About Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is characterized by its support for a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning." Unitarian Universalists do not have a common creed that we insist members believe in; rather, we are unified by our shared search for spiritual growth. Unitarian Universalists draw from many different theological and spiritual sources and have a wide range of beliefs and practices.
Our Seven Principles and six Sources are listed below. They are currently under review in what is called the Article II Study Commission.
Both Unitarianism and Universalism have roots in Christian Protestantism, so likewise Unitarian Universalism has its historical roots in the Christian faith. But by the time Unitarians and Universalists decided to form one denomination together, the meaning of the terms "Unitarian" and "Universalist" had expanded beyond the traditional Christian understanding. Today’s UUs appreciate and value aspects of different religious and spiritual traditions, such as Judaism and Buddhism, from around the world. Although Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions, we do not in all cases identify ourselves as Christians, nor do we necessarily subscribe to Christian beliefs. How much one incorporates the elements of any particular faith tradition into one's personal spiritual practices is a matter of personal choice, in keeping with our creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 1961 as a consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church in America. The UUA represents more than 1,000 member congregations that collectively include more than 217,000 members. Unitarian Universalists follow a congregational model of church governance, in which power resides at the local level; individual congregations call ministers and make other decisions involving worship, theology and day-to-day church management. The denominational headquarters in Boston in turn provides services for congregations that can more effectively be handled through joint efforts.
Unitarian Universalist Principles
There are seven Principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
Unitarian Universalism draws from many Sources:
Our Seven Principles and six Sources are listed below. They are currently under review in what is called the Article II Study Commission.
Both Unitarianism and Universalism have roots in Christian Protestantism, so likewise Unitarian Universalism has its historical roots in the Christian faith. But by the time Unitarians and Universalists decided to form one denomination together, the meaning of the terms "Unitarian" and "Universalist" had expanded beyond the traditional Christian understanding. Today’s UUs appreciate and value aspects of different religious and spiritual traditions, such as Judaism and Buddhism, from around the world. Although Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions, we do not in all cases identify ourselves as Christians, nor do we necessarily subscribe to Christian beliefs. How much one incorporates the elements of any particular faith tradition into one's personal spiritual practices is a matter of personal choice, in keeping with our creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 1961 as a consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church in America. The UUA represents more than 1,000 member congregations that collectively include more than 217,000 members. Unitarian Universalists follow a congregational model of church governance, in which power resides at the local level; individual congregations call ministers and make other decisions involving worship, theology and day-to-day church management. The denominational headquarters in Boston in turn provides services for congregations that can more effectively be handled through joint efforts.
Unitarian Universalist Principles
There are seven Principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
- 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 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.
Unitarian Universalism 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 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.