View source for Unitarian Universalism

{{Short description|Non-creedal liberal religious movement}} {{About|the liberal religious movement|the Christian theology which includes a central belief in the unitary nature of God|Unitarianism|the Christian theology that includes a central belief in universal reconciliation|Christian universalism|other uses of Unitarianism|Unitarian (disambiguation){{!}}Unitarian|Universalism as a general philosophy|Universalism}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox religion|name=Unitarian Universalism|image=Flaming Chalice.svg|caption=An early logo of the [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] which includes a [[flaming chalice]], its most widely used symbol|abbreviation=UUism<ref name="Casebolt-Niekro 2005">{{cite journal |last1=Casebolt |first1=James |last2=Niekro |first2=Tiffany |date=March 2005 |title=Some UUs Are More U than U: Theological Self-Descriptors Chosen by Unitarian Universalists |journal=Review of Religious Research |location=[[Cham, Switzerland]] |publisher=[[Springer Verlag]] |volume=46 |issue=3 |pages=235–242 |doi=10.2307/3512553 |jstor=3512553 |issn=2211-4866 |s2cid=147127153}}</ref>|congregations=1,048 worldwide|number_of_followers=148,232 members of [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] congregations in the United States; 800,000 identify as Unitarian Universalist worldwide (including the U.S.).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.uuworld.org/articles/uua-membership-2018 |title = UUA membership rises for first time since 2008 |date = November 2018 |access-date= 2020-09-26}}</ref>|main_classification=[[Liberal religion]]<ref name="Casebolt-Niekro 2005"/><ref name="Willsky-Ciollo 2015">{{cite book |last=Willsky-Ciollo |first=Lydia |year=2015 |chapter=Epilogue: Seeking Authority in Contemporary Unitarian Universalism |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ox1BCwAAQBAJpg |title=American Unitarianism and the Protestant Dilemma: The Conundrum of Biblical Authority |location=[[Lanham, Maryland]] |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield|Lexington Books]] |pages=241–245 |isbn=978-0-7391-8892-7 |lccn=2015952384 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>|orientation=Mix of [[Humanism|Humanist]], [[Religious pluralism|Pluralist]], [[Protestant Christianity|Protestant]], [[Restorationism|Restorationist]], and [[Religious Liberalism|Religious Liberals]]<ref name="Casebolt-Niekro 2005"/><ref name="Willsky-Ciollo 2015"/><ref name="Hoop 2012">{{cite journal |last=Hoop |first=Katrina C. |title=Being a Community of Individuals: Collective Identity and Rhetorical Strategies in a Unitarian Universalist Church |date=Spring 2012 |journal=International Review of Modern Sociology |publisher=International Journals |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=105–130 |issn=0973-2047 |jstor=43499872}}</ref>|founder=Members of the [[American Unitarian Association]] and the [[Universalist Church of America]] via consolidation<ref name="Willsky-Ciollo 2015"/><ref name="harvard1"/>|founded_date=May 1961<ref name="harvard1"/>|scripture=Officially none;<ref name="Willsky-Ciollo 2015"/> principles and teachings historically drawn from the [[#Sources|Six Sources]] are canonized in a variety of UUA works like ''A Chosen Faith''<ref name="Muck 2016">{{cite book |author-last=Muck |author-first=Terry C. |year=2016 |chapter=Mission Trajectories in the Twenty-First Century: Interfaith Roads Best Traveled |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VjIBDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA187 |editor-last=van Engen |editor-first=Charles E. |title=The State of Missiology Today: Global Innovations in Christian Witness |location=[[Downers Grove, Illinois]] |publisher=[[IVP Academic]] |page=187 |isbn=978-0-8308-5096-9 |lccn=2016037715 |quote=The [[Unitarian Universalist Association]], a Christian denomination, seeks wisdom from [[Unitarian Universalism#Sources|six sources]]: personal experience, [[Prophecy|prophetic]] utterances, [[world religions]], [[Judaism|Jewish]] and [[Christianity|Christian]] teachings, [[Humanism|humanist]] teachings, and [[Spirituality|spiritual]] teachings.}}</ref>}}

'''Unitarian Universalism''' (abbreviated '''UUism''' or '''UU''') is a [[Religious liberalism|liberal religious]] tradition characterized by its commitment to theological diversity, inclusivity, and social justice. Unitarian Universalists do not adhere to a single [[creed]] or doctrine. Instead, they are unified by shared covenants across congregations based on foundational values and principles centered on love and pluralistic worship.

The beliefs of individual Unitarian Universalists range widely and are often contextual to the congregation. Founded upon [[Judaism|Jewish]] and [[Christianity|Christian]] teachings, modern Unitarian Universalists can draw upon diverse theological and philosophical thought, including from [[religious humanism]], [[Islam]], [[Hinduism]], [[Sikhism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Taoism]], [[neopaganism]], [[atheism]], [[agnosticism]], [[New Age]], and teachings of the [[Baháʼí Faith]]. Worship can take place in churches, fellowships, congregations, and societies. Unitarian Universalists state that from these traditions comes a deep regard for [[Freethought|intellectual freedom]] and inclusive love. Congregations and members seek inspiration and derive insight from all major [[world religions]] and as such do not have an official, unified corpus of [[sacred texts]].

The development of Unitarian Universalism can be traced back to [[Protestantism]] and [[liberal Christianity]] through the [[Unitarianism]] and [[Christian universalism|Christian Universalism]] traditions. The modern [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] (UUA) was formed in 1961 through the consolidation of the [[American Unitarian Association]], established in 1825, and the [[Universalist Church of America]],<ref name="harvard1">Harvard Divinity School Library: [https://guides.library.harvard.edu/c.php?g=253864&p=10485840#s-lg-box-33026256 Significant Events in the Consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist Churches]</ref> established in 1793. The UUA is headquartered in [[Boston]], Massachusetts, and serves churches mostly in the [[United States]]. A group of thirty Philippine congregations is represented as a sole member within the UUA. The [[Canadian Unitarian Council]] (CUC) became an independent body in 2002. The UUA and CUC were two of the seventeen members of the now defunct [[International Council of Unitarians and Universalists]] (1995–2021).

== History ==
{{more citations needed section|date=June 2011}} {{primary sources|date=November 2024}}

=== Puritan roots and Congregationalist background ===
{{Main|Calvinism|Congregational church|Pilgrim Fathers|Puritanism}} {{Further|Congregationalism in the United States|History of Christianity in the United States}} {{Puritans}}

Unitarian Universalism was formed from the consolidation in 1961 of two historically separate Christian denominations, the Universalist Church of America and the American Unitarian Association,<ref name="harvard1" /> both [[History of Christianity in the United States|based in the United States]]; the new organization formed in this merger was the Unitarian Universalist Association.<ref>Unitarian Universalist Association: [http://www.uua.org/uuarelations/18383.shtml How we Began] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001015013/https://www.uua.org/uuarelations/18383.shtml|date=2016-10-01}}</ref> At the time of the North American consolidation, Unitarians and Universalists diverged beyond their roots in liberal Christian theology. They draw from a variety of religious traditions. Individuals may or may not self-identify as Christians or subscribe to Christian beliefs.<ref name="surveys">John Dart, ed. [http://www.uua.org/news/011205.html Surveys: 'UUism' unique Churchgoers from elsewhere] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122075528/http://www.uua.org/news/011205.html|date=2008-11-22}}. ''Christian Century''</ref> Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions, such as Sunday worship with a sermon and the singing of hymns. The extent to which the elements of any particular faith tradition are incorporated into personal spiritual practice is a matter of individual choice for congregants, in keeping with a creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development.<ref>Daniel McKanan, "Unitarianism, Universalism, and Unitarian Universalism", ''Religion Compass'' 7/1 (2013), 15.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=UUA: Welcome Primer|url=http://www.uua.org/documents/skinner/welcome_primer.pdf|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association, Skinner House Books|access-date=4 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805190426/http://www.uua.org/documents/skinner/welcome_primer.pdf|archive-date=2009-08-05}}</ref>

New England Unitarians evolved from the [[Pilgrim Fathers]]' [[Congregationalism in the United States|Congregational Christianity]], which was based on a literal reading of the [[Bible]]. Liberalizing Unitarians rejected the [[Trinitarianism|Trinitarian]] belief in the tri-personal godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost/Spirit. Instead, they asserted a unitary notion of God. In addition, they rejected the doctrine of [[original sin]], moving away from the [[Calvinism]] of the [[Congregationalists]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|title=UUA: History|url=http://www.uua.org/beliefs/history/index.shtml|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|access-date=23 March 2013}}</ref>

New England [[Universalists]] rejected the [[Puritan]] forefathers' emphasis on the select few, the [[Election in Christianity|Elect]], who were supposed to be saved from eternal damnation by a just God. Instead Universalists asserted that [[Universal salvation|all people will eventually be reconciled]] with God.<ref name="autogenerated1" />

=== Universalism ===
{{Main|Universalism|Christian universalism}}

Universalists claim a long history, beginning with several Church Fathers, though some modern scholars question whether these church fathers taught the defining doctrine of Universalism ([[universal salvation]]).<ref>Westminster Origen Handbook</ref><ref>[[Morwenna Ludlow|Ludlow, Morwenna]]. (2000). "Universal Salvation: Eschatology in the thought of Gregory of Nyssa and Karl Rahner". New York; Oxford University Press.</ref><ref>Stone, Darwell. (1903). ''Outline of Christian Dogma''. New York: Longmans, Green & Co. [https://archive.org/details/outlineschristi00stongoog/page/n365 p. 341].</ref>

