UU Principles and Disability: A Responsive Reading

As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
C: “Worth” takes endless forms.
As we find more expressions of our worth,
we grow richer as a church community.
We believe in justice, equity and compassion in human relations.
C: If we let rationalizations replace justice,
resignation replace equity,
or pity replace compassion,
our human relations are diminished.
We believe in acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation.
C: How do I withhold acceptance?
Do my fears stunt our congregation's growth?
When next I hesitate, can I extend my hand instead?
We believe in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
C: How much more will we learn if we share our search with travelers who set a different pace, see from a different perspective,
or understand with a different wisdom?
We believe in the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within the congregation and in society at large.
C: For all to have a voice we need many ways of expression
and we need many ways to listen.
We believe in the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
C: Just as “peace” means no violence, and “liberty” means no oppression, and “justice” means no prejudice, “all” means no exceptions.
And, we believe in respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
C: We gain strength from the support of others,
and we grow stronger as we support others.
Together we can weave our values
into an ever-stronger web of existence.