4th Principle: A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning

Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations together affirm and promote seven Principles. We also share a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from many sources. The seven Principles and six Sources of the Unitarian Universalist Association grew out of the grassroots of our communities, were affirmed democratically, and are part of who we are.

Reflection on the Fourth Principle

“As responsible religious seekers, we recognize that we are privileged to be free, to have resources to pursue life beyond mere survival, to continually search for truth and meaning, to exist beyond bonds of dogma and oppression, and to wrestle freely with truth and meaning as they evolve.

“This privilege calls us not to be isolated and self-centered, believing that our single perspective trumps all others, but rather to be humble, to be open to the great mysteries of truth and meaning that life offers. And those mysteries may speak to us through our own intuition and experience—but also through tradition, community, conflict, nature, and relationships.

“As a faith tradition, Unitarian Universalism makes sacred the right and responsibility to engage in this free and responsible quest as an act of religious devotion. Institutionally, we have left open the questions of what truth and meaning are, acknowledging that mindful people will, in every age, discover new insights.”

—Rev. Paige Getty, UU Congregation of Columbia, Maryland (read more from Paige in The Seven Principles in Word and Worship, ed. Ellen Brandenburg)

The Seven Principles in Word and Worship

By Ellen Brandenburg

From Skinner House Books

Essays by Sarah Lammert, Emily Gage, Robert Hardies, Paige Getty, Parisa Parsa, Sean Parker Dennison and Forrest Gilmore. Plus readings and worship materials on each Principle.

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Unitarian Universalist Principle #4

Download this wallpaper for your smartphone or device by clicking on (or tapping) the image above, designed by Ellen Rockett.

Parents, kids, other congregant members speak with Peter Morales at a UU congregation.