This core doctrine asserts that through Christ every single human soul shall be saved, leading to the "restitution of all things" ([[apocatastasis]]). In 1793, Universalism emerged as a distinct denomination of Christianity in the United States, eventually called the [[Universalist Church of America]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/beliefs/who-we-are/history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204070253/http://www.uua.org/visitors/ourhistory/6904.shtml|title=History of Unitarian Universalism|date=October 9, 2014|archive-date=February 4, 2010|website=UUA.org}}</ref> Early American advocates of universal salvation such as [[Elhanan Winchester]], [[Hosea Ballou]] and [[John Murray (minister)|John Murray]] taught that all souls would achieve salvation, sometimes after a period resembling [[purgatory]].<ref>William Latta McCalla (1825). ''Discussion of universalism''. p. 105. "THIRD UNIVERSALIST ARGUMENT. As it is a fact that many Universalists advocate a sort of purgatory, a concise notice will be taken of those texts which are erroneously thought to countenance that doctrine."</ref> [[Christian universalism|Christian Universalism]] denies the doctrine of everlasting [[damnation]], and proclaims belief in an entirely loving [[God in Christianity|God]] who will ultimately [[Salvation#Redemption|redeem]] all human beings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://100yearsagotoday.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/church-lays-corner-stone-in-new-hampshire/|title=Church Lays Corner Stone In New Hampshire|date=21 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/growinguuism/uu-history|title=Google Sites|website=sites.google.com|access-date=25 May 2015|archive-date=6 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306061415/https://sites.google.com/site/growinguuism/uu-history}}</ref>

=== Unitarianism ===
{{Main|Unitarianism}}

According to Spanish physician, [[Michael Servetus]], he studied the Bible and concluded that the concept of the Trinity, as traditionally conceived, was not biblical. His books ''On the Errors of the Trinity'' and ''Christianismi Restitutio'' caused much uproar. Servetus was eventually arrested, convicted of heresy, and burned at the stake in [[Geneva]] in 1553.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miguelservet.org/servetus/biography.htm|title=Michael Servetus Institute; Times that Servetus lived|publisher=Miguelservet.org|access-date=2011-02-27}}</ref>

The term "Unitarian" entered the English language via [[Henry Hedworth]], who applied it to the teachings of [[Laelio Sozzini]] and the Polish [[Socinians]]. Unitarian churches were formally established in [[Transylvania]] and [[Poland]] (by the Socinians) in the second half of the 16th century.<ref name="Harris">Harris, MW. Unitarian Universalist Origins: Our Historic Faith</ref> There, the first doctrines of religious freedom in Europe were established (in the course of several [[Diet (assembly)|diets]] between 1557 and 1568, see [[Edict of Torda]]) under the jurisdiction of [[John Sigismund Zápolya|John Sigismund]], King of Hungary and Prince of Transylvania, the only Unitarian monarch. The early Unitarian church not only rejected the Trinity, but also the [[pre-existence of Christ]] as well as, in many cases, [[predestination]] and [[original sin]] as put forward by [[Augustine of Hippo]], and the [[substitutionary atonement]] of Christ developed by [[Anselm of Canterbury]] and John Calvin. There were several different forms of [[Christology]] in the beginnings of the Unitarian movement; ultimately, the dominant Christology became [[psilanthropism]]: that Jesus was a man, but one with a unique relationship to God.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

==== Great Britain ====
{{Main|History of Unitarianism}} {{Further|English Dissenters|History of Christianity in the United Kingdom}}

Influenced by the [[Socinianism|Socinian doctrine]] of the [[Polish Brethren]], the Unitarian minister [[Samuel Clarke]] (1675–1729) revised the ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'', removing the Trinitarian [[Nicene Creed]] and references to [[Divinity of Jesus|Jesus as God]].<ref name="Clarke">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanunitarian.org/fisherhistory.htm|title=Chris Fisher, ''A Brief History of Unitarian Christianity'', retrieved July 18, 2008|publisher=Americanunitarian.org|access-date=2011-02-27|archive-date=7 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307032858/http://www.americanunitarian.org/fisherhistory.htm}}</ref> [[Theophilus Lindsey]] also revised the ''Book of Common Prayer'' to allow a more tolerant, free Unitarian interpretation. Neither cleric was charged under the [[Blasphemy Act 1697]] that made it an "offense for any person, educated in or having made profession of the Christian religion, by writing, preaching, teaching or advised speaking, to deny the [[Holy Trinity]]". The [[Toleration Act 1688|Act of Toleration (1689)]] gave relief to [[English Dissenters]], but excluded Unitarians. The efforts of Clarke and Lindsey met with substantial criticism from the more conservative clergy and laity of the [[Church of England]]. In response, in 1774, Lindsey applied for registration of the [[Essex Street Chapel|Essex House]] as a "Dissenting place of worship" with the assistance of [[barrister]] [[John Lee (Attorney-General)|John Lee]].<ref>{{cite news|title=1959_StoryEssexHall.pdf|first1=Mortimer|last1=Rowe|location=London|publisher=Lindsey Press}}</ref>  On the Sunday following the registration—April 17, 1774—the first true Unitarian congregation discreetly convened in the provisional Essex Street Chapel. In attendance were Lee, [[Joseph Priestley]] and the agent of the Massachusetts Colony, [[Benjamin Franklin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unitarian.org.uk/support/doc-EssexHall2.shtml|title=The History of Essex Hall|last1=Rowe|first1=Mortimer|year=1959|work=Chapter 2&nbsp;– Lindsey's Chapel|publisher=Lindsey Press|quote=...&nbsp;in the early months of 1774 a little group of persons – Lindsey and his chiefpledged supporters – turned the corner out of the Strand into Essex Street and stood looking at a building near the top of the street, a building which alone kept alive the proud name 'Essex House'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307014023/http://www.unitarian.org.uk/support/doc-EssexHall2.shtml|archive-date=March 7, 2012}}</ref> Priestley also founded a reform congregation, but, after his home was burned down in the [[Priestley Riots]], fled with his wife to America, where he became a leading figure in the founding of the church on American soil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=4277&&PageID=443569&level=4&css=L4&mode=2|title=Joseph Priestley|access-date=2011-09-24|last1=Silverman|first1=Sharon Hernes|date=September 24, 2011|publisher=[[Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission]]|quote=...eleven homes and two chapels in Birmingham were destroyed ... on April 8, 1794, Joseph and Mary Priestley set sail for America ... his 1796 lectures on "Evidences of Revelation" led to the formation of the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia}}</ref>

Once laity and clergy relaxed their vehement opposition to the [[Doctrine of the Trinity Act 1813]], which finally allowed for protections of dissenting religions, the [[British and Foreign Unitarian Association]] was founded in 1825. It has its headquarters in Essex Hall, successor to Lindsey's Essex House.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unitarian.org.uk/sites/default/files/1959_StoryEssexHall.pdf|title=The Story of Essex Hall|first1=Mortimer|last1=Rowe|date=1959|publisher=Lindsey Press|access-date=2017-12-25}}</ref>  Two that have been significant in national life are the [[Cross Street Chapel]] in Manchester and,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cross-street-chapel.org.uk/about/unitarian/members-theology/|title=Theology of Unitarianism|access-date=2017-12-25|archive-date=2017-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226073900/http://cross-street-chapel.org.uk/about/unitarian/members-theology/}}</ref> [[Newington Green Unitarian Church]] in [[north London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cross-street-chapel.org.uk/about/unitarian/members-theology/|title=Newington Green Chapel under threat after 300 years?|date=2016-10-25|access-date=2017-12-25|archive-date=2017-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226073900/http://cross-street-chapel.org.uk/about/unitarian/members-theology/}}</ref> Unitarian congregations in Britain meet under the auspices of the [[General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches]]. There are 170 communities of Unitarians across Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unitarian.org.uk/pages/unitarianism-explained|access-date=2017-12-25|title=Community Without Creed|archive-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226130513/https://www.unitarian.org.uk/pages/unitarianism-explained}}</ref> The Chief Officer of the British Unitarians was Liz Slade as of 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Staff {{!}} Unitarians|url=https://www.unitarian.org.uk/pages/staff|access-date=2024-09-09|website=www.unitarian.org.uk}}</ref>

==== United States ====
{{Main|History of Unitarianism}} {{Further|Congregationalism in the United States|History of Christianity in the United States}}

In the United States, the Unitarian movement began primarily in the [[Congregationalism in the United States|Congregational]] [[parish]] churches of [[New England]], which were part of the [[state church]] of Massachusetts.<ref>Paul Erasmus Lauer, [https://books.google.com/books?id=2J8TAAAAYAAJ ''Church and state in New England''] (Johns Hopkins Press, 1892) p. 105. Retrieved September 20, 2009.</ref> These churches, whose buildings may still be seen in many New England town squares, trace their roots to the division of the [[Puritan]] colonies into parishes for the administration of their religious needs.<ref>[http://www.uunashua.org/sermons/sampson.shtml Bob Sampson, Seventy-three Years In the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua, July 16, 2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306013146/http://uunashua.org/sermons/sampson.shtml|date=March 6, 2016}}. Retrieved July 18, 2008.</ref> In the late 18th century, conflict grew within some of these churches between Unitarian and Trinitarian factions. In 1805, Unitarians gained key faculty positions at [[Harvard University#Religion and philosophy|Harvard]]. In 1819 [[William Ellery Channing]] preached the [[ordination]] sermon for [[Jared Sparks]] in [[Baltimore]], outlining the Unitarian position. The [[American Unitarian Association]] was founded as a separate denomination in 1825.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://americanunitarian.org/fisherhistory.htm|title=A Brief History of Unitarian Christianity|access-date=2011-09-24|last1=Fisher|first1=Chris|date=September 1, 2004|work=The 19th Century|publisher=American Unitarian Conference|quote=Many churches that were Congregationalist split off and became Unitarian. In 1825, the movement grew large enough that an organization, the American Unitarian Association, was formed|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927143237/http://www.americanunitarian.org/fisherhistory.htm}}</ref> By coincidence and unknown to both parties, the AUA was formed on the same day—May 26, 1825—as the [[British and Foreign Unitarian Association]].<ref>Rowe, Ch. 3: "Thus was brought to birth, triumphantly, in 1825, The British And Foreign Unitarian Association. By a happy coincidence, in those days of slow posts, no transatlantic telegraph, telephone or wireless, our American cousins, in complete ignorance as to the details of what was afoot, though moving toward a similar goal, founded the American Unitarian Association on precisely the same day—May 26, 1825."</ref>

In the 19th century, under the influence of [[Ralph Waldo Emerson]] (who had been a Unitarian minister)<ref>[http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/UIA%20Online/97emerson.html Ralph Waldo Emerson] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928060401/http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/UIA%20Online/97emerson.html|date=2012-09-28}}. Harvardsquarelibrary.org. Retrieved on 2010-09-29.</ref> and other [[transcendentalists]], Unitarianism began its long journey from [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Protestantism]] to its more pluralist form.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.uua.org/documents/coa/engagingourtheodiversity.pdf|title=Engaging our theological diversity|date=May 2005|isbn=978-1-55896-497-6|publisher=The Commission on Appraisal of the [[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref>

