Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sexual Ethics

One of the Leader Resources from the now out of print book Creating Safe Congregations (1997) restates our Unitarian Universalist Principles in terms of sexual ethics, and appears in every age level of Sexuality and Our Faith, the companion volume to Our Whole Lives.

  • The inherent worth and dignity of every person
    Every person's sexuality is sacred and is worthy of respect, and therefore, is not to be violated.
  • Justice, equity and compassion in human relationships 
    We treat others as we would want to be treated; therefore, sexual exploitation is wrong.
  • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth 
    Accepting each other as we are means not taking advantage of what we have or don't have*physically, psychologically and spiritually.
  • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning 
    In our relationship to others, our freedom of sexuality is important as is the responsibility for it.
  • The right to conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations
    As a community and as an institution, we have the responsibility to create a secure and safe environment.
  • The goal of a world community with peace, liberty and justice for all 
    We have the opportunity to create the kind of environment that lends itself to peace, liberty and justice in human sexuality, and we can become a model for the rest of society.
  • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
    When we respect each person's sexual integrity we honor the wholeness of life and we respect the web of all existence.