Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion born of the Jewish and Christian traditions. We keep our minds open to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places.

We believe that personal experience, conscience, and reason should be the final authorities in religion. In the end religious authority lies not in a book, person, or institution, but in ourselves. We put religious insights to the test of our hearts and minds.

We uphold the free search for truth. We will not be bound by a statement of belief. We do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. We say ours is a noncreedal religion. Ours is a free faith.

We believe that religious wisdom is ever changing. Human understanding of life and death, the world and its mysteries, is never final. Revelation is continuous. We celebrate unfolding truths known to teachers, prophets, and sages throughout the ages.

We affirm the worth of all women and men. We believe people should be encouraged to think for themselves. We know people differ in their opinions and lifestyles, and we believe these differences generally should be honored.

We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. The here and now and the effects our actions will have on future generations deeply concern us. We know that our relationships with one another, with diverse peoples, races, and nations, should be governed by justice, equity, and compassion.

At a Unitarian Universalist worship service or meeting, you are likely to find members whose positions on faith may be derived from a variety of religious beliefs: Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, naturist, atheist, or agnostic. Members might tell you that they are religious humanists, liberal Christians, or world religionists.

Unitarian heritage dates back to the 16th century when the term, ''Unitarian'', was first used to designate people who did not accept the dogma of the Trinity, but instead believe in a single diety. In 1553, Michael Servetus, a Spanish physician, was burned at the stake as a ''Unitarian heretic'' because he had written a book discrediting belief in the Trinity.

Across the vast expanse of American religion, Unitarianism is as far removed from mainstream Christian orthodoxy as Iceland is from the equator.
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Yet a typical Unitarian-Universalist service often follows the familiar Protestant rhythm of hymns, reading, meditation or prayer, singing by a choir and a sermon.

But while the format is similar, the content of the service is quite different. Readings come from the Bible, the Koran, Hindu Vedic scriptures or other sacred or secular sources. Hymns may be religious or humanistic.