Unitarian Universalism is a religion that seeks to encourage individuals to find their own spiritual paths by way of dialogue with all faith traditions. UU churches welcome people of all backgrounds to come together in worship, community and service to the greater good. Unitarian Universalists do not gather under any statement of creed or dogma, but in sympathy with the values stated in the princi
ples of the Association:
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. We draw upon the following sources for inspiration:
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. American Unitarians and Universalists trace their roots back as far as the 1700s, but the two branches did not join together until 1961. Both traditions arose from Christianity, but today Unitarian Universalism does not identify itself in terms of any particularistic faith, instead, recognizing and celebrating the pluralism of humanity. We have produced leaders for the abolition of slavery, prison reform and opposition to the death penalty, the women’s rights and civil rights movements, and are at the front of the present day push for LGBT rights, including the right of same-sex marriage. We have counted many famous Americans, like Benjamin Franklin, Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Clara Barton, Dorothea Dix, Frank Lloyd Wright, Pete Seeger, Kurt Vonnegut, and Randy Pausch, as well as five U.S. Presidents, among our numbers. We continue to speak out against unjust wars, violence and intolerance, and in favor of equality and social justice. Unitarian Universalist churches welcome all people, regardless of background.
