Unitarian Universalism is a non-dogmatic faith tradition. Everyone in our community is welcome to hold any theological beliefs (including views like atheism and humanism) so long as those beliefs are consistent with our values. Here is the explanation of our values taken directly from the Unitarian Universalist Association bylaws:

“As Unitarian Universalists, we draw from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, building on the foundation of love. Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. Inseparable from one another, these shared values are: justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence and generosity.

• Interdependence. We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
• Pluralism. We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
• Justice. We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive.
• Transformation. We adapt to the changing world.
• Generosity. We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
• Equity. We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.

Direct experiences of transcending mystery and wonder are primary sources of Unitarian Universalist inspiration. These experiences open our hearts, renew our spirits, and transform our lives. We draw upon, and are inspired by, sacred, secular, and scientific understandings that help us make meaning and live into our values. These sources ground us and sustain us in ordinary, difficult, and joyous times. We respect the histories, contexts, and cultures in which these sources were created and are currently practiced. Grateful for the experiences that move us, aware of the religious ancestries we inherit, and enlivened by the diversity which enriches our faith, we are called to ever deepen and expand our wisdom.” Read more of Article 2 from the UUA bylaws

This articulation of our faith evolved out of the seven principles and six sources. You can learn more about our community’s participation in adopting the values in these two blog posts: https://firstunitarian.us/2024/06/17/voting-to-revise-article-2/ and https://firstunitarian.us/2024/07/03/article-2-revision-officially-passes/

Many members of our community still lean on the seven principles to understand and practice their faith. The seven principles are:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Our non-dogmatic tradition requires us to regularly revise how we articulate our faith, ensuring we create space for transformation as we respond to the demands of an evolving world.