UUFSMA: “Why Would Atheists Go to Church?”

UU Service

“Why Would Atheists Go to Church?”

Rev. Tom Rosiello

10:30 a.m., May 26, 2019

by Jon Sievert

The Rev. Tom Rosiello, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Affiliate Minister, addresses the question “Why would atheists go to church?” at this week’s Sunday service.

The sermon focuses on a question that Rev. Rosiello has often been asked by those from other faith traditions when he tells them that many active members of congregations he has served are atheists or agnostics.

The answer lies in the very different approach to religion that Unitarian Universalism takes. Atheists come to UU churches, congregations, and fellowships for many of the same reasons that those who believe in God do: community, caring, and compassion in times of struggles, concerns for justice, and help in making meaning of life.

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion characterized by a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” Unitarian Universalists assert no creed but instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. As such, their congregations include many atheists, agnostics, and theists of multiple traditions within their membership.

The Unitarian belief that reason defines the search for truth, and the Universalist belief that God embraces all people equally, has led to the current Unitarian Universalist belief that truth and spiritual meaning can be found in all faiths. This is reflected in the wide array of spiritual practices found among Unitarian Universalists today. Unitarian Universalists state that from these traditions comes a deep regard for intellectual freedom and inclusive love. Congregations and members seek inspiration and derive insight from all major world religions.

This week’s service also includes a Memorial Day Remembrance of all those who died in war and a prayer for peace. Pianist Malcolm Halliday leads us in singing inspiring hymns and will enrich the service with the music of Mexican and US composers.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Miguel is a thriving and diverse community that also offers many programs during the week. There are weekly discussion groups, social events, and new identity-based groups now forming. Among the groups are a LGBTQI “Rainbow” group, another for those who identify with Jewish or Buddhist thought and tradition, and a group for UU women. Regardless of age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation or theological beliefs, you will be welcomed and respected as you are.

For more information about the UUFSMA, including our Sunday morning Children’s Religious Education program, Social Action outreach, weekly discussion groups, social activities, and Care Team, join us any Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Hotel La Aldea or check out our website at uufsma.org.

Our fellowship was born in 1987 when a small group of expatriate religious liberals came together to meet as Unitarian Universalists in San Miguel de Allende. The fellowship has been active and thriving ever since. Every UU church has it’s own flavor, and we are no exception. We are a combination of expats and visitors, each actively engaged and contributing to this wonderful Mexican community we love. Because there is a coming, going, and returning aspect, our spiritual community is extremely fluid.  There is a magic in San Miguel which draws us in and binds us together—both as members of the church and of the larger community. Our programming is led by visiting ministers, community leaders, and church members, so the variety is lively. We have opportunities to meet as UU’s each week at discussion groups, breakfasts, luncheons, and in various other ways. Depending on the season, attendance fluctuates between 40 and 140. Our primary focus is on funding social action within the surrounding community. We love good music, good discussion, good food, and having visitors. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning.

Members regularly post updates and information on this site. We also post meeting minutes and announcements there.

To join our Yahoo group site click on this link:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/UUFSMA/info

Click on “membership”and follow the directions.

Posting a notice on the Yahoo site is easy. Just go to your regular mail browser, type in the address line: uufsma@yahoogroups.com , type your message and hit send!

We encourage you to use this site to communicate with other local UUs.