Unitarian Universalism: The Uncommon Denomination

Unitarian Universalism is the result of the joining of two liberal faiths: Unitarianism and Universalism. Established in the New England states, American Unitarian congregational churches were founded on the principal that people should be able to choose between creeds. Resisting a call for Puritan orthodoxy, these Unitarians believed in free will and a benevolent, rather than angry, God.

Universalism was founded in the United States by ministers who did not follow the strict Calvinist doctrines of eternal punishment which ultimately grew into a belief that lasting truth is found in all religions. Believing instead in loving redemption of all, Universalism challenged individuals to embrace those marginalized by society and lived their faith by welcoming freed slaves and ordaining women ministers. Learn more about Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalists imagine a religion where:

• People with different beliefs worship as one faith

• Inspiration comes from not one but many spiritual sources

• People simply can’t accept what they’ve always been asked to believe

• All are welcome

Unitarian Universalism (UU) is congregational, but non-creedal; that is we don’t require members to adhere to a strict creed. We do, however, agree to seven guiding principals.

The Seven Guiding 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 in 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

Sixteenth century Unitarian, Frances David captured our beliefs purely when he said, “We need not think alike to love alike.”

Starr King, for whom our church is named, described the difference between Unitarians and Universalists this way – “Universalists believe that God is too good to damn people, and the Unitarians believe that people are too good to be damned by God.”

Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA)

Pacific Central District of the UUA

Unitarian Universalists of the Bay Area

Unitarian Universalist Seminaries

Starr King School for the Ministry, Berkeley, CA

Meadville Lombard, Chicago, IL

Unitarian Universalist Affiliated Web Sites

Not all of the following pages are official sites of the Unitarian Universalist Association, but contain information about, related to and of interest to Unitarian Universalists.

Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUMM)

A UU people of color organization. Their mission is to “reach out to and inform Unitarian Universalist people-of-color of programs and services that are available to youth and young adults of color, multiracial and multicultural families.”

Unitarian Universalist Lifespan Religious Education Curricula and Resources

“Here you will find resources to help you plan and teach programs using Unitarian Universalist Lifespan Religious Education Curricula.”

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

“supporting people overseas in their struggle to achieve self-reliance and improve living conditions for over 50 years.”

The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans

“CUUPS is an Independent Affiliate of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, committed to furthering Pagan and Earth-centered theology within the UUA.”