Beliefs
What do you believe?
Ours is a creedless church. This means that although we gather around shared values and practices, we don’t believe that one precise written statement can capture the religious reality. All spiritual seekers are welcome to journey with us. Many people have found that they shared Unitarian ideas without realising it. Why not explore your beliefs using the Belief-O-Matic quiz?
“The religion of Jesus, not the religion about Jesus.”
Historically we have emerged from the Christian tradition. We still use Jewish and Christian scriptures in our worship. Our Unitarian faith has always understood Jesus as a great teacher to be followed, not a divine being to be worshipped.
We also have a deep respect for other great religious teachers and other faiths. We don’t believe revelation is contained in only one book, but that revelation exists in all religions and in our own everyday lives.
Some of us in this church would call ourselves Christians. Others would not. Our faith, Unitarianism, was not founded by one person. Rather a number of people in different places around the world began to discover new ways of approaching God.
“The weakest faith is that which fears doubt.”
Frank Schulman
Early Unitarians began to affirm new truths. They affirmed that there is one God of love who is present in all people, not only present in Jesus (our name Unitarian comes from the affirmation of divine unity). They also denied the idea of Original Sin, that all people are innately sinful and destined to hell. Instead, Unitarians believe in an Original Blessing.
Unitarians believe each person has the ability to discern their own paths using their own thinking and spiritual exploration. We believe prayer, conscience and rational thinking are useful in this process. We don’t see a contradiction between religious practice and rational thinking. We see both as necessary for a healthy faith. There should be no contradiction between reason and spirituality; science and religion. Indeed, one of the previous ministers of this church, Joseph Priestley was a world-renowned scientist who discovered oxygen.
“May your life preach more loudly than your lips”
William Ellery Channing
Faith is not just about what you do on Sunday morning, but how you live your whole life. For centuries Unitarians have worked for women’s rights, for education, and against slavery. We believe in creating a society with peace, freedom and justice for all. Today our values of religious freedom and tolerance are needed more than ever. We work with interfaith organisations to work for peace and understanding in our community and world. We are always seeking ways of living more justly and peacefully in the world.