What is a Unitarian Universalist?

UU members fit that new majority of Americans calling themselves Spiritual but not Religious.

With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion or practice-- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the spiritual questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed.

 

Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each We are involved in many kinds of programs and social causes. Worship is held regularly, the insights of the past and the present are shared with those who will create the future, service to the community is undertaken, and friendships are made.

 

 The Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches estimated a total membership of 502,000 in 1990. ₁ The UUA was formed on 1961-MAY-11 from the merger of the Unitarian and Universalist Churches. Unlike other religiously liberal faith groups, UUs are currently expanding in numbers.

Before about 1960, UUs were largely considered the most liberal of Christian denominations. Since then, the beliefs of Unitarian Universalists have become quite diverse. They are now considered a separate religion and no longer part of Christianity. In 1995-JUN, the UUA acknowledged that its main sources of spirituality are: Christianity, Earth Centered Religions (African-American religions, Native American spirituality, Wicca, other Neopagan religions, etc.), Humanism, Judaism, other world religions, prophets, and the direct experience of mystery. Fewer than 10% of Unitarian Universalists identify themselves as Christians. The organization exists as a very liberal, multi-faith group.

According to a 1997 survey, almost 10,000 UUs gave their theological perspective as:

 

46.1% Humanist. This is the most common belief system.

 

19% identify themselves as Nature or Earth centered religion (e.g. Wiccan, Druid or other Neopagan tradition.

 

13% describe themselves simply as Theist.

 

9.3% self-identify as Christian

 

6.2% are mystic

 

3.6% are Buddhist

 

Other perspectives listed are Jewish at 1.3%, Hindu at 0.4%, Muslim at 0.1% and other at 13.3% Atheist .01%