First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa

Judaism 101, a site written from the orthodox perspective, with explanations of the conservative and reform movements.
the Conservative Judaism website
the Reform Judaismwebsite
New Advent. Copyrighted by a K. Knight, this is one of the most comprehensive Catholic informational websites out there, organised like an encyclopaedia.
Hinduism from Religious Tolerance.org. Several links take a decidedly Christian perspective, but the basic information about Hinduism is as straightforward as it can be, considering the diversity inherent in the faith.
Jainism also from ReligiousTolerance.org, with similar caveats.
an introduction to Buddhism, from a professor at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.
a massive workThe History of Protestantism, written in the 1800's by James Wylie, and now available in HTML format. Certainly not unbiased, but quite thorough.
a much more accessible (shorter and simpler) introduction to Protestantism with a brief history and explanation.
Introduction to Islam from islam.com.
IslamWorld.net, a page with some strong biases (refers to Marxism as a religion, for example) but a robust body of information and some excellent links. Includes a link to an article about jihad and terrorism.
Taoism, yet another page from ReligiousTolerance.org.
the Microsoft Encarta encyclopedia entry on Confucianism.
From New Advent, a robust introductory article on Confucianism, with some significant prejudices in the last paragraph.
From Wikipedia, Zoroastrianism, an ancient and modern religion from Persia.

A few words about humanism:

Unitarianism in particular has a long history with humanism, starting at or just before the Humanist Manifesto was signed in 1933. "Humanism" can be used to mean "athiesm" but it can also have broader and more complex meanings in our faith. A number of humanists are an active and vital part of many of our congregations.

activity: research the UU Humanist organisation. Also research the Ethical Culture Society. Consider their relationship to our movement.

activity: think about what it must have been like to be a religious person who did not believe in God in 1950's North America. Interview someone if possible.

activity: visit beliefnet.com and take the belief-o-matic quiz. Print out your results and think them over for a week. Research your top five religious matches. Why do you think those came out at the top of your list? Do any of them surprise you? Why?

activity: visit at least three of the following, including at least one worship service and at least one Religious Exploration activity. If possible, discuss your experience with a member of that religious group afterwards. Ideally, research the group and the religion beforehand.

· mosque

· synagogue or shabbat dinner (Jewish)

· pentacostal church

· eastern orthodox church

· Catholic church

· “mainline” Protestant church (Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Anglican/Episcopalian, etc.)

· neo-pagan group not affiliated with your congregation

· Society of Friends (Quaker)

· Hindu temple or puja in another context

· aboriginal religious and spiritual traditions

· Shinto

· Taoist

· Buddhist

· African religious and spiritual traditions

activity: make an appointment with a UU minister or someone else knowledgeable about world religions in a UU context. Discuss the similarities and differences across religious lines. Consider one or more of the following topics:

· concepts of god

· beliefs about death and an afterlife

· beliefs about sin, grace, and human nature.

· understandings of sexuality and gender

· understandings of the roles of religious people in the world

activity: make a chart of world religions and their major beliefs. Add to it as you go.

activity: make a list of religious beliefs from other traditions that are also part of your belief system. Are there any faith traditions that have a particularly strong influence or consonance with you?

Sometimes, UUs will borrow rituals, symbols, or ceremonies from other traditions. Sometimes this is okay. Sometimes it is considered misappropriation. It’s not a clear line.

activity: think about how you might feel if someone borrowed a religious or cultural tradition that is precious to you. Consider what care or precautions you might want them to take.

activity: talk to two people from other faith traditions about how they would feel about others’ use of their rituals and symbols. Find out what you might do to be respectful if you did want to use something from their tradition. If you are concerned about saying the wrong thing, consider making these appointments with clergy of other faiths, rather than with laity.

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A Quirky Intro to Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism by Leela Sinha
World Religions links	If you like things in order . . . Introduction to the guided tour: . . . . .. lead me onward If your mind loves a search . . . Menu by Subject general information about Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism history polity general theology personal theology Religious Exploration political/social action involvement at First Unitarian, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
Judaism 101, a site written from the orthodox perspective, with explanations of the conservative and reform movements. the Conservative Judaism website the Reform Judaismwebsite New Advent. Copyrighted by a K. Knight, this is one of the most comprehensive Catholic informational websites out there, organised like an encyclopaedia. Hinduism from Religious Tolerance.org. Several links take a decidedly Christian perspective, but the basic information about Hinduism is as straightforward as it can be, considering the diversity inherent in the faith. Jainism also from ReligiousTolerance.org, with similar caveats. an introduction to Buddhism, from a professor at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. a massive workThe History of Protestantism, written in the 1800's by James Wylie, and now available in HTML format. Certainly not unbiased, but quite thorough. a much more accessible (shorter and simpler) introduction to Protestantism with a brief history and explanation. Introduction to Islam from islam.com. IslamWorld.net, a page with some strong biases (refers to Marxism as a religion, for example) but a robust body of information and some excellent links. Includes a link to an article about jihad and terrorism. Taoism, yet another page from ReligiousTolerance.org. the Microsoft Encarta encyclopedia entry on Confucianism. From New Advent, a robust introductory article on Confucianism, with some significant prejudices in the last paragraph. From Wikipedia, Zoroastrianism, an ancient and modern religion from Persia. A few words about humanism: Unitarianism in particular has a long history with humanism, starting at or just before the Humanist Manifesto was signed in 1933. "Humanism" can be used to mean "athiesm" but it can also have broader and more complex meanings in our faith. A number of humanists are an active and vital part of many of our congregations. activity: research the UU Humanist organisation. Also research the Ethical Culture Society. Consider their relationship to our movement. activity: think about what it must have been like to be a religious person who did not believe in God in 1950's North America. Interview someone if possible. *activity:* visit beliefnet.com and take the belief-o-matic quiz. Print out your results and think them over for a week. Research your top five religious matches. Why do you think those came out at the top of your list? Do any of them surprise you? Why? activity: visit at least three of the following, including at least one worship service and at least one Religious Exploration activity. If possible, discuss your experience with a member of that religious group afterwards. Ideally, research the group and the religion beforehand. · mosque · synagogue or shabbat dinner (Jewish) · pentacostal church · eastern orthodox church · Catholic church · “mainline” Protestant church (Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Anglican/Episcopalian, etc.) · neo-pagan group not affiliated with your congregation · Society of Friends (Quaker) · Hindu temple or puja in another context · aboriginal religious and spiritual traditions · Shinto · Taoist · Buddhist · African religious and spiritual traditions activity: make an appointment with a UU minister or someone else knowledgeable about world religions in a UU context. Discuss the similarities and differences across religious lines. Consider one or more of the following topics: · concepts of god · beliefs about death and an afterlife · beliefs about sin, grace, and human nature. · understandings of sexuality and gender · understandings of the roles of religious people in the world activity: make a chart of world religions and their major beliefs. Add to it as you go. activity: make a list of religious beliefs from other traditions that are also part of your belief system. Are there any faith traditions that have a particularly strong influence or consonance with you? Sometimes, UUs will borrow rituals, symbols, or ceremonies from other traditions. Sometimes this is okay. Sometimes it is considered misappropriation. It’s not a clear line. activity: think about how you might feel if someone borrowed a religious or cultural tradition that is precious to you. Consider what care or precautions you might want them to take. activity: talk to two people from other faith traditions about how they would feel about others’ use of their rituals and symbols. Find out what you might do to be respectful if you did want to use something from their tradition. If you are concerned about saying the wrong thing, consider making these appointments with clergy of other faiths, rather than with laity. back to world religions main page forward home
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