This morning (31 July 2005) we had an inter-active service. We asked the congregation what being a UU meant to them. Not all faiths ask their members about their beliefs. Cotton Mather, for instance, never asked his congregation about predestination. Here are the responses, in the order the 3x5 cards came into the basket:

• Respecting all religions, having the freedom to find my own spiritual path and working to make the world a better place.
  
  
• Genuinely striving to be a better person.
  
  
• Not being limited to one window from which to view the world, but to know there are many windows, and thus many views, and to try to be respectful of all those views.
  
  
• Feeling at home
  
  
• Respecting each other and enjoying our different ideas. . . and I do not mean by e-mail. I believe there is an interconnecting web and that all life has meaning and should be given assistance. Old or young, diverse ideas should be given a chance
  
  
• Being accepted despite my different beliefs. Accepting others despite theirs.
  
  
• Having a place to belong that tolerates different views.
  
  
• Being open to the questions: Where has my path brought me from and through? Where am I now spiritually? What is my next step?
  
  
• Having a group of people with whom I can share my thoughts and still feel protected from indignation and reprisal.
  
  
• I can learn and grown around patient, accepting, and loving people. I am myself when I am with other people in our fellowship.
  
  
• Being able to interact with a like-minded group of religious liberals, which enhances my spirituality.
  
  
• Being in a community of people exploring and enjoying the discussions of meaningful topics.
  
  
• Being free to express my opinions and sentiments without being afraid of censure. The aura of happiness I see surrounding me as I sit in our sanctuary.
  
  
• Being part of a vibrant, intelligent, group of people who love the questions and doubts of our spiritual quest more than they love the comfort of pat, ready answers.
  
  
• Being able to confront the world of superstition and collective stupidity.
  
  
• Moving along a spiritual path without being told what I should believe. Being with other people I enjoy and knowing we believe in many different paths.
  
  
• A place where kind people gather to accept a higher power and each other.
  
  
• Having the freedom to follow my own spiritual path; there is no "right" or "wrong" each individual is encouraged to find their own truths.
  
  
• Freedom to be the eccentric human being that I am. To search for the truth supported by a loving community without guilt, shame or boundaries. (I am a 4th generation of UU)
  
  
• Having freedom to think and discover and good like-minded friends.
  
  
• Having the freedom to explore the meaning of my life and all life unconstrained by dogma and preconceptions! And a community to share that search.
  
  
• That my children can grow up in a community without guilt and fear and maintain their free will and lack of prejudice.
  
  
• Freedom of beliefs; understanding and caring of others; love of one another; dignity for all.
  
  
• Finding the joy within myself the connection with others and the earth. It is a continuing journey to learn to view the actions of others with understanding and compassion. It is a very complex world.
  
  
• A community, a place of generous spirit and non-judgmental attitude. A place to explore my individual spirituality with freedom.