A Christian Visits a Unitarian Universalist Church

what a great video! I would love to see you have a conversation with a Christian universalist like David Bently Hart, Brad Jersak, or Robin Perry. thanks for always putting out such great content!

There is a question. If there is a God, and He is unknowable and incomprehensible, love or anger, would it ever make sense to name God or work to appease an omniscient God, or would that in and of itself be hubristic to ever call God by a name? THe difference between the two is very specifically an interpretation of the Christian God, and not really an answer to my question.

The intro to this video confuses me because Unitarian Universalists are in no way Christian, definitely don't believe in the godhood of Jesus, and therefore have rejected the Trinity since the time that they considered themselves part of the Christian tradition. I know you followed up by saying that you wanted to learn about Unitarians, but I think that when you start off by saying that you're only goal is to make me a Christian you send me away from your video immediately.

I am a UU and a Pagan and just WOW. This is the best interview I have ever seen, the exchange between the two of you was respectful and compassionate and I am amazed, more so of you Matt because to be honest, I was expecting an argument and looks of judgement and I guess I am wrong for pre-judging. :/ Just incredible. I would love to see you speak to a Witch, someone who is maybe really aware of the actual beliefs though, not one of these new agers out there, someone like Phyllis Currot for example and I would love to see Satanism covered, both TST and LaVeyan. :) Heck, Try Unity Church or the Center for spiritual living while you are at it. I am very drawn to your spirit, while I will never be a Christian (haha, famous last words) I would like to subscribe and see more.

I am originally from a non denominational Christian background and was studying to become a pastor when I dived into some original translation that really shook my faith and everything I knew. Although I still believe in the core of Christianity itself I have been trying to match up my beliefs to something. I’m really glad you when this way and did proper research. It helped me understand what that faith actually is and restored my faith in other religions and people who believe different religions. It really helped me in my own journey of learning and understanding.

If she is a pastor, can't or shouldn't she teach the people about heaven? We learn about God in our churches from the pastors. What does she teach?

I literally prayed a rosary after watching this. This lady gave me the creeps

Amen ... "For the Holy within each person and everything!" Perhaps the most revealing conversation, seeking to communicate through understanding, sincere questioning from a position of non-judgment, this side of Steve Allen's "Meeting of the Minds" on PBS from 1977 to 1981.

God is not mad. God hates sin, we are all sinful (full of sin), but he so loved us that he gave his only begotten son.

Ive been attending the sister group to the UU, Cuups which is UU for pagans. And i really like it. Its the church i always wanted because its community that accepts my pagan beliefs. UU principles make a lot of sense to me. I dont want an afterlife, but i also think all the gods exist. But i also dont habe to worship them. I just light candles, try to observe the seasons, and appreciate the rituals

Unitarian Universalism seem to be the only religious school of thought that admits that they're taking their best guess, because despite how much one believes any theological system, it's still their best guess.

I love your videos, Matt, but this one was painful to watch. Unfortunately, this interviewee cannot give a straight answer for anything, which is, frankly, typical of UU-ism, the heresy that keeps digging a hole deeper and deeper and deeper... Everything is just drawn out hmmms and uhhhs and mealy-mouthiness. Uggghhh, just awful moral subjectivism and nonsensical non-beliefs.

This was an interesting video, thank you for posting.
Have you considered looking at any religions that have no historical connections to Christianity at all, like Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, indigenous religions, etc? I think true inter-religious dialogue is a blessing to the world, because the only true way to lasting world is mutual respect and understanding.

I would love to see on this channel, a panel discussion among Christians, on atonement theory. Seems like there is too much presumption about one particular theory. So many Christians don't realize that within the bonds of creedal, orthodox, traditional Christianity there are at least 5 theories of atonement with "Penal Substitution" being only ONE of several theories. Reformed theology (Calvinism) and most Baptists tend to see it only one way. But many other denominations agree there are other valid, Biblical, traditional, orthodox theories on exactly how Christ's death on the cross redeems us. There's more than one "orthodox" view.

I appreciate u doing this. It’s nice to see someone building bridges instead of knocking them down. I’ll pray for this woman and indeed all of us that we may come to a fuller understanding of the truth.

Great interview. I'm a Christian Universalist, I don't align with either view presented in this interview but I certainly will compliment you on this interview, very well done.
Also, I don't believe the term "universalist" is defined well in this video because not all universalists fit in a neat little box, just because a denomination used the umbrella term doesn't mean they own the definition. I don't believe today's denominational universalists align with the universalism of the early church. Just my two cents.

Substitutionary atonement is demonic. God never demanded a sacrifice, carnal-minded humans did.

This religion seems so wishy washy. On the fence about everything. Whatever you feel like that day. Only concrete rule I heard was don’t threaten someone? Even then you just get a listening session. Albeit, thanks for this conversation, how you carried yourself, and making us aware of this.

Watch Near Death Experiences…. There are all kinds of experiences yet all will say the LOVE was like NONE OTHER here on earth.
Love is not a religion

They aren’t Christians, right?!! Here we go.
Yup, heressy according o fundamentalists!
I’m glad I left those teachings behind -
My way of seeing Jesus is outside of the things that most Christian’s would conclude about him who think they know him.
Christianity has become a religion in my eyes.

