As Unitarian Universalists we do not ascribe to a creed – a set of beliefs – to which everyone must agree and accept. Instead, we encourage each individual to explore their own spirituality, to weigh “truths” for themselves in light of their experiences, and to develop their own personal theologies. Yet even having stated that, we have found that there are number of ideas or beliefs that seem to ring true for most of us…
We share the idea that religious belief is a right and a responsibility; that each caring person will grow spiritually as they grow mentally and physically. For us, there must be room to test beliefs, to doubt, and to explore. In that way, we live by our beliefs because they are ours alone. We choose and decide because we have the right to.
We do not seek to merely tolerate differences of opinion in religious thought. We want to live in harmony with others, allowing the differences of others to enrich our beliefs and guide us in understanding.
We have a vision to affirm, defend and promote the worth and dignity of every human person. We are dedicated to a free and meaningful faith — to express our individual beliefs, to learn from teachers and prophets of every age and tradition, and to seek truth, love and peace upheld in the free religious experience. We strive for freedom, brotherhood, and equal rights for all human kind.
- – - – -
COMMON ATTITUDES
-
GOD is one, is love, is spirit, is for all persons, does not need to be appeased, and is known to men and women through their personal, social and religious experiences in life.
-
TRUTH is found through all human experience, and must be explored throughout life.
-
WOMEN AND MEN are born sinless, acquire the capacity for good or evil but are never eternally lost, and their personal salvation is a matter of growth and development.
-
JESUS was a religious teacher and an example of the good life, who taught principles of eternal truth which the world still needs.
-
THE KINGDOM OF GOD is to be shared by all persons.
-
THE CHURCH is a fellowship of moral and spiritual growth and a school of religion, and is a group of people organized for worship and for service to their fellowmen.
- – - – -
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
-
The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
-
Justice, equality and compassion in human relations
-
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation
-
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.
-
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.
