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Principles and Sources of Our Religious Faith
PRINCIPLES
We, the member congregations of the Canadian Unitarian Council,
covenant to affirm and promote:
- the inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
- acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth
in our congregations;
- a free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process
within our congregations and in society at large;
- the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and
justice for all;
- respect for the interdependent web of all existence
of which we are a part.
SOURCES
The living tradition which we share 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 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-centred traditions which
celebrate the sacred circle of life and
instruct us to live in harmony
with the
rhythms of nature.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches
and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen
our understanding
and
expand our vision. As free congregations we enter
into this covenant, promising
to one another our mutual trust and support.
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