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Unitarian Universalism

A Brief History of Unitarian Universalism

The origins of the Unitarian Movement were in 16th century Europe. During the Renaissance new ideas arose that affirmed the right of private judgement in matters of religion. Independent thinkers felt morally obliged to follow wherever their unfettered reasoning would lead them; some of these people eventually became the founders of the Unitarian movement-the word unitarian developed - meaning the oneness of God.
Unitarians and Universalists have always been heretics - those who choose one's own faith. (heresy in Greek means "choice"). Unitarians - or free thinkers - took refuge in Poland and Transylvania in the 16th century - then the two most tolerant countries in Europe.

In Poland, the forces of reaction were able to kill the movement after a century of existence, but in Transylvania (now part of Romania) it has maintained its existence to the present day. Persecution followed Unitarians, the Polish Unitarians were completely suppressed and Micheal Servetus (author of "On The Errors of the Trinity") was burned at the stake. For centuries people who professed unitarian or universalist beliefs were persecuted.

Universalism developed in the USA (universalism - meaning universal salvation: Or as Thomas Starr King stated "Universalists believe that God is too good to damn people, and Unitarians believe that people are too good to be damned by God"). From its beginnings Universalism challenged its members to reach out and embrace people whom society often marginalized. The church was very active in the anti-slavery movement and Universalists became the first denomination to ordain women to the ministry, beginning in 1863 with Olympia Brown.

Unitarian Universalist Principals

Our Living Tradition Has Many Sources
We 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;
  • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
  • The rights of conscience and the use of the democratic process in 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 all a part.
  • Direct experience of that trancending 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 neighbours 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.

For more information about Unitarianism, visit the CUC website: "For Newcomers"