It may be the one in which they were raised, or one they choose at a later point in their life. It may be a community they participate in as an individual, or with other members of their family. Religious communities usually provide a set of beliefs that help us interpret and understand life in a meaningful way, and the support of a community of people who also feel the same way. They provide a place where one can offer and share some of the gifts he or she possesses, and they offer the friendship and fellowship that is found in human interaction. They provide a place from which to engage in social action, as the principles of that faith are put into practice.
Religious communities are wonderful things.
They do many fine and wonderful things. But they also expect, and, sure, they have every right to expect, their members to subscribe to a certain set of beliefs. On this note let me say a little about Unitarian Universalism and about the life of a UU congregation. We begin with an understanding of what religion is that differs from the more conventional ones. We see it as more of a verb than a noun.