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Summary: Praise for "A Chosen Faith"
Review: "Learn here why definitions of the sacred in Unitarian Universalist churches are attracting ever larger and ever more grateful and reverent congregations every Sunday."--Kurt Vonnegut, Jr."This is simply superb. I know of nothing comparable to it. The old-timer as well as the 'come-outer' will find "A Chosen Faith" irresistible. It will be a gift for everyone, for the minister, for the laity, for theological students. Engaging, seductive, infectious."--James Luther Adams "An excellent introduction for anyone interested in the nature of Unitarian Universalist religious beliefs, the history of those movements, and the emphasis on openness, tolerance, and social concerns."--Michael J. McBride
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Summary: A really refreshing book
Review: Although this was a book about belief, it never forced any view or opinion on the reader. The writing was impeccable, and the chapter divisions were easy to understand. Most of all, it was inspiring. Living in the Bible Belt, this was a book that made me feel hopeful about the state of the world, even in the midst of so much prejudice and fanaticism. Wonderful, wonderful book! I recommend it wholeheartedly.
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Summary: Eye Opening
Review: For about ten years now I have struggled to find my spiritual niche. I was brought up Methodist Christian and never felt comfortable about my faith, that is until I read this book. The beliefs and practices of the Unitarian Church completely coincide with mine and many other family members and friends of mine. After reading this book I am now very optimistic about having a spiritually fulfilling life.
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Summary: wonderful
Review: I am a fifteen year old UU, and this book has really helped me to understand my religion. Often when my friends ask about my religion, I have to give an inadequate answer because UU is so hard to explain in a short amount of time. I really enjoyed reading this book. It helped me a lot, even though I've been going to a UU church all my life.
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Summary: A Thoughtful and Poignant Introduction
Review: I grew up attending a Unitarian Universalist church, but once I reached an age to begin to understand and question the ideals of the faith, I went in search of information on this and other religions. This book was recommended to me by more than one person. I expected dry, history-filled rhetoric, but instead was treated to warm, humorous and thought-provoking sections that challenged me to evaluate my views on religion, social issues and my own value system. By the time I was finished I felt very comfortable with the ideas expressed about UUism and was intrigued to learn more.
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Summary: A very nice intro
Review: I had very little knowledge on UUs. Seeking information was very discouraging, as UUs dont proselytize, and dont give out much information. Between 100 Most Asked Questions ABout UUs & this book, I got a very clear description of their stances and why they believe as they do. Although I learned I am not a UU, I now have the knowledge to respect them, as they should be. They are truly a loving and unique denomination!
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Summary: Building blocks of a little-known faith
Review: I have been attending a Unitarian Universalist church for about a year. I was drawn to the church because of its openness. Unfortunately, the Unitarians are so fearful of evangelism that they almost refrain from giving newcomers any information about their faith in great detail. This book scratched the surface and then some. "A Chosen Faith" explains that two religious movements joined to created what is now the Unitarian Universalist movement. Now that I've read the book, I understand why Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Pagans, Atheists and Agnostics all come together in UU fellowships. But more than that, the book attempts to explain what kind of theology can support such diversity under one tent. UUs have, I believe, a lot to say about how religious pluralism can be healthy and positive for our culture.
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Summary: what is a UU?
Review: My interest in UU began in the early when, as a child, my best friend's gay parents were married at a UU church - this was absolutely scandalous at the time (actually, it still is). My Catholic parents couldn't even bear to speak of it. Many years later, two more friends married in front of a UU minister who really impressed me. I became curious about this religion but shy to ask what i felt was a rude question, "so, what exactly IS your religion?" - brought up Catholic with a strict set of rules and dogma, I had no basis for comprehending a church my mother derisiveley refers to as "anything goes". This book provided an excellent - and well rounded - introduction! There is just enough background and history to paint a cohesive picture without being "a history book". I was won over not only by the (non-dogmatic) spiritual revelations shared by the authors, but also by the authors' differences. What better way to show that religion is truly to be discovered and defined by the individual? on a side note, for us bibliophiles: this book is one of those smallish and solid sort of books and is extremely pleasant to hold.
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Summary: This book was excellent
Review: Out of Recommendation from a friend I bought this incredible book and surprisingly, I proceeded to enjoy the openmindedness this religion has to offer. A Chosen Faith has shown me a whole new perspective on the Unitarian Religion, and although I was raised under a Catholic background. This incredible book has changed my views on life emphasizes equal respect towards people of all religions and cultures. The book has taught me the virtues of Unitarianism, and I am now proud to say that it has changed my life. This book is a must read for anyone interested in a religion/philosophy in which you are free to question the soul, choose your own morals and experience openminded love towards one another. 5 stars
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Summary: A Tragic Stain on a Wonderful Religion
Review: Revs. Buehrens and Church unquestionably have the institutional credentials to write an introduction to Unitarian Universalism. Nonetheless, I think this book is a travesty. To my eyes, it is full to overflowing with unfair and offensive attacks (which are in fact heavily contrary to the message of Unitarian Universalism) upon atheists, humanists and other skeptics whose belief systems do not toe the theological line drawn by the authors. There is nary a kind word about atheists in this book. Five years ago, as a non-believer interested in Unitarian Universalism, "A Chosen Faith" was my first written introduction to the religion. The book taught me, among many other things, that my religious perspective was actually a "demonic pseudoreligion"; that UUs agreed with C.S. Lewis that "the opposite of belief in God is not a belief in nothing; it is a belief in anything"; that I was a spiritual "vacuum"; and that raising children without religion means ushering them into fundamentalist cults. In short, the book taught me that Unitarian Universalists would find me and my (non-) beliefs disgusting. This is the message secular people of many stripes will take away from "A Chosen Faith"--but it is far, far from the truth about UUism. I am now a Unitarian Universalist, very much despite having read this book. My journey into the religion has consisted in large part of understanding (because I've been convinced by wonderful UUs, many of them Christians, pagans, theists, deists...) that Buehrens and Church are flat wrong about the place of atheism, humanism and skepticism within Unitarian Universalism. We Unitarian Universalists covenant, in our statement of principles, "to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning." I believe "A Chosen Faith" repeatedly violates this covenant. As such, I think it is an extremely poor choice to serve as an introduction to Unitarian Universalism. If you are a UU, please do not inflict this book on a nonbeliever you care about. For anyone else in search of a good and fair introduction to UUism, I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere. (Try uua.org, for starters.)
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