By-Laws (Revised 2019) 

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Unitarian Universalism in Brief

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.  Ours is a free faith.

(Excerpts from "We are Unitarian Universalists," by Marta Flanagan, © 1999 Unitarian Universalist Association)

Have You Been a Unitarian Universalist Without Knowing It?

Frequently we hear people say, "I have been a Unitarian Universalist for years without knowing it!"  It may be true for you, but how can you tell?  As a beginning, you can see if any of these questions have a familiar, personal ring:

• I cannot accept religious beliefs on faith alone.  Is there a religion for me?
• I believe in many things: human dignity, ethical effort, the constant search for truth, and the need for more human community and harmony with the natural order, but I cannot bind my beliefs to a creedal test.  What church would want me?
• Some churches seem to insist that religious truth is revealed and complete.  Does any religious tradition welcome the idea that truth is a growing, not a finished, thing?
• A child should be allowed to discover religion in his or her own unfolding life, not through a process of indoctrination.  What church practices this?
• Can a religious community be effective and still encourage each member to be a free, individual self?
• There is beauty and truth in many of the world's religious faiths.  Is there a faith that does not claim to have all the answers?
• Where is there a religion that honestly encourages the fullest possible use of reason?
• Can persons from any religious background--or no religious background--find a religious community where all are welcome without "conversion" or "renunciation"?
• I want to be free to affirm--or doubt--and still be religious.  Where can I find a religious community that calls no honest doubt "heresy" and no honest affirmation "unworthy"?

If you find something of your own thought, experience, and searching in these questions, there is probably an exciting place for you in Unitarian Universalism.

From the historical affirmation of the unity of God (Unitarian) to the universal salvation of all souls (Universalism), UU beliefs have expanded to a broader concept of a unity in diversity that affirms the supreme worth of all persons bound together through love.  We cherish wide differences of religious belief and spiritual expression within our ranks, yet there is a sustaining bond of union expressed in the covenant affirmed by the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, expressed as the UU Principles:

• 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 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.

(Excerpts from "Meet the Unitarian Universalists," by Jack Mendelsohn, © 1997 Unitarian Universalist Association)

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