The Seven Principles

The following is a brief exerpt from my new book, Modern Universalism.

The Seven Principles

There are Seven Principles which Unitarian Universalists affirm, but to be a Universalist, one does not have to adhere to a certain creed.

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 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

As you can see, even in Unitarian Universalism, the only creed that one adheres to is a moral creed, one that is often taught in other religions. The only difference is that Universalism promotes the search for the truth, or multiple truths, as it views the “truth” about religion as being a different experience for each individual.

Sprouting up today we see many Unitarian churches, or churches that claim Universalist belief, such as the Christian Universalists. In order to be a Christian Universalist, one must follow the doctrine of Christianity but cognitively process like a Universalist. Many Christian churches with strict orthodoxed doctrine do not recognize Universalism, and I believe this is only because they do not understand what it entails. It is not a text to follow nor a collection of stories, but a personal way to live and think, and behave. Many religious scribes would agree to the seven principles if they were presented in a different context. I am sure many devout Catholics would follow them if the Pope decreed them to be true. They are not hard to follow, and seem morally correct. Treat others in the way you expect to be treated. People like Gandhi and Martin Luther King taught the same principles, but in a different context. These principles are the way that most people believe, they just have a title. It does not give them any less or any more merit than they deserve.

Proclaiming “Belief”

                Many Christians can remember the day they accepted Christ, and might mark it as the day they affirmed their faith before a congregation, the day they first took Communion, or the day of their Baptismal. For Modern Universalists, there is no special moment when one “believed” because it is a thought process, a way of life. Most people would agree with it, just as most people just go along with the religion of their family and suppress their secret questions.

                Many religious texts I have read have started out saying to take your own journey and figure out what you believe, but then it is followed by how after doing that, the intelligent individual should choose their religion, because it’s the best! This text simply presents to you my thoughts on Modern Universalism and doesn’t as much act as a text to follow, but rather a defining of what I believe. I do not claim it to be the “way” etc, but I do want to point out that changing the way you think can have a profound positive effect in your life, and I present methods for changing your thought processes from negative to positive, and letting the Universe take care of your needs.

                There is no method to proclaiming “faith” of Universalism. It is an individual journey, and can be done privately. There is no reason to proclaim it to others, unless you feel the need, as Universalism is a private thought process that may or may not occur. As discussed before, most people would agree with the principles of Unitarian Universalism, and some churches today even advocate it. But what you will not see with Modern Universalism is people trying to convert others to their ways. The Universe does not care if you believe in it or not. As an omnipotent being, the Universe does not need your belief. The Universe is, and always will be, and does not need a head count of followers or proclamation of mere humans to affirm its godliness, like the gods of other religions require. When you think about it, why would God, the seemingly all-knowing, require such affirmation? The God of many faiths often seems like a jealous, insecure child, not an all powerful being. Shouldn’t God, who created us, have a better understanding of human nature? I am not trying to disprove God, but I am asking the questions that may cloud your mind at times, but you might not want to admit. I am not afraid to ask these questions, because the God I know does not need affirmation, and does not mind me finding my own way and thinking for myself. The God I know will continue on with our without my belief. It is not that God doesn’t care about me, it is simply that God doesn’t need my individual faith in order to prove his godliness.