
One of my ancestors, Joseph Priestly, was involved in founding Unitarian, and in 1961, the Unitarian Univseralist Association was created, joining the Universalist and Unitarian movements.
The history of the former is a little in-depth, more interesting to me is the present-day church.
For instance, the Seven Principles and Purposes, as stated in their charter are very interesting to me:
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote
- 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.
As the article states, the church is often referred to as a living tradition, and the 7th principle, for instance, was added in 1985.
Also of note to me are the Six Sources
'Six Sources
Unitarian Universalists place emphasis on spiritual growth and development. The official statement of Unitarian Universalist principles describes the "sources" upon which current practice is based:[41]
- 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.'
I have only been once or twice, although when I was a child, my dad's secular sobriety group met in a Unitarian church, so I spent some of my time growing up, playing around in an empty church with my brother, haha.
I do find it very lovely that they learn from all wisdom traditions, the same as I have
As one of the most wonderful teachers I've had, Thich Nhat Hanh, shares, 'Until there is peace between religions, there can be no peace in the world.'
Hanh and the community of which he is a part of are also part of several inter-faith from time to time, and among others, was friends with Thomas Merton.
quotes are from here. The two symbols are an old and the current logo of UU.
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
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