Unitarians (at Christmas)

[CassandraMortmainthe2nd]

Hi, does anyone here go to a Unitarian church? I have been reading about the Unitarians and I am thinking of going to a service (if that's the right word) at one of the chapels nearest me, specifically Rosslyn Hill or New Unity (both in North London).

Ideally I'd like to choose a time when it will be busy enough that I can go unnoticed, and I thought Christmas might be a good time for that as churches are often fuller at Christmas. But then, I know Unitarian chapels aren't really churches in the usual Christian sense.

So I guess my question is... do I have any chance of finding a service which is busy enough that an extra/new person wouldn't really be noticed? And if so, when should I go?

I guess I would just feel very awkward if I turned up and it was only a few people who knew each other very well and they didn't really ever expect any newcomers...

Almost all the "Jesus is both God and man" instances can be argued against (apart from John 1 and one in Corinthians). In other words, you may think that, but there are an awful lot more instances of Jesus being the son of God than of being God. "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased" for example - no one says that about themselves.
Jesus prayed to God.
I've just read a brilliant book about the events leading up the the crucifixion, and right through to the resurrection. It's called Who Moved The Stone. The stone against the tomb was blown outwards from the tomb in one of the accounts. Jesus didn't do that because he was dead. God did it and raised him from the dead.
That Jesus isn't God Is so obvious I don't know why more people don't realise it. The way to God Is through Jesus, his son, yes.

Unitarians believe everyone is on their own spiritual journey. So you can read texts from any religion or be an atheist or humanist and be welcomed as a Unitarian. We have popped in to a couple and found them very welcoming. I believe 4 US presidents were Unitarians as was Charles Dickens .

At my meeting house we have reading from A Christmas Carol by candlelight at the beginning of December. (I forgot to go this year)

Interesting thread. Thank you for sharing. I didn't know anything about Unitarian churches... and turns out, I have one right beside me]! They refer to themselves as a non suscribing presbyterian church, so not sure of that's different or the same.
I might check it out myself.
Thanks

The NSPCI churches are mainly in Northern Ireland as far as I know (as well as Dublin and Cork). They would tend towards more traditional and bible based theology from what I remember, but still very interesting and welcoming.

If you've never tried a Unitarian church and it feels a little daunting to walk into one in person, you can find loads of online services and other gatherings on unitarian.org.uk

There are also online gatherings for newbies to meet other people who'd like to find out more , very relaxed and no pressure, they have a kind of 'ask my anything' time too - have a look at the UK Unitarians Facebook page or the website to find out when the next one is.

Unitarians don't have a creed, some believe in God and some don't, the community supports everyone on their own search for truth and meaning, it's the values of free thinking, community action, love and inclusion that hold us together.

My mistake, I was under the impression that Unitarians consider themselves a branch of Christianity. It looks like that's not the case.

This is one of the basics of Christian teaching - that you can't earn (or buy) your way into heaven. I don't have time to go into the details but this might help.

https://www.gotquestions.org/good-person.html

Thank you @MotherForkinShirtBalls

The stone against the tomb was blown outwards from the tomb in one of the accounts.

Which account was this? @Nikitaspearlearring Not one I've ever read.

This is the account from Matthew 28.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

There's no mystery around who rolled the stone away - it was an angel. Although, this was more for the benefit of the witnesses as the stone wouldn't have stopped Jesus from leaving the tomb in His glorified body anyway.

The way to God Is through Jesus, his son, yes.

Well I'm glad we at least agree on something. :)

That Jesus isn't God Is so obvious I don't know why more people don't realise it.

https://www.gotquestions.org/God-Jesus-same-person.html

Christianity has a much longer history of being able to buy your way into heaven than not.

What do you mean by that? @Feelingathomenow

Ooh, payments made to the church to say masses for the dead, people paying for the church to be built, to finance the Pope. Let’s not forget it was the sake of indulgences that seemed to be the final straw for Martin Luther. That’s just the money side of things.

Sola fide is a bit of a late comer to the party

I'm with Martin Luther @Feelingathomenow. Nothing more than human greed and evil motives going on there. They were not practicing what they preached. Sad. And it doesn't change the fact that you can't earn your way into heaven.

But that’s the thing, it’s just certain interpretations of Christianity that say that. I mean you could believe in double predestination or you could believe in leaving a substantial legacy for priests to pray for your soul- all Christians

you could believe in leaving a substantial legacy for priests to pray for your soul

Show me a Bible passage which supports this view. I'll wait lol.

You'll be welcomed at the Rosslyn Hill chapel. It's certainly not a pushy place and they get lost of curious folks.

Can we stop arguing about scripture? The unitarians don’t follow the bible or enforce the belief in any deity. They come from Christian roots and will sometime refer to God and the bible but you can be any faith or no faith to go there.

For the Irish I got married by the fantastic Rev Bill RIP in the Unitarian Church on Stephen’s Green. As a birth Catholic I loved the Unitarian approach.

Ah but that’s the thing- not all Christian’s believe in sola scriptura either lol.

it’s interesting the original gospel Mark never included a risen Jesus (that part was added later) but here we are!

This is what I’m really finding fascinating and quite compelling here. There’s been so many takes on Christianity alone, I’m really drawn to exploring Unitarianism more for its open minded approach

If the posters outside my local one are any indication, they are lot more god-y than Unitarians and heavily bible based.

it’s interesting the original gospel Mark never included a risen Jesus

Even if you leave out verses 9 to 20 from Mark's gospel @Feelingathomenow, you still have the disciples seeing the empty tomb and what the angel told them.

And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

not all Christian’s believe in sola scriptura either

Maybe not, but they can't just make it up as they go along either.

I don't mean to annoy you, but...

What is the good of sometimes referring to God and the Bible? Why call it a church? Why have vicars?

The Trinity (three persons in one God) is a core belief of Christian religions, with God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit being the three persons.

It's not a case of one person's opinion ("you may think that"). Or even a controversial opinion. It's what the vast majority of Christian churches teach as Truth.