Unitarian universalism ( Act ) is a liberal religion characterized by "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". The Unitarian Universalists affirm no conviction, but united by their joint search for spiritual growth. Thus, their congregations included many atheists, agnostics, and theists in their membership. Unitarian universalism's roots lie in liberal Christianity, especially Unitarianism and Universalism. Unitarian Universalists claim that from these traditions there is a deep appreciation of intellectual freedom and inclusive love. Congregations and members seek inspiration and gain insight from all the major world religions.
The beliefs of the Unitarian Universalist individual are broad-ranging, including atheism, agnosticism, pantheism, deism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, neopaganism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Humanism, and more.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was formed in 1961 through the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association, founded in 1825, and the Universalist Church of America, founded in 1793. UUA is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and serves mostly churches in United States of America. A group of thirty Philippine congregations are represented as the only members in the UUA. The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) became an independent body in 2002. UUA and CUC, in turn, are two of the seventeen members of the Unitarian International Council and Universalist.
Video Unitarian Universalism
History
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Unitarian universalism was formed from a consolidation in 1961 of two historically separated Christian denominations, the Universalist Church of America and the American Unitarian Association, both based in the United States; the new organization formed in this incorporation is the Unitarian Universalist Association. By the time consolidation of North America, Unitarian and Universalists had grown beyond their roots in liberal Christian theology. Today they draw from various religious traditions. Individuals may or may not identify themselves as Christians or subscribe to Christian beliefs. The Universalist unitarist congregations and fellowship tend to maintain some Christian traditions, such as Sunday worship with sermons and hymns. The extent to which elements of a particular religious tradition are incorporated into private spiritual practice is a matter of individual preference for the congregation, in accordance with a non-dogmatic approach, which is not dogmatic to the spirituality and development of faith.
New British Unitarians evolved from the Congregational Christianity of the Reverend Pilgrim, which was originally based on the literal reading of Scripture. Unitarian liberalization rejects the belief of the Trinity in the tri-private lordship: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit/Spirit. Instead, they affirm the idea of ​​the unity of God. In addition, they reject the doctrine of original sin, away from Congregationalist Calvinism.
The New England universalists reject the emphasis of the Puritan ancestors on a select few, the Elect, who are supposed to be saved from the eternal damnation of a just God. Instead Universalis affirms that all people will at last be at peace with God. The Universalists reject the flames of hell and the condemnation of evangelical preachers, who try to revive fundamentalist Christianity from early Pilgrim fathers.
Universalism
Universalists claim a long history, beginning with Origen and Gregory of Nyssa, although some modern scholars question whether one of these church ancestors taught the doctrine that defines Universalism (universal salvation).
This core doctrine asserts that through Christ every single human soul must be saved, leading to "restitution of all things" (apocatastasis). In 1793, Universalism emerged as a special denomination of Christianity in the United States, finally called the Americanist Universalist Church. Early Universal Universal Safety supporters such as Elhanan Winchester, Hosea Ballou and John Murray teach that all souls will attain salvation, sometimes after a period that resembles purgatory. Christian universalism denies the doctrine of eternal damnation, and expresses a belief in a loving God who will ultimately redeem all mankind.
Unitarianism
Historically, various forms of Nontrinitarianism have appeared in Christianity. This term may refer to any belief in the nature of Jesus Christ which affirms God as a single entity and rejects the doctrine of the Trinity, as confirmed by mainstream Christianity: the consensus of the Christian bishop at the First Council of Nicea in 325. Nontrinitarianism mainly occurred during the theological turmoil of the Protestant Reformation. A Spanish physician, Michael Servetus, studied the Bible and concluded that the concept of the Trinity, as traditionally understood, is not biblical. His books About Trinity Mistakes and Christianismi Restitutio caused a lot of uproar. Servetus was eventually arrested, convicted of heresy, and burned at the stake in Geneva in 1553 under the orders of John Calvin.
