79-684: Cleveland Hall may refer to: Cleveland Hall, London , a meeting hall in London that was a center of the British secularist movement between 1861 and 1878 Cleveland Hall, Nashville , a historic house in Nashville, Tennessee Cleveland's Hall and Blacksmith Shop , a historic site in the community of Attica, Wisconsin Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with
158-432: A Hindu temple, a Reform or Orthodox synagogue, and a Catholic church. There is great variety among Unitarian Universalist congregations, with some favoring particular religious beliefs or forms of worship over others, with many more home to an eclectic mix of beliefs. Regardless of their orientation, most congregations are fairly open to differing beliefs, though not always with various faith traditions represented to
237-473: A Protestant church, but they vary widely among congregations. The most common symbol of Unitarian Universalism is the flaming chalice , often framed by two overlapping rings that many interpret as representing Unitarianism and Universalism (the symbol has no official interpretation). The chalice itself has long been a symbol of liberal religion, and indeed liberal Christianity (the Disciples of Christ also use
316-606: A Tribute to His Memory and an Appeal to Women to Consider their Interests in Connection with the Social, Political and Theological Aspects of the Times. Each lecture would be followed by an open discussion. In 1869 The Gospel Magazine reported that "with feelings of revulsion, we witnessed at Cleveland Hall the reception of an infant into the Atheistic body. Its mistaken mother publicly placed
395-508: A Unitarian Universalist congregation. As a result, individual practitioners may simultaneously identify as Unitarian Universalists, as well as other faith traditions. Although Unitarian Universalism draws its roots from Christian sources, contemporary Unitarian Universalists in North America view their religion as multifaith and drawing on a variety of sources, both religious and secular. Unitarian Universalism encourages its members to draw on
474-621: A chalice as their denomination symbol ). The flaming chalice was initially the logo of the Unitarian Service Committee during the Second World War . It was created by Austrian artist Hans Deutsch . The holy oil burning in it is a symbol of helpfulness and sacrifice. Nevertheless, other interpretations have been suggested, such as the chalice used by the followers of Czech Jan Hus , which was supposedly reverential of Eastern Orthodox traditions; although Hus's early National Church
553-905: A common slogan in Unitarian Universalist congregations, "Deeds, not creeds." They hold that belief divorced from action does not change the world, and that good intentions often lead to a worse situation in the long term. Unitarian Universalist thinkers have long recognized the need to bring belief and action together, and encourage their members to go into the larger world and improve it. Because of this importance of action, Unitarian Universalists have long been involved in social , economic , and environmental justice movements, both through organizations created by Unitarian Universalists and through local, regional, national, and international grassroots organizing. Many Unitarian Universalists see this work as inseparable from their Unitarian Universalist faith, and see their participation in justice movements as
632-518: A congregation's lay-led or relatively new status. However, some Unitarian Universalist congregations have grown to appreciate alternative terms such as fellowship and retained them even though they have grown much larger or lost features sometimes associated with their use (such as, in the case of fellowships, a traditionally lay-led worship model). Also of note is that there are many more people who identify as Unitarian Universalist on surveys than those who attend Unitarian Universalist congregations (by
711-740: A deeply important part of their religious faith. Historically, the Unitarian Univeralist Association's predecessor movements, Unitarianism and Universalism saw members involved in abolitionism , women's suffrage , pacifism , temperance , and prison reform . Today, Unitarian Universalists are deeply involved in causes such as racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement, LGBTQ movements , feminism and women's rights , immigration justice , reproductive rights , climate justice , and economic inequality . The Unitarian belief that reason, and not creed, defines
790-676: A different path, having begun as independent congregations beyond the bounds of the established Puritan churches entirely. The UUA and the United Church of Christ cooperate jointly on social justice initiatives such as the Sexuality Education Advocacy Training project. In 1961 the American Unitarian Association (AUA) was consolidated with the Universalist Church of America (UCA), thus forming
869-402: A factor of four in a recent survey), reflecting those who have never joined (and lapsed members) but nonetheless consider themselves part of the Unitarian Universalist movement. In 2004, UU World magazine asked for contributions of " elevator speeches " explaining Unitarian Universalism. These are short speeches that could be made in the course of an elevator ride to those who knew nothing of
SECTION 10
