1. What do Unitarian Universalists believe?
Unitarian Universalism is a theologically diverse religion, in which members support one another in the search for truth and meaning. Individual Unitarian Universalists may also identify as Atheist, Agnostic, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, or with other philosophical or religious traditions.
As members of a non-creedal religious tradition, Unitarian Universalists are free to discern our beliefs about spiritual issues.
The Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA's) seven principles express the shared values that UUA congregations affirm
and promote.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) 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.
2. Are UUs Christian?
For many Unitarian Universalists, Christianity provides insight and guidance. One of the shared sources of our faith is "Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves." As one Unitarian Universalist Bruce Southworth writes, "Jesus' message remains strong in our efforts to create a beloved community here on earth, impelling us to witness to the injustices of this time." Or as Rev. Anita Farber-Robertson says, "Jesus [gives us] the strength to fight, the courage to love, and hearts that do not give up on anyone."
The Bible and its many interpretations have largely shaped our Unitarian Universalist history. Today, the Bible is used in most Unitarian Universalist congregations as one of many sources of inspiration and reflection. To quote Unitarian Universalist (UU) Laura Spencer, "I claim the Bible as one more chapter, among several religious texts, in the Unitarian Universalist guide to living."
source: http://www.uua.org
3. Do Unitarian Universalists believe in Buddhism?
For many Unitarian Universalists, Christianity provides insight and guidance. One of the shared sources of our faith is "Jewish
and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves."
As one Unitarian Universalist Bruce Southworth writes, "Jesus' message remains strong in our efforts to create a beloved
community here on earth, impelling us to witness to the injustices of this time." Or as Rev. Anita Farber-Robertson says,
"Jesus [gives us] the strength to fight, the courage to love, and hearts that do not give up on anyone."
The Bible and its many interpretations have largely shaped our Unitarian Universalist history. Today, the Bible is used in most Unitarian Universalist congregations as one of many sources of inspiration and reflection. To quote Unitarian Universalist (UU) Laura Spencer, "I claim the Bible as one more chapter, among several religious texts, in the Unitarian Universalist guide to living."
4. I heard a lot of Unitarian Universalists are Humanists. What is Humanism?
Humanism is a tradition that focuses on human potential and emphasizes personal responsibility for ethical behavior.
Modern-day Religious Humanism is largely derived from the writings of early American Unitarian Humanists, including Joseph Priestley, Thomas Jefferson, and John Haynes Holmes.
Rev. Sarah Oelberg describes Humanism as including the following values:
"Showing love to all humans is a worthy goal.
Immortality is found in the examples we set and the work we do.
We gain insight from many sources and all cultures, and there are many religious books and teachings that can instruct us
about how to live.
We have the power within ourselves to realize the best we are capable of as human beings.
We are responsible for what we do and become; our lives are in our own hands."
Almost half of Unitarian Universalists today may define themselves as Humanists, making Humanism the largest spiritual
identity group within Unitarian Universalism. '
5. Is Unitarian Universalism related to Judaism?
One of the six sources from which Unitarian Universalism draws is "Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves."
At last count, twenty-five percent of Unitarian Universalist congregations reported the presence of a strong Jewish theological perspective. Many Unitarian Universalist congregations now celebrate some of the major Jewish holidays, including Passover and the High Holy Days.
6. Do "Earth-Based" religions have a role in Unitarian Universalism?
Pagans, Wiccans, and people who follow other earth-based spiritual traditions are welcome in Unitarian Universalist (UU)
congregations. At last count, 19 percent of our members identified with an earth/nature-centered faith.
One of the major sources of our Unitarian Universalist faith is the "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."
In addition to modern Paganism, many Unitarian Universalists find spiritual inspiration in other forms of nature-based
spirituality, including simple seasonal reverence, modern Transcendentalism, and other nature-honoring paths.
7. What is the history of the Unitarian Universalist religion?
Unitarian Universalism emerged from two different religions: Unitarianism and Universalism. Both Unitarianism and
Universalism started in Europe hundreds of years ago. The Universalist Church of America was founded by 1793, and the
American Unitarian Association by 1825. In 1961, these denominations consolidated to form the new religion of Unitarian
Universalism.
source: http://www.uua.org
For more information visit the UUA website .
The following online resource contains many frequently asked questions about Unitarian Universalism and their answers:
100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism
by Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua (NH)
