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A stained glass window of John the Baptist from Arlington Street Church (UU) in Boston. — Our liberal Christian roots are visible in the windows of some of our older congregations. This Tiffany window of John the Baptist is in Arlington Street Church, a force for progressive religion in Boston since 1729.

Christian Unitarian Universalists

Beliefs & Principles

Many Unitarian Universalists (UUs) have a relationship with Christianity. Whether we're moving away from a rigid Christian upbringing or moving toward an all-loving God, whether we call ourselves "Christian" or simply admire Jesus, we have a place in Unitarian Universalism. Our faith tradition grew from Christianity, and one of the six sources we draw upon in our worship and religious education is "Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves."

Most Unitarian Universalist Christians believe in God, but not the traditional God-as-Trinity that most Christian churches promote. The UU Christian God is all-loving, as our Universalist forbears taught, and a unity, as our Unitarian forebears taught. This God is too big to be contained in one person, one book, one tradition, or one time in history. To UU Christians, Jesus is an inspiration and his teachings are profound—he possesses a divine spark that is born in all of us, and can be cultivated our whole lives long.

Our congregations celebrate Christmas and Easter with a liberal and inclusive twist. Our style of worship and day of worship are from the Christian tradition, even though our worship draws from many sources. The Bible and its many interpretations have largely shaped our history.

Some of our UU congregations are Christian in orientation, worshipping regularly with the New Testament, offering Communion, and celebrating Christian holidays throughout the year. All of our congregations welcome people with Christian backgrounds and beliefs.