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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 Eight 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 Universalist congregations all adopt the first seven 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?
Our Foundations & Values
Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a "living tradition" that values your mind, your heart, and your journey. We officially merged 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. Uniting two ancient traditions under one radical idea: No single religion holds all the truth.
Where We Draw Inspiration
We don't follow a single creed. Instead, we find wisdom in "many springs":
Science & Reason: Guidance from humanistic teachings and rational thought.
Nature: Earth-centered traditions that honor the sacred circle of life.
World Religions: Ethical wisdom from diverse spiritual paths.
Justice: The prophetic words of those who challenge systems of oppression.
Judeo-Christian Ethics: The fundamental call to love our neighbors as ourselves.
What do UUs actually DO?
Faith in Action
What do UUs actually do? We create change—within ourselves and the world.
For us, "religious" is a verb. We express our progressive values through:
Radical Inclusion: We are a "side with love" faith. We overtly affirm LGBTQ+ rights, including marriage equality and the ordination of queer clergy.
Social Justice: We lend our voices and hands to dismantle injustice and advocate for human rights.
Lifelong Learning: We offer spiritual exploration for all ages, encouraging a constant search for truth and meaning.
Community: Beyond Sunday services, we connect through small groups to build deep, lasting bonds.
Our Mission: To embrace peace, love, and understanding that transcends individual belief systems.
Ready to find your spiritual home? Join us this Sunday.