Unitarian faith growing nationwide
Although they remain small in total numbers with about 211,000 adherents nationwide, Unitarians believe their open-minded faith has a bright future as an alternative to more exclusive brands of religion.
The church hopes to appeal to the rising number of "nones" — those with no specific religious identity. A recent poll from the Pew Center for the People and the Press showed that about one in five Americans falls into that category.
That belief in the individual choice in faith can been seen in a practice known as water communion.
In most churches, communion bread and wine start in a common vessel and then are passed out to church members. In water communion, everyone starts with a cup of water and pours it in a common bowl.
Mark Coppenger, professor of Christian apologetics and director of the Nashville campus of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary said he wasn't surprised to hear that Unitarians Unitarians are growing.
Coppenger said he's sure that those inclusive groups are made up of nice people who would be good neighbor.
Even so, their take on faith is wrong, he said.
"Just because you are drawing a crowd doesn't mean you are saying something that is true," he said.
http://www.usatoday....onwide/1607243/
Although they remain small in total numbers with about 211,000 adherents nationwide, Unitarians believe their open-minded faith has a bright future as an alternative to more exclusive brands of religion.
The church hopes to appeal to the rising number of "nones" — those with no specific religious identity. A recent poll from the Pew Center for the People and the Press showed that about one in five Americans falls into that category.
That belief in the individual choice in faith can been seen in a practice known as water communion.


Mark Coppenger, professor of Christian apologetics and director of the Nashville campus of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary said he wasn't surprised to hear that Unitarians Unitarians are growing.
Coppenger said he's sure that those inclusive groups are made up of nice people who would be good neighbor.
Even so, their take on faith is wrong, he said.
"Just because you are drawing a crowd doesn't mean you are saying something that is true," he said.

http://www.usatoday....onwide/1607243/