For a while now I've been thinking of myself as more of a Universalist, and less of a Unitarian. The reasons for this are many-layered and evolving, but I thought I would write some of them down.
Firstly I suppose I should say in many ways I am still a Unitarian. I am a minister of the General Assembly of Unitarian Free Christian Churches. I am not a Trinitarian, and in that strict sense I am still a Unitarian. I am still inspired by a number of aspects of the Unitarian tradition: Channing, American Transcendentalism, Polish Brethren Unitarians, James Luther Adams, James Martineau.
And yet I feel Universalism describes my faith better. This is despite the fact that, unlike in the United States, there never was a large organised Universalist denomination in the UK, though there were a smattering of Universalist churches, and some of today's Unitarian churches were originally Universalist (I might be wrong but I think: Brighton, Boston, Glasgow, as well as the congregations of the General Baptist Assembly).
Universalism is one of the legitimate expressions of religious life represented by the General Assembly. It didn't make it into the title of the denomination, as in the United States, but it is there.
I am inspired by the history of Universalism, particularly the early spiritual Universalism of George de Benneville. That's partly it. And I want to put myself in the flow of a religious tradition that emphasises prayer and the encounter with the Divine as the foundation for faith.
But it's not especially because I disbelieve in hell. I do disbelieve in hell, but it's never really been something I've worried about.
Fundamentally it's because at the heart of my faith is the love of God, and it's easier to call that Universalism than Unitarianism. The word Universalism connects a lot more with the heart of things, with what matters, with spiritual teaching.
Universalism: the universal and unconditional love of God for every person. That's what my faith is. I find that easier to explain to people. And it feels like "good news". God is love, and the invitation is to discover that love in the practice of contemplative prayer. That feels like a faith that can and does sustain me, and can be offered as a gift to others.
Comments
Universalism (in my view) emphasises the diversity of the people, and by extension, of all of life. Unitarianism points to unity, wholeness, interconnectedness. The challenge of reconciling these two apparent opposites, perhaps even a paradox, is what motivates me spiritually.
So I like to call myself a Unitarian Universalist as a closer description. But in any case most religious liberals in my experience are passionate about both poles. Celebrating difference and diversity - confident selfhood; also embracing us all in common humanity, unity and wholeness - loving selflessness.
Harry.