The term Unitarian enters English through Henry Hedworth, who applies it to the teachings of Laelio Sozzini and the Polish Socinians. The Unitarian Church was formally founded in Transilvania and Poland (by the Socinians) in the second half of the 16th century. There, the first religious freedom doctrines in Europe were established (in the course of several diets between 1557 and 1568, see the Torda Decree) under the jurisdiction of John Sigismund, king of Hungary and Prince of Transylvania, the only king of Unitarians. The early Unitarian Church not only rejected the Trinity, but also the pre-existence of Christ and, in many cases, predestination and original sin as proposed by Augustine of Hippo, and the substitutionary substitution of Christ developed by Anselm of Canterbury and John Calvin. There are several different forms of Christology at the beginning of the Unitarian movement; finally, the dominant Christology becomes psilantropism: that Jesus is a man, but a person with a unique relationship with God.
English
Influenced by the teachings of the Polish Socinians, Samuel Clarke (1675-1729) revised the Book of Common Prayer, removing the Nicene Creed of the Trinity and referencing to Jesus as God. Theophilus Lindsey also revised the General Prayer Book to allow a more tolerant and free Unitarian interpretation. Both scholars are charged under the Blasphemy Law of 1697 which makes it an offense for anyone, educated in or has made a profession of Christianity, by writing, preaching, teaching or suggesting speech, to deny the Holy Trinity. The Act of Toleration (1689) provided assistance to Dissenters British, but not Unitarian. Efforts Clarke and Lindsey met with substantial criticism from the more conservative and layman of the Church of England. In response, in 1774, Lindsey applied for the Essex House registration as a worship venue with the help of lawyer John Lee. On Sunday after registration - April 17, 1774 - the first true Unitarian congregation who secretly convened in Essex Street Chapel. The ones present were Lee, Joseph Priestley and an agent from Massachusetts Colony, Benjamin Franklin. Priestley also founded a congregation of reforms, but, after his house was burned in the Priestley Riot, he fled with his wife to America, where he became a leading figure in the establishment of a church on American soil.
After laypeople and priests loosened their fierce opposition to the Doctrine of the Trinity Deed of 1813, which was finally permitted for the protection of different religions, the British and Foreign Unitarian Association was established in 1825. Its headquarters are in Essex Hall, the substitute of Essex Lindsey House. Two significant ones in national life are the Cross Street Chapel in Manchester and the New Unitarian Unitarian Church in New London. Unitarian congregations in Britain today meet under the auspices of the Unitarian General Assembly and the Free Christian Churches. There are 170 Unitarian communities throughout the UK.
United States
In the United States, the Unitarian movement began primarily in the New England Congregational parish church, which is part of the Massachusetts state church. These churches, whose buildings can still be seen today in many New England town squares, trace their roots to the Puritan division of the colonies to the parishes for the administration of their religious needs. By the end of the 18th century, conflicts grew in some of these churches between Unitarian and Trinitarian factions. In 1805, Unitarian got an important position at Harvard. In 1819 William Ellery Channing preached an ordination sermon for Jared Sparks in Baltimore, which outlines the Unitarian position. The American Unitarian Association was established as a separate denomination in 1825. Incidentally and unknown to both parties, the AUA was formed on the same day - May 26, 1825 - as the British and Foreign Unitarian Association
In the nineteenth century, under the influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson (who was once a Unitarian minister) and other transcendentalists, Unitarianism began its long journey from liberal Protestantism to its more pluralist form.
Integration 1825-1961
After a split within the Congregational Churches that produced the foundations of the American Unitarian Association, some of the churches remained in the fold of the Congregation and became members of the Congregation (later United Church of Christ) church, while others chose to be Unitarian. The latter few eventually became part of the UUA during the consolidation of Unitarian and Universalist churches. The different Universalist Church follows a different path, having begun as an independent congregation outside the boundaries of fully established Puritan churches. Currently, UUA and United Church of Christ work together on social justice initiatives such as the Advocacy of Sexuality Education project.