=== Integration, 1825–1961 ===
After the [[Schism (religion)|schism]] in the Congregational Churches resulting in the foundation (1825) of the American Unitarian Association, some of those churches remained within the Congregational fold and became member congregations of the Congregational organization (later the [[United Church of Christ]]), while others voted to become Unitarian. Some of the latter eventually became part of the [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] (formed in 1961) during a consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist churches. Universalist churches in contrast followed a different path, having begun as independent congregations beyond the bounds of the established [[Puritan]] churches entirely. The UUA and the United Church of Christ cooperate jointly on [[social justice]] initiatives such as the Sexuality Education Advocacy Training project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uua.org/reproductive/education/index.shtml|title=Comprehensive Sexuality Education|access-date=2011-09-24|date=August 23, 2011|work=Social Justice » Reproductive Justice|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations|quote=The Unitarian Universalist Association has long been an advocate of age-appropriate, medically accurate, comprehensive sexuality education}}</ref>

In 1961, the [[American Unitarian Association]] (AUA) was consolidated with the [[Universalist Church of America]] (UCA), thus forming the [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] (UUA).<ref name="Sias">{{Citation|last1=Sias|first1=John|publisher=UU Nashua|url=http://www.uunashua.org/100q/100questions.pdf|title=100 Questions that Non-Unitarians Ask About Unitarian Universalism}}</ref> In the same year, the [[Canadian Unitarian Council]] (CUC) formed.<ref name="CUCHistory">{{Citation|url=http://www.cuc.ca/governance/archival/History.htm|title=Accord History|publisher=CUC|place=[[Canada|CA]]|access-date=2010-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920114313/http://cuc.ca/governance/archival/History.htm|archive-date=2010-09-20}}</ref> The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was given corporate status in May 1961 under special acts of legislature of the [[Commonwealth of Massachusetts]] and the [[State of New York]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/bylaws|title=Bylaws and rules|access-date=2017-07-05|work=Governance and Management|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations|quote=Unitarian Universalist Association was given corporate status in May 1961 under special acts of legislature of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York.}}</ref>

In 1998, the Canadian Unitarian Council and Unitarian Universalist Association dissolved their financial accord, although they continue to cooperate.<ref name="CUCHistory" /> The CUC had come into being at [[Meadville Lombard Theological School]] in 1961. However the continual decline of denominational churches and the almost complete failure of the Universalist movement in Canada had caused the formation of the Council to prompt a plan to merge with the UUA. Opposition to Liberal religious freedom relaxed, so that by 2002 it was agreed to increase autonomy and funding. The amalgamation proved troublesome for the Canadians, a small minority largely ignored, with only 45 congregations and 5,200 members—the Americans were insensitive to cultural differences.<ref>Harris, pp. 90–92.</ref>

== Beliefs and practices ==

=== Diversity of beliefs and scriptures ===
Unitarian Universalism is a religion marked by freedom, reason, and acceptance.<ref name="Our Faith 4-5">{{cite book|last1=Bray Mcnatt|first1=Rosemary|editor-last1=Frederick-Gray|editor-first1=Susan|editor-link1=Susan Frederick-Gray|chapter=Our Faith|title=The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide|date=3 June 2019|edition=6th|location=Boston|publisher=Skinner House|publication-date=2019-05-03|pages=4–5|isbn=978-1-55896-826-4}}</ref> As such, Unitarian Universalists practice a [[non-creedal]] religion that does not require one to believe in any particular belief or doctrine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beliefs & Principle|url=https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe|access-date=2017-12-05}}</ref> Rather than sharing common beliefs, Unitarian Universalists are united by a common history, the affirmation of each person's individual spiritual quest, and a covenant to uphold the community's shared spiritual values.  As such, Unitarian Universalists vary greatly in their beliefs, and a plurality of beliefs often defines Unitarian Universalist congregations.<ref name="Our Faith 3-4">{{cite book|last1=Bray Mcnatt|first1=Rosemary|editor-last1=Frederick-Gray|editor-first1=Susan|editor-link1=Susan Frederick-Gray|chapter=Our Faith|title=The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide|date=3 June 2019|edition=6th|location=Boston|publisher=Skinner House|publication-date=2019-05-03|pages=3–4|isbn=978-1-55896-826-4}}</ref>

Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to engage in their own unique spiritual journey and to follow their conscience in their beliefs. Unitarian Universalism is seen as compatible with other spiritual paths, and individual Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to engage in their own spiritual journey, whatever the path. Unitarian Universalists are not required to renounce previous faith traditions to join a Unitarian Universalist congregation. As a result, individual practitioners may simultaneously identify as Unitarian Universalists and other faith traditions.<ref name="Our Faith 3-4" />

Although Unitarian Universalism draws its roots from Christian sources, contemporary Unitarian Universalists in North America view their religion as multifaith and drawing on a variety of sources, both religious and secular. Unitarian Universalism encourages its members to draw on the world's religions as well as the words and deeds of prophetic people as inspiration for their spiritual journeys.<ref name="UU Develops">{{cite web|title=Unitarian Universalism Develops|url=https://pluralism.org/unitarian-universalism-develops|website=The Pluralism Project|publisher=Harvard University|date=2020|access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> Although members are cautioned to be aware of possible [[cultural appropriation]] of traditions that do not belong to them, Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to find wisdom in a diverse spectrum of religions, customs, and cultures from around the world.<ref name="Reckless Borrowing">{{cite web|last=James|first=Jacqui|title=Reckless Borrowing or Appropriate Cultural Sharing?|url=https://www.uua.org/multiculturalism/introduction/misappropriation/reckless-borrowing|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|date=2001|access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref>

=== Humanism and beliefs about divinity ===
Although the predecessors of Unitarian Universalism, [[Unitarianism]] and [[Universalism]], find their origin in unorthodox beliefs about the nature of the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[God]], modern Unitarian Universalists hold a variety of views about the nature and existence of deity. Most Unitarian Universalist congregations take no formal stance on whether or not a god or gods exist but leave it up to individual members to decide for themselves what they believe. Unitarian Universalists may be [[Atheism|atheists]], [[Agnosticism|agnostics]], and [[Theism|theists]].<ref name="Beliefs About God">{{cite web|title=Existence of a Higher Power in Unitarian Universalism|url=https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/higher-power|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|access-date=2022-12-17}}</ref> Among those Unitarian Universalists who use language of divinity, both [[monotheism]] and [[polytheism]] are common, and Unitarian Universalists hold a variety of beliefs about the nature of the divine.<ref name="Believe About God">{{cite web|editor-last=Rasor|editor-first=Paul|title=Unitarian Universalist Views of God|url=https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/higher-power/views|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|access-date=2022-12-17}}</ref><ref name="Unitarian Polytheism">{{cite web|last=Beckett|first=John|title=Why Unitarian Polytheism Is Not An Oxymoron and Other Issues With Religious Institutions|url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2019/10/why-unitarian-polytheism-is-not-an-oxymoron.html|work=Ancient Oaks: Musings of a Pagan, Druid, and Unitarian Universalist|publisher=Patheos|date=2019-10-24|access-date=2022-12-17}}</ref>

The diversity of beliefs about divinity in Unitarian Universalism can be accounted for because of the influence of [[religious humanism]] on the movement in the late nineteenth century. Although Unitarian Universalists believe that anyone can be a Humanist, regardless of their position on the use of the language of divinity, the rise of religious humanism within Unitarian Universalism enables members to be able to further question the existence and nature of the divine through its encouragement towards reason.<ref name="Humanism at 100">{{cite web|last=Willcox|first=Kris|title=Humanism at 100: Across a century of change, Humanism has continued to evolve|url=https://www.uuworld.org/articles/humanism-100|work=UUWorld|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|date=2017-02-15|access-date=2022-12-17}}</ref> Fifteen of the thirty-four signers of [[Humanist Manifesto I]] were Unitarians and one was a Universalist. Unitarian Universalists were also a significant presence among the signers of [[Humanist Manifesto II|Humanist Manifestos II]] and [[Humanist Manifesto III|III]].<ref name="Saxon Humanism">{{cite speech|title=Thank God for Humanism|first=John L.|last=Saxon|event=Worship Service|location=Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh|date=|url=https://www.uufr.org/images/sermon-archive/thankgodforhumanism.pdf|access-date=2022-12-17|archive-date=17 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217161508/https://www.uufr.org/images/sermon-archive/thankgodforhumanism.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Today, the majority of Unitarian Universalists in North America identify as Humanists. Although Humanism is seen as an evolving philosophy where the limits of science and reason are recognized, its tenets continue to play a large role in the thought of Unitarian Universalist congregations. Unitarian Universalist Humanists hold that the [[Religious naturalism|naturalism]] of their Humanism encourages individuals to recognize the awe, beauty, and wonder of the natural world and recognize the interdependence between humans and other beings.<ref name="Humanism at 100" /><ref name="Saxon Humanism" /><ref name="Schulz Humanist legacy">{{cite web|last=Schulz|first=William F.|title=Our humanist legacy: Seventy years of religious humanism|url=https://www.uuworld.org/articles/unitarian-universalisms-humanist-legacy|work=UUWorld|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|date=2003-11-01|access-date=2022-12-17}}</ref>

=== Covenant ===
In the absence of shared beliefs, Unitarian Universalists often see their religion as a [[Covenant (religion)|covenantal]] (as opposed to a [[Creed|creedal]]) one. Unitarian Universalists see covenants as the promises that bind congregations, communities, and individuals together in a community. In Unitarian Universalism, covenants are mutual promises among individuals and communities about how they will behave and engage with each other. Covenants help create trust and care among Unitarian Universalists and in their congregations.<ref name="Guide to Congregational Covenants">{{cite web|last=UUA Congregational Life|title=A Comprehensive Guide to Congregational Covenants|url=https://www.uua.org/leaderlab/congregational-covenants|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|date=2019-04-23|access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref>

Rather than creating things people have to do, covenants in Unitarian Universalist communities create freedom by helping members know what to expect from each other. In the words of Unitarian Universalist minister Alice Blair Wesley:

