stuff about our common foe of religious dogma.

My point, again, is that we UU's really do try hard to work with the more secular non-theists. Many of our facilities across the country are being used for meetings by secular humanist groups. I am constantly battling the tendency among UU's to may settle into some normative theology which, instead of welcoming all who come to us in humble spirit and good will, makes second-class members of those who think differently. To me, that's unacceptable. We, of course, catch it from all sides...especially from the religiously orthodox. Somebody once said that if you are being criticized from all directions you must be doing something right. I hope that's the case.

Taverner, you're right. There are Christian congregations that call themselves Free Churches. But as I often say in response to a lot of so-called religious liberalism, freedom of religion is not enough...you have to have freedom within religion as well. True free-agency goes beyond the "free will" to follow some single pre-determined and pre-packaged religious path. True freedom, instead of only saying "you're free to do it our way" it has to be a freedom to do it "your own" way as well. (I just posted something about that over at another FB group that I admin: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2204654293/

Any new group doesn't have to have the UU brand. We're really more about an approach to religion instead of a name anyway. Again, thanks for the information guys!

[Goblinmonger]

11. I'm a member of a local UU fellowship

I haven't gone much lately (it's about 30 miles away) but I like it and the people there.

[E_Pluribus_Unitarian]

12. Leaning toward the Seekers on Unique Paths group...

I may offer my services as its host. Does anybody know if any changes are allowed to the names of the subgroups? I would like to add the UU part to the title in some way. Of course, we are about seeking and unique paths, but there's more to UU than that. It's also about the community aspects of religion, the social justice and coming together in celebration of the "holy curiosity" and the ongoing quest for truth and meaning, diverse though it is. In other words, adding UU to the group would suggest something beyond than the unique search, but also the communal nature and inherent value (some would say responsibilities) of sharing our freedoms. Maybe just adding "Unitarian Universalism" would make those points. So, does anybody here know, or should I ask Skinner about this name-change? Thanks again.

[cbayer]

13. I would ask this question in the group itself.

If you have support from other members that like to post there, I would think Skinner would be happy to change it for you. I would guess that adding that would increase traffic as well.

[Goblinmonger]

14. If you need star member support for that (like for getting a new group)

let me know and I will add it.

[Thats my opinion]

19. There are lots of us from other groups who are not UU but who have simular sentiments.

And if any denominational name is put on it, that would cut out most of us. The designation is important so that it does not become a debating society with atheists, but is broad enough to include inter-faith folks and a collection of solid humanists as well as radically liberal religionists.

[cbayer]

20. You are a star member. Maybe you could help him with it.

[Goblinmonger]

22. Yeah, don't acknowledge the three times that I've offered to help

and my indication that I am a formal member of a UU fellowship.

[cbayer]

23. Not meaning to dis you, goblin. If he wants your help, go for it.

I only identified that both of them were seeking a space where they could engage with others without the believer bashing.

I am glad to hear both that are a member of a UU fellowship and that you are interested in exploring this new kind of group. If you are truly interested, then I hope you will engage in this process.

Really.

[Goblinmonger]

24. I apologize for the knee jerk.

Been a tough week. I don't know that I would visit that group much, if I'm being honest, but I think it is a good effort worth helping out. I really do enjoy my UU fellowship when I do go, though. It is the first time in a long time I had been in a "church" setting where someone talking didn't make me mentally eye roll.

[cbayer]

25. I'm sorry you have had a tough week.

My generator just went kaput and the engine is barely working and the inverter is showing signs of failure, so I might know how you feel.

I have visited some UU churches and liked them. I felt welcome, even though my spiritual identity was nebulous at best. The fellowship and kindness was welcome at a time when I really wasn't getting it anywhere else. I would go back to them if I felt I needed it and if it were available in my present location.

Hope your week gets better.

[Goblinmonger]

21. You do know that many of the atheists here that you want to keep out

consider themselves humanists, right? Just before you go drawing lines in the sand that are going to make you look bad.

[E_Pluribus_Unitarian]

15. Thanks!

Yes, I wouldn't think of forcing a change on the present members. I'll propose the change to them first. Does anybody know if we still have a "poll" feature where members can vote for various responses to a question?

[cbayer]

16. You have to have a star membership to start a poll.

If you choose not to donate, perhaps you could contact another member in there and ask them to do it for you.

[Goblinmonger]

17. Don't know if I'm the best voice for it

but if you can't find anyone else, I'll start the poll for you in there. Just shoot me the wording.

[E_Pluribus_Unitarian]

18. Thanks again.

Maybe time to donate.