In 1961, the American Unitarian Association (AUA) was consolidated with the Universalist Church of America (UCA), thus forming the Unitarian Universalist Association. In the same year, the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) was formed. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was also granted company status in May 1961 under the legislative special measures of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York.
In 1998, the Canadian Unitarian Council and the Unitarian Universalist Association dissolved their financial deal, although they continued to work together. CUC was present at Meadville in 1961. However, the continuous decline of denominational churches and the almost complete failure of the Universalist movement in Canada, has led to the establishment of the Council to push for a plan to join the UUA. The opposition to liberal liberal freedom was relaxed, so in 2002 it was agreed to increase autonomy and funding. The merger proved to be difficult for the Canadians, in a small minority, and largely ignored with only 45 congregations and 5,200 members, Americans were insensitive to cultural differences.
Maps Unitarian Universalism
Beliefs, covenants, and scriptures
Unitarian universalists practice non-belief religions. Consequently, their individual beliefs vary, and their attitudes toward their respective beliefs and traditions are tolerance and acceptance. Instead of a focus on doctrine or conviction, Unitarian Universalists find the ultimate meaning in their collective agreement, or agreement: members agree to "affirm and promote" the Seven Principles. Rather than respecting the narrow religious tradition, Unitarian Universalists embrace the "tradition of life" drawn from many sources, including the Six Sources.
Seven Principles
Adopted in 1960, Principles, Objectives and Sources can be found in the Unitarian Universalist Unitarian Rules of Association. The principles are expressed,
We, members of the Unitarian Universalist Association, pledge to affirm and promote:
- The price and dignity attached to each person;
- Justice, equality, and compassion in human relationships;
- Acceptance of each other and the impetus for spiritual growth in our congregation;
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- The right to the conscience and use of the democratic process within the congregation and the wider community;
- The purpose of the world community with peace, freedom and justice for all;
- Respect for the interdependent network of all our shared existence.
Six Resources
Unitarian universalists emphasize spiritual growth and development. The authoritative statement of the Unitarian Universalist principle describes the "source" underlying the current practice:
- A direct experience that goes beyond mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to renew passion and openness to the forces that create and uphold life;
- Words and deeds of prophetic women and men who challenge us to face the power and structure of evil with justice, compassion, and the power of the transformation of love;
- Wisdom from world religions that inspire us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- The Jewish and Christian teachings that call upon us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbor as ourselves;
- Humanist teaching that advises us to pay attention to the guidance of reason and the results of science, and to warn us of the worship of mind and spirit.
- The spiritual teaching of an earth-centered tradition that celebrates the sacred circle of life and teaches us to live in harmony with the natural rhythm.
The Principles and Objectives of Unitarian Universalists have been modified from time to time to realize acceptance of wider beliefs and traditions among members. The seventh principle (adopted in 1985), "Respect for the interdependent network of all existence in which we are part", and the Sixth Source (adopted in 1995), "The spiritual teaching of an earth-centered tradition that celebrates the sacred circle of life and instructing us to live in harmony with the rhythm of nature "was added explicitly including members with neopagan, Native American, and pantheistic spirituality.
Approach to the scriptures
Both Unitarianism and Universalism were originally Christian denominations; they still refer to Jewish and Christian texts. Today, Unitarian Universalist approaches to the Christian Bible, Hebrew Scriptures, and other sacred works are presented by UUA:
While Unitarianism and Universalism share a common root in the Protestant Christian tradition, where the Bible is a sacred text, we are now searching for additional resources for religious and moral inspiration.... We celebrate the spiritual insights of world religions, recognizing wisdom in many writings holy.
When we read the scriptures in worship, whether that Bible, Dhammapada, or Tao Te-Ching, we interpret it as a product of its time and place,... can not be interpreted narrowly or oppressively... [S] cripture is never one- the only word, or the final word.
From the beginning we have trusted the human ability to use reason and draw conclusions about religion... [E] ach of us ultimately choosing what is sacred to us.
