Class Project

1. Investigate a Religion
Unitarian-Universalism
Linda Wenisch
School of Nursing: Galen College
0722-CLD2100-00004-ONL: Cultural Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Dr. June Hyndman
August 14, 2022

2. The American Religious Landscape in 2020

3. Overview & Background
• According to the PRRI report on “The American Religious Landscape in
2020” there is 0.2% of the US population that are members of the
Unitarian/Universalist religion, an estimated 662,899 Americans using the
2020 US Census population of 331,449,281 Americans. (PRRI, 2021)
• “Religion was mentioned only once in the U.S. Constitution. The
Constitution prohibits the use of religious tests as qualification for public
office. This broke with European tradition by allowing people of any faith
(or no faith) to serve in public office in the United States.” (History, 2018)
• “The First Amendment (to the U.S. Constitution) was adopted on
December 15, 1791. It established a separation of church and state that
prohibited the federal government from making any law “respecting an
establishment of religion.” “It also prohibits the government, in most cases,
from interfering with a person’s religious beliefs or practices.” (History,
2018)

4. Overview & Background - Continued
• “Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religious tradition that was formed
from the consolidation of two religions: Unitarianism and
Universalism. In America, the Universalist Church of America was
founded in 1793, and the American Unitarian Association in 1825.
After consolidating in 1961, these faiths became the new religion of
Unitarian Universalism through the Unitarian Universalist Association
(UUA).”(UUA.org, n.d.)
• “Unitarian Universalists are creedless and deny the authority of
dogmas promulgated by church councils.” (Godbey, 2022)

5. Describe 3-4 salient features that make
this religion distinct from other religions.
• Unitarianism Universalism is a nontrinitarian branch of Christian theology. They are
creedless and non-doctrinal denying any authority of dogmas promulgated by church
councils.
• Unitarian Universalists are non-fanatical, tolerant and liberal enough in their beliefs to
accept people with different beliefs, while never trying to impose their beliefs on them.
People of varying beliefs, such as Christians, non-Christian theists, Jews, Humanists,
Buddhists, Pagans, Atheists, Spiritualists, Agnostics, etc. are all welcome. (UUA.org, n.d.)
• Unitarian Universalists focus on the search for truth and not on the claim to have it, and
they recognize a variety of sources (e.g. Bible, Torah, Koran, Science, Reason, etc.).
• Unitarian Universalism is an liberal, eclectic, non-dogmatic, non-fanatical approach to
spirituality and religious beliefs, united more by “shared values” than by “shared beliefs and
faiths”.

6. How is spirituality understood in the religion?
• “Unitarian Universalism offers diverse and meaningful ways of
connecting with the sacred. Whether” “sitting in Zen Buddhist
meditation, listening for truth with Christian lectio divina, praying to
the spirit of life, or chanting in a circle at winter solstice,” their belief
“spirituality is unbounded.” (UUA.org, n.d.).
• Unitarian Universalist communities are made up of people with
various, eclectic, diverse and inclusive beliefs and spiritual practices.
• Unitarian Universalist’s shared covenant supports “the free and
responsible search for truth and meaning.” (UUA.org, n.d.).

7. How flexible is the religion to accepting alternative
interpretations of scriptures, religious rules, and regulations?
• Unitarianism Universalism is a nontrinitarian branch of Christian theology. They are
creedless and non-doctrinal denying any authority of dogmas promulgated by
church councils. (UUA.org, n.d.).
• Unitarian Universalists focus on the search for truth and not on the claim to have
the truth, and they recognize a variety of sources of the truth (e.g. Bible, Torah,
Koran, Science, Reason, etc.).
• Unitarian Universalists are non-fanatical, tolerant and liberal enough in their
beliefs to accept people with different beliefs, while never trying to impose their
beliefs on them. People of varying beliefs, such as Christians, non-Christian theists,
Jews, Humanists, Buddhists, Pagans, Atheists, Spiritualists, Agnostics, etc. are all
welcome. (UUA.org, n.d.).

8. How strictly do the followers adhere to the
rules and guidelines in the scriptures?
• Unitarianism Universalism is a nontrinitarian branch of Christian theology. They
are “creedless and non-doctrinal denying any authority of dogmas promulgated
by church councils.” (UUA.org, n.d.)
• Unitarian Universalism is an liberal, eclectic, non-dogmatic, non-fanatical
approach to spirituality and religious beliefs, united more by “shared values”
than by “shared beliefs and faiths”.
• As Unitarian Universalists, “whether we're sitting in Zen Buddhist meditation,
listening for truth with Christian lectio divina, praying to the spirit of life, or
chanting in a circle at winter solstice, our spirituality is unbounded.” (UUA.org,
n.d.)

9. How might your assigned religion respond to the FCC’s approach toward
gender inclusion? Given what you know about gender in your assigned religion,
do you think this religion would welcome having a woman leader?
• The following is a direct, unedited quote from UUA.org website titled
“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Justice”: “Each of us
has worth and dignity, and that worth includes our gender and our
sexuality. As Unitarian Universalists (UUs), we not only open our
doors to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, we
value diversity of sexuality and gender and see it as a spiritual gift. We
create inclusive religious communities and work for LGBTQ justice and
equity as a core part of who we are. All of who you are is sacred. All
of who you are is welcome.” (www.UUA.org/lgbtq)
• Unitarian Universalists have already welcomed women leaders in
their various congregations and organization levels.

