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 Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 2:51 pm
Unitarian Universalism is a religious community characterized by support for a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Unitarian Universalists do not share a creed; rather, they are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth and by the understanding that an individual's theology is a result of that search and not obedience to an authoritarian requirement. Unitarian Universalists draw on many different theological sources and have a wide range of beliefs and practices.
Historically, both Unitarianism and Universalism have roots in the Christian faith. Contemporary Unitarian Universalists espouse a pluralist approach to religion, whereby the followers may be atheist, theist, or any point in between.
There is no single unifying belief that all Unitarian Universalists (UUs) hold, aside from complete and responsible freedom of speech, thought, belief, faith, and disposition. Unitarian Universalists believe that each person is free to search for his or her own personal truth on issues, such as the existence, nature, and meaning of life, deities, creation, and afterlife. UUs can come from any religious background, and hold beliefs and adhere to morals from a variety of cultures or religions.
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 2:59 pm
The Seven Principals While there is no grand unifying dogma for U.U.s, we generally agree upon the Seven Principals and Purposes, which were created in committee by the Unitarian Universalist Association and voted upon democratically by member congregations. They are as follows: Quote: We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to 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.
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:04 pm
Six Sources The official statement of Unitarian Universalist principles describes the "sources" upon which current practice is based: Quote: * 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.
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