In short, Unitarian Universalists regard the texts of world religions as works of the people, which are worthy of respect, with the intention that people of all faiths or spiritual backgrounds live in peace with each other.
Worship and practice
Diversity of practice
Unitarian belief that reason, and not belief, defines the search for truth, and the Universalist belief that God embraces everyone equally has led to the Unitarian Universalist conviction that now spiritual truth and meaning can be found in all religions. This is reflected in the various spiritual practices found among Unitarian Universalists today. Many Unitarian universalist congregations include Buddhist meditation groups, Jewish Seder, Yom Kippur and Easter dinners, ortaar food (marking the fast of Ramadan for Muslims), and Solstice Christmas/Winter service. The religious education classes of children and youth teach about the divinity of the world and the sanctity of the world's religions. One of its more popular curricula, Neighboring Faiths (formerly Church Across the Street), invites high and high school attendees to visit places of worship of many religious traditions including a Hindu temple, a Reformation or an Orthodox synagogue, and a Catholic church.
There are many variations among the Unitarian Universalist congregations, with some supporting certain religious beliefs or forms of worship of others, with more homes for a mixture of eclectic beliefs. Regardless of their orientation, most congregations are quite open to different beliefs, though not always with different religious traditions represented on the same level.
Diversity of the congregation
There are various ways in which people understand themselves, calling themselves "church", "community", "fellowship", "congregation", or avoiding the use of certain descriptors (eg "Universalist Unitarian from San Mateo"). Whether a congregation is a 'fellowship' or a 'church' sometimes depends on whether it is led by one (or more) ministers: those who do not minister to ministers, those with pastors being churches. Many use the name "Unitarian Universalist", (and some "Unitarian Universalists"), after gradually adopting this formulation since consolidation in 1961. Others use names that reflect their historical roots by keeping the historical "Unitarian" or "Universalist" "(eg" First Unitarian Church "). Some congregations do not use both (eg the Temple of Unity). For some congregations, that name could be a clue to their theological orientation. For others, the evasion of the word "church" suggests a desire to distance themselves from traditional Christian theology. Sometimes the use of other terms may only indicate the layman's or relatively new status of the session. However, some Unitarian Universalist congregations have grown to appreciate alternative terms such as fellowship and defend them even though they have grown much larger or lost features that are sometimes associated with their use (as in the case of fellowship , traditionally led models of worship).
Also to note is that there are more people who identify as Unitarian Universalists in the survey than those who attend the Unitarian Universalist congregation (by a factor of four in the recent survey), reflecting those who have never joined (and deceased members) but consider itself a part of the Unitarian Universalist movement.
Elevator Speech
In 2004, the magazine World Law requested the contribution of a "quick speech" explaining Unitarian Universalism. This is a short speech that can be made on the way up the elevator to those who do not know anything about religion. Here is an example of a speech delivered:
In the Unitarian Universalist congregation, we gather in the community to support our personal spiritual journey. We believe that openness to each other's experiences will enhance our understanding of our own relationship with the divine, with our history, and with each other.
Most Unitarian Universalists believe that no one monopolizes all truth, or ultimate proof of the truth of everything in any belief. Therefore, the truth itself can not be proved, as others have. As a result, we must respect the beliefs of others, as well as their right to hold that belief. Instead, we hope that others should respect our right to our own beliefs. Some laws at that time, will likely hold many different beliefs. Other beliefs they may have are respect for others, for nature, and for common courtesy, which leads to a special concern for the poor, the weak and the oppressed. As a result, justice issues, including social justice, are among the most common.
Blessing each of us is born; It matters what we do with our lives; What we each know about God is part of the truth; We do not have to do it alone.
Worship and ritual
As in the theology, the Unitarian Universalis rituals and rituals are often a combination of elements derived from other religious traditions alongside original practices and symbols. In forms, church services may be difficult to distinguish from Protestant churches, but they vary greatly among the congregation.
