Diversity in beliefs – We are the hyphenated

Recently, the Rev. Tom Owen-Towle and Ken Brown, the PSWD District Executive lead UUFSD in a workshop on engaging our theological diversity. Held at UUFSD, and including members from many nearby fellowships, the lively workshop developed a spirited discussion about the many beliefs and traditions we bring to UU, pluralism, and encouraging openness, exploration, and support.

As part of the ministerial search process, we continued the conversation by including a survey question about the belief systems that each member held:

Many UU’s religious/spiritual beliefs are derived from various belief systems. How do the following statements describe yours?

One of the interesting findings: we have a lot of hyphens in our beliefs!

First of all, the most common response was that none of the 16 belief systems listed described one’s belief system perfectly. This was from 44% of the Fellowship.

The next largest response – 39% of the Fellowship have their own unique hyphenated combination of belief systems shared by nobody else in the Fellowship. (see the full list below)

The remaining one-sixth of the Fellowship share some single or hyphenated belief system with at least one other member. These are:

Eclectic (5%)
Ethical religion-Eclectic (2%)
Buddhism (2%)
Non-Theism-Skepticism-Agnosticism (2%)
Atheism (2%)
Atheism-Non-Theism (2%)
Judaism (2%)
Humanism (2%)

Here’s the list of one-to-a-person hyphenated combinations:

Humanism-Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion-Naturalistic Theism-Earth-centered spirituality-Pantheism-Eclectic
Non-Theism-Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion-I am learning aspects of Buddhism
Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion-Naturalistic Theism-Pantheism-Eclectic
Ethical Christianity-Naturalistic Theism-Earth-centered spirituality-Eclectic-Intellectualism
Atheism-Non-Theism-Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion-Naturalistic Theism-Earth-centered spirituality-Buddhism
Ethical Christianity-Buddhism-Humanism-Non-Theism-Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion-Naturalistic Theism-Earth-centered spirituality-Pantheism-Eclectic
Ethical Christianity-Humanism-Naturalistic Theism-MysticismEarth-centered spirituality-Pantheism-Eclectic
Humanism-Atheism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion-Naturalistic Theism
Humanism-Non-Theism-Naturalistic Theism-Eclectic
Non-Theism-Ethical religion-Earth-centered spirituality-Buddhist Meditation
Skepticism-Agnosticism-Eclectic
Naturalistic Theism-Mysticism-Eclectic
Humanism-Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion-Naturalistic Theism-Earth-centered spirituality-Eclectic-Christian-Buddhism-Earth-Centered
Agnosticism-Pantheism-Eclectic
Buddhism-Agnosticism
Ethical Christianity-Humanism-Atheism-Non-Theism-Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion
Ethical Christianity-Non-Theism-Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion-Pantheism-Eclectic
Agnosticism-Hope
Mysticism-Eclectic
Naturalistic Theism-MysticismEarth-centered spirituality-Pantheism-Eclectic-spirituality through meditation-
Pantheism-Eclectic-Buddhism, Hinduism, Yoga
Buddhism-Non-Theism
Agnosticism
Earth-centered spirituality-Pantheism-Eclectic-Pagan/Goddess ritual
Ethical Christianity
Ethical Christianity-Ethical religion-Naturalistic Theism-Mysticism-Eclectic
Ethical Christianity-Pantheism-United Church of Christ
Buddhism-Eclectic
Buddhism-Pantheism-Eclectic
Ethical Christianity-Agnosticism-Naturalistic Theism-Eclectic
Ethical Christianity-Naturalistic Theism-Pantheism-Eclectic
Humanism-Atheism-Non-Theism-Skepticism-Naturalistic Theism-Earth-centered spirituality
Love and Positive Thinking
Naturalistic Theism-Earth-centered spirituality
Naturalistic Theism-Eclectic
Non-Theism-Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion
Pantheism
Pantheism-Eclectic
Buddhism-Skepticism-Agnosticism
Agnosticism-Ethical religion
Humanism-Atheism-Skepticism
Judaism-Buddhism-Humanism-Atheism-Non-Theism-Skepticism
Non-Theism
Skepticism-Agnosticism
Skepticism-Agnosticism-Ethical religion-Eclectic
Ethical Christianity-Buddhism-Non-Theism-MysticismEclectic-Christianity
Ethical Christianity-Humanism-Atheism-Skepticism-Ethical religion
Ethical religion
Atheism-Non-Theism-Ethical religion
Naturalistic Theism-MysticismEarth-centered spirituality-Eclectic-Pagan
Buddhism-Ethical religion
Atheism-Non-Theism-Skepticism

UUFSD Fellowship members hold a wide range of belief systems

The UUFSD Fellowship has a diverse membership, spanning a rich set of belief systems. While some members identify closest with Agnosticism and Skepticism of any truth with regard to theological matters, other members express belief in the divine through Theism, Mysticism, and Pantheism.

Also, our beliefs are defined as much by what we be believe as that which we don’t believe. Indeed, we’re often clearer about what are don’t believe over what we do believe.

