Why is Unitarian Universalism such a small denomination?
Only one American in every 1,300 is a Unitarian Universalist. One might wonder why there aren't more.
For some people our religion presents an excess of freedom. In our country most religions are authoritative, in contrast to Unitarian Universalism, which is based on reason and the individual's freedom of belief. While many people feel more comfortable with a religion whose dogma provides answers that are set and beyond question, the individual is challenged in UUism to find her or his own answers to life's mysteries.
Then, too, culturally, many Americans don't realize that UUism even exists. Most Americans only acknowledge three major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. UUism is none of the above, even though it does recognize wisdom in those and other great world religions.
For the above, and doubtless other, reasons, plus our aversion to proselytize, most people simply happen upon our liberal religion. It's a wonder that we have as many members as we do.
