UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
Unitarian Universalists
"The origins of the Unitarian movement were in 16th-century Europe. New patterns of thinking had emerged in the Renaissance, beginning in Italy, while further north the Protestant Reformation had affirmed the right of private judgement in matters of religion. But the established authorities, whether Catholic or Protestant, set boundaries beyond which thinking was not to venture. There were some few independent thinkers, however, who were not prepared to accept such limitations, and felt morally obliged to follow wherever their unfettered reasoning would lead them. Persons of this kind eventually became the founders of the Unitarian movement."
"In America, the Unitarian Church was established in 1825 as a liberal voice to bring reform and justice to many social and political issues around the country, such as capital punishment and slavery. Over time, Unitarians moved away from the Christian philosophy to a more Humanist-based emphasis, which promotes the here and now of the human aspects of life and places responsibility for ethical behavior on each individual. In 1961, the Unitarians and the Universalist Church merged to create the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) since both churches shared theological and ethical ideologies." Universalists believe that God saves everyone and that no one goes to Hell.
Initially, Unitarianism was considered to be a branch of Christianity, the big difference being that Unitarians believed God was One, rather than being a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Thus the name Unitarian. However, "...less than 10% of Unitarian Universalist members believe the Christian tenets. Indeed, the Unitarians have no creeds or established belief system. They espouse a Statement of Purpose,...". "...Unitarians draw from many religious and spiritual sources to guide their quest for truth..." "We are creating a force more powerful than one person or one religion. By welcoming people who identify with Atheism, Agnosticism, Buddhism, Christianity, Humanism, Judaism, Earth-Centered Traditions [paganism], Hinduism, Islam, and more, we are embodying a vision “beyond belief:” a vision of peace, love, and understanding."
Some famous Unitarians include U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Taft, as well as Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau.
Unitarian Universalists hold the Principles as strong values and moral teachings. As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”
To see more of what they believe, from their own site, click here.
"The origins of the Unitarian movement were in 16th-century Europe. New patterns of thinking had emerged in the Renaissance, beginning in Italy, while further north the Protestant Reformation had affirmed the right of private judgement in matters of religion. But the established authorities, whether Catholic or Protestant, set boundaries beyond which thinking was not to venture. There were some few independent thinkers, however, who were not prepared to accept such limitations, and felt morally obliged to follow wherever their unfettered reasoning would lead them. Persons of this kind eventually became the founders of the Unitarian movement."
"In America, the Unitarian Church was established in 1825 as a liberal voice to bring reform and justice to many social and political issues around the country, such as capital punishment and slavery. Over time, Unitarians moved away from the Christian philosophy to a more Humanist-based emphasis, which promotes the here and now of the human aspects of life and places responsibility for ethical behavior on each individual. In 1961, the Unitarians and the Universalist Church merged to create the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) since both churches shared theological and ethical ideologies." Universalists believe that God saves everyone and that no one goes to Hell.
Initially, Unitarianism was considered to be a branch of Christianity, the big difference being that Unitarians believed God was One, rather than being a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Thus the name Unitarian. However, "...less than 10% of Unitarian Universalist members believe the Christian tenets. Indeed, the Unitarians have no creeds or established belief system. They espouse a Statement of Purpose,...". "...Unitarians draw from many religious and spiritual sources to guide their quest for truth..." "We are creating a force more powerful than one person or one religion. By welcoming people who identify with Atheism, Agnosticism, Buddhism, Christianity, Humanism, Judaism, Earth-Centered Traditions [paganism], Hinduism, Islam, and more, we are embodying a vision “beyond belief:” a vision of peace, love, and understanding."
Some famous Unitarians include U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Taft, as well as Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau.
Unitarian Universalists hold the Principles as strong values and moral teachings. As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”
- 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- 2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
- 3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- 4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- 5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
- 6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
To see more of what they believe, from their own site, click here.