Unitarian-Universalists

On a national scale, we are Unitarian-Universalists. Our name represents two liberal religious traditions that evolved separately in Europe before migrating to this country with the Puritans in the 1600 and 1700s. They joined in 1962, bringing together the mind and action centered Unitarians with the spiritually centered Universalists.

Universalists believed that God is a loving God who would not have damned any of his/her "children" to hell, thus creating their belief in "universal" salvation, i.e., we are all "saved." They loved music and celebration of spirit. They ordained the first female minister in America, Olympia Brown, in 1862. Universalism has helped many to see that there is a universal experience in religions and spiritual traditions the world over.

The first Unitarians believed in the unity of God as one entity. Our Unitarian ancestors include Thomas Jefferson, both John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Benjamin Franklin, Oliver Wendall Holmes and Clara Barton.  More recent UU's include Adlai Stevenson, Albert Schweitzer, William Carlos Williams, Ray Bradbury, and Christopher Reeve (see Famous Unitarian Universalists).  Unitarians throughout history have fought slavery, championed women's rights, joined in the civil rights movement and pioneered humanism.  Most recently, Unitarian-Universalists have helped lead the way to include gays, lesbians, and trans-gendered people fully in American life.

Visit the Unitarian Universalist Association page for a library of resources at: http://www.uua.org

Of particular note:

Principles and Purposes of the UUA.

"One Hundred Questions That Newcomers Ask About Unitarian Universalism" (PDF) - Information for newcomers to our denomination.

"Fulfilling the Promise" --The Common Call of Our Faith at the Opening of the 21st Century" is the UUA's document on recovenanting.

The online bookstore lets you order online UU resources on a wide variety of topics.

Faith in Action gives you ideas for expanding social justice programs on anti-racism, heterosexism, accessibility and anti-oppression programs.

Famous Unitarian Universalists  -- UUism is a creedless religion; our deeds speak louder than our words, and so it may be easier to understand UUism as a living faith by noting the individuals who have been associated with UUism.