10. How might your chosen religion respond to the FCC’s approach toward
LGBTQIA inclusion? Do you think your group would disapprove of the FCC
hosting wedding receptions and fundraisers for the LGBTQIA community?
• After all the research conducted on my assigned religion, Unitarian
Universalism, I am positive this religion and all its congregants would
applaud and encourage the FCC’s approach toward LGBTQIA
inclusion, equity, and justice.
• Unitarian Universalists include, host, and celebrate all members
significant life events equally (i.e. births, weddings, and deaths).
• The UUA has a history of supporting civil rights and social justice
movements over the last six decades. The LGBTQIA community is
welcomed and supported with specific activities, fundraising, and
programs tailored for those who wish to seek the truth together.

11. How has your group experienced discrimination based on
religious affiliation? How do you think religious discrimination
can be avoided in our society and the workplace?
• Unitarian Universalism has experienced discrimination because every sect
of Christianity discriminates against other affiliates of all the other different
Christian sects. The doctrines and dogma of all organized religions are
designed to basically control the lives of congregation members. Any
deviation outside the limits and boundaries of the “church (Religion)
council’s” doctrines and dogmas is judged to be “bad” and not condoned
or tolerated.
• In society, as long as there is organized religion, there will be religious
discrimination…in my opinion.
• Avoiding religious discrimination in the workplace, in America, is relatively
simple. Follow the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We are all free to
choose who and what we sell our knowledge, skills, experience, and labor
to and for what price.

12. How would you recommend other similar organizations be
equitable, diverse, and inclusive of everyone in their community?
• Personally, after specific research about Unitarian Universalism, I have
been unable to identify any other religion, religious organization or
religious “group” that is willing or able, for any number of “religious
teaching” reasons, to be as diverse, equitable and inclusive as the Unitarian
Universalism Association.
• In order to recommend to any similar religious organization how they/it
could be diverse, equitable, and inclusive in their community would require
an understanding of what that religious organization’s doctrines and
dogmas will allow. Most religious organizations, in my experience, are
always recruiting for new members to join there local congregations and
thereby grow and include more followers for the leader(s)…but followers
must obey their rules. This is the main point of organized religion, in my
opinion.

13. Conclusion - Synthesize a summary of your content into
conclusion slides: Which aspects stood out for you?
• Unitarian Universalists are non-fanatical, tolerant and liberal enough in their beliefs to
accept people with different beliefs, while never trying to impose their beliefs on them.
People of varying beliefs, such as Christians, non-Christian theists, Jews, Humanists,
Buddhists, Pagans, Atheists, Spiritualists, Agnostics, etc. are all welcome. (UUA.org, n.d.)
• Unitarian Universalists focus on the search for truth and not on the claim to have it,
and they recognize a variety of sources for the “Truth”, (e.g. Bible, Torah, Koran, Science,
Reason, etc.).
• Unitarian Universalism is an liberal, eclectic, non-dogmatic, non-fanatical, non-
doctrinal approach to spirituality and religious beliefs, united more by “shared values”
than by “shared beliefs and faiths”.
• The UUA has a history of supporting civil rights and social justice movements over the
last six decades.

14. Conclusion – Continued: How did learning about this religion contribute to
your cultural competency?
• Until this assignment, I had no idea that there was a “Religion” called
Unitarian Universalism. Just learning about this “Religion” has added to my
knowledge and awareness of the many, various, and diverse religious belief
systems in the world.
• I found it fascinating that a “Religion” had developed and is being practiced
today that accepts members who believe the theology, doctrines and
dogmas of practically any religious belief system conceived and practiced
throughout the world today.
• This “organized” acceptance, integration and open welcoming of all people
is truly unique to the core principles and values of Unitarian Universalism.
• This new knowledge has significantly expanded and diversified my cultural
competency.

15. References
• Godbey, J. Charles (June 12, 2022). Unitarianism and Universalism. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved
08/01/2022 from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Unitarianism
• History.com Editors (August 21, 2018). Freedom of Religion. Published by A&E Television Networks. Retrieved
08/08/2022 from: https://www.history.com/topics/united-states-constitution/freedom-of-religion
• Public Religion Research Institute (n.d.) The American Religious Landscape in 2020 (July 8, 2021). Retrieved
08/02/2022 from: https://www.prri.org/research/2020-census-of-american-religion/
• US Census Bureau (July, 2021). Quick Facts Table. Retrieved 08/05/2022 from:
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/POP010220
• Zavada, Jack. (2021, September 15). What Do Unitarian Universalists Believe? Retrieved 08/02/2022 from:
https://www.learnreligions.com/unitarian-universalist-beliefs-and-practices-701571
• UUA.org (n.d.). History of Unitarian Universalism. Unitarian Universalist Association. Retrieved 08/06/20221
from: https://www.uua.org/beliefs/who-we-are/history
• UUA.org, (n.d). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Justice. Unitarian Universalist Association.
Retrieved 08/12/2022 from: https://www.uua.org/lgbtq