Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles,
which we hold as strong values and moral guides.

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.

We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. These are the six sources our congregations affirm and promote:

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.

 

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A few more thoughts on what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist

Every religious tradition requires sacrifice of its adherents. To be religious is to do what you sometimes don't want to do, because you know that it is the right thing to do. Some religious traditions require adherence to strict rules about what foods to eat and what prayers to say. Other religious traditions require adherence to certain statements about God or about those who are seen as God's representatives on earth.

Unitarian Universalism, as a liberal religious tradition, allows for each individual to come to their own conclusions about religious doctrine and creed. But our tradition does require a certain way of being in the world which is challenging and even sacrificial. The religiously liberal way of life requires a degree of humility that is hard to live out. We must subject ourselves to constantly considering opinions that we don't currently agree with or understand. In this way, we sacrifice some of our natural individualism in the service of community. Simply having your own opinions about God, the universe and everything doesn't make you a Unitarian Universalist. What makes one a UU is a commitment to sharing your thoughts and beliefs with your community of faith, in the most humble way possible. And as difficult as that is, the more difficult part is to have the humility to listen with love to what others think and believe, no matter how different they are from yours.

As a part of this liberal religious life, we find a way to worship together even though we are atheists and Christians, humanists and Jews, agnostics and spiritualists all mixed together. This is a difficult and continuous challenge. The rewards are integrity, community, and joyful engagement with all of life's most important questions.

Still have questions? So do we!
Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from the UUA
The seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote

UU-Tube (i.e., YouTube) Clips
Voices of a Liberal Faith - Unitarian Universalists
Why I Am Unitarian Universalist