UU Beliefs

We are one of over 1000 congregations affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association, which is headquartered at 25 Beacon Street in Boston, MA. The UUA, which is the spiritual and institutional heir of the historic Unitarian and Universalist movements in this country, assists member congregations in all areas of institutional life. It also represents us on a national and international scale. The UUA maintains an extensive web presence, which can be found here.

The delegates from congregations to UUA general assemblies, working over several years, have written the following statement of its purposes and principles.

Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:

-The inherent dignity and worth 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.

The living tradition which we share 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.

Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles 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.

We are further united by these beliefs:

-There is "Something of the Holy" in every person.

-We may differ in how we describe the Holy but the deeper meaning of this statement is that each person sees the world from a perspective that is too valuable or "sacred" to be ignored.

-Since everyone counts, and since every individual's life experience helps to enrich our understanding, we believe the best expression of Unitarian Universalism can be found through involvement in a congregation.

-Our religious communities enable us to feel understood, supported and challenged in our spiritual growth.

-We believe that every established religious tradition is a way in which finite people attempt to understand the infinite through symbiosis, ritual and poetry.

-Some of us feel closer to Judaism; some closer to Christianity; some feel closer to various forms of mysticism.

-All traditions are honored among us.

-We are a democratic movement. Members of the congregation select their professional leaders, establish priorities for their budgets, raise the money and through their representatives on "Standing Committee" determine the congregation's direction through the year.

We hold a standard of unconditional respect for each person as the core of our religious traditions.
Therefore, not all beliefs are possible. Any belief that denies the inherent worth of another person is not consistent with our practice. Any belief that precludes fellowship with another person for racial, ethnic, religious, affectional or sociological reasons is not consistent with our beliefs or practice. Any belief that denies the possibility of openness to another's ideas is not consistent with our beliefs or practice.