The UUA: Our National Organization
UU History
Unitarian Universalism was formed from the consolidation of two religions: Unitarianism and Universalism. In America, the Universalist Church of America was founded in 1793, and the American Unitarian Association was formed in 1825. After consolidating in 1961, these faiths became the new religion of Unitarian Universalism through the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
Both religions have long histories and have contributed important theological concepts that remain central to Unitarian Universalism. To learn more about the history of Unitarian Universalism, please see the pamphlet, “Unitarian Universalist Origins: Our Historic Faith.”
Origins of Unitarian Universalism from Within Traditional Religions
Many Unitarian Universalist congregations are members of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. The primary purpose of the UU Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions, and implement its principles.
Famous UUs
What do John Adams, Louisa May Alcott, Clara Barton, Tim Berners-Lee, Ray Bradbury, e. e. cummings, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Buckminister Fuller, Horace Greeley, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Thomas Jefferson, Herman Melville, Paul Newman, Linus Pauling, Joseph Priestley, Paul Revere, Pete Seeger, Kurt Vonnegut, Daniel Webster, Frank Lloyd Wright, N. C, Wyeth and others have in common?
They were all Unitarian Universalists.
You can find out more about them and other famous UUs at the List of Unitarians, Universalists, and Unitarian Universalists.
Are You UU?
I know I am, but what are you? If you have an open mind and a compassionate heart, if you enjoy the search for Truth and Meaning and seek Justice for all, then you just might be Unitarian Universalist.
“Even if YOU don’t know what faith you are, Belief-O-Matic® knows.” Beliefnet offers a quiz of just 20 questions about your concept of God, the afterlife, human nature, and more. Click here to take it.
While their quiz is very enlightening, please be aware that if you give them your email address, they tend to subscribe you to various newsletters. Be prepared to “unsubscribe” or send their messages directly to your Trash folder.
Note: Neither the First UU Church of West Volusia nor UUA is affiliated with Beliefnet.com.