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The '''Unitarian Universalist Association''' was formed in 1961 by a merger between the main body of American Unitarians and the Universalist Association of America.  The Unitarians emerged from the [[Congregationalism|Congregational]] denomination about 1800. In recent decades turnover has been very high, as people use it as a vehicle to leave or enter other Christian denominations.

The '''Unitarian Universalist Association''' was formed in 1961 by a merger between the main body of American Unitarians and the Universalist Association of America.  The Unitarians emerged from the [[Congregationalism|Congregational]] denomination about 1800. In recent decades turnover has been very high, as people use it as a vehicle to leave or enter other Christian denominations.  In 2002 the denomination reported 1010 churches with 215,000 full members and 1267 pastors.

 

It is a liberal, nondoctrinal denomination, whose members' beliefs can be summarized as follows:

It is a liberal, nondoctrinal denomination, whose members' beliefs can be summarized as follows:

[[God]]--There is a God or there is not a God, depending on what you believe, or there may be a God, or several Gods, or anything.

'''God'''--There is a God or there is not a God, depending on what you believe, or there may be a God, or several Gods, or anything.

 

 

[[Creation]]--Most say the [[Bible]] is fake or symbolic and Creation is a myth, and that [[evolution]] is real.

[[Heaven]]--Heaven and [[hell]] are symbolic and are not actual places, or are states of consciousness either in life or continuing after death, or there is reincarnation like [[Hindus]] say, or that there is no afterlife, or that it doesn't matter because only life matters.  

'''Jesus'''--There are no incarnations of God, or that all incarnations are the embodiment of God, or Jesus is God's Son, or Jesus is not Son but God's chief prophet.

[[Sin]]--Most do not believe in sin and say that [[Satan]] does not actually exist. People are good but immoral behavior comes from free will. Some believe in "[[karma]]," like Hindus and [[Buddhists]] do, that what goes around comes around.

'''Creation'''--Most say the ''Bible'' is a holy book of great symbolic value, but not to be taken literally.  

[[Salvation]]--Salvation is either through faith in God and Jesus Christ for the few who are truly [[Christians]], or by doing good works and doing no harm to others, or others say everyone will be saved, or that there will reincarnation and we have to be like [[Buddha]] to achieve enlightenment or salvation, or that there is no such thing as salvation or enlightenment and this concept is irrelevant.

'''Heaven'''--Heaven and hell are symbolic and are not actual places, or are states of consciousness either in life or continuing after death.  

[[Political]] views--The Unitarian Universalism Association’s stance is that there should be free [[abortions]]. Also they say there should be equality for [[homosexuals]], [[gender]] equality, a secular [[marriage]] and [[divorce]] and remarriage, working to end [[poverty]], promoting [[peace]] and nonviolence, and [[environmental protection]].

'''Sin'''--Most reject original sin. People are inherently good but immoral behavior comes from free will.  

Unitarian Universalists lack a single creed or dogma, but is organized around the following seven principles:

Unitarian Universalists lack a single creed or dogma, but is organized around the following seven principles: