Unitarian Universalist Principles & Sources
A compassionate community of free religious thought, inviting all people to rest, grow, and serve the world.
Eight Canadian Unitarian Universalist Principles
We affirm and promote:
- 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;
- 8. Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions
The Rainbow Principles
The Rainbow Principles are an informal version of the 7 Principles developed for children’s programming (and adults find this version comes in handy as a memory aid, too!)
- 1. Respect all beings
- 2. Offer fairness and compassion to everyone
- 3. Yearn to learn by caring and encouraging
- 4. Grow by exploring new ideas together
- 5. Believe what your heart tells you, yet listen to others
- 6. Insist on peace and justice for the whole world
- 7. Value the interdependent web of life of which we are a part
- 8. Practice interrupting racism and other systems of harm
Some Resources
The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
- 1. 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
- 2. Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love
- 3. Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life
- 4. Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbours as ourselves
- 5. 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
- 6. Spiritual teachings of Earth-centred traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
For more information check out the Canadian Unitarian Universal website or the Unitarian Universalist Association (US)