What are Unitarian Universalists?

The UUCUV Meeting House.

"What We Believe"

"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."

This passage is quoted from the pamphlet, "We are Unitarian Universalists," by Marta Flanagan.

Marta Flanagan graduated from Smith College and received her master of divinity from Harvard Divinity School. She is co-minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The complete pamphlet, as well as additional information for newcomers, is available on the web site of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Paper copies available from the UUA Bookstore.