What is Unitarian Universalism about?

Who We Are

We are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. We have a track record of standing on the side of love, justice, and peace.
We have radical roots and a history as self-motivated spiritual people: we think for ourselves and recognize that life experience influences our beliefs more than anything.
We need not think alike to love alike. We are people of many beliefs and backgrounds: people with a religious background, people with none, people who believe in a God, people who don’t, and people who let the mystery be.
We are Unitarian Universalist - and Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, atheist and agnostic, believers in God, and more. On the forefront of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer inclusion for more than 40 years, we are people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

We welcome you: Your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Join us on this extraordinary adventure of faith. Get involved!

"A transforming religious community does not ask the question 'What do you believe?' but instead 'How shall we live?' "
— Alan Taylor

"We are the certain and the seeking, the lifers and the newcomers, the beloved and the broken hearted, the insiders and the rejected, all of whom have found a home in the extraordinary, yet intimate communities of Unitarian Universalism."
​— Melissa Harris-Perry, MSNBC host

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To learn more about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, check out this essay by Tony Larsen.

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Seven Principles

Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal liberal religious tradition that does not require its members to subscribe to or testify about any specific dogma or creed.  We come together in a community of affirmation, choosing to base our discussion and actions on seven central 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.

Are My Beliefs Welcome in UU?

Unitarian Universalism welcomes people with diverse beliefs. There is a rich dialogue in our congregations about many spiritual topics. Below are some topics that newcomers are often curious about. Discussion of these topics can be found on the UUA website by clicking on each topic of interest.

• Spiritual Practice and Prayer
• Existence of a Higher Power
• Life and Death
• Inspiration and Guidance
• Sacred Texts

Six Sources

Unitarian Universalism draws from many sources. These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community:

• Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
• Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
• Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
• Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
• Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.