Symbol
The most common Unitarian universalism symbol is a burning trophy, often framed by two overlapping rings that are widely interpreted as representing Unitarianism and Universalism (symbols have no formal interpretation). The Cup itself has long been a symbol of liberal religion, and is indeed a liberal Christian (the Disciples of Christ also use the cup as a symbol of their denomination). The lighted cup was originally the logo of the Unitarian Service Committee during the Second World War. It was created by Austrian artist Hans Deutsch, inspired by "the kind of trophies that the Greeks and Romans place on their altars." The burning of sacred oil in it is a symbol of help and sacrifice. "
However, other interpretations have been suggested, such as the trophies used by Czech followers Jan Hus, who supposedly honor Eastern Orthodox traditions; although the early National Church of Hus was intrinsically evangelical Protestant. In some agnostic historiography, the glowing cup shows a faint resemblance to the cross in some stylish representation, depending on the sepulchir tradition of Hospitaller. Many Unitarian Universalists light a cup at the beginning of the service. Other symbols include a cross in the middle in a circle (a universalist symbol associated with the Humiliati movement in the 1950s, a group of reformers, a liturgical-minded priest who sought to revive Universalism).
Other symbols include a pair of open arms that release a dove.
Services of worship
Religious services are usually held on Sundays and are very similar to the forms and formats of Protestant worship in the Reformed tradition. Service in most of the congregations follows a structure that focuses on sermons or presentations by a minister, a lay leader or an invited speaker. Preaching can cover a wide variety of topics. Since Unitarian Universalists do not recognize text or collection of certain texts as primers or inherently higher, inspiration can be found in many different religious or cultural texts as well as personal experiences of ministers.
The service also includes singing songs, accompanied by organs, pianos, or other instruments available, and may be led by a song leader or choir. The latest Hymns Book published by the denomination, Singing Journey contains 75 songs and is a supplement to the older Singing Living Tradition which contains the reading as well. The hymns that are usually sung in Universalist Unitarian services come from various sources - traditional song songs with new lyrics or adaptations, spiritual, folk songs of various cultures, or original compositions by Universalist Unitarian musicians are just a few. Instrumental music is also a common feature of public worship, including prelude, off-track music, postludes, or music for contemplation.
Pastoral elements of worship may include time to share Joy and Joy, where individuals in the congregation are invited to light candles or say a few words about important events in their personal lives. Many also include meditation or prayer times, led by ministers or service leaders, both oral and silent. A responsive reading and story for children is also typical. Many hearings also allow a time at the end of the service, called "talk back", in which members of the congregation can respond to the sermon with their own insights and questions, or even disagree with the point of view expressed by invited ministers or speakers..
Many Unitarian universalist congregations no longer observe Christian symbols of baptism, fellowship, or confirmation, at least in their traditional form or under their traditional names. Sessions that continue these practices under more traditional names are often federation churches or members of the Council of Christian Churches in the Unitarian Universalist Association (CCCUUA), or may have active branches associated with the Universalist Alliance Unitarian Christians or similar covenant groups. "Dedication of the child" often supersedes a more traditional infant baptism (although it should be noted that such "dedication" is sometimes done even in "orthodox" Christian communities who do not baptize babies for theological reasons). The annual Celebration of Water and Flower Communion may replace or complement Christian-style fellowship (although many Christian-oriented and pluralist-oriented congregations may celebrate or otherwise make provision for fellowship in Christian holy days). Confirmations can be replaced by the "Coming of Age" program, where teenagers explore their own religious identities, often developing their own creeds. After they have finished exploring their spiritual beliefs, they write a speech about it that they then personally convey to the congregation.
Politics
Unitarian and Universalist historical politics
In the 19th century, Unitarians and Universalists were active in abolitionism, the women's movement, the movement of simplicity, and other social reform movements. The second women's rights convention was held at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, New York. In addition, four US Presidents are Unitarians: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Millard Fillmore, and William Howard Taft.
