Beliefs & Principles

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal religious community. It is a self-financed and congregationally-directed church. Our church is a member of the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC).

What We Believe

Freedom of Belief: We believe that each individual is responsible for exercising his or her own judgment in matters of religious faith.

Discipline of Reason: We believe in a search for truth and right based on the weight of evidence, the thoroughness of reason and the impulse of compassion.

Growth and Change: We believe that the mind and spirit grow through the quest for new truths and new meanings. Therefore, a spirit of trust and respect for the opinions of every person pervades our enterprise and outlook.

Community and Diversity: We believe that every aspect of the endless variety of nature is related to every other. Not only do we value the interrelationships and those things held in common by humankind, but also we celebrate the differences among human beings, cultures and ideas.

Principles & Sources of Our Religious Faith

Eight Principles

We, the member congregations of the Canadian Unitarian Council, covenant to affirm and promote:

  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 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.

  8. Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions.

Copyright Canadian Unitarian Council.
Original at CUC.ca The Principles and Sources of our Religious Faith

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.

Copyright Canadian Unitarian Council.
Original at CUC.ca The Principles and Sources of our Religious Faith

Courtesy of the Unitarian Church of Vancouver https://vancouverunitarians.ca/