Unitarian Universalism

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Unitarian Universalism

• SOLLI
• April 2007

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Key Phrases

• Justice-centered religion that challenge us to
  confront powers and structures of evil with
  justice, compassion, and the transforming power
  of love
• Liberal religion that empasses many faith
  traditions and
• A faith that seeks truth on many paths.

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History

• Unitarian Universalism emerged from two different
  religions  Unitarianism and Universalism.  Both
  Unitarianism and Universalism started in Europe
  hundreds of years ago.  The Universalist Church
  of America was founded by 1793, and the American
  Unitarian Association by 1825.  In 1961, these
  denominations consolidated to form the new
  religion of Unitarian Universalism. 

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Principles

• There are seven principles which 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

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Principles, continued

• 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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Childs Interpretation

• 1. Each person is important.
• 2. Be kind in all you do.
• 3. Were free to learn together.
• 4. We search for what is true.
• 5. All people need a voice.
• 6. Build a fair and peaceful world.
• 7. We care for Earths lifeboat.

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Justice Issues

• Racial justice and anti-racism
• Members of color as early as 1785
• The first ordained minister of color in the US
• Founders of the NAACP

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Other Philosophical Beliefs that are acceptable
in this religion

• Humanism
• Paganism
• Theism/Deism
• Buddhism
• Judaism
• Hinduism
• Atheism/Agnosticism
• Islam

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Spiritual Views

• God A belief in God is welcomed but not required
  within Unitarian Universalism. Eighty-one percent
  of Unitarian Universalists believe in God, and 19
  percent do not believe in God.
• Afterlife One theological issue many people are
  curious about is Unitarian Universalism's view of
  the afterlife. Historically, Unitarians believed
  in a traditional Christian Heaven and Hell, while
  Universalists believed in Universal Salvation
  that is, that everyone will go to Heaven. Today,
  some Unitarian Universalists believe in Heaven,
  some in reincarnation, and some in no afterlife
  at all. Unitarian Universalism is primarily
  directed towards this life, not the next.

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What they dont believe

• Unitarian Universalists could not believe that
  God favors any group of people based on any
  inherent qualities, such as skin color, gender,
  sexual orientation, physical ability, etc.or
  that any group of people is more worthy of access
  to opportunities than any other as a result of
  these qualities. We don't believe that humanity
  has the right or moral authority to exploit the
  environment or other life forms with whom we
  share this planet."
• Source
• Unitarian Universalist Association of
  Congregations
• 25 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02108
  617-742-2100
• info_at_uua.org Accessed on March 30, 2007.