Unitarian Universalist Politics
Historically, Unitarian Universalists are often active in political purposes, especially the civil rights movement, the LGBT rights movement, the social justice movement, and the feminist movement.
Susan B. Anthony, a Unitarian and Quaker, is very influential in the women's suffrage movement. Unitarian Universalists and Quakers still share many principles. It is therefore common to see Unitarian Universalists and Quakers working together.
Unitarian universalists are and are still heavily involved in the struggle to end racism in the United States. John Haynes Holmes, a Unitarian minister and social activist at the New York Community Church - Unitarian Universalist was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), led the latter for a while. James J. Reeb, a minister at All Souls Church, Unitarian, in Washington, D.C. and a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, was beaten in Selma, Alabama on March 8, 1965, and died two days later due to major head trauma. Two weeks after his death, Viola Liuzzo, a civil rights activist of Unitarian Universalis, was killed by white supremacy after his participation in a protest march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The Selma to Montgomery lined up for the best known voting options as Bloody Sunday, though technically the reference is only for March 7th, the loudest day of the three.
Previous head of the Universalist Association Unitarian 2001-2009, Pdt. William G. Sinkford, an African-American, made Unitarian Universalism one of the first traditional white denominations led by a member of a racial minority.
While political liberals form a clear majority of the Unitarian Universalists, the movement aspires to diversity, and officially welcomes the congregation irrespective of their political views. The politically conserved Unitarian Universalists show that neither religious liberalism nor the UUA Principles and Purposes require liberal politics. Like Unitarian Universalist beliefs, politics is decided by individuals, not by congregations or denominations.
Several trials have undertaken a series of organizational, procedural and practical steps to be recognized as the "Welcoming Congregation": a congregation that has taken special steps to welcome and integrate gay, lesbian, bisexual & members of transgender (LGBT). Unitarian Universalist Ministers perform same-sex unions and now same-sex marriages where legal (and sometimes when not, as a form of civil protest). On June 29, 1984, Unitarian Universalists became the first major church "to approve the blessings of religion on homosexual unions." Unitarian universalists have been at the forefront of work to conduct legal same marriage in local states and provinces, as well as at the national level. Gay men, bisexuals, and lesbians are also regularly ordained ministers, and a number of gay, bisexual, and lesbian ministers, themselves, are now legally married to their spouses. In May 2004, Arlington Street Church, in Boston, Massachusetts, was the first country-approved marriage venue in the United States. UUA's official attitude is to legalize same-sex marriage - "Stand on the Side of Love". In 2004 the Minister of Law of Pdt. Debra Haffner of the Religious Institutions for Sexual, Justice, and Healing Morality publishes an Open Letter on Religious Leaders on Marriage Equality to affirm same-sex marriage from a multi-religious perspective. In December 2009, Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage for District of Columbia at All Souls Church, Unitarian (Washington, D.C.)
Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness involves Unitarian Universalist ministers and other leaders to educate them about polyamory. At the 2015 UUA General Assembly, the Association's non-discrimination rules are changed to include the categories of "family structure and relationships"; UUA has not taken any specific follow-up action on this matter.
Many hearings are heavily involved in projects and efforts aimed at supporting environmental causes and sustainability. This is often called the "seventh principle" activity because of the seventh principle cited above.
Controversy
External
Lack of formal recognition
The lack of formal recognition has been the cause of criticism among some who argue that Unitarian Universalism is thus without religious content. In May 2004, Texas Supervisory Superintendent Carole Keeton Strayhorn decided that Unitarian Universalism was not a "religion" because it "lacks a belief system", and stripped the Red River Unitarian Universalist Church in Denison, Texas, from its tax-exempt status.. However, within a few weeks, Strayhorn reversed his decision.
