What's the Purpose of the Principles?

Last Sunday, our lively 4th and 5th graders were asked if they could name any of the Seven Principles.  Our children are not used to being "tested" in RE classes.  Let's just say that we ended up reading them.

Now while Unitarian Universalism does not have a creed, I feel that our Seven Principles are key for us to know and understand.  These Principles are more than ideas, they are a covenant. They define how we promise to be with each other as a faith community.

Why it is important for our children to know, remember and understand the Principles?  I think we start by memorizing them and with time and experience we can really apply the Principles and use them to help us make choices.  Here's the text:

We the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
• The goal of world community with peace liberty and justice for all;
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

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