An Introduction to the Unitarian and Universalist Traditions

How is a free faith expressed, organised and governed? How are diverse spiritualities and theologies made compatible? What might a religion based in reason and democracy offer today's world? This book will help the reader to understand the contemporary liberal religion of Unitarian Universalism in a historical and global context. Andrea Greenwood and Mark W. Harris challenge the view that the Unitarianism of New England is indigenous and the point from which the religion spread. Relationships between Polish radicals and the English Dissenters existed and the English radicals profoundly influenced the Unitarianism of the nascent United States. Greenwood and Harris also explore the US identity as Unitarian Universalist since a 1961 merger and its current relationship to international congregations, particularly in the context of twentieth-century expansion into Asia.

1. Liberal religion and the foundations of the Unitarian and Universalist faiths; 2. The European background; 3. Great Britain; 4. Early America; 5. Unitarians and Universalists in the Republic; 6. A religion for one world; 7. Polity; 8. Theology; 9. Worship; 10. Science and ecology; 11. Architecture, music and the arts; 12. Education, welfare and human rights; 13. Unitarian Universalism in the 21st century.

This accessible account of what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist examines the church's current relationship to international congregations, particularly in the context of twentieth-century expansion into Asia. This book helps the reader to understand the contemporary liberal religion of Unitarian Universalism in a historical and global context.

Andrea Greenwood holds degrees from Hampshire College, Brown University and Meadville-Lombard and is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Minister's Association who has served congregations in Atlanta, Georgia and Watertown, Massachusetts. She has been active in disability advocacy work in the broader community and brought her interest in special needs into subsequent work as a Director of Religious Education.
Mark W. Harris is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, currently serving as Minister at the First Parish of Watertown and has previously served as the Director of Information at the Unitarian Universalist Association. He is also adjunct professor at Andover Newton Theological School. He is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Unitarian Universalism (2004) and Elite: Uncovering Classism in Unitarian Universalist History (2010).