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Joining our membership does not mean you are agreeing to become an evangelist for a particular religious perspective. Unitarian Universalism carries with it an approach to religion that is quite different. Unitarian Universalism is a religion that affirms this world. By signing the membership book, you are saying that religion has to do with finding peace in your soul — now — not later. Heaven is here and so is Hell. Our task as humans is to help create heaven — not convince people they will find it later.
Second, by signing the membership book you are saying you are opposed to authoritative, arrogant assertions about religious matters and probably political and social matters as well. This is a preference for nondogmatic religion. Historically, we are known for tolerance of different religious views. When others are calling for a narrower view of religion, we are trying to be more inclusive.
Whatever our personal characteristics, we have all been on a journey. We have been raised in a particular religion or without a religion. We have developed our personal views of organized religion.
If you have all the answers in religion and politics, you will probably not be happy here. Unitarian Universalism asks us to maintain a window of doubt. Someone else may have a better answer, more information, another way to look at an issue.
We all come here to learn — not to convert others to our views.
Third, membership means we are looking for a community where we can be ourselves, can be accepted as we are, by a group of people who will help us when we are in trouble and will come to us when they need us.
One thing we can promise you: We are not perfect. Just as each of us is blemished, so are our institutions. Even with our blemishes, this is a place where you can have the opportunity to discuss and learn about religion. Some would even say theology. Others prefer to call it ethics or spirituality.
Whatever terms we use, we come here to ask the important questions, to learn the answers given by the great thinkers. We come here for many reasons — but most of all, we come to join with each other in our personal search for meaning and purpose.
A Unitarian Universalist fellowship is a place to share our journeys, look for answers, join with others, and have some fun.
Finally, by signing the membership book you also do something else — you say to the world that you are ready to give as well as receive. John Wolf, one of the leading ministers, says: "There is only one reason for joining a Unitarian Universalist Fellowshiop— to support it."
This is the main reason for joining a Unitarian Universalist fellowship. Liberal religion needs support — both in time and other resources. Every community needs a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Florida needs a more humane, nondogmatic, tolerant religion. Unitarian Universalism needs more people to tell the world that liberal religion is alive and well.
We do not need to knock on doors or corner people, but we should stand up for what we believe. If we do nothing else, I hope we will do this. May we all stand up for nondogmatic religion, tolerant of views other than our own, accepting of each other's positions in life, and giving of ourselves so that our world will be more just and more humane for all people.