Unitarian Universalism: Key facts

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Unitarian Universalists: Key facts

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Information: This section contains a brief summary of the history and key beliefs of Unitarian Universalists.

The Unitarian Universalist church is a consolidation of two different Christian traditions - Unitarianism and Universalism. Unitarians were largely European Christians who did not believe in the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit), but that God was simply a unity (i.e. One). Universalists were basically Christians who believed that in the end everyone will be saved (universal salvation).

Unitarian Universalism formally began in the USA in 1961, as members of Unitarian and Universalist churches began to see that they held increasingly similar moral and theological beliefs.

Anyone is free to attend and become involved in a Unitarian Universalist congregation, irrespective of their religion, race or sexuality. Although belief in God is welcomed, it is not required to be a member of a Unitarian Universalist church. In fact, according to the church's official website 19% of members say they have no active belief in God.

Unitarian Universalists have no creed or statement of faith as such, but they do affirm and promote seven principles amongst their congregations. They also regard these seven principles as the backbone of their religious community:

Seven Principles

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 truth and meaning.
The right of conscience and the use of the 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.

Although it is common to find that many Unitarian Universalist members have a Christian-based faith, they welcome and find inspiration from any faith and spiritual tradition. This is because they believe in the principle of drawing wisdom from many different sources, such as:

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 (Our Principles, http://www.uua.org/visitors/6798.shtml).

Although these common principles are a shared basis for living a life of faith, individual Unitarian Universalists will have many different beliefs about everything related to scripture, religious rituals and God. One might describe the Unitarian Universalist church as unity in the midst of diversity.

The symbol of the Unitarian Universalist faith is a flame within a chalice (or cup). As might be expected, there is no definitive interpretation of the meaning of this symbol. However, popular interpretations have denoted the cup to represent the religious community, with the flame representative of the notion of sacrifice or spirit.

Unitarian Universalist symbol of faith

The Unitarian Universalist symbol of faith

Many Unitarian Universalist congregations light a flame inside a chalice at the start of their worship services.

Worship services have many elements one would find in a traditional Christian one. For instance, services are generally held on a Sunday morning, have religious music and singing, a sermon, prayers, time for reflection and readings. However, what is different about the Unitarian Universalist service is that these elements will also include elements from non-Christian faiths and humanist traditions.

Ministers are spiritual leaders, and so naturally lead worship services and give sermons. They also conduct wedding services and funerals. Many also work in non-profit and social justice organisations.

A Unitarian Universalist service

Second Unitarian Church of Chicago worship service - Image source: www.secondunitarian.org

Unitarian Universalist ministers do not have to be celibate, heterosexual or male. Ministers can include both men and women, heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and also transgendered people. In fact, anyone has the opportunity to become a minister in the Unitarian Universalism church.

From the outset, Unitarian Universalists have been very to promote social and justice issues. Not were they one of the largest religious voices to support Martin Luther King Jr's call for black voting rights, and to participate in the 1965 march in Selma, Alabama, but they continue to speak out in favour of gay rights, same-sex marriages and feminism. They have also spoken out against the 1991 Gulf War, and the recent military action by the USA in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 2001 there were more female ministers than male ones in the Unitarian Universalist church.

Although members hold varying degrees of belief about the afterlife, most are concerned with what they do in this life. As such, aside from social justice issues many members also believe in promoting environmental justice, and in working to find environmentally friendly solutions and alternatives to those things affecting climate change.

Voices of a Liberal Faith

Officially endorsed video of Unitarian Universalist leaders and members sharing elements of their history, their theology, what it's like to worship with them, how they educate their children, and more.