The 8th Principle

“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: 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.”

How is the 8th Principle different from the other principles?

A strength of Unitarian Universalism is that our Principles are dynamic rather than fixed. The 8th Principle is intimately connected to the existing seven principles, but it also differs from them in several important ways. First, while the 7 Principles may imply the 8th Principle, they do not explicitly hold us accountable for addressing racial oppression in ourselves and our society. Paula Cole Jones has shared that the idea for the 8th Principle came about when, in her work as Regional Director for Racial and Social Justice, she realized it was possible for members to believe they were following all 7 Principles without ever thinking about systemic racism. The 8th Principles asks us to acknowledge that we must work together to end systemic racism in order to create a world where the inherent worth and dignity of every person is realized (Principle 1), where justice and equity in human relations is reached (Principle 2), and where our goal of world community is achieved (Principle 6).

Second, the 8th Principle is the only one of the principles to mention love. And this focus on Beloved Community matters: in congregations that have already adopted the 8th Principle, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) members report a greater sense of belonging and hope (Principle 3).

Finally, the 8th Principle marks a shift from statements of value to a commitment to action. The 8th Principle is not a description of who we are; rather, it is a commitment to who we want to become.

To answer questions about the 8th Principle, we invite you to join a discussion on one or more of the following Zoom calls: Sunday April 11, 12:00-1:00 pm; Sunday April 25, 12:00-1:00 pm, and Monday May 10, 6:30-7:30 pm. Check event pages for Zoom information. We hope to see you there.