Besides knowing a faith’s creed, it’s also useful to know what ideas its adherents reject.  For example, visitors at the Sedona Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (SUUF) will be uncomfortable if they don’t value sex.

That’s not only the act of sex, which they do take seriously as a spiritual aspect of life.  By sex, SUUF includes all aspects of sexuality, reproductive freedom, and identity.

If one is looking for a congregation where sexuality is shunned; children are taught that their bodies are evil temples of desire; and the state should control who can have or terminate a pregnancy, they are in the wrong place.

In fact, Unitarians offer their members of all ages a “whole lives” sexuality class, where they learn about their bodies and their choices.

If visitors want a congregation where abortion is condemned, they’ll be disappointed.  Most folks at SUUF believe abortion should be a health care option.

They acknowledge that several women attending their service probably have had an abortion, and they needn’t feel shame for taking control of their life in that way.  Unitarians would be kind and caring to someone needing to terminate a pregnancy.

Finally, anyone squeamish about gender identity, about people being gay, lesbian, or transgender—or who want a world where that isn’t talked about or affirmed—will feel uneasy there.

SUUFers view and lift up variations in human sexuality and identity as normal and as worthy of love as everyone else.

April 19, 2024