Unitarian Universalism
The cathedral of the world has a million windows... each of us, a window onto the divine.
WE ARE PIONEERS
In 1568 John Sigismund of Transylvania became the first Unitarian king in Europe and the first European monarch to grant religious freedom to Catholics, Lutherans and the Reformed Church. When called to a religious debate, his opponents declared that if victorious, they would see David; the King’s leading advocate, condemned to death as a heretic. David replied in the truest spirit of being a UU, “If I win, I shall defend to the death your right to be wrong.” The same open-minded spirit was imbued two centuries later in the American constitution with founding fathers Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams adhering to Unitarian principles. A further two centuries later, the Unitarians marched with Martin Luther King Jr. at Selma and two of those Unitarians paid with their lives. Unitarians have ordained women since the 1800s and championed LGBTQ rights long before they were widely recognized, officially supporting same-sex unions since 1984.
WE HAVE ROOTS
Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a liberal religious tradition that was formed in 1961 when the Universalist Church of America and the American Unitarian Association merged. Both of these denominations have long histories, and their theological concepts are still central to UU:
Unitarianism
Originated in the Reformation period in Poland, Transylvania, and England, and later in North America. Unitarian leaders sought to reform Christianity in accordance with the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, and they rejected the doctrine of the Trinity.
Universalism
Developed in the 18th century from radical Pietism and dissent in the Baptist and Congregational churches. Universalists argued that Scripture does not teach eternal torment in hell, and they affirmed a universal restoration of all to God.
Today UUs draw from various religious traditions and may or may not identify as Christians. Our congregations are self-governing, united in a free search for truth and meaning. There are about 1,000 UU churches in North America, with others in England, Eastern Europe, India, and the Philippines.
WE HAVE SEVEN PRINCIPLES
For some within Unitarian Universalism, there are seven Principles which reflect deeply-held values and serve as a moral guide. The wisdom and spirituality of these Principles are drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience.
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 congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at largel;
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.
WE LEARN FROM SIX SOURCES
Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides. We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. These are the six sources our congregations affirm and promote:
- 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 people 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.
WE LIVE BY SEVEN VALUES
Love
Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. All our other values are in the service of Love.
Interdependence
We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
Pluralism
We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.
Justice
We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive. We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association,and society at large.
Generosity
We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
Equity
We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion. We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.
Transformation
We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.