 "I want a religion that respects the differences between people and
affirms every person as an individual" Welcome to Unitarian Universalism! A newly-released, twelve-minute video tells the story of our faith through powerful imagery and inspirational testimonials. In it, you'll see and hear Unitarian Universalist leaders and members share elements of our history, our theology, what it's like to worship with us, how we educate our children, and more. You'll also learn about our deep commitment to social justice and inclusiveness.
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Our faith, Unitarian Universalism, is a spiritually alive and justice-centered religion. With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions,
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- Today Unitarian Universalists draw on many sources of religious and ethical inspiration. They appreciate the insights of the Hebrew and Christian bibles. They cherish the words attributed to Jesus of Nazareth and other prophets and teachers throughout the ages. They also look to the teachings of Hinduism, Buddhism and other religions. Many find inspiration within our own Unitarian Universalist heritage: In the call of Ralph Waldo Emerson, a Unitarian Minister, that we search for religious meaning more within our own souls than in ancient writings and prophets. Or in the philosophy of "reverence for life" of the Lutheran/Unitarian Albert Schweitzer. Unitarian Universalists do not think of their religion as a gateway to an afterlife. Most are content to "live one life at a time" and thus to live well on this earth for their own self-fulfillment and for the progress of humanity. The earth is our home; we must protect it. All persons are our brothers and sisters; we must relate to them with love and justice. As our children are important to us, our congregations maintain schools of religion. Our purpose is not to indoctrinate. We teach children about other religions as well as our own and encourage them in their own search for religious and ethical truth. Above all we seek to give them experiences that will help them grow into tolerant, morally responsible citizens. Throughout the history of our country Unitarian Universalism has been in the forefront of struggles for human freedom and human rights. The Unitarian Thomas Jefferson not only wrote the Declaration of Independence but also originated the phrase "wall of separation between church and state."" The famous words "of the people, by the people, and for the people" were taken from a sermon by the great Unitarian abolitionist preacher, Theodore Parker, whose published sermons Lincoln kept by his bedside. The marcher killed in Selma, Alabama was the Unitarian minister James Reeb. Unitarians such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucy Stone led the campaign for women's rights. Universalist Olympia Brown was the first woman minister in the United States. Unitarian Horace Mann is known as the father of American Public School education. Universalist Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. Unitarian Dorothea Dix led the movements for reform of prisons and treatment of the mentally ill. More than one thousand congregations make up the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), which represents our interests on a continental scale. The UUA grew out of the consolidation, in 1961, of two religious denominations, the Universalists, organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, organized in 1825. Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is involved in many kinds of programs. Worship is held regularly, the insights of the past and the present are shared with those who will create the future, service to the community is undertaken, and friendships are made. A visitor to a UU congregation will very likely find events and activities such as church school, day-care centers, lectures and forums, support groups, poetry festivals, family events, adult education classes and study groups. (Excerpts from "We Are Unitarian Universalists", pamphlet #3047. © Unitarian Universalist Association, 1995) For in-depth information about Unitarian Universalism, please visit the Unitarian Universalist Association web site. For tons of great videos on Unitarian Universalism, visit YouTube and search for unitarian universalism or unitarian universalist. Excellent info and often fun! |
