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Modern Unitarian Universalism has its origins in the Protestant Reformation. When the Puritans came to these shores seeking religious freedom, they followed Calvinist Christian doctrine.
In only a few generations, many rebelled against Calvinist orthodoxy — in particular over the theological issue of the trinity. Some asserted that there was no evidence in the Bible to support the concept of three gods in one. Keeping with their founding tradition of freedom to worship, the liberal Christians split from the orthodox believers and eventually came to be known as "Unitarians."
By the mid 19th century, the Unitarians began exploring other theologies and philosophies including the well-knownTranscendentalist perspective. Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Henry David Thoreau were Unitarians. Many were active in abolition, women’s suffrage, and other reform movements. Our tradition of concern with civil rights and social justice persists to this day.
By the early 20th century, inspired by spirit of the Enlightenment, Unitarians embraced scientific rationalism and affirmed their belief in the ability of the free mind to think for itself.
The Universalist movement, brought to this country in 1770 by John Murray and greatly advanced by the leadership of Hosea Ballou, shared the Unitarians' anti-trinitarian bent. Universalists also believed in a benevolent God and in universal salvation, and they saw humanity inspired by divine principle rather than limited by inherent depravity.
The two religious movements were very similar in theology but differed mostly in this way: Unitarians were mostly educated, urban folks while Universalists were more often merchants, farmers, and others who lived in smaller towns and villages.
The two denominations merged in 1961 to form the Unitarian Universalist Association headquartered in Boston at 25 Beacon Street. Unitarian Universalism views religion as a dynamic way of living. While its roots may be Jewish and Christian, it recognizes that the meaning of life goes beyond human attempts to capture religious truths. Unitarian Universalist congregations have no creeds or test for membership. The Purposes and Principles along with our tradition of religious tolerance, form the basis for our common affirmations.
- Unitarian Universalism, A Living Tradition by Rev. Katie Lee Crane.
Rooted in Christianity by Rev. Katie Lee Crane.
Diversity and Democracy by Rev. Katie Lee Crane.
The UU Principles and Sources
Offsite Links
- A UU FAQ - 100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism.
http://uua.org/ - The Unitarian Universalist Association home page
A Beginner's Guide to Online Resources for Unitarians, Universalists and Friends
UUism According to the Belief System Selector - an online test available at http://www.selectsmart.com/RELIGION/
ARE YOU A UU WITHOUT KNOWING IT?
Or something else? Try this online, belief system selector to see how you fit into the spectrum of religious belief and which religion(s) is(are) right for you. No guarantees on accuracy (hey, it's just a computer program...).Revision 4. Last edited Fri 23 Apr 2010 12:30pm by BridgetHanson