{{Blockquote|text="...authentic human freedom is of necessity, lawful freedom, and because we receive the possibility of freedom as a gift of the way things are, an authentic covenant is: a glad promise to live freely together, insofar as we are able, in accordance with the laws of reality that make our freedom possible. This is true whether the agreement is between just two, as in a union of marriage, or whether the agreement is among millions, as in a free nation, or whether the agreement is among members who gather to be a free congregation."<ref name="Blair Wesley 4">{{cite web |title=Unitarian Universalist Views of God |url=http://minnslectures.org/archive/wesley/Lecture4.pdf |publisher=The Minns Lectures |pages=5–6 |date=2001 |access-date=2022-12-16 |archive-date=17 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217032331/http://minnslectures.org/archive/wesley/Lecture4.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}

The use of covenants in the Unitarian Universalist community dates back to 1646 and the creation of the [[Cambridge Platform]] by the [[Congregational churches]] of colonial [[New England]], some of whom would later become [[Unitarianism|Unitarians]], predecessors of modern Unitarian Universalists. The Platform was the first formal declaration of the principles of church order and governance in colonial North America.<ref name="HSL CP">{{cite web|title=Congregational Polity 101|url=https://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/congregational-polity/congregational-polity-101/|publisher=Harvard Square Library|access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> Today, many Unitarian Universalist congregations create their own covenants, often called covenants of right relations, to lay out the principles of their congregations formally.<ref name="Guide to Congregational Covenants" />

=== Principles ===
In the United States, members of the [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] covenanted together via the seven Principles and Purposes, a part of Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association's bylaws. These Principles and Purposes were statements of shared values that Unitarian Universalist congregations agreed to uphold: {{Blockquote|<nowiki />
# The inherent worth and dignity 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.<ref name="UUA Principles">{{cite web |title=The Seven Principles |url=https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/principles |publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref>}}

These principles, first adopted in 1960 and later revised in 1984 and 1985, proved so popular that many Unitarian Universalists came to see them as a wisdom source in and of themselves and a guide for participation in Unitarian Universalist congregations.<ref name="UUA Principles">{{cite web|title=The Seven Principles|url=https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/principles|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref><ref name="Ross">{{cite web|last=Ross|first=Warren R.|url=http://www.uuworld.org/ideas/articles/3643.shtml|title=Shared values: How the UUA's Principles and Purposes were shaped and how they've shaped Unitarian Universalism|access-date=2022-12-16|date=November–December 2000|work=UUWorld|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref>

In June, 2024, the UU General Assembly voted to supplement the 7 principles in Article II of the UUA bylaws with a new covenant of 7 values. The central value is love. The other 6 are: interdependence, equity, transformation, pluralism, generosity, and justice.<ref name="Unitarian Universalists Adopt New Language on Core Religious Values">{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/new-language-core-values|title=Unitarian Universalists Adopt New Language on Core Religious Values|access-date=2024-07-11|date=June 2024}}</ref>

In Canada, members of the [[Canadian Unitarian Council]] affirm the seven principles along with an eighth principle: "Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions."<ref name="CUC 8th Principle">{{cite web|last=Ng|first=Vyda|url=https://cuc.ca/cuc-approves-8th-principle/|title=Shared values: CUC Approves 8th Principle on Dismantling Racism and Systemic Barriers to Full Inclusion|access-date=2022-12-16|date=2021-11-28|publisher=[[Canadian Unitarian Council]]}}</ref>

In the Philippines, where Unitarian Universalism is much more [[Theism|theistically oriented]], member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines affirm the seven principles, but with the addition of their own first principle: "There is God. God is love."<ref name="UU Philippines">{{cite web|last=Santos-Lyons|first=Joseph|url=https://www.uuworld.org/articles/new-leaders-philippines|title=A new generation of UU leaders in the Philippines|access-date=2022-12-17|date=2020-03-01|work=UUWorld|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref>

=== Justice ===
Unitarian Universalism believes that actions taken to make the world a better place are more important than what a person actually believes, as espoused by a common slogan in Unitarian Universalist congregations, "Deeds, not creeds." They hold that belief divorced from action does not change the world and that good intentions often lead to a worse situation in the long term. Unitarian Universalist thinkers have long recognized the need to bring belief and action together and encourage their members to go into the larger world and improve it.<ref name="UUA Social Justice">{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/leaderlab/learning-center/governance/polity/47013.shtml|title=Social Justice|access-date=2022-12-17|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref><ref name="Gregg Deeds Not Creeds">{{cite web|last=Gregg|first=Carl|url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/carlgregg/2014/11/behavior-is-believable/|title=Deeds Not Creeds, Behavior Is Believable|access-date=2022-12-17|date=2020-03-01|work=Carl Gregg: Pluralism, Pragmatism, Progressivism|publisher=[[Patheos]]}}</ref>

Because of this importance of action, Unitarian Universalists have long been involved in [[Social justice|social]], [[Economic justice|economic]], and [[environmental justice]] movements, both through organizations created by Unitarian Universalists and through local, regional, national, and international grassroots organizing. Many Unitarian Universalists see this work as inseparable from their Unitarian Universalist faith and see their participation in justice movements as a deeply important part of their religious faith.<ref name="UUA Social Justice" /><ref name="UUA Justice & Inclusion">{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/justice|title=Justice & Inclusion|access-date=2022-12-17|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref>

Historically, the Unitarian Universalist Association's predecessor movements, Unitarianism and Universalism, saw members involved in [[abolitionism]], [[women's suffrage]], [[pacifism]], [[Temperance movement|temperance]], and [[prison reform]].<ref name="UUA Social Justice" /> Today, Unitarian Universalists are deeply involved in causes such as [[racial justice]] and the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/multiculturalism/racial-justice/black-lives-matter|title=Black Lives Matter and Building a Movement for Racial Justice|access-date=2022-12-17|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref>  [[LGBTQ movements]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/lgbtq|title=Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Justice|access-date=2022-12-17|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref> [[feminism]] and [[women's rights]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/action/statements/women%E2%80%99s-rights|title=Women's Rights: Action of Immediate Witness|date=2003-07-01|access-date=2022-12-17|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref> [[Immigration law|immigration justice]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/immigration|title=Immigrant Justice|access-date=2022-12-17|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref> [[reproductive rights]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/reproductive|title=Reproductive Justice|access-date=2022-12-17|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref> [[climate justice]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/environment|title=Climate & Environmental Justice|access-date=2022-12-17|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref> and [[economic inequality]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/economic|title=Economic Justice|access-date=2022-12-17|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref>

== Worship and practices ==
{{more citations needed section|date=June 2011}}

=== Diversity of practices ===
The Unitarian belief that reason, and not creed, defines the search for truth, and the Universalist belief that God embraces all people equally has led to the current Unitarian Universalist belief that truth and spiritual meaning can be found in all faiths. This is reflected in the wide array of spiritual practices found among Unitarian Universalists today. Many Unitarian Universalist congregations include Buddhist-style meditation groups, Jewish [[Passover Seder|Seder]], [[Yom Kippur]] and Passover dinners, ''[[iftaar]]'' meals (marking the breaking of Ramadan fast for Muslims), and Christmas Eve/[[Winter Solstice#Observances|Winter Solstice]] services. Children's and youth's religious education classes teach about the divinity of the world and the sanctity of world religions. One of its more popular curricula, Neighboring Faiths (formerly Church Across the Street), takes middle and high school participants to visit the places of worship of many faith traditions including a [[Hindu]] temple, a [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] or [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] synagogue, and a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] church.

There is great variety among Unitarian Universalist congregations, with some favoring particular religious beliefs or forms of worship over others, with many more home to an eclectic mix of beliefs. Regardless of their orientation, most congregations are fairly open to differing beliefs, though not always with various faith traditions represented to the same degree.

=== Diversity of congregations ===
There is a wide variety in how congregations conceive of themselves, calling themselves "churches", "societies", "fellowships", "congregations", or eschew the use of any particular descriptor. Many use the name "Unitarian Universalist", (and a few "Universalist Unitarian"), having gradually adopted this formulation since consolidation in 1961. Others use names that reflect their historic roots by keeping the historical designation "Unitarian" or "Universalist" (e.g. "[[First Unitarian Church (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)|First Unitarian Church]]"). A few congregations use neither (e.g. [[Unity Temple]]). For some congregations, the name can be a clue to their theological orientation. For others, avoidance of the word "church" indicates a desire to distance itself from traditional Christian theology. Sometimes the use of another term may simply indicate a congregation's lay-led or relatively new status. However, some Unitarian Universalist congregations have grown to appreciate alternative terms such as ''fellowship'' and retained them even though they have grown much larger or lost features sometimes associated with their use (such as, in the case of fellowships, a traditionally lay-led worship model).<ref>See for examples: [http://www.uufellowship.org Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester] and [http://www.uuathensga.org/ Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens].</ref>

Also of note is that there are many more people who identify as Unitarian Universalist on surveys than those who attend Unitarian Universalist congregations (by a factor of four in a recent survey),<ref>{{cite web|title=Largest religious groups in the United States of America|website=Adherents.com|url=http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820080454/http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html|archive-date=2018-08-20}}</ref> reflecting those who have never joined (and lapsed members) but nonetheless consider themselves part of the Unitarian Universalist movement.

