What do Unitarian Universalists believe?
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion–that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. Our congregation affirms and promotes the individual’s search for truth and meaning, and we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. As a result, we are a theologically diverse group.
Seven Principles
What we share in common, are the Seven Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association. These principles represent some of the highest ideals we strive toward and describe the world we want to create together. At the front of our hymn book the wording says that we “covenant to affirm and promote” these principles:
- 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.
Link: Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Website
Link: MidAmerica UUA Website (our regional association)
Belief in Action
Our fellowship believes that belief without action is empty.
- We maintain a little free pantry to provide food to those in need
- We cooperate with other churches to provide meals occasionally in Rice Lake, including Benjamin House
- Each year we budget substantial funds for contributions to social and environmental causes. These have included immigration reform and support for refugees, free clinic, support for indigenous peoples’ rights, and concern for domestic violence.