
A BASIC INTRODUCTION TO UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM
Unitarian Universalism offers a sense of inclusion, acceptance, deep connection, and transforming love. We welcome people of all genders and sexual orientations, ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds, beliefs and faith traditions.
Unitarian Universalism resulted from the merger of two liberal traditions in 1961, Unitarianism and Universalism. Within the rich history of both, and as we’ve developed since merger, our message to the world is one of freedom, reason, tolerance, inclusion, adaptability, and unity or oneness with all that is.
From the Unitarian side of our history comes freedom, reason and tolerance. From Universalism, radical inclusiveness and belief in the ultimate goodness of life. Our merged Unitarian Universalism expands our perspective to include not only our Judaeo Christian roots, but the worlds religions and secular wisdom, humanist teachings, and the method and discoveries of science. We are open to new information and willing to adapt or evolve over time.
Unlike many faith traditions, we have no creed or specific dogma, but rather principles to guide us in our ethical lives and sources to help us form and refine our own beliefs about life’s ultimate nature and purpose. At its core, the mission of Unitarian Universalism is to increase love and justice in the world. The UUA bylaw statement of seven principles and six sources lay the foundation.
Unitarian Universalism offers a sense of inclusion, acceptance, deep connection, and transforming love. We welcome people of all genders and sexual orientations, ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds, beliefs and faith traditions.
Unitarian Universalism resulted from the merger of two liberal traditions in 1961, Unitarianism and Universalism. Within the rich history of both, and as we’ve developed since merger, our message to the world is one of freedom, reason, tolerance, inclusion, adaptability, and unity or oneness with all that is.
From the Unitarian side of our history comes freedom, reason and tolerance. From Universalism, radical inclusiveness and belief in the ultimate goodness of life. Our merged Unitarian Universalism expands our perspective to include not only our Judaeo Christian roots, but the worlds religions and secular wisdom, humanist teachings, and the method and discoveries of science. We are open to new information and willing to adapt or evolve over time.
Unlike many faith traditions, we have no creed or specific dogma, but rather principles to guide us in our ethical lives and sources to help us form and refine our own beliefs about life’s ultimate nature and purpose. At its core, the mission of Unitarian Universalism is to increase love and justice in the world. The UUA bylaw statement of seven principles and six sources lay the foundation.
The seven principles express aspirations and ethical imperatives: We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
To explore Unitarian Universalism in more detail, I invite you to begin on this page of the UUA website and click the links you’re interested in: https://www.uua.org/beliefs |
The six sources point to our roots in religions and philosophies, humanism and science, and individual experience for exploration and inspiration as we strive to live in integrity with the values expressed in the principles: The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
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