Most Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote Seven Principles. However, many congregations, including Davies, have adopted an 8th Principle specific to the work of anti-racism. We live out these Eight Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from six Sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. Our Eight Principles are:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
8. Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.

We are a religious tradition without a creed. There is no statement of faith required to become a member. However, our Principles provide firm parameters for the way we interact with the world. The First Principle, in particular, serves as a touchstone. For example, we embrace teachings from Jewish and Christian texts as a Source of our faith. But we reject interpretations of those texts that diminishes the “worth and dignity” of any person. (More on the 8th principle)