=== Elevator speeches ===
In 2004, ''UU World'' magazine asked for contributions of "[[Elevator pitch|elevator speeches]]" explaining Unitarian Universalism.<ref>''UU World Magazine''. Unitarian Universalist Association. July/August 2004. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110428061740/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4071/is_200407/ai_n9458199/]</ref> These are short speeches that could be made in the course of an elevator ride to those who knew nothing of the religion. Here are examples of the speeches submitted:

{{Blockquote|In Unitarian Universalist congregations, we gather in community to support our individual spiritual journeys. We trust that openness to one another's experiences will enhance our understanding of our own links with the divine, with our history, and with one another.|Jonalu Johnstone, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma<ref name=affirmations>{{cite web
| url = http://www.uuworld.org/2003/06/affirmations.html
| title = Affirmations: Elevator speeches
| access-date = 2007-02-24
| work = uuaworld.org
| publisher = [[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}
</ref>}}

{{Blockquote|Most Unitarian Universalists believe that nobody has a monopoly on all truth, or ultimate proof of the truth of everything in any one belief. Therefore, one's own truth is unprovable, as is that of others. Consequently, we should respect the beliefs of others, as well as their right to hold those beliefs. Conversely, we expect that others should respect our right to our own beliefs. Several UU's then, would likely hold as many different beliefs. Other beliefs they may hold in common are a respect for others, for nature, and for common decency, leading to a particular caring for the poor, the weak and the downtrodden. As a result, issues of justice, including social justice are held in common among most.|Gene Douglas, Harrah, Oklahoma<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uuduluth.org/newsletters/nov06news.html |title=Dear Ones |access-date=2007-02-24 |author=Karen Johnson Gustafson |date=November 2006 |work=Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth Newsletter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929140837/http://www.uuduluth.org/newsletters/nov06news.html |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref>}}

{{Blockquote|It's a blessing each of us was born; It matters what we do with our lives; What each of us knows about God is a piece of the truth; We don't have to do it alone.|Laila Ibrahim, Berkeley, California<ref name="affirmations"/>}}

== Worship and ritual ==
As in theology, Unitarian Universalist [[worship]] and [[ritual]] are often a combination of elements derived from other faith traditions alongside original practices and symbols. In form, church services might be difficult to distinguish from those of a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] church, but they vary widely among congregations.<ref name="Sias" />

=== Symbols ===
The most common symbol of Unitarian Universalism is the [[flaming chalice]], often framed by two overlapping rings that many interpret as representing Unitarianism and Universalism (the symbol has no official interpretation). The chalice itself has long been a symbol of liberal religion, and indeed liberal Christianity (the [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)|Disciples of Christ]] also use a chalice as their denomination symbol<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.disciples.org/AboutTheDisciples/TheChalice/tabid/70/Default.aspx|title=The Chalice|access-date=2012-01-21|publisher=[[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112154823/http://www.disciples.org/AboutTheDisciples/TheChalice/tabid/70/Default.aspx|archive-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref>). The flaming chalice was initially the logo of the Unitarian Service Committee during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. It was created by Austrian artist [[Hans Deutsch]]. The holy oil burning in it is a symbol of helpfulness and sacrifice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uua.org/aboutuu/chalice.html|title=The History of the Flaming Chalice|access-date=2007-02-24|author=Adapted from the pamphlet "The Flaming Chalice" by Daniel D. Hotchkiss|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]}}</ref>

Nevertheless, other interpretations have been suggested, such as the chalice used by the followers of Czech [[Jan Hus]], which was supposedly reverential of Eastern Orthodox traditions; although Hus's early National Church was intrinsically an evangelical Protestant. In some agnostic historiographies the flaming chalice displayed a vague resemblance to a cross in some stylized representations, relying on the sepulchral traditions of the Hospitallers.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Mark W.|last1=Harris|title=The A to Z of Unitarian Universalism|publisher=Scarecrow Press|location=London}}</ref>  Many Unitarian Universalist congregations light a chalice at the beginning of worship services. Other symbols include an [[Christian cross variants#Modern innovations|off-center cross within a circle]] (a Universalist symbol associated with the Humiliati movement in the 1950s, a group of reformist, liturgically minded clergy seeking to revive Universalism).

Other symbols include a pair of open hands releasing a [[dove]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.uua.org/CONG/chalices/|title=UU Chalices and Clip Art|access-date=2008-04-12|author=Steve Bridenbaugh|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]|archive-date=20 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720120835/http://archive.uua.org/CONG/chalices/}}</ref>

=== Services of worship ===
[[File:UM_1.jpg|thumb|The [[First Unitarian Society of Madison|Unitarian Meeting House]] designed by [[Frank Lloyd Wright]], [[Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin]]]]
Religious services are usually held on Sundays and most closely resemble the form and format of Protestant worship in the Reformed tradition.<ref name="Sias" /> Services at a vast majority of congregations follow a structure that focuses on a sermon or presentation by a minister, a lay leader of the congregation, or an invited speaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uua.org/worshipweb/commonworship/vogt.html|title=Common Worship: How and Why; The contribution of Von Ogden Vogt|access-date=2007-02-24|author=Commission on Common Worship|year=1983|work=Leading Congregations in Worship: A Guide|publisher=[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217132901/http://www.uua.org/worshipweb/commonworship/vogt.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=2007-02-17}}</ref> Sermons may cover a wide range of topics. Since Unitarian Universalists do not recognize a particular text or set of texts as primary or inherently superior, inspiration can be found in many different religious or cultural texts as well as the personal experiences of the minister.

The service also includes hymn-singing, accompanied by organ, piano, or other available instruments, and possibly led by a song leader or choir. The most recent worship songbook published by the denomination, ''Singing the Journey''<ref>{{cite book|isbn=1-55896-499-1|title=Singing the Journey|year=2005}}</ref> contains 75 songs and is a supplement to the older ''Singing the Living Tradition'' which contains readings as well.<ref>{{cite book|isbn=1-55896-260-3|title=Singing the Living Tradition|year=1993|publisher=Beacon Press}}</ref> Hymns typically sung in Unitarian Universalist services come from a variety of sources—traditional [[Hymn tune|hymn tunes]] with new or adapted lyrics, spirituals, folk songs from various cultures, or original compositions by Unitarian Universalist musicians are just a few. Instrumental music is also a common feature of the typical worship service, including preludes, offertory music, postludes, or music for contemplation.

Pastoral elements of the service may include a time for sharing Joys and Sorrows/Concerns, where individuals in the congregation are invited to [[Ceremonial use of lights|light a candle]] or say a few words about important events in their personal lives. Many also include a time of [[meditation]] or [[prayer]], led by the minister or service leader, both spoken and silent. Responsive readings and stories for children are also typical. Many congregations also allow for a time at the end of the service, called "talk back", where members of the congregation can respond to the sermon with their own insights and questions, or even disagree with the viewpoint expressed by the minister or invited speaker.

Many Unitarian Universalist congregations no longer observe the Christian sacraments of [[baptism]], [[Eucharist|communion]], or [[confirmation]], at least in their traditional forms or under their traditional names. Congregations that continue these practices under their more traditional names are often [[Federated congregation|federated churches]] or members of the Council of Christian Churches within the Unitarian Universalist Association (CCCUUA), or may have active chapters associated with the [[Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship]] or similar covenant groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liveoakuu.org/christian04.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108233643/http://www.liveoakuu.org/christian04.htm|title=Christians 2004|archive-date=January 8, 2009}}</ref> "Child dedications" often replace more traditional infant baptisms (such "dedications" are sometimes practiced even in "orthodox" Christian communities that do not baptize infants for theological reasons). Annual celebrations of [[Water Communion]] and [[Flower Communion]] may replace or supplement Christian-style communion (though many pluralist and Christian-oriented congregations may celebrate or otherwise make provisions for communion on Christian holy days).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westhartforduu.org/sermons/my_neighbor.html|title=Who is My Neighbor? A Homily for World Wide Communion Sunday|access-date=2007-02-24|author=Jan K. Nielsen|date=October 6, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311025551/http://www.westhartforduu.org/sermons/my_neighbor.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=2007-03-11}}</ref> Confirmation may be replaced by a "[[Coming of Age (Unitarian Universalism)|Coming of Age]]" program, in which teenagers explore their individual religious identity, often developing their own credo. After they have completed exploring their spiritual beliefs, they write a speech about it which they then personally deliver to the congregation.

Services can vary widely between congregations, and can incorporate dancing, contemporary music and poetry, readings taken from secular fiction or original works by congregants.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Religions of America: Ferment and Faith in an Age of Crisis: A New Guide and Almanac|date=1975|publisher=Simon and Schuster|editor=Leo Rosten|isbn=0-671-21970-7|location=New York|pages=268–269|oclc=1093360}}</ref>

== Politics ==

=== Historical politics of Unitarians and Universalists ===
{{Main|Unitarianism|Universalist Church of America}}

In the 19th century, Unitarians and Universalists were active in [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolitionism]], the [[women's movement]], the [[Temperance movement in the United States|temperance movement]], and other [[social reform]] movements. The [[Rochester Women's Rights Convention of 1848|second women's rights convention]] was held at the [[First Unitarian Church of Rochester|First Unitarian Church of Rochester, New York]]. Additionally, four [[President of the United States|Presidents of the United States]] were Unitarians: [[John Adams]], [[John Quincy Adams]], [[Millard Fillmore]], and [[William Howard Taft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/The-Religious-Affiliations-of-US-Presidents.aspx|title=The Religious Affiliations of U.S. Presidents|publisher=The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life|date=January 15, 2009|access-date=2013-05-23|archive-date=29 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629135439/http://www.pewforum.org/The-Religious-Affiliations-of-US-Presidents.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Politics of Unitarian Universalists ===
{{Main|Christian left|Progressivism in the United States}} {{progressivism}}
[[File:Civil_marriage_is_a_civil_right.JPG|right|thumb|A Unitarian assembly in [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]], Kentucky<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstulou.org/|title=First Unitarian Church of Louisville|publisher=Firstulou.org|access-date=2011-02-27}}</ref>]]
Historically, Unitarian Universalists have often been active in political causes, notably the [[civil rights movement]],<ref>Smith, Amanda, [http://www.gainformer.com/files/Unitarian%20Universalists.htm Unitarian Universalist Church Has Rich Civil Rights History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112110637/http://www.gainformer.com/files/Unitarian%20Universalists.htm|date=12 January 2020}}</ref> the [[LGBT social movements|LGBT rights movement]],<ref>UUA [https://www.uua.org/lgbtq/witness/policy "Unitarian Universalist Policy and LGBTQ Issues"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033040/https://www.uua.org/lgbtq/witness/policy|date=1 December 2017}}</ref> the [[social justice]] movement, and the [[feminist movement]].

[[Susan B. Anthony]], a Unitarian and [[Quaker]], was extremely influential in the women's [[suffrage]] movement. Unitarian Universalists and Quakers still share many principles. It is therefore common to see Unitarian Universalists and Quakers working together.

