Being Liberal in an Illiberal Age: Why I Am a Unitarian Universalist

by Jack Mendelsohn

Book by Mendelsohn, Jack, Skinner House Books

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology

198 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2005

About the author

Rev. Dr. Jack Mendelsohn (1918–2012) was a leading humanist advocate of liberal religion and Unitarian Universalism who devoted his life to racial, gender and economic justice.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Mariah · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some books I have a hard time reviewing, because they have so many ideas in them that no one thing sticks out, and I have trouble remembering what struck me, positively or negatively about the book- this is such a book.
Mendelsohn covers a lot- the history of Unitarians & Universalists, their relation to Christianity, the religious education of children, the nature and existence of God, ethics and social justice

His reactions to traditional Christian doctrine in his youth that he recounts was something I really identified with- I had many of the same responses- rejecting original sin, hell, needing someone to “die for our sins”. I questioned the Trinity, parts of the Bible and communion.

Despite the diversity of views in the UUA, I suspect some of his beliefs are pretty typical of many UUs: a belief in a very transcendent, Deist-like God, doubt about the afterlife, an emphasis on living a good life and use of reason in religion as with other areas of life. Reading about his theological views helped me clarify my own beliefs. I don’t really see the point of believing in such a distant God- if that was the only conclusion I could come to I would probably just be an agnostic or atheist. In the end of the book he discusses prayer- why bother praying to a “God” who is more like the force of gravity than a conscious being with willpower?
He gives examples of petitionary prayer that are rather absurd and extreme- but I don’t think asking the Divine for help in some way is necessarily like that

If that is the philosophy that makes sense and works best, more power to him. But I do think the UUs who essentially worship logic are missing out on something.

[Kecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason I am a Unitarian Universalist...it just made sense to me.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this book, this is not an easy read. It deals with so many subjects of depth, that I had to frequently put it down to make sure that I had absorbed it.That is why it took me about a month to read it, even though it only had about 300 hundred pages. There were many passages that were very flowery and difficult to get through. But I found my efforts to be worthwhile and I think that this is one of those books that I would like to own. There were MANY passages that I would have liked to highlight but since the copy I read belongs to a public library, I couldn't do that.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some good theological foundations for living a liberal life. Much of this is a history and discussion of Unitarian Universalism. While I am a UU, I value the theological argument more.

[Patricia Daukantas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very important book for religious liberals as well as those who now describe themselves as "nones" or "spiritual but not religious." I took my time reading it as I wanted to savor it. I will probably read it again soon (but not count it in my annual reading challenge).

I met Rev. Jack Mendelsohn back in the 1980s when he was the UU minister in Bedford, Mass. He was a fascinating figure who traveled the world with his friend, the Rev. Jesse Jackson. He looked like a crusty old New England minister, but had a brilliant, progressive mind. My fellow Unitarian Universalists would do well to pore over it.

[Marti Martinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy Crap! WAAAY better than I expected. Now, I have attended 2 UUA churches and I am a but more liturgically oriented than most, and a LOT more Liberal Christian than most, but this guy was OLD SCHOOL Unitarian: humanist AND spiritual. Note: I was ridiculed by 2 UU people at the Standing on the Side of Love Rally in DC for my book bag with the words Unitarian Universalist Christian. I was even stopped --physically stopped from advancing-- by someone when I went to go say goodbye to a person I knew in their group; she was suspicious of my Deacon collar and book bag.

I actually read the first edition of 1964, soon after the 1961 merger. Kick ass chapters on prayer and biblical history. The brief accounts of significant Unitarians and Universalists in history was much appreciated.