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Unitarians and Universalists
have traditions hundreds of years old. The name Unitarian
originally came from the belief in the “unity” of God rather
than a Trinity. The name Universalism originated with
the belief in “universal” salvation, the idea that everyone will
be saved and no one is eternally damned. Unitarians and
Universalists merged in 1961. Contemporary Unitarian
Universalism has no creed and is an alternative to creed-based
religions. The most fundamental of its principles is freedom of
religious belief.
Unitarian
Universalist Association Principles and Purposes
We, the member
congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association,
covenant to affirm and promote:
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The inherent worth and
dignity of every person;
-
Justice, equity and
compassion in human relations;
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Acceptance of one another
and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
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A free and responsible
search for truth and meaning;
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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.
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 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.
Grateful for
the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith,
we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our
vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant,
promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
The
Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association
The Unitarian Universalist
Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its
corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian
purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the
needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations,
extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and
implement its principles.
The Association declares
and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member
societies and organizations, to promote the full participation
of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full
range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex,
disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national
origin and without requiring adherence to any particular
interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief
or creed.
Nothing herein shall be
deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which
is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to
conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of
union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test.
To learn
more…
To learn more about the
Unitarian Universalist Association, go to
www.uua.org. To learn about the Mountain Desert District of
the UUA, go to www.uua.org/mdd.
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