An Introduction to Our
Unitarian Universalist Beliefs and Sources


Unitarian Universalist congregations together affirm and promote seven Principles. We also share a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from many sources.

Our Third Principle:

Acceptance of One Another and Encouragement to
Spiritual Growth in Our Congregations

“Spiritual growth isn’t about a vertical ascent to heaven but about growth in every dimen-sion at once. It’s spirituality in 3-D. Growth in spirit doesn’t measure one’s proximity to a God above, but rather the spaciousness of one’s own soul—its volume, its capacity, its size.

“We need souls that can take in the world in all its complexity and diversity, yet still main-tain our integrity. And we need souls that can love and be in relationship with all of this complexity. Instead of flight or flight, we need a spiritual posture of embrace.”

                  —Rev. Rob Hardies, All Souls Church Unitarian, Washington, DC

        (read more from Rob in The Seven Principles in Word and Worship, ed. Ellen Brandenburg)