Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalism can trace their roots back to Christian Protestantism. Unitarianism developed in the Common Era as a belief that all people would be saved. The first Unitarian Churches were established in sixteenth-century Transylvania. These Churches continue to worship today. Universalism was developed in America in the late 1700’s and was established in Boston. It was not until the early 1960’s did these separate religious groups Unitarian and Universalism united to form what is now Unitarian Universalism. The religion is very much theologically liberal and it is supported by the notion that a free and responsible search for truth and meaning is important.
Unitarian Universalist is a liberal religion that encompasses many faiths. Unitarian Universalists include people that identify themselves as Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, Atheists, Agnostics, and Humanists to name a few. According to Rev. Marta Flanagan (2007), "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 non-creedal religion. Ours is a free faith." Although the Unitarian Universalists have varied beliefs, they share common principles. There are seven principals that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote. When a Unitarian Universalists speaks of worship they are referring to a shared religious life that the congregation shares. Those things of worship include Sunday services, creating music, honoring marriage and death, and celebrating special holidays together. The glue that holds Unitarian Universalists together is that their followers are dedicated to working toward civil rights and fighting oppression. While followers cannot take action on every justice issue, the main goal is to encourage making the world a better place.
The backbone of the Unitarian Universalism religious community is the seven principles.
The Seven Principles
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