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I started the Christian Unitarian Church because I am a believer in The One God and that the teachings of Jesus are the best way forward for all of us. I am a Christian because I am sure God wanted us to listen to the message Jesus gave and to act upon it. I also believe that Jesus was chosen by God to be the greatest teacher of God's word to ever walk among us.
I am a Unitarian, as I believe that there is one God and one God only. I do not believe that there are three gods in one. I believe that God gave us Jesus and his ability to influence his disciples and to show the world that God is love and not to be feared. Just as he gave us Abraham, Noah, Isaac, David, Solomom and Moses before him, John the Baptist at the same time and Muhammad, since. But I do not believe that any human is a god. For God said "I will raise up for them a Prophet from among their brethren, and will put My words in his mouth and he shall speak to them all that I command him" (Deuteronomy 18:18) so God was with Jesus and in him throughout his ministry.
The phrase “Mary Mother of God” offends me. God is the Supreme Being; he does not have a human mother, He is both Mother and Father to all creation, and to place a human being, no matter how pure, above God is wrong. For God said “thou art to have no other gods before me”. When he was asked who he was, Jesus always replied "I am the son of man". He also stated that we are all children of God. The phrase "Mary mother of Jesus" would make more sense.
For these, and many other reasons I believe that the larger Christian churches have lost their way, caught up in the preservation of their own existence and have lost sight of what Jesus was telling us. Many of them seem to be so intent on worshiping others they forget to worship God. After all we all believe there is only one God. Don't we?
I also believe in tolerance, that any religion that believes in peace, should readily accept the existence and religious beliefs of others. Most are teaching the same basic thing – that there is one God and the concept of right and wrong.
I believe:
1) that human nature is not inherently corrupt, but exactly as God created it and intended it to be, capable of both good and evil. God gave us the ability to choose. There is good and bad in everyone;
2) that no religion has a monopoly on God, or theological truth and no religion should condemn or damn anyone for not being a believer in that particular religion. No human can damn any other person, group of people or religion to hell, especially for not believing what they believe. In fact I do not believe in hell, I believe that God is all forgiving;
3) that the Bible, while inspired of God, was written by humans in different languages, at different times by so many different people and is therefore subject to human error, even though some parts of the Bible has now been seen to be historically accurate. It is probably the best collection of books to guide our lives;
4) I reject the traditional doctrines that malign God’s character or veil the true nature and mission of Jesus, such as the doctrines of eternal damnation, the traditional view of the Trinity and the worship of anyone other than God.
If you agree with me, or even if you don’t, come and join us. You never know, you may find what you have been looking for.
Rev. John Bostock
minister@christianunitarian.org
Dear God, father of all, I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.
You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper about things over which I have no control.
And give the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak.
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank you that I believe that God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member in their households and for those we have lost.
I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every person will know there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God.
I pray for all mankind, and for peace between every person.
I pray that, when my life on earth comes to an end,
you will receive me with love and open arms.
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