Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations affirm and promote seven principles:
- 1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- 2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
- 3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- 4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- 5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
- 6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- 7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Simplified version: We believe that…
• each and every person is important.
• all people should be treated fairly and kindly.
• we should accept one another and keep on learning together.
• each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life.
• all persons should have a vote about the things that concern them.
• in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world.
• in caring for our planet Earth, the home we share with all living things.
Unitarian Universalism draws from many sources:
- 1. 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;
- 2. 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;
- 3. Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- 4. Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
- 5. 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.
- 6. 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.
Simplified version:
• direct experience of transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures
• words and deeds of prophetic women and men
• wisdom from the world’s religions
• Jewish and Christian teachings
• humanist teachings
• spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions