The Unitarian Universalist
movement in the United States traces its roots to the time of the pilgrims and
their need for religious freedom. However, Unitarian Universalism is a relatively
new association of two older traditions that were known as “free” or “liberal
religions.” Unitarianism actually began in the earliest Christian Church. It emphasized
the Oneness of God.
The
formulation of the Nicene Creed in 325 CE established the Trinity as Christian
dogma and made Unitarianism heretical. It resurfaced in the Anti-Trinitarian movement
of the Protestant Reformation. In 1568, King John Sigismund, the only Unitarian
king ever, issued an edict of religious toleration in Transylvania.
Unitarianism
prospered in Rakow, Poland in the early 1600’s where a theological school and
annual synod flourished. Social acceptance of Unitarianism waned with the reassertion
of dogmatic traditions, but continued to live in England and then moved to America.
The American
Unitarian Association was formed in 1825. Universalism also began in the earliest
church. It emphasized the belief that God intended salvation to be universal.
It resurfaced as a response to elements of the Protestant Reformation that emphasized
predestination and theories of eternal punishment. It spread across Europe to
England and then to America where it was officially organized in 1793. In America
the two traditions thrived as influential minorities. Many educators, social reformers,
justice activists, politicians, and humanitarians that shaped our heritage were
associated with either the Unitarians or Universalists.
In 1961, the two communities decided they could be a stronger liberal voice if
they joined together. Hence the Unitarian Universalist Association was formed.
Today Unitarian Universalism continues the tradition of free and liberal religion
by embracing the loftiest ideals of all World religions. Instead of a creed it
uses these seven principles to define itself:
- 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 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
One UU's View of Humanism -by UUCO Member DuWayne Keenan
QUOTES
FROM FAMOUS AMERICAN UNITARIANS AND UNIVERSALISTS
Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens;
not yet we, the male citizens; but we the whole people, who formed the Union.
Olympia Brown
(1835-1926) There is nothing in all the world so important to you as to be loyal
to the faith which has placed before you the loftiest ideal, comforted you in
sorrow, strengthened you for noble duty and made the world beautiful for you.
William Ellery
Channing (1780-1842) The soul by its sense of right, or its perception of moral
distinctions, is clothed with sovereignty over itself, and through this alone,
it understands and recognizes the Sovereign of the Universe.
Clarence
Darrow (1857-1938) The pursuit of truth shall set you free- even if you never
catch up with it.
Dorothea
Dix (1802-1887) The tapestry of history has no part at which you can cut it and
leave the design intelligible.
Ralph
Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Cast conformity behind you, and acquaint men first hand
with Deity.
Ralph
Waldo Emerson - an early UU (sketch
by jpfentress)
Sophia Fahs (1876-1978) Life becomes religion whenever we make it so: when some
new light is seen, when some deeper appreciation is felt, when some larger outlook
is gained, when some nobler purpose is formed, when some task is well done.
Robert
Fulghum (1937- ) Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they
are always watching you.
Margaret
Fuller (1810-1850) If you have knowledge, let others light their candles from
it.
Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826) The greatest honor of a man is in doing good to his fellow men not
in destroying them.
Florence
Nightingale (1820-1910) For what is Mysticism? Is it not the attempt to draw near
to God, not by rite or ceremonies, but by inward disposition? Is it not merely
a hard word for “the Kingdom of Heaven is within?”
Adlai
Stevenson (1900-1965) The power of the liberal is in helping ourselves and others
to see some of the possibilities inherent in viewpoints other than one’s own.
