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What do Unitarian Universalist believe?
Central to the
Unitarian Universalist religion is respect for each person's quest for
truth, value and religious understanding. We hold our beliefs as
individuals, coming together in communities of faith to learn, to
celebrate, to work for justice, to comfort and be comforted, and to ensure
the religious education of our children.
We own no central dogma, doctrine or Scriptures, but rather, seek our
truths with the help of many sources -- Jewish and Christian traditions,
other world religious traditions, the sciences, literature, humanist
teachings, and the words and deeds of prophetic women and men of all eras.
We do not promote a specific creed, rather, a set of principles for
ethical living and an awareness of the world as an interdependent
community.
Our heritage comes from the liberal American Protestant
tradition. The American Unitarian Association, which historically
emphasized the unity of God and the goodness of human nature, and the
Universalist Church of America, which emphasized the goodness of God and a
belief in salvation for all persons, merged in 1961 to form the Unitarian
Universalist Association (UUA).
The principles of the UUA nicely summarize our focus:
We covenant to affirm and promote --
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The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
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Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our
congregations;
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A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
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The rights of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our
congregation and in society at large;
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The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
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Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a
part.
Unitarian Universalists Beliefs
Because Unitarian Universalism places
value in the individual religious quest, the question of what we believe
has many answers. Rather than teaching a particular set of beliefs, we
seek to nurture an inquiring mind, a tolerant spirit, and a loving and
compassionate heart.
In our congregation you will find people with a wide spectrum of
beliefs. Some might be theists, who hold a faith in God or the creative
life-force, often defined as "that which is greater than each, yet present
in all." Some may be humanists, who focus their faith in human abilities
and ideals. You'll also find Liberal Christians, who find a unique
spiritual power in the ministry of Jesus, and are committed to following
him, while reappraising the Christian scriptures through the insights of
modern culture and scholarship.
Some of us affirm a mystical spirituality, believing that
direct experience of a sacred oneness or reality is achieved through
spiritual practices or awakening. Many of us find joy and spiritual
experiences when we are in the natural world, a kind of mystical
experience available to all, regardless of belief.
Atheists are welcome in
our congregation -- atheism is the belief that there is no God, or gods;
no Divine Mystery or sacred center. There also are agnostics among us, who
believe it is not possible to know anything for certain about God, and
therefore do not commit to such a belief.
Central Values That Unite Us
It is not necessary to adopt a "theological label" to be a
Unitarian Universalist, however. There are certain central values that
unite us:
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We keep our minds open to the religious questions people have struggled
with throughout time.
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We believe that personal experience and conscience should be the final
authorities in religion.
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We put religious insights to the test of our hearts and minds.
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We uphold the free search for truth, and believe that religious wisdom is
ever-changing and growing. Human understanding of life and death, the world and its mysteries, is
never final -- revelation is marvelous and continuous, not sealed.
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We affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of all women and men
and children.
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We believe in honoring our differences, and working for justice.
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We believe that religious community is vitally important.
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We covenant to come together in a loving spirit to encourage and support
one another in spiritual growth and to work for justice.
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We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical
living is the supreme witness of religion.
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We believe in the toleration of religious ideas -- all religions, in
every age and culture possess intrinsic merit and have value for those who
are open and discerning.
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We encourage respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of
which we are a part -- working to live our lives in harmony with the
planet.
For a brief history of the Unitarian Universalist movement,
click here.
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 4418 Perry Ave NE
PO Box 2015
Bremerton, Washington
98310
360.377.4724
admin@kuuf.org
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