Unitarianism Universalism research essay help custom essay

In a conversation many questions were asked about this unique and diverse religion that empowers it’s congregations to teach and grow how they see fit. “By making friends of my Enemies, I destroy them. ” Abraham Lincoln. These words hodl very true to the Unitarian view, without denomination or dogmatic practices that divide people one can worship freely. “We want people to learn in a way that is positive and educational, yet maintain an open viewpoint so they can better understand the way other cultures worship. ” (Rev. M. Walker, personal conversation)

The beginning of the Unitarian Movement draws back to the year 1793 with the formation of the Universal Church of America, they held the belief that God does not damn any person forever and eventually they reconcile with the creator in time. The Universal Church was very foreword in their approach to being anti slavery long before it was a popular movement, however this would nearly be it’s downfall, as many ministers served as Chaplains in the Army during the Civil War. However, through fire and flames, the movement endured and began to prosper as their views became more popular after the Civil War.

While Universalism at this point was a completely different “religion” than Unitarianism, which held the belief that God was not a Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), yet all were the same aspect. While nowhere as organized as the Universilist movement, they still had man popular supporters, and became more prevalent in the 1930’s. The two would however In 1961 as both organizations saw an opportunity to increase their presence they combined into the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, by combining forces they could better spread their teachings and improve their congregational presence throughout the world.

This combination of forces not only improved the relations with many congregations, but also allowed for them to spread into other communities carrying their message to new ears. Many Unitarian Universilist congregations joined the civil rights movements before and after the combination of the congregations, and were amongst the first to help in the 60’s in the south, and many members of the congregations were discriminated, ridiculed, if not had harm done to their persons due to their beliefs in equality and forward thinking.

This liberal view has continued into today, as staunch anti conflict supporters they opposed the 1st Gulf War and actions in Afghanistan and Iraq (Unitarian Universalist , 2007 ). This is not to say they are anti war, but that they believe that major open conflict might not have been necessary when other options could have been leveraged. Unitarianian Universalist churches have taken the forefront in same-sex relations, condoning and supporting same-sex marriage.