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Line 76: − − ==Beliefs== − Unitarian Universalism is noncreedal. A Unitarian Universalist minister answers the question "Are Unitarian Universalists Christian?" with a forthright "Yes and no."<ref name=wesley>[http://www.uua.org/aboutuu/uufaq.html Our Unitarian Universalist Faith: Frequently Asked Questions], Alice Blair Wesley</ref> She notes that "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 [[humanist]]s, [[liberal Christians]], or world religionists." − − Many small-town Unitarian church structures are picturesque white-painted frame structures of the sort that are emblematic of New England. They are likely to have a rainbow flag flying in front however, as the denomination is at the forefront in welcoming [[homosexuality|same-sex couples]]; one U-U pamphlet is entitled "Unitarian Universalism, A Religious Home for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender People."<ref>[http://www.uua.org/pamphlet/3065.html Barbara L. Pescan, "Unitarian Universalism, A Religious Home for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender People"],</ref> − − As one sermon put it: − :"Sometimes we act as if we believe we can effect a complete separation of our liberal faith and our politics. Some of us confuse liberal religion with liberal politics and seem to operate under the belief that if we are registered with the Democratic party we have fulfilled our religious obligations in the public sphere. Both these beliefs are actually false. I say this even though I myself have at different times acted as if I believed one of these two things.".<ref>[http://www.uunewbedford.org/excerpt.htm Dan Harper, "An Election-day Sermon for Religious Liberals"]</ref> − − The ''American Unitarian Conference,'' founded in 2000, believes the Unitarian Universalists have departed from the "Unitarian Christianity" of Channing. The splinter group regards itself as a "reborn" version of the American Unitarian Association, which it says "disbanded" in 1961 when it merged with the Universalists.<ref>[http://www.americanunitarian.org/ American Unitarian Conference: Promoting the American Unitarian Tradition]</ref> − − ==Unitarian Universalists and Christianity== − A Unitarian minister has answered the question "Are Unitarian Universalists Christian?" in these words:<ref name=wesley/> − :Yes and no. − :Yes, some Unitarian Universalists are Christian. Personal encounter with the spirit of Jesus as the Christ richly informs their religious lives. − :No, Unitarian Universalists are not Christian, if by Christian you mean those who think that acceptance of any creedal belief whatsoever is necessary for salvation. Unitarian Universalist Christians are considered heretics by those orthodox Christians who claim none but Christians are "saved." (Fortunately, not all the orthodox make that claim.) − :Yes, Unitarian Universalists are Christian in the sense that both Unitarian and Universalist history are part of Christian history. Our core principles and practices were first articulated and established by liberal Christians. − :Some Unitarian Universalists are not Christian. For though they may acknowledge the Christian history of our faith, Christian stories and symbols are no longer primary for them. They draw their personal faith from many sources: nature, intuition, other cultures, science, civil liberation movements, and so on.
Unitarian Universalist Association (view source)
Revision as of 19:39, August 6, 2019
, 19:39, August 6, 2019reformat beliefs, creed and minister's response into one section, remove duplication
==Politics==
==Politics==
The Unitarian Universalism Association takes liberal positions on most issues. For example, they hold that women should be free to choose abortion. They argue for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, and work to end poverty, promote peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection.
The Unitarian Universalism Association takes liberal positions on most issues. For example, they hold that women should be free to choose abortion. They argue for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, and work to end poverty, promote peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection.
==Creed==
Unitarian Universalists lack a single creed or dogma, but is organized around the following seven principles:
==Beliefs==
Unitarian Universalism is noncreedal. However they are organized aroundthe following seven principles:
# The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
# The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
# The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
# 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
# Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
Many small-town Unitarian church structures are picturesque white-painted frame structures of the sort that are emblematic of New England. They are likely to have a rainbow flag flying in front however, as the denomination is at the forefront in welcoming [[homosexuality|same-sex couples]]; one U-U pamphlet is entitled "Unitarian Universalism, A Religious Home for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender People."<ref>[http://www.uua.org/pamphlet/3065.html Barbara L. Pescan, "Unitarian Universalism, A Religious Home for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender People"],</ref>
As one sermon put it:
:"Sometimes we act as if we believe we can effect a complete separation of our liberal faith and our politics. Some of us confuse liberal religion with liberal politics and seem to operate under the belief that if we are registered with the Democratic party we have fulfilled our religious obligations in the public sphere. Both these beliefs are actually false. I say this even though I myself have at different times acted as if I believed one of these two things.".<ref>[http://www.uunewbedford.org/excerpt.htm Dan Harper, "An Election-day Sermon for Religious Liberals"]</ref>
The ''American Unitarian Conference,'' founded in 2000, believes the Unitarian Universalists have departed from the "Unitarian Christianity" of Channing. The splinter group regards itself as a "reborn" version of the American Unitarian Association, which it says "disbanded" in 1961 when it merged with the Universalists.<ref>[http://www.americanunitarian.org/ American Unitarian Conference: Promoting the American Unitarian Tradition]</ref>
==Unitarian Universalists and Christianity==
A Unitarian minister has answered the question "Are Unitarian Universalists Christian?" in these words: Yes and no.
<ref name=wesley>[http://www.uua.org/aboutuu/uufaq.html Our Unitarian Universalist Faith: Frequently Asked Questions], Alice Blair Wesley</ref>
:Yes, some Unitarian Universalists are Christian. Personal encounter with the spirit of Jesus as the Christ richly informs their religious lives.
:No, Unitarian Universalists are not Christian, if by Christian you mean those who think that acceptance of any creedal belief whatsoever is necessary for salvation. Unitarian Universalist Christians are considered heretics by those orthodox Christians who claim none but Christians are "saved." (Fortunately, not all the orthodox make that claim.)
:Yes, Unitarian Universalists are Christian in the sense that both Unitarian and Universalist history are part of Christian history. Our core principles and practices were first articulated and established by liberal Christians.
:Some Unitarian Universalists are not Christian. For though they may acknowledge the Christian history of our faith, Christian stories and symbols are no longer primary for them. They draw their personal faith from many sources: nature, intuition, other cultures, science, civil liberation movements, and so on.
==Europe==
==Europe==
see [[Unitarians]]
see [[Unitarians]]
Social status differentials kept the two groups apart until the 1950s, when they formed a Council of Liberal Churches as a preliminary step to merger. They merged in 1961.
Social status differentials kept the two groups apart until the 1950s, when they formed a Council of Liberal Churches as a preliminary step to merger. They merged in 1961.
==External links==
==External links==