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“Intoxicating! I never thought I would find myself a member of a congregation where theological, spiritual, and psychological diversity are so thoroughly embraced. The commitment to living out the Seven Principles is deep-rooted and challenging.”
What do Unitarian Univeralists believe?
Although congregants come to UUism from a wide variety of religious backgrounds, we are united in our commitment to fundamental principles that guide us not only in the practice of our faith, but in HOW WE LIVE. Unitarian Universalists congregations all adopt the first seven of the principles below—many of us have also adopted the 8th Principle.
The 8 principles UUTC has embedded in its Bylaws :
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.
Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
Will I fit in if I don't have traditional beliefs?
Our congregants represent a rainbow of faiths. But whether Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Humanist, Pagan, agnostic, or atheist, we absolutely respect one another's beliefs and practices.
In fact, because our backgrounds are so varied, we find ourselves stretching boundaries and LEARNING from our differences. We are grateful for the pluralism that enriches us and are inspired to deepen our understanding and EXPAND our vision.
“For me, labels, creeds, and dogma really get in the way of talking about my spiritual life. I was raised in a Christian home, a Christian church, and went to a Christian seminary. We didn’t worry about the creeds, but I found them very constraining nevertheless. I take words and labels with a grain of salt. There are many parts of my Christian background that remain deeply meaningful to me. But I understand them in much the same way that I understand a description of the same thing by a Buddhist, agnostic, atheist, or any other person. My sense of our church is that, more important than any particular belief, what we share is the joy and wonderment of our free and responsible search for truth and meaning among others committed to the same search. And in this environment my faith is alive and growing!”
“I can be completely open and honest about my non-belief/skepticism here and be embraced without hesitation by all members. I can engage in deep discussions about my views with lots of people that have extensive religious backgrounds that will support, but also challenge, my beliefs or lack thereof.”
What are the foundations of UUism?
While the roots of Unitarianism and Universalism date to ancient times, the two religions merged officially in 1961, with the formation of the Unitarian Universalist Association, when humanists within both traditions advocated that people could be religious without believing in God. A key assertion of that union was that no one person, no one religion, can embrace all religious truths.
Many who belonged to this new church became active in the civil rights movement, and our progressive views continue to be expressed in overt affirmation of the rights of bisexuals, gays, lesbians, and transgendered persons, including same-sex marriage and ordination of gay and lesbian clergy in our congregations.
UUs share a living tradition of wisdom and spirituality that's drawn from many springs. Humanistic teachings underscore the guidance of reason and the results of science; earth-centered traditions celebrate the sacred circle of life and urge us to live in harmony with nature; a Judeo-Christian imperative urges us to love our neighbors as ourselves; an uplifting sense of wonder moves us to a renewal of the spirit; an awareness of the words and deeds of prophetic women and men challenges us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love; and precepts from the world's religions offer ethical and spiritual guidance.
What do UUs actually DO?
Put simply, we create change ... in ourselves, and in the world.
Seven days a week, UUs live our faith by doing. Whether in community with others or as individuals, we embrace peace, love, and understanding that goes beyond individual belief systems. We are creators of positive change in people and in the world.
Like many others, we DO by attending weekly services. But the full expression of who we are and the principles that guide us goes beyond Sunday morning. We forge deep and lasting bonds with one another by connecting through small groups based on shared interests. We nourish our need for understanding by engaging in lifespan religious and spiritual exploration programs. And we DO by actively supporting and lending our hands and voices to social justice causes and organizations.