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A BASIC INTRODUCTION TO UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM
The Rev. Beth Miller, Associate Minister

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:
  • 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.





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:
  • 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 people 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.