I’ve been a UU for over a decade. I used to be very happy with it, but after some personal crises, I’ve developed a desire for faith and a personal God. These are not emphasized in UU. In addition, the UU church I belong to has become dysfunctional, cliquish and sometimes gossipy. So I’m looking for a new religion. Today I attended a United Church of Christ. I wasn’t impressed by that particular congregation, but I’m going to give some others a try. I need a very liberal religion because I don’t believe the bible is the “word of God”; I don’t believe in hell; and I am very accepting of diversity, including homosexuality. I don’t respect a church that tries to shame or scare people into believing what they believe. I want a loving a free religion.
So if any of you out there have any ideas for me, let me know.
Thank you!!
Any local Quaker meetings you can visit?
Thanks Slithy,
I did attend one, but I’m not that interested in silent meditation. I think they meditated for about a half an hour. That’s too long for me.
Try an Episcopal Church! 
Does it have to be a flavor of Christianity? Because there are some very (small-l) liberal and easy-going Reform Jewish congregations out there.
Second on the Episcopal church. The service will be more structured than you are used to, but we have no doctrine or dogma that you have to conform to. Come as you are with what you have, and you will be welcome. We take the Bible seriously, but not literally. We walk together and support each other as we walk the path of faith. We have a deep respect for the beliefs of others, since we hold that personal relationship with God is a very private thing, but we continually learn as a community about our relationship with God.
The lead Bishop of American Episcopal Church is Katherine Jefferts Schori, previously an oceanographer. Remember the flap about 12 years ago over Bishop Gene Robinson? That was the birth pangs of a church more accepting of openly gay clergy. And we use a prayer book with some of the most beautiful prayers written (IMHO).
Sounds to me that you have the right “religion” to match your personal beliefs. From what I know about Unitarianism, they may not “emphasize” the need for a “personal” relationship with God, but its not discouraged. The only other denomination within the Christian tradition, which would seem to be compatible with your beliefs might be UCC, or possibly one of the more liberal Episcopal churches.
However, I think your issues may be more with your particular congregation than with the denomination. And, frankly, that kind of shit goes on in every kind of church.
It’s been years, but I have heard good things about the Ba’hai faith.
My first two choices, however, were Judaism and Quaker.
I don’t mean offense, but why would you think that because you feel the need for a personal God that there IS such a God? And even if there is such a God, why would you think that some particular religion is the way to find that God? Are you looking for a God, or are you looking for a social institution?
I already believe in a personal God, or at least I’m leaning that way. Magical coincidences can be seen as serendipity or the can be seen as signs. I am now open to the idea that they are evidence of a personal God.
Kurtisokc, it would be nice to have support in a deeper faith. That’s a big part of what I’m looking for.
Noone special, You have a good point. The religion does not have to be Christian.
The American Unitarian Conference formed in the past decade to provide a more Theistic alternative to the present UU. You may see if there is a branch nearby. Also you might look into a Mind-Science fellowship.
The classic joke is a person at a UU meeting who excitedly declares, “I just got religion!”
The outraged pastor replies, “Well, you certainly didn’t get it here!”
Thanks Friar and Brother. Friar, I don’t think there is a more theistic UU in my area. Our present minister is fairly theistic and the church just voted her out for that very reason.
Brother, Lol. I’ve never heard that joke, and I thought I’d heard them all. Another classic is this: How does a UU begin a prayer? To whom it may concern.
Why is the singing so bad at UU services? Because everyone’s reading ahead a line to see if they agree. 
nth-ing Episcopalian. It’s got the “bells and smells” of Catholic ritual without all the uncomfortable dogma, misogyny and homophobia.
If you’re open to non-Christian paths, you might find a nice neopagan group in your area, but there’s just as much (if not more) dysfunction in many of them as at any other church. Reclaiming tend to be pretty good, well organized, but prone to Witch Wars (grudges and infighting; stems from a history of mixing politics and religion). Feri is great, but hard to find. And there are lots of no-name or eclectic groups. It’s really hit or miss, but one thing you’ll find is a lot of people who have been right where you are - looking for something more and something more personal.
Yes, this. My agnostic UU friends have been pushed out of the local congregation, along with the UU’s who are into Wicca, Buddhism, New Age, etc. by the new pastor: a strongly Theistic Lesbian who wants to make it a haven for LGBTs who want to believe in a well-defined Christian God, but have been shoved out of their own mainline Christian churches.
Growing up Catholic, we knew we could always drive a few extra miles on Sunday to a another parish, whose priest wasn’t a jerk, but UU’s are too thin on the ground for that option.
We are lucky where I am - we have two congregations nearby (more within driving distance, but two less than ten miles from home) - one very theistic leaning, with emphasis on a personal God and ritual, one more humanistic leaning, with an emphasis on social justice. There are lots of people who “flee” one congregation to find a better fit with the other.
For UUs, your personal faith in God is just that, personal - if you need a deeper relationship with God, develop one. If you don’t, than don’t. If your problem with the congregation is politics, or community, find a community you like - be it Catholics or UCCs or Reform Jews or Quakers or Secular Humanists or Scientologists or a knitting club - but I don’t think you are going to find a personal relationship with God in any community - you find that within yourself. And if your minister isn’t providing the guidance, you find it through your own introspection and study. Liberal faiths don’t provide “God on a plate”
(One of three formerly Catholic sisters - I’m UU, the middle one is Episcopalian, the baby is UCC).
I’d be happy to be your personal god, for a nominal fee.
Dangerosa, I found you reply insulting. I am not looking for God on a plate. I have been developing what I feel is a personal relationship with God. But it helps to have a peer group. That’s why most people go to church. They want to be around others who share their beliefs.