Members of the Fellowship were asked to rate the degree to which a long list of belief systems do or do not desribe their beliefs. Demonstrating their thoughtful consideration, members used the entire five-point scale, from a low 1 (does not describe me at all) to 5 (describes me perfectly.)

By analyzing the respondents using cluster analysis, which mathematically groups similar answers from dissimilar answers, we were able to see that members of the Fellowship fall into one of four broad groupings of belief systems.

·    Just over a third of the Fellowship identify most closely with Skepticism and Agnosticism, questioning whether any belief system can express a truth or the truth.

·    Approximately one-fourth of members are Atheists or Nontheists, allying most closely with the belief that the concept of a diety is not helpful. This group was clear in not being identified with Ethical Christianity, Theism, Buddhism, Eclectism, Pantheism, or Mysticism.

·    One in six members are Eclectic, including values from many traditions, although less so from Naturalistic Theism, Earth-Centered spirituality, or Atheism.

·    One-quarter of members align more closely with Mysticism, Pantheism, Theism, Earth-Centered spirituality, Judaism, Naturalistic Theism or Buddhism. This grouping identified least with Agnosticism, Skepticism, and Nontheism.

Member of all groupings identified the least with Theological Christianity: that Jesus is a unique revelation of the Divine.

Identification with Many Belief Systems

UUFSD members identify with a wide range of belief systems. Even though the above analysis describes that member’s beliefs fall into 4 groupings, it is not to suggest that members are closed to other belief systems.

Half of the members felt that 7 of the 16 belief systems they were surveyed about described them to some extent, rating them a 4 (describes me somewhat) or 5 (describes me perfectly) on a 5-point scale.

Even the most-focused 25% of the Fellowship identify with as many as 5 belief systems.

There are also several other belief systems mentioned:

• Panentheism
• Secular Humanism
• Love,
• Process theology, Process philosophy
• Tao Te Ching
• Apatheist – don’t really care if there is a God or not
• Do unto others as you would they do unto you
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning in recognition and honor of the inherent worth and dignity of every person

The UUFSD Fellowship has a wide range of age, young and old and in-between

The range of ages in the UUFSD is very wide.

• Nearly one in six members are 12 and under, mostly involved in RE
• One in six are age 13 to 24, many of whom are actively engaged in JRUU, YRUU, and district (PSWD) activities
• Another one in six are age 25 to 44, many with young families
• One in six are 45 to 54
• One in six are 55 to 64
• One in six are age 65 and above

What were the major reasons you first attended UUFSD?

When asked what brought them to UUFSD, two reasons stood out for over half the fellowship: UU beliefs and sense of community. The members of this fellowship believe in the UU principles, and want to share their exploration and expression of those beliefs with others who have that in common. They may or may not agree on other matters: belief systems, politics, child-rearing, foreign policy, global warming, or who makes the best fish taco in San Diego. But, they’re eager to discuss these and other matters with others who have like-minds as to mutual respect and other principles, and at the same time celebrate and honor unique minds with independent perspectives.

Wanting to make a difference in the world is a core interest, from Social Justice activities to seeing that the next generation has a solid foundation.

Although the UUFSD site with its outdoor amptheater is unique, it’s not mentioned as the first draw for members.

Should UUFSD grow in numbers, and if so, why?

Most of the fellowship support growth in numbers, either as a way to welcome more UUs, or to have a bigger local impact.

There were a wide variety of other ideas mentioned about reasons for growth in numbers:

• To attract more like-minded people
  • “To provide a spiritual home for people who didn’t realize they are UUs “
• Diversity
  • “Right now it is very upper middle class white”
• Financial
  • “To become more financially stable”

What kind of leadership skills do we want in a new minister?

In the focus groups, members offered numerous dimensions of leadership they want in a new minister. 

Leadership

A leader inspires, engages in dynamic dialogue with the congregation, helps us progress along our spiritual paths. Leadership spawns leaders, encouraging and training lay leaders and other volunteers. He or she will draw us together, help us become what we can, and encourage us to act thoughtfully.

Our members asked for a minister who :

• ministers to everyone so we are not separated into groups
• reaches all, from Christians to atheists
• can expound upon our sources, speak to each of the UU living traditions
• is a unifying force among diversity in thought
• good with different factions
• has a vision of where we need to be
• with vision and with the ability to articulate that vision
• channels our energy in some direction
• brings us together
• has a strong voice
• engages congregation in a two-way dialogue
• provides leadership and direction to the Board
• provides structure and change to the Fellowship
• excites people
• energizes us
• inspires us
• encourages us to be thoughtful and act thoughtfully
• is sensitive to all our needs and firm in guiding our growth
• has an opinion

• builds something new without throwing out our favorite traditions

UUFSD members are open to – and identify with – other faith traditions

When asked what other faith traditions UUFSD members now practice, less than 20 members replied to the survey with further details than the many categories we presented.

Buddhism was mentioned most often.

There were also many others mentioned at least once:

• Paganism, Goddess ritual, and Earth-centered traditions
• Christianity
• Judaism
• Meditation
• Hinduism
• Yoga
• Hope, Love and Positive Thinking