Unitarian Universalist
The Unitarian Universalist Association is a liberal religious organization. The membership of Unitarian Universalists in North America was estimated at about 502,000 in 1990. The Unitarian Universalist movement is a result of a 1961 merger between Unitarians, which have a page that discusses their movement under Sabellianism back at the page you just came from, and Universalism. There is a Unitarianism that I did not discuss at my Sabellianism page. This one is a religious movements which featurees a lack of dogma, a belief in the inherent goodness of people, and the obligation to seek out and develop his or her own system of beliefs and ethics. Universalism has two relgious meanings which are the bellieve that Jehovah as described in the Hebrew Sscriptures is the deity for all humanity rather than the Jews, and that every individal will eventually make it to heaven. The salvation for all group is the most common one among Unitarian Universalists. The first modern Unitarian church was established in Transylvania in 1638, while Universalist groups were formed in England during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. One of the most common revered leaders among Unitarian Universalists is Ralph Waldo Emerson who said that each individual religion should have a focus on self-reliance. The beliefs os most Unitarian Universalists (UUs) are that each because of their humanity has dignity and worth, that each person seeks their own unique spiritual path, based upon personal life experience the use of reason and meditation the findings of science and their fundamental beliefs concerning deity humanity and the universe, the prime function of a clergyperson and congregation is to help individual members to grow spiritually, all the great religions of the world and their sacred texts have worth, there should be no barrier to membership such as compulsary adherence to creed, their lives congregations and association are governed by democracy religious freedom and religious tolerance, and their efforts should be directed towards civil rights, achieving equality of treatment for everyone regardless of race gender secual orientation etc. The sources of spirituality for UUs are Christianity, Earth centered religions, Humanism, Judaism, other religions, prophets, and the direct experience of mystery.
Unitarian Universalists Statement of Principle and Purposes:
"We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalists Association, covenant to 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 trtuh and meaning, the right of conscience and the use of 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 tradtion we shatre 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 men and women 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 keep 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. Gratefull for the religious pluralism which enriches and enables 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.
UUs do very little proselytizing. They cherish religooos diversity and freedom. they have been active in political issues such as equal rights for women and gays and other oppressed minorities, They value their local congregations as a place where they can help each other in their individual quests for spiritual knowledge. there are various groups associated with the UUA:
Buddhist Fellowship, Christian fellowship, Chruch of the Larger fellowship which sends pamphlets to those who are not near a UU church, The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, Interweave which is a community that promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender concerns. The UU service commitee formed to hellp people escape fascism in Europe in 1939. This movement is no longer associated with UU. there are also interest groups for Jews, and for the ethical tretament of animals. Beacon House is a publishing house for UUs.
My Info:
Name:
Chad Harvey
Email: