While the doctrine of redemptive suffering—that Christ died for the sins of humankind—is not meaningful to many Unitarian Universalists, it is essential to put this and other theological tenets in the context of the Protestant Reformation we are exploring. Of course, it is also true that most contemporary Protestant theologies embrace many of these tenets such as original sin and heaven and hell. Many UUs find UUism after rejecting these elements of traditional Christian theology. Perhaps you are one such "come-outer."

It is important to put aside any resentment or defensiveness in examining the Christian beliefs in this workshop.

Perhaps it will be helpful to reflect on the core teachings of Jesus of Nazareth whose message of love, forgiveness and generosity can still inspire us to be our best selves. Whether or not he was divine, whether or not there is a Trinity, whether any of the other teachings that have grown up around his story over two thousand years speak to you, this message endures.