For years now I've been researching different religions, from different Christian denominations to Buddhism and Quakers. I liked a few things from every religion. So, I kept researching for many years, while still attending a Roman Catholic church. After a few years, I stopped researching. I thought I'd just be stuck as a Roman Catholic, stuck with a religion I didn't agree with. However, I saw a Facebook post about Universal Unitarianism. I decided to look into it.
What I found was a religion that has taken bits and pieces from every religion, which was Universal Unitarianism. Up until last night, I was a non-practicing member of UU. I attended my first meeting of the UU's online community, The Church of the Larger Fellowship, which anyone can attend through live stream. As I attended the live stream, I felt refreshed, and after the live stream ended, felt myself bawling my eyes out. I had finally found the place where I belonged with my belief.
Universal Unitarianism is a religion based on seven principles:
1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process with our congregations and in society at large
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are part.
I had been living my life by most of these principles anyway.
Before finding UU, I had two lives. My completely open life, and my church life. My church life was the life where I couldn't be honest with who I was. I couldn't find another guy looking for a boyfriend with the same beliefs as me. Then in my open life, I was able to find a boyfriend (who became a Beyonce, Best Thing I Never Had Moment).
When I found UU, I didn't have to be afraid anymore, I could combine my lives together. I didn't need to separate my religious and personal beliefs anymore. I'm finally free; God sent me Universal Unitarianism, I just didn't find it, as soon as I needed it.