Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion rooted in Christian and Jewish tradition. Its philosophy keeps an open mind to the spiritual questions people have struggled with through the ages. Unitarian Universalists emphasize the search for spiritual meaning, rather than requiring adherence to a particular creed. UUs are free to develop and hold individual beliefs concerning God, Jesus, heaven an
d hell, or even the very existence of a higher being or power. Unitarian Universalism encourages (and hopefully enables) each of us to seek and find our own answers to those great religious questions of life, in a community of open hearts and inquiring minds. We highly recommend this excellent overview of UU values, "How Unitarian-Universalists Break the Rules" - it will help you to understand what it means to be a UU. http://www.uuworld.org/spirit/articles/186280.shtml
Many of us come from various traditions, values, beliefs, and religions other than Unitarian Universalism. We are not a melting pot, but are more a mosaic, forming a new image assembled from our own variations. Reason and conscience are our religious authorities, rather than an institution with a set of rules to obey. We come together while respecting our differences, sharing our beliefs and ourselves, finding kinship with one another as we recognize fellow seekers of truth well told. We seek not to convert, but to understand. Not to judge, but to learn. We gather as a community and as extended family, celebrating our joys as well as gaining strength from one another in times of crisis or loss.
___________________________________________________________
These are the seven principles which GPUC and all 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. These principles are drawn 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 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. These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.