Unitarian Universalists were and are still very involved in the fight to end [[racism]] in the United States. [[John Haynes Holmes]], a Unitarian minister and social activist at The Community Church of New York—Unitarian Universalist was among the founders of both the [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]] (NAACP) in 1909 and the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU), chairing the latter for a time. [[James J. Reeb]], a minister at [[All Souls Church, Unitarian (Washington, D.C.)|All Souls Church, Unitarian]], in [[Washington, D.C.]], and a member of the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]], was clubbed in [[Selma, Alabama|Selma]], [[Alabama]] on March 8, 1965, and died two days later of massive head trauma. Two weeks after his death, [[Viola Liuzzo]], a Unitarian Universalist civil rights activist, was murdered by white supremacists after her participation in the protest march from Selma to [[Montgomery, Alabama]]. The [[Selma to Montgomery marches]] for voting rights are best known for [[Bloody Sunday (1965)|Bloody Sunday]], which refers to March 7, 1965, the most violent of the three marches.

The past head of the Unitarian Universalist Association 2001–2009, [[William G. Sinkford]], is [[African-American]], making Unitarian Universalism one of the first traditionally white denominations to be headed by a member of a racial minority.<ref>Maxwell, Bill; 11 April 2008; "Leading the Unitarian Universalist Association, a faith without a creed"; ''St. Petersburg Times''</ref>

While [[Modern liberalism in the United States|political liberals]] make up a clear majority of Unitarian Universalists, the movement aspires to diversity, and officially welcomes congregants regardless of their political views. Politically conservative Unitarian Universalists point out that neither theological liberalism nor the Principles and Purposes of the UUA require liberal politics. Like the beliefs of Unitarian Universalists, politics are decided by individuals, not by congregations or the denomination.
[[File:Ibram_X._Kendi_How_to_Be_an_Antiracist_(48625586627).jpg|thumb|[[Ibram X. Kendi]] presenting his new book ''How to Be an Antiracist'' at Unitarian Universalist Church located in [[Montclair, New Jersey|Montclair]], New Jersey, on August 14, 2019]]
Several congregations have undertaken a series of organizational, procedural and practical steps to become acknowledged as a "[[Unitarian Universalism and LGBT topics#Welcoming Congregation|Welcoming Congregation]]": a congregation which has taken specific steps to welcome and integrate gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender (LGBT) members. Unitarian Universalist ministers perform [[same-sex unions]] and now [[same-sex marriages]] where legal (and sometimes when not, as a form of civil protest). On June 29, 1984, the Unitarian Universalists became the first major church "to approve religious blessings on homosexual unions."<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05E0DB1539F93AA15755C0A962948260 "Unitarians Endorse Homosexual Marriages"], UPI, ''The New York Times'', 29 June 1984.</ref> Unitarian Universalists have been in the forefront of the work to make same-sex marriages legal in their local states and provinces, as well as on the national level. Gay men, bisexuals, and lesbians are also regularly [[ordained]] as ministers, and a number of gay, bisexual, and lesbian ministers have, themselves, now become legally married to their partners. In May 2004, [[Arlington Street Church (Boston)|Arlington Street Church]], in Boston, Massachusetts, was the site of the first state-sanctioned same-sex marriage in the United States. The official stance of the UUA is for the legalization of same-sex marriage—"Siding with Love". In 2004 UU minister Debra Haffner of [[The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing]] published ''An Open Letter on Religious Leaders on Marriage Equality'' to affirm same-sex marriage from a multi-faith perspective. In December 2009, Washington, D.C., Mayor [[Adrian Fenty]] signed the bill to legalize same-sex marriage for the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]] in [[All Souls Church, Unitarian (Washington, D.C.)|All Souls Church]].

[[Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness]] engages Unitarian Universalist ministers and other leaders to educate them on [[polyamory]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uupa.org/|title=UUPA|website=uupa.org|access-date=23 May 2020|archive-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205181452/http://uupa.org/}}</ref> At the 2015 [[General Assembly (Unitarian Universalist Association)|UUA General Assembly]], the Association's non-discrimination rule was amended to include the category of "family and relationship structures";<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/bylaws/ruleii/section-c-23-non-discrimination|title=Unitarian Universalist Association: Rule II, Section C-2.3.: Non-discrimination|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518103753/http://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/bylaws/ruleii/section-c-23-non-discrimination|archive-date=2015-05-18}}</ref> the UUA has yet to take specific follow-up action on this, however.

Many congregations are heavily involved in projects and efforts aimed at supporting environmental causes and [[sustainability]]. These are often termed "seventh principle" activities because of the seventh principle quoted above.

== Controversies ==

=== External ===

==== Lack of formal creed ====
In May 2004, [[Texas]] [[Comptroller]] [[Carole Keeton Strayhorn]] ruled that Unitarian Universalism was not a "religion" because it "does not have one system of belief", and stripped the Red River Unitarian Universalist Church in [[Denison, Texas]], of its tax-exempt status. However, within weeks, Strayhorn reversed her decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.window.state.tx.us/news/40524church.html|title=News Release From Carole Keeton Strayhorn|publisher=Window.state.tx.us|date=2004-05-24|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119143945/http://www.window.state.tx.us/news/40524church.html|archive-date=January 19, 2008}}</ref>

==== Confusion with other groups ====
There are separate movements and organizations who hold to classical Unitarian or [[Christian universalist]] Christian theology and neither belong to the Unitarian Universalist Association nor consider themselves Unitarian Universalists. The American Unitarian Conference and the Christian Universalist Association are the two most significant organizations representing these theological beliefs today. Christians who hold these beliefs tend to consider themselves the true Unitarians or Universalists and heirs of the theological legacy of the original [[American Unitarian Association]] or [[Universalist Church of America]], and they do not wish to be confused with Unitarian Universalists. The [[Unity Church]] is another denomination that is often confused with Unitarian Universalism.<ref>See [http://www.americanunitarian.org/voicearticle.htm "Why the American Unitarian Conference Had to Be Formed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080717051707/http://www.americanunitarian.org/voicearticle.htm|date=17 July 2008}} and [http://www.christianuniversalist.org/articles/unitarian.html "What Is the Difference between Christian Universalism and Unitarian Universalism?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715185257/http://www.christianuniversalist.org/articles/unitarian.html|date=15 July 2008}}</ref>

==== Boy Scouts of America ====
{{Main|Boy Scouts of America membership controversies|Religious emblems programs (Boy Scouts of America)}}

In 1992, the UUA published statements opposing the [[Boy Scouts of America|BSA]]'s policies of discriminating against [[Boy Scouts of America membership controversies#Position on homosexuality|homosexuals]], [[Boy Scouts of America membership controversies#Position on religious belief|atheists, and agnostics]]; and in 1993, the UUA updated the curriculum guidance of its "Religion in Life" emblems program for young people in scouting to include criticism of the BSA policies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.uua.org/news/scouts/faith.html|title=The Boy Scouts, a Battle and the Meaning of Faith|access-date=2007-05-09|author=Gustav Niebuhr|date=1999-05-22|newspaper=New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212065426/http://archive.uua.org/news/scouts/faith.html|archive-date=December 12, 2007}}</ref> On account of the published criticism, in 1998 the BSA withdrew its recognition of UUA's Religion in Life emblem program. Subsequently, the UUA removed the objectionable material from the program curriculum and the BSA renewed recognition of the Religion in Life program. Later, the UUA issued internal, supplemental material to emblems-program workbooks that included general statements critical of discrimination on bases of sexual orientation or personal religious viewpoint. When the BSA learned of those (internal) statements it again withdrew recognition of the UUA Religion in Life emblems program.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Isaacson|first=Eric Alan|year=2007|title=Traditional Values, or a New Tradition of Prejudice? The Boy Scouts of America vs. the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations|journal=George Mason University Civil Rights Law Journal|volume=17|issue=1|url=http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=eric_isaacson|access-date=2015-06-14}}{{Dead link|date=January 2021|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

In 2004, the Unitarian Universalist Scouters Organization (UUSO), a group not affiliated with the UUA, established their "Living Your Religion" emblems program for UU-BSA scouts.<ref name="UUSO">{{cite web|url=http://www.uuscouters.org/|title=Unitarian Universalist Scouters Organization|access-date=2007-04-11|date=March 5, 2006|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125200254/http://www.uuscouters.org/}}</ref> Without the knowledge or approval of the UUA, the program was approved by the BSA Religious Relationships committee in 2005. Upon being notified of the UUSO program the UUA issued a statement (March 16, 2005) clarifying that UUSO was not an affiliate organization of the UUA and asserting that, contrary to reports otherwise, UU congregations were still awarding the UUA Religion in Life emblem to their youth members in BSA Scouts—whose emblems then were worn on the Scouts' uniforms without complaint from the BSA. Further, the statement made clear that the UUA still maintained its criticism of both the BSA's ongoing discrimination against gay Scouts and gay Scout leaders and the BSA requirement of a religious litmus test for membership.<ref>{{cite web|title=UUA and the Scouts: Statement from the Unitarian Universalist Association|url=http://archive.uua.org/news/scouts/050316_statement.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031154242/http://archive.uua.org/news/scouts/050316_statement.html|archive-date=October 31, 2007|access-date=2007-07-08|date=March 16, 2005|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scouting.org/awards/religious/awards/index.html|title=Religious Emblems Programs Available to Members of the Boy Scouts of America|access-date=2007-07-08|publisher=Boy Scouts of America|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717140759/http://www.scouting.org/awards/religious/awards/index.html|archive-date=2007-07-17}}</ref>

Later events made these issues moot: In 2013, BSA opened its membership to gay youth, followed by opening membership to gay adults in 2015, which policy changes resolved the main UUA objection to supporting BSA. The UUSO dissolved in 2015 and by 2016, via a memorandum of understanding, the UUA religious emblems program was again formally recognized by BSA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/children/scouting/memorandum-understanding|title=UUA Memorandum of Understanding|date=March 24, 2016|website=Unitarian Universalist Association|access-date=19 November 2020|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112004301/https://www.uua.org/children/scouting/memorandum-understanding}}</ref>

