The HUUmanists Association has experienced another year of accomplishment in our quest to be a stronger voice for reason and compassion in Unitarian Universalism and in our society at large.  In addition, we have broadened the scope of our vision by seeking to become a bridge to Unitarian Universalism for secular individuals and others who presently have no formal religious affiliation.  To these ends, our extraordinary officers and Board of Directors, made up of Humanist scholars, ministers, and lay leaders, have clarified and focused our Mission: 

The Humanist Unitarian Universalist (HUUmanists) Association is committed to Humanist principles of reason, compassion, and human fulfillment enumerated in the Humanist Manifestos and in the seven Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association.  We seek (1) to promote a broad acceptance of Humanism in our society, particularly throughout the Unitarian Universalist Association and its congregations, and (2) to provide an active interface between Unitarian Universalists and the secular community.

We have also identified and defined the Core Values and Aspirations that support our Mission and enumerated the Initiatives that we are pursuing to accomplish them. You can read the full text of these statements on our updated History and Mission page or download and print a stand-alone document that is useful for sharing with others who wish to understand HUUmanists.

In general, we are focusing our activities on our role as a bridge between Unitarian Universalism and the secular/non-theist communities. American Humanism coalesced and began to flourish almost a century ago when it captured the imagination of freethinking Unitarians and young people at the University of Chicago and Meadville Theological School. Like our forebears, we Unitarian Universalist Humanists have a special role to play with freethinking people of today – especially young people. We must accept them where they are in their life journeys. Our congregations need to be more openly welcoming to atheists and agnostics – indeed to non-theists of all stripes. Young non-theists of today deserve the same opportunity that was given to all of us – the opportunity to find a home in a beloved community, where their life stance will be not only welcomed, but also celebrated and shared.

We have made a lot of progress this year, but to continue this progress we need your help.  If you haven’t already joined or renewed your membership in HUUmanists, please do so right away.  These are times of extraordinary opportunity for and openness to the religious Humanist perspective.  Let’s make sure we are up to the challenge.