“Don’t Let Someone Else’s Idea of God Keep You From Going to Church”

There are two new short videos that explain and promote Unitarian Universalism, and they are both excellent.

Unitarian Universalist Television Spot

The first is a television ad targeted to viewers in California, as part of a larger campaign to draw new attendees to Bay Area UU congregations. My favorite line from this is “Don’t let someone else’s idea of God keep you from going to church.”

You’re a Uni-What?

The second is produced by Peter Bowden and his wife Rev. Amy Freedman, of the Channing Church in Newport, RI. I think this video is being marketed primarily through YouTube for now. I loved watching the interview snippets with Unitarian Universalists, recorded at this year’s General Assembly. The video includes these and other quotes from Unitarian Universalists about their experience with UUism:

I’ve had the opportunity to explore what is in fact important to me, and I do that in a place that’s nonjudgmental, there is no creed or doctrine that I am encouraged to follow, I am encouraged to think freely for myself, and in that place I’ve discovered that I’m actually a deeply spiritual person.

People aren’t looked down upon because they believe in different things than others…there really isn’t someone who should be outcast in our faith.

The different people who are interviewed sound authentic and enthusiastic. The interviewees focus on the spiritual aspects of our faith, as well as countering misconceptions about Unitarian Universalism.

I did notice one part of the video that was a little unclear, in which Unitarian Universalism is described as the fourth most popular faith in our country–according to the more recent census figures on uufaq.org, we are actually the fifth most popular faith (just behind Hinduism in 2001).

Nonetheless, I recommend both videos as great examples of how Unitarian Universalists can use media to share the spirit of our faith and encourage viewers to visit a congregation in their area.