Our Unitarian Universalist Principles

The covenant of the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, as adopted in 1985 and modified in 1995.

The Principles and Purposes are part of the governing bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association and function as the covenant of its member congregations. The original Principles and Purposes, adopted at the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America in 1961, were revised in 1985 and amended in 1995. (Principios en Español)

The Seven Principles

There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

  1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
  2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
  3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
  4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
  5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
  6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
  7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Our Six Sources

Unitarian Universalism (UU) draws from many sources:

  • Direct experience of that transcending 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 neighbors 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.

These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.

The Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association

The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.

The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member societies and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.

Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test.

Principios en Español

Nosotros, las congregaciones miembros de la Asociación Unitaria Universalista, convenimos en afirmar y fomentar:

  1. El valor y la dignidad propia de cada persona;
  2. La justicia, equidad y compasión en las relaciones humanas;
  3. La aceptación del uno al otro y el estímulo al crecimiento espiritual en nuestras congregaciones;
  4. Una búsqueda libre y responsable por la verdad y el sentido;
  5. El derecho de la conciencia y el uso del proceso democrático dentro de nuestras congregaciones y en la sociedad en general;
  6. La meta de una comunidad mundial con paz, libertad y justicia para todos;
  7. El respeto por el tejido interdependiente de todo lo existente, del cual somos una parte.

La tradición viva que compartimos proviene de muchas fuentes:

  • La experiencia directa de aquel misterio y maravilla afirmada en todas las culturas, que nos lleva a una renovación del espíritu y a una apertura a las fuerzas que crean y sostienen la vida;
  • Las palabras y escrituras de mujeres y hombres con visión profética que nos desafían a enfrentar las poderes y estructuras del mal con justicia, compasión y el poder transformador del amor;
  • La sabiduría de las religiones del mundo que nos inspiran en nuestra vida ética y espiritual;
  • Las enseñanzas judías y cristianas que nos llaman a responder al amor de Dios, amando a nuestros vecinos como a nosotros mismos;
  • Las enseñanzas humanistas que nos aconsejan a oír la guía de la razón y los resultados científicos y que nos advierten contra las idolatrías de la mente y del espíritu.
  • Las enseñanzas espirituales de tradiciones tierra-centradas, las cuales celebran el sagrado círculo de la vida y nos enseñan a vivir en harmonía con los ritmos de la naturaleza.