Our Principles

Welcome to Unitarian Universalism, a religion that celebrates diversity of belief and is guided by seven principles.

  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 congregation 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.

The practice of promising to walk together is the precious core of our creedless faith. This is why, in addition to practicing the seven principles above, our congregation has made a covenant to define our relationship with each other.

We, the members of the Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, do hereby commit:

  1. To affirm and promote the seven principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
  2. To strive to treat others in the same way I wish to be treated, honoring their inherent worth and dignity.
  3. To strive to resolve concerns and disagreements directly with the person involved and in a respectful manner.
  4. To agree to value the better good of the Fellowship above my own individual thinking on Fellowship issues and concerns.
  5. To agree, to the extent possible, to support the Fellowship with my time, talent, and finances.
  6. To understand that the ability to make friends is an important opportunity to many Fellowship members and friends; therefore, I will work to facilitate positive friendship opportunities.
  7. To participate in a process that examines the Fellowship’s relationship to the wider community as we strive to promote our UU principles through public social action and service.

Unitarian Universalism draws from many 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 neighbors 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.

While our congregations uphold shared principles, individual Unitarian Universalists may discern their own beliefs about spiritual, ethical, and theological issues. In addition to holding different beliefs on spiritual topics, individual Unitarian Universalists may also identify with and draw inspiration from Atheism and Agnosticism, Buddhism, Christianity, Humanism, Judaism, Islam, and Pagan or other Earth Centered religious or philosophical traditions.

There is a rich dialogue in our congregations about many spiritual topics. Below are some topics that newcomers are often curious about.