Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Building Bridges, Grades 8-9: A World Religions Program

In This Section

Introduction
From Building Bridges

I am neither Jew nor Gentile, Mahomedan nor Theist; I am but a member of the human family, and would accept of truth by whomsoever offered -- that truth which we can all find, if we will but seek—in things, not in words; in nature, not in human imagination; in our own hearts, not in temples made...
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Building Bridges

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 15 Activity 1: Story — Losing Faith 15 Activity 2: Separation of Church and State 25 Activity 3: Why Atheists Go to Church 20 Activity 4: Fact Sheet 10 Activity 5: Time Line 3 Faith in Action: Finding Faith Closing 2 Alternate Activity 1:...
Spiritual Preparation
From Building Bridges

If you identify as atheist or agnostic, this workshop could remind you of times in your life when your faith has put you at odds with others. Many youth identify with one of these categories and may also have had uncomfortable experiences in the larger community. Hopefully, you have found a...
Welcoming and Entering
From Building Bridges

Materials for Activity Small hand mirrors, enough for all participants to have one Writing materials Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Create sign reading: "What Do You See? What Can This Person Do?" Place sign, writing materials, and mirrors on welcoming table. Description of...
Opening
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 1, Atheism/Agnosticism Background Preparation for Activity Read Leader Resource 1, Atheism/Agnosticism Background until you are comfortable present...
Activity 1: Story - Losing Faith
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "Losing Faith" Preparation for Activity Read the story until you are comfortable presenting it. Description of Activity Youth hear a story about a woman who loses her belief in God. Tell or read the story. Ask for participants' initial...
Activity 2: Separation of Church and State
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Currency of different denominations, coins and bills Leader Resource 2, The Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Put money in shallow container. Write the Lord's Prayer and Pledge of...
Activity 3: Why Atheists Go to Church
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Why Go to Church? Index cards Writing utensils Preparation for Activity Consider why you belong to your congregation. Be prepared to share with the group....
Activity 4: Fact Sheet
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Atheism/Agnosticism Fact Sheet Preparation for Activity Do an internet search for famous Atheists and Agnostics to share with the group names of people they will recognize from various professions....
Activity 5: Time Line
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Religions Time Line Sticky notes and fine point markers World map or globe (optional) Preparation for Activity Hang Religions Time Line visibly in the space. Have map or globe handy, if you are using it. Create two sticky notes, one saying,...
Closing
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Poster with closing words Chalice Taking It Home handout Preparation for Activity Reproduce handouts. Put up poster if necessary. Description of Activity Distribute handouts to youth....
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Building Bridges

Review today's workshop together. Did participants deepen their understanding of their personal beliefs and Unitarian Universalism through the discussion of atheism and activism? Have their understanding of different faiths and concepts become more sophisticated over the course of the program?...
Faith In Action: Finding Faith
From Building Bridges

Materials for Activity Optional: Video camera Description of Activity Participants gather stories about finding faith. Remind participants of McCarthy's story. Through one lens, it is a story about losing faith. Through another, she found her true beliefs. Our stories are important: they are...
Alternate Activity 1: Engagement
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 60 minutes Preparation for Activity Ask your minister for recommendations for one or more guest who are atheist. Members of the congregation would be best. Once contact is made, invite the guest(s) to share their faith journey with the group....
Taking It Home: Atheism and Agnosticism: Not in Temples Made with Hands
From Building Bridges

I am neither Jew nor Gentile, Mahomedan nor Theist; I am but a member of the human family, and would accept of truth by whomsoever offered -- that truth which we can all find, if we will but seek—in things, not in words; in nature, not in human imagination; in our own hearts, not in temples made...
Losing Faith
From Building Bridges

Mary McCarthy's parents died in the influenza epidemic of 1918 when she was six years old. She lived first with an aunt and uncle, who mistreated her cruelly, then was taken in by her maternal grandparents in Seattle. Her grandmother was Jewish and her grandfather Episcopalian, but to honor the...
Handout 1: Why Go to Church?
From Building Bridges

TOP FIVE REASONS UNCHURCHED PEOPLE CHOOSE A CHURCH 1. Pastor/Preaching 2. Doctrines/Beliefs 3. Friendliness of members 4. Other 5. Someone witnessed/invited me TOP FIVE REASONS CHURCH ATTENDERS CHOOSE A CHURCH 1. Doctrine/Theology/Beliefs 2. People caring for each other 3. Preaching 4....
Handout 2: Atheism-Agnosticism Fact Sheet
From Building Bridges

Atheism/Agnosticism Existence/Reemergence: Prehistory/mid 1600s Adherents: 1.1 billion Ranking: Third—behind Christianity (2.1B) and Islam (1.5B) Influential Figures/Prophets: There are many famous people in many walks of life who identify as Atheists or Agnostics. Google "famous atheists" and...
Leader Resource 1: Atheism-Agnosticism Background
From Building Bridges

Atheism has been granted protection as a religion under the law for purposes of freedom of religious expression and protection from religious persecution. It was established that not believing in a god or gods is a religious belief, and deserves equal protection under the law. Atheism is often...
Leader Resource 2: The Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance
From Building Bridges

THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us....
Find Out More
From Building Bridges

Investigating Atheism is a rich website of the University of Cambridge. "What is Atheism" is a useful article on the American Atheists website. Go to about.com for the Basics of Atheism & Agnosticism....

Download all of Building Bridges (Word) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 19: Atheism and Agnosticism: Not in Temples Made with Hands

Workshop 19: Atheism and Agnosticism: Not in Temples Made with Hands

Tapestry is Sunsetting

Workshop 19: Atheism and Agnosticism: Not in Temples Made with Hands

Tapestry is Sunsetting

Shop Books & Gifts

Trust Kids! Stories on Youth Autonomy and Confronting Adult Supremacy

Get Inspired for Worship

We Will Pay Attention

Find Faith Development Tools

Faith in Action 2: Being a Fair Employer