7 Principles and 6 Sources

• Posted by Rev. Vernon Campbell ULC August 12, 2014 - #principles  #UU  #Sources  - 1,133 views

  It is said that if you have spoken to one UU, well then you have spoken to one UU.  Likewise, if you have attended one UU church, you have only attended one UU church.  The richness of diversity among our congregrations and among the member of each congregration makes it difficult to explain at times.  We are people of many paths who choose to gather together as fellow travellers. There 7 Principles and 6 Sources that offer some insight to what we are all about, but they are neither creed or dogma, simply an attempt to say who or what UU's are. I do not write this expecting either agreement or disagreement I simply I offer this as information to those who wish to know more or perhaps never even heard of Unitarian/Universalism before. This info and more can be found at the UUA website.

   

  Unitarian Universalists hold the Principles as strong values and moral teachings. As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”

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

  Sources of Our Living Tradition

  Rev. Kathleen Rolenz said, “Throughout history, we have moved to the rhythms of mystery and wonder, prophecy, wisdom, teachings from ancient and modern sources, and nature herself.” Worshipping in our congregations you may hear a reading or perspective shared from any one of these sources from which our living tradition is drawn:

  • 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.