|
|
Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes
Unitarian Universalism does not have a mandatory set of beliefs or a
restrictive creed. Each member is free to seek religious and spiritual
development according to the dictates of conscience and intellect.
As a member fellowship of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the
San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship promotes The Principles
and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association in our
Fellowship life and in our individual lives.
Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes:
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote
-
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.
With historical roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition, our liberal
religion keeps an open mind to the spiritual questions people have
asked for centuries. We are a "non-creedal" congregation, which means
that we seek religious truth through personal experience, conscience
and reason -- not from any book or religious authority.
We regard the highest values to be integrity, caring, compassion, social justice, truth, personal peace and harmony.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) draws from many sources:
- Direct
experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all
cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to
the forces which create and uphold life;
- Words and deeds of
prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and
structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power
of love;
- Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
- Humanist
teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the
results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and
spirit;
- Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which
celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony
with the rhythms of nature.
These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community. |
