As I’ve shared before, I create videos on TikTok, mostly to teach about Unitarian Universalism. When my father was a young man, out in the panhandle of Texas, he heard a Unitarian minister named A. Powell Davies on the radio, preaching and occasionally challenging fundamentalist Billy Graham to a debate. My dad remembered that, and when he was living in New Orleans and my older sister wanted to know when was she going to go to confirmation class like all her little classmates, Dad decided to look into the Unitarian church. And the rest, as they say, is history.

So, I just wondered, how would A. Powell Davies reach people, especially younger people, today? And I settled on TikTok.

Even if you don’t have TikTok, you can see many of my videos on our Live Oak Youtube Channel. Mostly, I’m explaining what Unitarian Universalism is.

(Occasionally, though, I’ll respond to a current event. That happened Friday, when the current event hit our family directly. That video went “viral,” as they say, leading to further interviews.)

A report came out this week from the Public Religion Research Institute, on Religion and Congregations in a Time of Social and Political Upheaval. It found that most mainline Christian denominations are in decline, while non-Christian religions (including Unitarian Universalism) are largely staying the same.

I believe there is a tremendous opportunity here, because the needs that lie underneath being part of a religious community have not gone away, people just don’t want rigid fundamentalism. Those needs are human needs: for community, for a “village” to help them raise their children, for purpose, and exploration of meaning.

Every week, I receive comments attesting to the fact that a) people don’t know what Unitarian Universalism is and b) for many people, learning that we exist is very exciting. Here is just a taste of those comments:

“You inspired me to get my family to our local UU fellowship”
“This sounds good. I’m visiting the local UU congregation next week to learn more.”
“Well d—, I now know what I am!”
“My spirituality is definitely a mix of many teachings. I didn’t know y’all were a thing. I think this is fantastic.”
“Oh, wow! I love this so much! My beliefs are so broad. It has some Christianity and some other stuff I’ve just come to believe as true. This is amazing.”
“I’ve not heard of this, but I’m so glad to hear of it now. I identify most with the Christian religion, but I don’t like the exclusivity of it. I will look further into this religion! Thank you!”

The research report showed that the top two reasons for people to leave their religion are that (1) they stopped believing in the church’s teachings, and (2) because they objected to negative religious teachings about or treatment of LGBTQ+ people.

These sound like our people, my friends. How do we let our neighbors know we’re here?

p.s. Some of our neighbors do know we’re here! This was left for us this week, (with a monetary gift).

Text:
For Everyone in this Fellowship: I drive by frequently and I’m always touched by your marquee! Thank you for being inclusive and loving! You’re doing religion RIGHT!!

I left the church long ago, but you all give me hope that I can return one day.

Blessings to all of you! Thank you!