With respect to these principles, Unitarians have historically supported social justice movements within the United States, such as the Civil Rights movement, and anti-war causes. They also support interfaith dialogue, and believe there is value in all religious faiths, not just Christianity. The merged organization does not hold solely to Universalist or Unitarian beliefs, but honors both in the shaping of the tradition. Many women have served prominently in the movement since its inception, as have African-Americans. Unitarian Universalists also support full social equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people (GLBT).
Unitarian Universalists have occasionally been accused of being irreligious, because of their tolerance of so many conceptions of faith, and the fact that they do not insist that adherents subscribe to a particular conception of God, or even to believe in a traditional, anthropomorphic form of the divine at all. Unitarian Universalists view the religion as part of the individual's unique spiritual quest and state that even as a symbol 'God' "can serve several important functions," including offering a vision of higher values "of truth, justice, love, and goodness," as a reminder of human limitations, and as unifier under the ideal of a single symbol (Rasor 2011). While the Church conducts weddings, funerals, and other important services in a believer's life history, it does not consider these sacraments, and while some Unitarians believe in the saving power of Jesus, it is not a requirement to believe in the saving nature of Jesus or Jesus' divinity to be a member of the Church.
Unitarian Universalist worship ceremonies can take a variety of forms, including "prayer, meditation, silent contemplation, worship, and other types of spiritual practice" ("Spiritual topics," 2011, UUA). Services are held on Sunday, and begin with the lighting of the flaming chalice, a symbol of the faith. The symbolic chalice is surrounded by two interlinking spheres, which represent the unity of the Universalist and Unitarian traditions. Services begin with a sermon, during which the minster will reflect upon issues of faith he or she believes are important to the community. The holidays observed by the community are consistent with those of most other Christian denominations.
In terms of its governance, "the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is a voluntary association of autonomous, self-governing local churches and fellowships,...
This also contrasts sharply with idealistic notions within strict doctrines of the Orthodox faith suggesting that faith and God are defined and not subject to interpretation. One may look into themselves to find compassion and strength, but those qualities must come from God if one views themselves as having what Chirban (1996) refers to as a "vertical relationship with God" (p. 3). It seems agreed on "universally" among Unitarians that
Nightingale met a friend Richard Monckton Miles in 1842. Then in 1844, Nightingale asked Dr. Howe if she could do a charitable job in a hospital like the catholic nuns, and refused her marriage to her cousin, Henry Nicholson. By 1845, Nightingale started training herself in the nearby Salisbury Hospital, but her parents were not happy about it, seeing nursing as an inappropriate job for a well to do
Mainly, the ideals of modern science and philosophy have allowed the religious humanists to meet the stresses of modern life and they would state that their philosophy is for the here and now. Religious Humanism offers a foundation in philosophy which includes moral values, ideals, coping methods and ways to deal with adversity such as flood, hurricane or famine. How would a person like Machiavelli feel about the modern
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