Unitarian Universalists: History and Beliefs
History: Unitarianism
In the 16th century, a radical portion of the Protestant Reformation taught that the Trinity was not found in the Bible, but was added by the church at the Council of Nicea in A. D. 325. These “Christians” were persecuted as heretics until the Edict of Toleration was passed in 1568 in Transylvania (Romania) that granted religions freedom, and the Unitarian movement began to gain ground.
Famous Unitarians:
- President John Quincy Adams
- Paul Revere
- Louisa May Alcott
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
- President William Howard Taft
- Susan B. Anthony
History: Universalism
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a group of “Christians” stated that hell was only rarely mentioned in the Bible. Since they also viewed God as an unconditionally loving God, they rejected the idea of hell. They believed that all people were good and would be saved. They officially organized in 1793.
History: Unitarian Universalists
As both Unitarians and Universalists grew increasingly liberal, they believed a merger would provide them a greater voice. In 1961, the two denominations united to form the Unitarian Universalist Association.
They officially have over 200,000 members in the U.S., but estimates of those who profess to be UU is around 500,000.
Basic Beliefs
UUs take great pride in being a creedless religion, which makes determining their beliefs very difficult.
Though both groups originally had “Christian” roots, UUs do not claim to necessarily be Christian today.
- “We welcome people who identify with and draw inspiration from Atheism and Agnosticism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Humanism, Judaism, Islam, Paganism, Theism and Deism, and religious or philosophical traditions” (www.uua.org)
Seven Principles
“There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
- 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.” (www.uua.org)
Religious Sources
“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.” (www.uua.org)
God
“Some Unitarian Universalists are nontheists and do not find language about God useful. The faith of other Unitarian Universalists in God may be profound, though among these, too, talk of God may be restrained. Why?
The word God is much abused. Far too often, the word seems to refer to a kind of granddaddy in the sky or a super magician. To avoid confusion, many Unitarian Universalists are more apt to speak of “reverence for life” (in the words of Albert Schweitzer, a Unitarian), the spirit of love or truth, the holy, or the gracious. Many also prefer such language because it is inclusive; it is used with integrity by theist and nontheist members.
Whatever our theological persuasion, Unitarian Universalists generally agree that the fruits of religious belief matter more than beliefs about religion-even about God. So we usually speak more of the fruits: gratitude for blessings, worthy aspirations, the renewal of hope, and service on behalf of justice.” (“Our Unitarian Universalist Faith: Frequently Asked Questions” Alice Blair Wesley)
Jesus
“Classically, Unitarian Universalist Christians have understood Jesus as a savior because he was a God-filled human being, not a supernatural being. He was, and still is for many UUs, an exemplar, one who has shown the way of redemptive love, in whose spirit anyone may live generously and abundantly. Among us, Jesus’ very human life and teaching have been understood as products of, and in line with, the great Jewish tradition of prophets and teachers. He neither broke with that tradition nor superseded it.
Many of us honor Jesus, and many of us honor other master teachers of past or present generations, like Moses or the Buddha. As a result, mixed-tradition families may find common ground in the UU fellowship without compromising other loyalties.” (“Our Unitarian Universalist Faith: Frequently Asked Questions” Alice Blair Wesley)
Bible
“In most of our congregations, our children learn Bible stories as a part of their church school curricula. It is not unusual to find adult study groups in the churches, or in workshops at summer camps and conferences, focusing on the Bible. Allusions to biblical symbols and events are frequent in our sermons. In most of our congregations, the Bible is read as any other sacred text might be-from time to time, but not routinely”
“We do not, however, hold the Bible-or any other account of human experience-to be either an infallible guide or the exclusive source of truth. Much biblical material is mythical or legendary. Not that it should be discarded for that reason! Rather, it should be treasured for what it is. We believe that we should read the Bible as we read other books (or the newspaper)-with imagination and a critical eye.
We also respect the sacred literature of other religions. Contemporary works of science, art, and social commentary are valued as well. We hold, in the words of an old liberal formulation, that “revelation is not sealed.” Unitarian Universalists aspire to truth as wide as the world-we look to find truth anywhere, universally.” (“Our Unitarian Universalist Faith: Frequently Asked Questions” Alice Blair Wesley)
Sin
A UU usually doesn’t believe in original sin. They believe in the inherent goodness of man.
Because of their optimistic view of man, they emphasize education or “enlightenment.”
They believe that man and his reason can be the final authority because man is inherently good.
Because man is not sinful, he does not need to be saved from sin or to be punished for it in hell.
Salvation
“The English word salvation derives from the Latin salus, meaning health. Unitarian Universalists are as concerned with salvation, in the sense of spiritual health or wholeness, as any other religious people.
However, in many Western churches, salvation has come to be associated with a specific set of beliefs or a spiritual transformation of a very limited type.
Among Unitarian Universalists, instead of salvation you will hear of our yearning for, and our experience of, personal growth, increased wisdom, strength of character, and gifts of insight, understanding, inner and outer peace, courage, patience, and compassion. The ways in which these things come to, change, and heal us, are many indeed. We seek and celebrate them in our worship.” (“Our Unitarian Universalist Faith: Frequently Asked Questions” Alice Blair Wesley)