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Unitarian Universalist History
 Great teachers of many
faiths have stressed the worth and dignity of the human
spirit, the relatedness of all peoples, and the
importance of ethical behavior. They are our forerunners and
spiritual pathfinders.
The Unitarian Universalist
Association [UUA] represents the consolidation in 1961 of
two liberal religious denominations - the Universalists,
organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, organized in 1825. The
UUA provides the continental structure for our faith - a
network of cooperation and mutuality. Historically our
religious roots are grounded in two controversial early
Christian "heresies." The Unitarians denied the Trinity
as being non-biblical, and the Universalists believed in
universal salvation, as opposed to salvation of only the
promised elect.
Unitarian Universalists today are a
religious fellowship with a strong spiritual, ethical and
cultural content in their programs and have affirmed
commitments to freedom and responsibility as the hallmarks of
their faith. Our philosophical/theological story is one of
growth and expansion. Today we strive to be a caring community
that is intentional about its non-orthodox, inclusive
spiritual/religious openness. We celebrate diversity,
compassion, skepticism and open-mindedness.
The UUA is made up
of over 1,000 member congregations in the U.S., Canada, and
eight other countries. The denomination has a long history of
tolerant religious beliefs and social concern as evidenced by
such historical figures and members as Thomas Jefferson, Susan B. Anthony,
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Adlai Stephenson, Albert Schweitzer, Clara Barton, and
Whitney Young.
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