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Unitarian Universalism
With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that, in the end, religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion. We do not ask anyone to ascribe to a creed.
Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is involved in many kinds of programs. Worship is held regularly, the insights of the past and the present are shared with those who will create the future, service to the community is undertaken and friendships are made. A visitor to a UU congregation will very likely find events and activities such as church school, day-care centers, lectures and forums, support groups, poetry festivals, family events, adult education classes and study groups.
Excerpt from "We Are Unitarian Universalists," Pamphlet No. 3047,
Copyright 1995
Unitarian Universalist Association
Seven principles
We covenant to promote these principles:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations.
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our fellowship.
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our fellowship and in society at large.
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Our sources
The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
- Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life.
- Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love.
- Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life.
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
- Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
- Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Unitarian Universalism in the United States
Our liberal religious movement began with debates over Christian doctrine, partly on the nature of the Trinity. In the 19th century, both Unitarianism and Universalism took on an association with the causes of social justice that has endured to this day. Often led by women such as Julia Ward Howe, Susan B. Anthony and Clara Barton, the liberal religious movement became the champion of women's rights, penal reform and the abolition of slavery. The Unitarians and Universalists shared a philosophy of religious tolerance and questioning. Later they shared resources such as religious education materials, a joint hymnal, and finally, on May 11, 1961, they combined their organizational strength by becoming the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in North America.
Excerpted from a UUA pamphlet by Gary Provost; Copyright 1992
Unitarian Universalist Association
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