History
Traditionally, Unitarianism was a heretical doctrine emerging out of Christianity that rejected the doctrine of the Trinity. Although this belief was rejected by orthodox Christians, it did have a following in Transylvania in the sixteenth century. Michael Servetus, a Spanish Unitarian, was burned at the stake in Geneva, Switzerland in 1553 on the orders of John Calvin. In the United States, Unitarian churches were formed after a split in the Congregationalist church in New England. Each small town in the region typically had a congregationalist church at the town square. After the split, some of those churches remained congregationalist, while others became Unitarian.
Universalism was traditionally a doctrine emerging out of Christianity that rejected the doctrine of hell; instead, it believed that salvation was universal.
These two religious bodies always had a great deal of commonality and communication between them, and were often associated in the public eye. One observation made years ago about Unitarianism and Universalism, long before their merger, was that (paraphrase) "Universalists believe that God is too good to condemn man, while Unitarians believe that man is too good to be condemned by God."
Both Unitarianism and Universalism evolved over time into inclusive, tolerant religions, without strict dogmas.
In 1961, American Unitarian Association (AUA) merged with the Universalist Church of America (UCA), thus forming the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Unitarian Universalist services
Religious services are usually held on Sundays and resemble, to a certain extent, the form and format of Protestant worship.
There is usually a structured service that includes the singing of hymns and a sermon by the minister of the congregation.
However, most UU churches do not perform the traditional Christian rites, such as baptism or communion, though many that continue these practices are also members of the Council of Christian Churches within the Unitarian Universalist Association. Other rituals replace these traditions, including Water Communion, Flower Communion, and blessings of children and babies. Music is not limited to traditional hymns, but often includes instrumental music or singing songs from other traditions.
Some congregations are explicitly known not as churches but as fellowships. These congregations are more likely to display unusual service forms than the traditional churches.
The symbol of Unitarian Universalism is a flaming chalice. Some churches light a chalice while saying opening words at the beginning of each service. Many of these "chalice lightings" vary, here is one example:
- We light this chalice
- to remind ourselves
- to treat all people kindly
- because they are our brothers and sisters
- to take good care of the earth,
- because it is our home
- and to try to live lives,
- filled with goodness and love
- because that is how we will become,
- the best men and women we can be.
One UU service that was held the week after the September 11 attack is posted online. While the circumstances of this service were not ordinary, it is an excellent example of a Unitarian Universalist service in many ways. In his sermon Rev. Paul Beedle, minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Riverside, discusses the foundations of the faith, quoting a common Unitarian Universalist affirmation:
- Love is the Doctrine of this Church
- The quest for Truth is its Sacrament
- And Service is its Prayer
- To dwell together in Peace;
- To seek knowledge in Freedom;
- To serve humanity in fellowship
- Thus do we covenant.
Another common covenant is as follows:
- Love is the Spirit of this Church
- And Service is its Law
- To dwell together in Peace
- To speak the truth in Love
- And to help one another
- This is our covenant.
Recently, the UU World asked for contributions of "elevator speeches" explaining UUism. These are short speeches that could be made in the course of an elevator ride. Here are three of the ones submitted:
- In Unitarian Universalist congregations, we gather in community to support our individual spiritual journeys. We trust that openness to one another's experiences will enhance our understanding of our own links with the divine, with our history, and with one another. --Rev. Jonalu Johnstone, Okalahoma City, OK
- We believe that your spiritual life is personal -- a relationship between the individual and deity, however you define it. Rather than choose your path for you, we provide a safe place for your to discover and pursue your own path. --Lyn Worthen, Salt Lake City, UT
- Unitarian Universalists believe that all life is sacred, all existence is interconnected, and that justice and compassion must be the foundation of our thoughts and deeds. -- Ann Creech, Roswell, GA
Politics
Unitarian Universalists have often been active in liberal political activism, notably the civil rights movement, the gay rights movement, the social justice movement, and the feminist movement.
UUs were very involved in the fight to end slavery in the US and to end racism. James J. Reeb, a minister at All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, D.C and a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, was clubbed in Selma, Alabama on March 8, 1965, and died two days later of massive head trauma. He and approximately 20% of UU ministers marched with Martin Luther King in the three marches from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery. The Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights are best known as Bloody Sunday, although technically that refers only to September 7, the most violent day of the three.
The current head of the Unitarian Universalist Association, Rev. William Sinkford, is African-American, making Unitarian Universalism the first traditionally white religion to be headed by an ethnic minority.
Most Unitarian Universalists oppose the death penalty and many are active in political movements to end it in the US. Some work for causes such as environmental protection, peace, feminism, gun control, free speech, safe and legal abortion, and animal rights. Others work to end homelessness, racism, domestic violence, homophobia, sexual assault, and HIV/AIDS. This is not to say that the politics of UUs are uniform. Like the beliefs of Unitarian Universalists, their politics are decided by individuals. But the principles of compassion, respect, justice, and diversity are the foundation of all UU politics. Politically conservative Unitarian Universalists point out that neither religious liberalism nor the Principles and Purposes of the UUA require liberal politics.
Unitarians and Universalists were also very active in the women's suffrage movement.
Susan B. Anthony was a Unitarian and Quaker, and was extremely influential in the suffrage movement. UUs and Quakers share certain principles, notably that they are creedless religions with a long-standing commitment to social justice.
Many UU congregations have undertaken a series of organizational and practical steps to be acknowledged as a "Welcoming Congregation", a congregation which has taken specific steps to welcome and integrate gay and lesbian members.
Gays and lesbians are regularly ordained as UU ministers, and services are performed recognizing committed same-sex relationships.
Many congregations are heavily involved in projects and efforts aimed at supporting environmental causes and sustainability. These are often termed "seventh principle" activities because of the seventh principle quoted above.
A comprehensive discussion of Unitarian Universalism can be found in the book Challenge of a Liberal Faith by George N. Marshall (ISBN 0933840314).
See also
External links
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Related categories
Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a liberal religious faith that traces its roots to Universalist and Unitarian congregations. The church's official organization in the USA is the