#1733093409628948-610: A lecture at Cleveland Hall while under inspiration of a spirit, in which she described the third and higher spheres. On 16 April 1874 the British National Association of Spiritualists held a grand inaugural soirée in Cleveland Hall. On 10 May 1874 Cora L.V. Tappan delivered an inspirational discourse at the Hall. The next week Judge John W. Edmonds delivered an address to a large audience there through Mrs Tappan as medium;
1027-664: A literal reading of the Bible . Liberalizing Unitarians rejected the Trinitarian belief in the tri-personal godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost/Spirit. Instead, they asserted a unitary notion of God. In addition, they rejected the doctrine of original sin , moving away from the Calvinism of the Congregationalists . New England Universalists rejected the Puritan forefathers' emphasis on
1106-578: A meeting seeking funding for a hall for the use of trade, benefit and other societies. In 1869 the ownership of the hall changed. In 1870 the Evangelical Magazine and Missionary Chronicle noted that the Reverend Charles Adolphus Row was delivering a course of lectures in defence of the gospel at Cleveland Hall, Fitzroy Square, the former secularist centre. On 25 June 1871 the spiritualist Mrs Emma Hardinge Britten delivered
1185-548: A part of article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association's bylaws. These Principles and Purposes were statements of shared values that Unitarian Universalist congregations agreed to uphold: These principles, first adopted in 1960 and later revised in 1984 and 1985, proved so popular that many Unitarian Universalists came to see them as a wisdom source in and of themselves and a guide for participation in Unitarian Universalist congregations. In June 2024,
1264-567: A particular caring for the poor, the weak and the downtrodden. As a result, issues of justice, including social justice are held in common among most. It's a blessing each of us was born; It matters what we do with our lives; What each of us knows about God is a piece of the truth; We don't have to do it alone. As in theology, Unitarian Universalist worship and ritual are often a combination of elements derived from other faith traditions alongside original practices and symbols. In form, church services might be difficult to distinguish from those of
1343-444: A plurality of beliefs. Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to engage in their own unique spiritual journey and to follow their conscience in what beliefs to hold. Unitarian Universalism is seen as compatible with other spiritual paths, and individual Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to engage in their own spiritual journey, whatever the path. Unitarian Universalists are not required to renounce previous faith traditions to join
1422-460: A sermon and the singing of hymns. The extent to which the elements of any particular faith tradition are incorporated into personal spiritual practice is a matter of individual choice for congregants, in keeping with a creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development. New England Unitarians evolved from the Pilgrim Fathers ' Congregational Christianity , which was based on
1501-502: A sermon or presentation by a minister, a lay leader of the congregation, or an invited speaker. Sermons may cover a wide range of topics. Since Unitarian Universalists do not recognize a particular text or set of texts as primary or inherently superior, inspiration can be found in many different religious or cultural texts as well as the personal experiences of the minister. The service also includes hymn-singing, accompanied by organ, piano, or other available instruments, and possibly led by
1580-513: A sole member within the UUA. The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) became an independent body in 2002. The UUA and CUC were two of the seventeen members of the now defunct International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (1995–2021). Unitarian Universalism was formed from the consolidation in 1961 of two historically separate Christian denominations, the Universalist Church of America and
1659-591: A song leader or choir. The most recent worship songbook published by the denomination, Singing the Journey contains 75 songs and is a supplement to the older Singing the Living Tradition which contains readings as well. Hymns typically sung in Unitarian Universalist services come from a variety of sources—traditional hymn tunes with new or adapted lyrics, spirituals, folk songs from various cultures, or original compositions by Unitarian Universalist musicians are just
SECTION 20
#17330934096281738-549: A variety of beliefs about the nature of the divine. The diversity of beliefs about divinity in Unitarian Universalism can be accounted for because of the influence of religious humanism on the movement in the late nineteenth century. Although Unitarian Universalists believe that anyone can be a Humanist, regardless of their position on the use of language of divinity, the rise of religious humanism within Unitarian Universalism enable members to be able to further question
