Our Principles, Sources and Aspirations
Unitarian Universalism (U.U.) is a non-creedal faith; one is not required to adhere to any doctrine, belief and creed when visiting or becoming a member. U.U. is also not a faith one can believe anything you want. Although Unitarian Universalists differ in many spiritual beliefs, our faith shares strong values and moral guides expressed in eight principles and six sources.
Unitarian Universalist congregations across Canada covenant to affirm and promote these principles and sources. We believe what matters is not who or what you believe in, but how you live your life. Our principles and sources are within our "living tradition," drawing from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture and direct experience.
Unitarian Universalist congregations across Canada covenant to affirm and promote these principles and sources. We believe what matters is not who or what you believe in, but how you live your life. Our principles and sources are within our "living tradition," drawing from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture and direct experience.
Our 8 Principles
We, the member congregations of the Canadian Unitarian Council, covenant to affirm and promote:
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
8th Principle: Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions.
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
8th Principle: Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions.
Our 6 Sources
- 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;
- Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
- Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbours as ourselves;
- 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;
- Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Our 5 Aspirations
Our Five Aspirations is unique to Unitarian Universalist congregations in Canada.
We the member congregations of the Canadian Unitarian Council, aspire to be:
Deeply Connected: We strive to foster healthy relationships amongst and within UU communities, with the broader world and with all life.
Radically Inclusive: We strive to create hospitable, diverse, multi-generational communities.
Actively Engaged: We strive to work joyfully for a just and compassionate society, experimenting with new forms of community.
Theologically Alive: We seek to be ever-evolving in our understanding, open to new knowledge.
Spiritually Grounded: We seek transformation through personal spiritual experiences and shared ritual.
We the member congregations of the Canadian Unitarian Council, aspire to be:
Deeply Connected: We strive to foster healthy relationships amongst and within UU communities, with the broader world and with all life.
Radically Inclusive: We strive to create hospitable, diverse, multi-generational communities.
Actively Engaged: We strive to work joyfully for a just and compassionate society, experimenting with new forms of community.
Theologically Alive: We seek to be ever-evolving in our understanding, open to new knowledge.
Spiritually Grounded: We seek transformation through personal spiritual experiences and shared ritual.