Kathryn Huxtable's Unitarian Universalist Page

These are my private opinions and do not necessarily reflect that of the Unitarian Universalist Association (the UUA).

I have been active in my local UU congregation, Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church. My orientation towards Wicca and other Neopagan religions is very much as a Unitarian Universalist.

Unitarian Universalism is more a religious outlook than a set of beliefs. There's lots of history about the formation of the UUA on the UUA home page (see above). I won't recapitulate it here. After long discussions about what we believe, the UUA agreed to adopt the following principles and purposes, along with several sources we draw from. The sixth source listed was adopted in 1995 in recognition that many UU congregations were, in fact, drawing from that source.

Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association

• We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote
  • The inherent dignity and worth 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 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 a part;
• The living tradition which we share 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 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.

Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

Contact kathryn@kathrynhuxtable.org with questions or comments about this page.

The current URL is http://www.kathrynhuxtable.org/uu.shtml
This file was modified Wednesday, 15-Dec-2004 12:53:40 PST