Confusion with other groups
There are separate movements and organizations that adhere to universal Unitarian Christian or Christian universalist theology and do not belong to the Unitarian Universalist Association or consider themselves Unitarian Universalists. The American Unitarian Conference and the Christian Universalist Association are the two most significant organizations representing the current theological beliefs. Christians who hold this belief tend to regard themselves as true Unitarians or Universalists and the heirs to the theological heritage of the American Unitarian Association or the American Universalist Church, and they do not want to be confused with Unitarian Universalists. The Church of Unity is another denomination that is often confused with Unitarian Universalism.
Internal
Respect language
During Pdt's presidency William Sinkford, the debate within the Unitarian Universalist movement has been churned out for his call to return or create an authentic Unitarian Universalist "admiration". Sinkford has suggested that Unitarian Universalists have abandoned traditional religious language, thereby abandoning words with potential power to others who will then dictate their meaning in the public sphere. He has suggested that Unitarian Universalists regain their seats on the interfaith table by making this language theirs. Others have reacted to this appeal by believing it as part of an effort to restore the Unitarian Universalist congregation to a more orthodox Christian pattern of worship. Sinkford denies this, citing the humanist Universalist Unitarian's words as an example of what he meant by "the language of honor." The growth of humanism in Unitarianism is determined by the desire to raise the profile to a universal audience, to educate atheists and agnostics in biblical literacy among the broader Unitarian Universalist congregations, many of whom were born into families without the catechism's moral determination. The debate included the publication of a book by UUA's Beacon Press written by former UUA President John Buehrens. The book is titled Understanding the Bible: An Introduction to Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Freedom , and is intended as a kind of handbook to read with the Bible itself. This provides an interpretive strategy, so that Unitarian Universalists (among others) may be able to engage in public debate about what the Bible says from a liberal religious perspective, rather than breaking away to religious conservatives, and other literal interpretations, all control over the book. content and significance in terms of public and civilian imports. Also an important work by Pdt. Buehrens, together with the Forrest Church, is A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism , in which the author explores many sources of the living traditions of their chosen beliefs.
Borrow from another religion
The "borrowing" of religious rituals from other religious traditions by Universalist Unitarians was discussed at the Universalist Unitarian Universal Assembly in 2001 during a seminar entitled "Cultural Endorsement: Sincere Financing or Proper Cultural Distribution" by the Department of Religious Education, UUA. From special discussions is a sacred lending and practice ritual for certain tribes or using spiritual practice without any real context.
By December 2015, the UUA had 1,018 members of Universalist members in the United States and 1,043 members of Unitarian Universalist members when including two US Virgin Board sessions, 19 in Canada, six in another country, plus 28 congregations of multi-denominational members: 17 in MA, four at IL, three in NH, two in VT, and one each in ME and DC Seven of the ten US states with the largest congregation are also among the most populous states; the country with the largest congregation and members is Massachusetts; Vermont is No. 1 relative to the total population. Maps using 2010 US Census data showing the relative number of congregations per 1 million people posted here. And in September 2014 there were 46 members of the Unitarian Universalist and new groups in Canada affiliated with CUC. By 2015, there are 156,620 adult members and 47,623 children enrolled in religious education programs.
In 1956, Sam Wells wrote that "Unitarian and Universalist are considering a merger that will have a total US membership of 160,000 (500,000 in the world)". In 1965 Conkin wrote that "In 1961, at the time of the merger, membership [in the United States] was 104,821 in 651 hearings, and the joint membership soared to the highest level historically in the mid-1960s (about 250,000) earlier. 1970 [...] ". According to 2008 Yearbook of American & amp; Canadian churches, the Unitarian Universal Congregation's Congregation Association claimed 214,738 members in 2002.
Estimates from the 1990s put world membership between 120,000 and 600,000.
In the United States, the US Religious Identification Survey reported 629,000 members who described themselves as Unitarian Universalist in 2001, an increase of 502,000 reported in a similar survey in 1990. The highest concentrations are in New England and around Seattle, Washington.
The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted in 2007 by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and featuring a sample size of over 35,000, puts the proportion of American adults identifying as Unitarian Universalists by 0.3%.
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