Our Principles
The following materials are from the Unitarian Universalist Association website Unitarian Universalist Association:
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote
1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
History of Unitarianism and Universalism
Unitarian Universalism represents the merger (in 1961) of two groups that shared a common belief in the spiritual potential of individual human beings, and a readiness to question religious dogma. At present there are approximately 1,050 Unitarian Universalist churches and fellowships in the United States and Canada, serving some 220,00 Unitarian Universalists.
Of these two streams, the older and more international is Unitarianism. Unitarian beliefs emerged in Central and Eastern Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, reappeared in the 18th century in England, and then made their way to the North American colonies, taking root especially in Massachusetts. Unitarians denied the belief in the Holy Trinity shared by Roman Catholics and most Protestant churches. Universalism , on the other hand, became an almost entirely American movement despite its origins in England in the 18th century. The early Universalists affirmed the unlimited (or universal) provision of salvation from sin, denying that such salvation could be conferred by a church authority only.
Affiliations
Unitarian Universalist Association
