Q: What is Unitarian Universalism?

A: Unitarian Universalism is the religion professed by congregations that adhere to the principles and purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association, as set forth in their bylaws, as follows.

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to 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.

Q: What is the origin of your long name?

A: The name Unitarian was first used in the sixteenth century in Transylvania where a group of religious liberals made a pledge not to persecute each other because of differences of opinion on religious matters. Eventually, those who believed it was necessary to believe in the Trinity to hold Christian worship withdrew, leaving those not concerned over the Trinity. The name Unitarian came to be identified in the common mind with these non-Trinitarians.

The central idea of early Universalism was “final salvation” which affirms that in the fullness of time, all souls will be released from the penalties of sin and restored to God. In the twentieth century, Universalism clearly became a liberal faith which rejected the deity of Jesus and which sought to explore the “universal” bases of all religions.

Because of the close kinship which many Universalists felt toward Unitarians, there had always been a close cooperation between the two groups. This cooperation led to a formal merger and the organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1961, having a combined membership of 70,500 in nearly four hundred congregations.

Q: What do UUs believe about God?

A: We hold a multitude of beliefs, because there is no set dogma or doctrine. There may be some UUs who believe in the type of jealous, nationalist God of Old Testament accounts, some who believe in the loving parent of Jesus’ concept. Some would agree with Jesus, “God is love.” Others join with scientists in saying God is “the first cause,” or with philosophers in calling God “the center of focus in the universe.” Still others do not agree in the necessity for belief in God. Some are humanists who feel it is more important to deal with human and social concerns than with theological and philosophical speculations.

Q: What do UUs believe about Hell?

A: UUs believe there is enough hell in this world to eliminate the need for an imaginary hell in another world.

Q: What do UUs believe about the hereafter?

A: Most of us do not believe in immortality. We believe that this life, rather than a future life, is our main concern. We are living now and should make this life count, do the best, experience the most, and achieve the highest we can now in this natural life. If we do this, we will have no regrets, no matter what the ultimate issue of life is.

Q: What do UUs think about the Bible?

A: We look upon the bible as an accidental collection of manuscripts that lack a coherent unity and help explain the fractured and obtuse nature of Christian theology. Historically, some of it is a faithful representation of the events recorded, but some of it is wide of the mark.

Q: What do UUs believe about Jesus?

A: He appears to us as a great teacher, rather than as a member of the Trinity. We believe the accumulated evidence shows that Jesus did not think of himself as a Savior, or that he regarded himself as a person in a Trinity, although during the last days of his life, he may have come to think he was the Jewish messiah. It is the ethics of Jesus, rather than the doctrines about him, that are attractive to us. UUs believe there are many intellectual and spiritual leaders from whom they can learn and take inspiration.

Q: If you have no creeds, what holds you together?

A: We are bound together by the free-mind principle, which encourages everyone to develop their own religion. For us, the bond of union is not conforming to ideas, but the sincerity of the quest for the good life. Well said, Socrates ("The unexamined life is not worth living.")

Q: Is yours a Christian religion?

A: Most Christian bodies say that Christianity requires acceptance of certain beliefs. Because we do not have a mechanism to require such acceptance, we are not admissible by their standards. Nevertheless, in practice, our forms of observance of religious holidays show that we are still, in a broad sense, part of the Christian heritage.

Q: What is the UU relationship to other religions?

A: We inclusively accept the good of all religions, and join in mutual efforts whenever possible. For us, the great monotheistic world religions and the ethical religions of the East have much merit which we draw upon. Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Shinto all have liberalizing elements that come close to the Unitarian Universalist point of view.

Q: Do UUs pray?

A: We do not believe we can influence God to “change His/Her mind” or do what “He/She” would otherwise do. UUs pray in the traditional Christian sense infrequently. At least a third of us never pray. Another third say they seldom pray. Some UUs find personal comfort in meditation.

Q: Are UUs expected to agree with all these answers?

A: No. There is no set position required of anyone to be a member of a UU organization. Membership is a matter of common interest and spirit; if you agree with the general tone of this material, then you would be a welcome addition to our gatherings.