Fun fact, the great Christian Poet of the 20th century, TS Elliot, was the son of the minister of that church. At the age of 37, he was baptized and received into the Church and wrote his great poem "Ash-Wednesday" about his conversion.

Great thoughtful conversation. Thank you

I was part of a very small UU community and had the chance of attending a UU convention. I am no longer UU; I am actually a Missouri Synod Lutheran. But I admire UU more than any Mainline Christian Denomination. UU is more consistent with their believes. Mainliners think alike but they still hold to an orthodoxy they don’t believe in.

Funny, Ms. Mason talks as if Love and Anger are mutually exclusive. I am a father of two wonderful daughters. I love them with all my heart and always have -- and they love me dearly. There were many times in their lives when they disobeyed me, I got angry with them, and implemented some form of discipline. The anger did not negate my love for them and the discipline was done out of love to teach them. Love does not equal behavioral acceptance. Modern culture has twisted the meaning of Love to mean just the opposite.

Matt, I applaud your gracious demeanor, and courteous responses to this lady. However, Unitarianism is the perfect example of "everyone did what was right in his own eyes". For me, this 'religion' doesn't get near first base in the logic 101 test. Here is a quote from the Unitarian Universalist Assoc. home web page regarding their beliefs:
"Unitarian Universalists have many ways of naming what is sacred. Some believe in a God; some don’t believe in a God. Some believe in a sacred force at work in the world, and call it “love,” “mystery,” “source of all” or “spirit of life.” We are thousands of individuals of all ages, each influenced by our cultures and life experiences to understand “the ground of our being” in our own way. Unitarian Universalists are agnostic, theist, atheist, and everything in between."
This reminds me of a statement by the father of the main character in the movie, "The Life of Pi". He correctly stated to his son, "If you believe in everything, you believe in nothing."
I pray that many in this false religion will understand the illogical folly of this pseudo religion and come to the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ.

She was sure taking her time to pick her words.

I wonder if she was test poking (don't think that is an actual term, but let's coin it) the Christian when she asked if theft was a mortal sin... almost as if she was confusing Protestants with Catholics? Or maybe I'm reading into it and she was only just differentiating her beliefs (covenant) FROM Catholic belief? Or maybe she just thought of a great example of how to contrast Unitarian Universalist Church from a major Christian Church. It just seemed out of place when she's talking to a Protestant.

What a nice woman!

Not to be too judgmental about her and UU. But she seemed to talk like she was a middle schooler. Her theology sounds nice but it’s really empty and you can tell by the fact that she basically can’t take any moral stances in anything that would be considered hard or controversial. She couldn’t even say the Book of Mormon isn’t inspired. So when you stand for nothing, you have nothing to offer.

Ex-UU here. Don’t do it!!!

I’m still confused on UU. I didn’t realize there wasn’t some sort of dogma or limits. My brain can’t comprehend

This is loaded with secular humanistic relativism.

"spiritual journey"... A common saying by occultists.

Hey man, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for the respect you showed in this video. Among people my age, your character and open mind do much more to repair the reputation of Christianity than any logical argument could. Keep at it brother!

This sounds like civic society but not a religion.
Christianity is all about Christ.

In all honesty, what she says the UUA church is seems closer to the Jesus in the Bible than what Christianity has turned him into. Jesus was hardly concerned with the status of your eternal soul, he built beloved community on earth, the here and the now, on earth as it is in heaven.

Have you visited a UCC, United Church of Christ church and discussed their covenantal polity and liberal bent in theology and social justice, while remaining trinitarian and keeping the sacraments as uniqueily in the Chrsitian tradition?

"God is mad!" or "God loves us and wants the best for us." Uhh...por que no los dos?

Ooh, this was tough to watch.😮

There have actually been numerous statements of belief throughout the history of both denominations. The Unitarian Church in Hungary (a Christian denomination) still has one!

Your politeness and patience is really quite amazing! Bob Passintino advocating using the golden rule in apologetic discussion. Great great application! Taking notes

Similar religions to UUs in that they don't require belief in a supernatural god - Taoism & Buddhism. The UU lessions that guide people in defining their own beliefs can be an on-ramp to traditional Christianity. They are also a good off-ramp for those who have been damaged by the hateful and intolerant side of Christianity so elliquantly represented here by some of the commenters.

I don't care

Very interesting conversation. Thank you both.

This seems more like a “ club” on social teachings not a religion. It’s interesting. This “ Pastor”talks in circles. Matt you handled it beautifully. I would have gotten frustrated. Lol

I am totally open to listening to someone who I disagree with. But I don’t find this speaker particularly compelling and I don’t think I can endure two hours of heresy if its not in a mellifluous tone.

When you got to the flags part of the conversation, it illuminated to me the notion that the sjw ideology is a religious ideology

You need to work into the Covenant of All Souls Church in Phoenix, Arizona!! Be blessed!!!!

This video just furthered my journey into Becoming a Unitarian Universalist!!!

God bless you for evangelizing. But at the same time, perhaps it’s best not to give non-trinitarians a platform.

Excellent discussion.