=== Internal ===

==== Language of reverence ====
During the presidency of William Sinkford, debate roiled the Unitarian Universalist (U.U.) movement over his call to return to, or to re-create, an authentic Unitarian Universalist "language of reverence."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uuworld.org/articles/need-language-reverence|title=Human reverence: The language of reverence is the language of humanity|date=2006-07-31|first1=Kendyl L.R.|last1=Gibbons|publisher=UU World: Liberal religion and life|access-date=2017-12-26}}</ref> Sinkford suggested that as Unitarian Universalists abandoned traditional religious language they would relinquish, to others, religion's words of power. These other religionists would proceed to dictate their meanings of religious words and language, including scripture, in the public sphere. He advocated that Unitarian Universalists should regain their proper seat at the interfaith table by making this language their own. In response, others saw his idea as an effort to return Unitarian Universalist congregations to more orthodox Christian worship patterns. Indeed, some were concerned that it might be a call to oppose the growing influence among UUs of humanism and atheism, the adherents of which would  be made unwelcome within the community. Sinkford denied such motives, citing the words of Unitarian Universalist humanists as examples of what he meant by "language of reverence".<ref>{{cite news|title=Religion Journal; A Heated Debate Flares in Unitarian Universalism|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/17/nyregion/religion-journal-a-heated-debate-flares-in-unitarian-universalism.html?pagewanted=all|first=Richard|last=Higgins|date=May 17, 2003|work=The New York Times|access-date=2012-04-08}}</ref>

The growth of humanism among Unitarian Universalists stemmed in part from the congregational commitment to reach a universal audience while educating U.U. folk in biblical literacy, many of whom were born into families that eschewed or minimized religious or moral catechisms. (In addition to humanists, these people comprehend atheists and theists, agnostics, skeptics and seekers, non-member affiliates, the religion-alienated and others among the larger UU congregation.) The debate saw the publication of a book by the UUA [[Beacon Press]], written by former UUA President [[John Buehrens]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Buehrens|first1=John A.|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/132/story_13272_1.html|title=Past Unitarian Universalist Association President John A. Buehrens on why even humanists should read the Bible|publisher=Beliefnet.com|access-date=2011-02-27}}</ref> and titled ''Understanding the Bible: An Introduction for skeptics, seekers, and religious liberals''.<ref>{{Cite book|isbn=0-8070-1053-7|title=Understanding the Bible: An introduction for skeptics, seekers, and religious liberals|last1=Buehrens|first1=John A.|year=2004|publisher=Beacon Press}}</ref> Meant to serve as a kind of handbook to be read alongside the Bible, it provides interpretative strategies from a liberal religious perspective for the reader to engage in conversation about the Bible—what it says and what it means today. Positive engagement is intended rather than to relinquish all public conversation to others over interpretation of the Bible. Another important work by Buehrens, with [[Forrest Church]], is ''A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism'',<ref>{{Cite book|isbn=0-8070-1617-9|title=A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism|last1=Buehrens|first1=John A.|last2=Forrester Church|first2=F.|year=1998|publisher=Beacon Press|url=https://archive.org/details/chosenfaithintro00bueh_0}}</ref> in which the authors present the many sources of the Unitarian Universalist faith.

==== Borrowing from other religions ====
{{Main|Syncretism}}

The "borrowing" of religious rituals from other faith traditions by Unitarian Universalists was discussed at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in 2001 during a seminar titled "Cultural Appropriation: Reckless Borrowing or Appropriate Cultural Sharing" by the Religious Education Dept, UUA.<ref name="CulturApp">[http://www.uua.org/ga/ga01/2038.html "Cultural Appropriation: Reckless Borrowing or Appropriate Cultural Sharing"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906102017/http://www.uua.org/ga/ga01/2038.html|date=2008-09-06}} Reported for the Web by Dwight Ernest, July 24, 2001, Unitarian Universalist Association</ref><ref>[http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/leaderslibrary/interconnections/45522.shtml "When Worship Becomes Cultural Misappropriation"], September 15, 2007, UU Interconnections</ref> Of particular discussion was the borrowing rituals and practices that are sacred to specific tribes or using spiritual practices without real context.

=== Racism ===
{{Main|Racism in the United States|Racial segregation of churches in the United States}}

Internal controversy over the hiring of the UUA's Southern Region Lead (a white man from outside the region was hired rather than a Latina woman who resided within the region) led to resignations and apologies in 2017. UUA President Peter Morales, the denomination's first Latino president, resigned amid criticism of his failure to address the diversity controversies.<ref name="RNS UUA pres resigns">{{cite news|last1=Banks|first1=Adelle|title=Unitarian Universalist president resigns amid diversity controversy|url=https://religionnews.com/2017/03/31/unitarian-universalist-president-resigns-amid-diversity-controversy/|access-date=28 February 2020|agency=Religion News Service|date=31 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="UU World White Suprem">{{cite web|last1=McArdle|first1=Elaine|title=Critics see white supremacy in UUA hiring practices|url=https://www.uuworld.org/articles/critics-challenge-uua-hiring-practices|website=UU World|date=27 March 2017|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref> The three co-presidents who took over commissioned a "racism audit" to address [[white supremacy]] within the denomination.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gjelten|first1=Tom|author-link1=Tom Gjelten|title=Unitarian Universalists Denounce White Supremacy, Make Leadership Changes|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/06/24/534248664/unitarian-universalists-denounce-white-supremacy-make-leadership-changes|access-date=28 February 2020|work=[[All Things Considered]]|agency=[[National Public Radio]]|date=24 June 2017}}</ref> In April 2018, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that the UUA "in the past year has been asked to help resolve 15 congregational conflicts involving religious professionals of color".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Boorstein|first1=Michelle|title=What happens when a church dedicated to fighting white supremacy is accused of it|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2018/04/17/what-happens-when-a-church-dedicated-to-fighting-white-supremacy-is-accused-of-it/|access-date=28 February 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=17 April 2018}}</ref>

== Organizations ==

=== Asia ===

* Philippines: [[Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines]]
* India: The Indian Council of Unitarian Churches, which includes the [[Khasi Unitarian Union]]
* [[Unitarian Christian Church of Indonesia (also known as Jemaat Allah Global Indonesia)|Indonesia Global Church of God]]

=== Africa ===

* South Africa: [[Unitarian Church of South Africa]]

=== Australia and New Zealand ===

* [[Australia and New Zealand Unitarian Universalist Association]] (ANZUUA) is a Unitarian Universalist organization which serves as the organizing body for Unitarian and Universalist congregations in Australia and New Zealand.

=== North America ===

* [[Canadian Unitarian Council]] (CUC) is the national body for Unitarian Universalist congregations in Canada. They were a member of the UUA up until July 2002.
** [[Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice]] (CUSJ) is a Canadian Unitarian Universalist social justice organization that is an associate member of the CUC.
** [[Canadian Unitarian Universalist Women's Association]] (CUUWA) is a Canadian Unitarian Universalist women's rights organization that is an associate member of the CUC.
* [[North American Unitarian Association]] (NAUA) is a North American group unaffiliated with the UUA.
* [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] (UUA) is the largest association of Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist congregations in the world, and the most well-known. It operates mainly within the United States including the territory of Puerto Rico.<ref>[http://uupuertorico.org/ Congregation Unitarian Universalist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080717215438/http://www.uupuertorico.org/|date=17 July 2008}}. Uupuertorico.org. Retrieved on 2010-09-29.</ref> A few Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist congregations in other countries, such as San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), Auckland (New Zealand),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unitarian.org.nz/auckland/|title=Welcome!|publisher=Unitarian.org.nz|access-date=2011-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503205825/http://www.unitarian.org.nz/auckland/|archive-date=2011-05-03}}</ref> and a few others are also members of the UUA. As of 2020, the UUA represents 1,078 member congregations that collectively include more than {{gaps|152|000}} members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uua.org/data/demographics/uua-statistics|title=UUA Membership Statistics, 1961–2020|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2021|website=|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association|access-date=1 September 2021|quote=}}</ref>
** [[Promise the Children]] is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Promise the Children's mission is to help Unitarian Universalists advocate for and with children and youth. Promise the Children is also an Independent Affiliate of the UUA
** [[Young Religious Unitarian Universalists]] (YRUU) is a term used within the UUA and CUC. YRUU was an organization at the North American continental level primarily run by youth, ranging in age from 14 to 20, with mentoring adult partners. The North American continental organization of YRUU ended in 2008, but the term is still used by certain active youth groups and conferences at the congregational and regional/district levels. It was created in 1981 and 1982, at two conferences, Common Ground 1 and 2. Common Ground was called to form a UUA-controlled replacement for [[Liberal Religious Youth]] (LRY), the Unitarian Universalist youth organization that preceded YRUU. LRY was dissolved by the UUA, and its assets absorbed by it.
** [[Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship]] (UUBF),  is an association of Unitarian Universalists who define themselves as Buddhists. Formed in the early 1990s, UUBF exists to facilitate dialogue among UU Buddhists and other UUs interested in Buddhism and its practices. It is open to all Unitarian Universalists who are Buddhists of any tradition or who are interested in learning more about Buddhism. The UUBF publishes a newsletter, the ''UU Sangha'', and posts back issues in an archive on its website. The website also has a list of UU Buddhist and meditation groups and contact information.  Instructions for joining the UUBF Listserv are there also.  Each year there is a UUBF booth in the exhibit hall  at UUA General Assembly. Every other year, in odd years, the UUBF holds a Convocation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ford|first1=James Ishmael|title=What is Unitarian Universalist Buddhism?|url=https://www.uuworld.org/articles/what-unitarian-universalist-buddhism|work=UU World Magazine|date=21 May 2007|language=en}}</ref>
** [[Church of the Larger Fellowship]] (CLF) exists to serve Unitarian Universalists remote from any physical congregation.
** [[Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans]] (CUUPS) is an association of Unitarian Universalists who define themselves as [[Pagan|Pagans]] or [[Neopaganism|Neopagans]].
** [[Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship]] (UUCF) is an association of Unitarian Universalists who define themselves as Christians.
** [[Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness]] is an association of Unitarian Universalists who support officially recognizing [[polyamory]] as a valid lifestyle.
** [[Unitarian Universalist Service Committee]] is a [[nonsectarian]] organization devoted to promoting human rights and social justice worldwide.
* Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (UUAM) is a diverse group of Unitarian Universalists who aim to broaden the circle of compassion to animals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry|url=https://uuam.org/wp/|access-date=2021-02-05|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202202952/https://uuam.org/wp/}}</ref>

=== Europe ===

* [[European Unitarian Universalists]] (EUU) is a network connecting Unitarian Universalists and English-speaking Unitarian Universalist fellowships in Europe.
* Czech Republic: [[Náboženská společnost českých unitářů]] (Religious Society of Czech Unitarians)
* Denmark: [[Unitarisk Kirkesamfund]]
* Finland: [[Unitarian Universalist Society of Finland]]
* Germany: [[Deutsche Unitarier Religionsgemeinschaft|Unitarier - Religionsgemeinschaft freien Glaubens]]
* Hungary: [[Unitarian Church of Transylvania]]
* Netherlands: [[Vrijzinnige Geloofsgemeenschap NPB]]
* Romania: [[Unitarian Church of Transylvania]]
* Spain: [[Unitarian Universalist Society of Spain]]

=== Worldwide ===

* [[International Council of Unitarians and Universalists]] (ICUU) represents Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist churches worldwide. The UUA and CUC are both members of this organization.

