Instead of insisting that all congregants adhere to a scripture, creed, or creation story, Unitarians are united by a set of seven universal principles.
One principle is “the inherent worth and dignity of every person” and another affirms everyone’s “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.”
Sedona Unitarian Universalist Fellowship congregants appreciate this freedom to think for themselves. But they know it can sometimes be taken a bit too far, as demonstrated in these quips:
- Why did the UU cross the road? “To support the chicken in its search for its own path.”
- How many UUs does it take to screw in a light bulb? “None, UUs support the lightbulb’s right to change by itself.”
- Why can’t UUs sing very well in choirs? Because they’re always reading ahead to see if they agree with what it says in the next verse.
- What do you get when you cross a Unitarian with a Jehovah’s Witness? “Someone who goes door-to-door looking for an open-minded discussion.”
- What do you get when you cross a Klansman with a Unitarian? “Someone who goes out at night to burn a huge wooden question mark on his lawn.”
- After a UU service, a visitor from a more traditional church was asked by a congregant, “So how did you like it?” Well, the people here are great, but I didn’t believe half of the things that minister said!” The congregant replied, “Why, that’s great, you’ll fit right in!”
Of course, these jokes exaggerate what UUs think and say, but they do indicate that UU marches to a different drumbeat than most faith traditions.
December 1, 2023