Unitarian Universalist Frequently Asked Questions
We are members of a mainline religious denomination with a more than four hundred year history. During that time, our members have included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, Clara Barton, E. E. Cummings, Beatrix Potter, Frank Lloyd Wright, Florence Nightingale, and Adlai Stevenson. (See the Famous UUs website for more examples).
- Visit the UUA website
- What do Unitarian Universalists believe?
- What kind of sermons do UU ministers give?
- What are the principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)?
- What are the purposes of the UUA?
- How do I contact the UUA?
- What are some of the organizations affiliated with the UUA?
Want to know more? There is an excellent online book written by John Sias entitled One Hundred Questions that Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is headquartered in Boston. Northlake belongs to the Pacific Northwest District of the UUA, and we are part of our local UU church community, the Puget Sound Unitarian Universalist Council.
What Do Unitarian Universalists Believe?
[This is the text of the “Red Pamphlet” distributed by the UUA. It is reprinted here with permission.]
- We believe in the freedom of religious expression. All individuals should be encouraged to develop their own personal theology, and to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal.
- We believe in the toleration of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only an intrinsic merit, but also a potential value for those who have learned the art of listening.
- We believe in the authority of reason and conscience. The ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, or a document, or an official, but the personal choice and decision of the individual.
- We believe in the never–ending search for Truth. If the mind and heart are truly free and open, the revelations which appear to the human spirit are infinitely numerous, eternally fruitful, and wondrously exciting.
- We believe in the unity of experience. There is no fundamental conflict between faith and knowledge, religion and the world, the sacred and the secular, since they all have their source in the same reality.
- We believe in the worth and dignity of each human being. All people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty, and justice — and no idea, ideal, or philosophy is superior to a single human life.
- We believe in the ethical application of religion. Good works are the natural product of a good faith, the evidence of an inner grace that finds completion in social and community involvement.
- We believe in the motive force of love. The governing principle in human relationships is the principle of love, which always seeks the welfare of others and never seeks to hurt or destroy.
- We believe in the necessity of the democratic process. Records are open to scrutiny, elections are open to members, and ideas are open to criticism — so that people might govern themselves.
- We believe in the importance of a religious community. The validation of experience requires the confirmation of peers, who provide a critical platform along with a network of mutual support.
Copyright 1989 by
Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108
617-742-2100
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What kind of sermons do UU ministers give?
You’re in luck! Bill Griffeth at the Unitarian Church in Summit, New Jersey, has made available a number of sermons by the church’s ministers, David and Beverly Brumbaugh. They are indexed and searchable by title and topic. Check them out! Also Rev. Sam Trumbore has opened Rev. Sam’s Bookshelf and Cafe.
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The 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.
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The Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association
The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.
The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member societies and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test.
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UUA Contact Info:
in the USA:
The UUA Home Page
Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108-2800
USA
617-742-2100
in Canada:
Canadian Unitarian Council
175 St. Clair Ave., West
Toronto, ONT M4V 1P7
CANADA
in the U.K.:
Unitarians in the UK Home Page
General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
Essex Hall
1-6 Essex Street
London WC2R 3HY
+44 (020) 7240 2384
Additions or corrections to this document are welcome.
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Affiliated and Associated Organizations
Here is contact information for some of the groups that are Associate Member or Independent Af filiate Organizations of the UUA. Details about these groups and other groups can be obtained from your local UU church or fellowship or directly from the UUA.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
130 Prospect St.
Cambridge, MA 02139-1845
617-868-660
The UUSC, motivated since 1939 by liberal religious principles, works to promote justice, freedom, and self-determination in the U.S. and worldwide.
The UUSC can also be contacted via the PeaceNet and CompuServe networks.
UU Women’s Federation
25 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02108-3800
617-742-2100 x 653
The UUWF is the only continental membership organization for all UU women. Formed by the 1963 consolidation of the Association of Universalist Women and the Alliance of Unitarian Women, it is an associate member of the UUA.
Conservative Forum for Unitarian Universalists
G-2474 S. Ballenger Hwy.
Flint, MI 48507
313-232-4023
The Conservative Forum for Unitarian Universalists is an organization of UUs whose purpose is to ensure that all UUs are free to pursue a responsible search for religious truth and meaning in our societies and denomination regardless of their individual views on politics, economics, or social issues.
CUUPS,
PO Box 422
Boyes Hot Springs, CA 95416
707-939-7559
All email inquiries regarding CUUPS may be directed to CUUPS@aol.com or kishhilde@earthlink.net.
The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans was formed at the 1985 UUA General Assembly in Atlanta to enrich and strengthen the religious pluralism of UUism by promoting the study and practice of contemporary Pagan and Earth- and nature-centered spirituality.
Fellowship of Religious Humanists
900 Mount Curve
Minneapolis, MN
55403
612-377-6608
FRH offers UUs and others the inspiration of a humanist way of life worked out within both liberal religion and the growing humanist movements of over 30 countries. FRH was organized in 1963 to provide publications and conferences for those seeking humanism as a religious philosophy, and regularly presents a lecture at the UUA General Assembly.
Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship
110 Arlington St.
Boston, MA 02116
508-365-2427
The purposes of the Fellowship are: to serve Christian Unitarians and Universalists according to their expressed religious needs; to uphold and promote the Christian witness within the UUA; and to uphold and promote the historic Unitarian and Universali st witness and conscience within the church universal. The Fellowship publishes books, pamphlets, study papers and occasional papers, a bi-monthly newsletter, the Good News, and a quarterly journal, The Unitarian-Universalist Christian, sponsors retreats and General Assembly.