What We Believe

For a great introduction to what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, watch this video, or please continue reading.

“Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion born of the Jewish and Christian traditions. We keep our minds open to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places.

“We believe that personal experience, conscience, and reason should be the final authorities in religion.

“In the end, religious authority lies not in a book, person, or institution, but in ourselves. We put religious insights to the test of our hearts and minds. “We uphold the free search for truth. We will not be bound by a statement of belief. We do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. We say ours is a non-creedal religion. Ours is a free faith. “We believe that religious wisdom is ever changing. Human understanding of life and death, the world and its mysteries, is never final. Revelation is continuous. We celebrate unfolding truths known to teachers, prophets, and sages throughout the ages. “We affirm the worth of all women and men. We believe people should be encouraged to think for themselves. We know people differ in their opinions, choices, and affections, and we believe these differences generally should be honored. “We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. The here and now and the effects our actions will have on future generations deeply concern us. We know that our relationships with one another, with diverse people, races, and nations, should be governed by justice, equity, and compassion.”

from “We Are Unitarian Universalists” by Rev. Marta Flanagan.

Our Seven Principles

These seven principles form the cornerstone of Unitarian Universalist beliefs:

• 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 par