== Number of members ==
As of 2020, the UUA had 1,027 Unitarian Universalist member congregations in the United States<ref>{{Cite web|title=UUA Membership Statistics, 1961-2020|url=https://www.uua.org/data/demographics/uua-statistics|access-date=2024-02-08|website=www.uua.org|language=en}}</ref> and some congegrations outside the US.<ref>{{cite web|title=Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist (U/U) Global Headquarters and Churches|url=http://www.uua.org/international/affiliates/global-hqs-churches|access-date=2024-02-08|website=UUA.org}}</ref> In 2011, it had two congregations in the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]], 19 in Canada, six in other countries, plus 28 multi-denominational member congregations: 17 in [[Massachusetts]], four in [[Illinois]], three in [[New Hampshire]], two in [[Vermont]], and one each in [[Maine]] and [[Washington, D.C.]] Seven of the ten U.S. states with the most congregations are also among the most populous states; the state with the most congregations and members is Massachusetts; Vermont is No.&nbsp;1 relative to its total population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uuworld.org/ideas/articles/186525.shtml|title=Unitarian Universalist congregations by state|access-date=September 24, 2011|last1=Walton|first1=Christopher L.|author2=Todd, Kathy|date=2011|work=weekly web magazine|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations|quote=Map includes 1,018&nbsp;UUA member congregations in the United States using data collected by the UUA through February 2011, but does not include the [[Church of the Larger Fellowship]] which is headquartered in Mass. but serves a geographically dispersed community. The map does include multidenominational congregations affiliated with the UUA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331073315/http://www.uuworld.org/ideas/articles/186525.shtml|archive-date=March 31, 2012}}</ref> As of December&nbsp;2023 there are 42&nbsp;Unitarian Universalist congregations and emerging groups in Canada affiliated with the CUC.<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=Find a Congregation|url=https://cuc.ca/unitarian-universalism/find-a-congregation/,%20https://cuc.ca/unitarian-universalism/find-a-congregation/|access-date=2024-02-08|website=cuc.ca|language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

In 1956, Sam Wells wrote, "Unitarians and Universalists are considering merger which would have total U.S. membership of {{gaps|160|000}} ({{gaps|500|000}} in the world)".<ref>{{cite book|editor=Wells, Sam|title=The World's Great Religions|volume=3 Glories of Christiandom|location=New York|publisher=Time Inc.|year=1957|page=205}}</ref> In 1965 Conkin wrote, "In 1961, at the time of the merger, membership [in the United States] was 104,821 in 651&nbsp;congregations, and the joint membership soared to its historically highest level in the mid-1960s (an estimated {{gaps|259|000}}) before falling sharply back in the 1970s&nbsp;...".<ref>{{cite book|author=Conkin, Paul K.|title=American Originals: Homemade Varieties of Christianity|publisher=The University of North Carolina Press|location=Chapel Hill, NC|year=1997|page=[https://archive.org/details/americanoriginal00conk/page/95 95]|isbn=0-8078-4649-X|url=https://archive.org/details/americanoriginal00conk/page/95}}</ref> According to the 2008 ''Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches'', the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations claimed 214,738&nbsp;members in 2002.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Lindner, Eileen W.|title=Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches 2008|location=Nashville|publisher=Abingdon Press|year=2008|page=381}}</ref>

In the United States, the [[American Religious Identification Survey]] reported {{gaps|629|000}}&nbsp;members describing themselves as Unitarian Universalist in 2001, an increase from {{gaps|502|000}} reported in a similar survey in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/key_findings.htm|title=The Graduate Center, CUNY|publisher=Gc.cuny.edu|access-date=2011-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051024031359/http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/key_findings.htm|archive-date=October 24, 2005}}</ref> The highest concentrations are in [[New England]] and around [[Seattle, Washington]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Unitarians as a percentage of all residents|url=http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/pics/geo200/religion/unitarian.gif|work=Glenmary Research Center|publisher=Religious Congregations and Membership in the United States, 2000|access-date=23 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307043442/http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/pics/geo200/religion/unitarian.gif|archive-date=7 March 2012}}</ref>

The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted in 2007 by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and featuring a sample size of over {{gaps|35|000}}, puts the proportion of American adults identifying as Unitarian Universalist at 0.3%.<ref name="r1">{{cite web|url=http://religions.pewforum.org/affiliations|title=U.S. Religious Landscape Survey|publisher=Religions.pewforum.org|access-date=2011-02-27}}</ref>

The 2001 Canadian census done by Statistics Canada put Canadian Unitarians at 17,480,<ref>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=55822&APATH=3&GID=431515&METH=1&PTYPE=55440&THEME=56&FOCUS=0&AID=0&PLACENAME=0&PROVINCE=0&SEARCH=0&GC=0&GK=0&VID=0&FL=0&RL=0&FREE=0 97F0022XCB2001002] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231011213/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=55822&APATH=3&GID=431515&METH=1&PTYPE=55440&THEME=56&FOCUS=0&AID=0&PLACENAME=0&PROVINCE=0&SEARCH=0&GC=0&GK=0&VID=0&FL=0&RL=0&FREE=0|date=31 December 2006}}. 2.statcan.ca (2010-03-09). Retrieved on 2010-09-29.</ref> and the September&nbsp;2007 membership statistics from the CUC show they had at that time 5,150&nbsp;official members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cuc.ca/archive/whos_who/Admin/phil/InfoTopics2008February.pdf|title=Membership – The More it Changes, the More it Stays the Same|access-date=2011-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109013606/http://cuc.ca/archive/whos_who/Admin/phil/InfoTopics2008February.pdf|archive-date=2015-01-09}}</ref> In 2015, the CUC reported 3,804 members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cuc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/The-Canadian-Unitarian-Spring-2016.pdf|title=Archived copy|access-date=2016-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315161622/http://cuc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/The-Canadian-Unitarian-Spring-2016.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-15}}</ref>

== Notable members ==
{{Main|List of Unitarians, Universalists, and Unitarian Universalists}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Religion}}

* [[List of Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist churches]]
* [[New religious movement]]
* [[Postchristianity]]
* [[United and uniting churches]]
* [[United Church of Christ]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|25em}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite book|last1=Buehrens|first1=John A.|author-link1=John A. Buehrens|last2=Church|first2=Forrest|author-link2=Forrest Church|year=1998|title=A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism|url=https://archive.org/details/chosenfaithintro00bueh_0|edition=Revised|location=Boston|publisher=[[Beacon Press]]|isbn=0-8070-1617-9|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|last1=Buehrens|first1=John A.|author-link1=John A. Buehrens|last2=Parker|first2=Rebecca Ann|title=A House for Hope: The Promise of Progressive Religion for the Twenty-First Century|year=2011|isbn=978-0-8070-0150-9|edition=Revised|publisher=[[Beacon Press]]|location=Boston|ref=none}} 184 pages.
* {{cite book|last=Bumbaugh|first=David E.|title=Unitarian Universalism: A Narrative History|year=2000|isbn=0-9702-479-0-7|publisher=Meadville Lombard Press|location=Chicago|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|last1=Grigg|first1=Richard|title=To Re-Enchant the World: A Philosophy of Unitarian Universalism|year=2004|isbn=1-4134-6691-5|publisher=Xlibris|location=Bloomington, IN|ref=none}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Guest|first1=Avery Pete|title=Universalism as Liberal Religion and the 1845 Antislavery Protest|journal=Journal of Unitarian Universalist History|volume=38|date=2014–2015|pages=127–53|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Historical Society|location=Cambridge, Mass.|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|editor-last1=McKanan|editor-first1=Dan|title=A Documentary History of Unitarian Universalism|volume=1|year=2017|isbn=978-1-55896-789-2|publisher=[[Skinner House Books]]|location=Boston|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|editor-last1=McKanan|editor-first1=Dan|title=A Documentary History of Unitarian Universalism|volume=2|year=2017|isbn=978-1-55896-791-5|publisher=[[Skinner House Books]]|location=Boston|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|last=Parke|first=David B.|title=The Epic of Unitarianism: Original Writings from the History of Liberal Religion|year=1957|publisher=Starr King Press|location=Boston|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|last1=Tapp|first1=Robert B.|title=Religion Among the Unitarian Universalists: Converts in the Stepfathers' House|year=1973|isbn=0-12-914650-1|publisher=Seminar Press|location=New York|url=https://archive.org/details/religionamonguni0000tapp|ref=none}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|d=Q1622507|c=category:Unitarian Universalism|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}

* {{Official website}}
* ''[https://www.uuworld.org/ UU World Magazine]''
* [http://boyinthebands.com/archives/creative-commons-licenced-unitarian-universalist-sites-and-resources/ Creative Commons-licensed Unitarian Universalist sites and resources] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904030230/http://boyinthebands.com/archives/creative-commons-licenced-unitarian-universalist-sites-and-resources/|date=4 September 2015}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080109151243/http://www.discoveruu.com/ DiscoverUU]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSxYpuuSKGY ''What is Unitarian Universalist?''] A YouTube video
* [https://guides.library.harvard.edu/c.php?g=253864&p=10485840#s-lg-box-33026113 Significant Events in the Consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist Churches] from the [[Harvard Divinity School]] Library website.
* [https://archive.org/details/sim_boston-phoenix_1981-08-25_10_34/page/n28/mode/1up Article on Unitarian Universalism in Boston] ''The Boston Phoenix'' (25 August 1981)

{{Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist topics|state=expanded}} {{Religion topics}} {{Authority control}}