Atheist and Agnostic Unitarian Universalists

An image of a Planetary Nebula captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.

Planetary Nebula NGC 2818, as photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope.

Our universe, from the smallest particles to the galaxies beyond our galaxy, fills us with profound wonder. Why life exists and for what purpose—humans have struggled to answer that question for millennia. In a day and age when so much is revealed to us by science, "God" may or may not be part of our worldview.

People with atheist and agnostic beliefs find a supportive community in our congregations. We are pro-science, pro-reason, and pro-Evolution. We know there is no "one right answer" when it comes to belief, and we don't let that stop us from taking action for a better world. We build a community that welcomes us in our wholeness, cherishes our doubts, and invites our ongoing search for truth.

Since the early 20th century, Humanism has been an influential part of our continually evolving religious tradition. Many Unitarian Universalists who are atheist or agnostic also identify as Humanist.

Rev. Dr. William F. Schulz, human rights activist and President-CEO of the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Service Committee, writes of our humanistic beliefs:

  • "We believe that human beings are responsible for the future; that history is in our hands, not those of an angry God or inexorable fate."
  • "We believe that life's blessings are available to everyone, not just those who can recite a certain catechism,"
  • "And we believe that those blessings are made manifest to us not just in the "miraculous" or extraordinary but in the simple pleasures of the everyday."

Unitarian Universalism honors the differing paths we each travel. Our congregations are places where we celebrate, support, and challenge one another as we continue on these journeys.

Explore Atheist and Agnostic Connections

People of many backgrounds and beliefs worship together in Unitarian Universalism.

The outside of a UU congregation's building, reading "One Church Many Paths"

Book cover of Faitheist by Chris Stedman.

Rev. Marlin Lavanhar of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma preaches on 'Why Atheists Go To Church.'

See the whole sermon on YouTube