1817-546: Is a religion marked by freedom, reason, and acceptance. As such, Unitarian Universalists practice a non-creedal religion that does not require one to believe in any particular belief or doctrine. Rather than sharing common beliefs, Unitarian Universalists are united by a common history, the affirmation of each person's individual spiritual quest, and a covenant to uphold the community's shared spiritual values. As such, Unitarian Universalists vary greatly in their beliefs, and Unitarian Universalist congregations are often defined by
1896-599: Is between just two, as in a union of marriage, or whether the agreement is among millions, as in a free nation, or whether the agreement is among members who gather to be a free congregation." The use of covenants in Unitarian Universalist community dates back to 1646 and the creation of the Cambridge Platform by the Congregational churches of colonial New England , some of whom would later become Unitarians , predecessors of modern Unitarian Universalists. The Platform
1975-423: Is seen as an evolving philosophy where the limits of science and reason are recognized, its tenets continue to play a large role in the thought of Unitarian Universalist congregations. Unitarian Universalist Humanists hold that the naturalism of their Humanism encourages individuals to recognize the awe, beauty, and wonder of the natural world and recognize the interdependence between humans and other beings. In
2054-563: The Baháʼí Faith . The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was formed in 1961 through the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association , established in 1825, and the Universalist Church of America , established in 1793. The UUA is headquartered in Boston , Massachusetts; and serves churches mostly in the United States . A group of thirty Philippine congregations is represented as
2133-700: The Book of Common Prayer to allow a more tolerant, free Unitarian interpretation. Neither cleric was charged under the Blasphemy Act 1697 that made it an "offense for any person, educated in or having made profession of the Christian religion, by writing, preaching, teaching or advised speaking, to deny the Holy Trinity ". The Act of Toleration (1689) gave relief to English Dissenters , but excluded Unitarians. The efforts of Clarke and Lindsey met with substantial criticism from
2212-827: The British and Foreign Unitarian Association was founded in 1825. It has its headquarters in Essex Hall, successor to Lindsey's Essex House. Two that have been significant in national life are the Cross Street Chapel in Manchester and, Newington Green Unitarian Church in north London . Unitarian congregations in Britain meet under the auspices of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches . There are 170 communities of Unitarians across Britain. The Chief Officer of
2291-900: The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). In the same year, the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) formed. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was given corporate status in May 1961 under special acts of legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York . In 1998 the Canadian Unitarian Council and Unitarian Universalist Association dissolved their financial accord, although they continue to cooperate. The CUC had come into being at Meadville Lombard Theological School in 1961. However
2370-498: The "restitution of all things" ( apocatastasis ). In 1793, Universalism emerged as a distinct denomination of Christianity in the United States, eventually called the Universalist Church of America . Early American advocates of universal salvation such as Elhanan Winchester , Hosea Ballou and John Murray taught that all souls would achieve salvation, sometimes after a period resembling purgatory . Christian Universalism denies
2449-533: The AUA was formed on the same day—May 26, 1825—as the British and Foreign Unitarian Association . In the 19th century, under the influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson (who had been a Unitarian minister) and other transcendentalists , Unitarianism began its long journey from liberal Protestantism to its more pluralist form. After the schism in the Congregational Churches resulting in the foundation (1825) of
Cleveland Hall - Misplaced Pages Continue
2528-690: The American Unitarian Association, both based in the United States ; the new organization formed in this merger was the Unitarian Universalist Association. At the time of the North American consolidation, Unitarians and Universalists diverged beyond their roots in liberal Christian theology. They draw from a variety of religious traditions. Individuals may or may not self-identify as Christians or subscribe to Christian beliefs. Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions, such as Sunday worship with
2607-621: The American Unitarian Association, some of those churches remained within the Congregational fold and became member congregations of the Congregational organization (later the United Church of Christ ), while others voted to become Unitarian. Some of the latter eventually became part of the Unitarian Universalist Association (formed in 1961) during a consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist churches. Universalist churches in contrast followed
2686-501: The British Unitarians was Liz Slade as of 2024. In the United States, the Unitarian movement began primarily in the Congregational parish churches of New England , which were part of the state church of Massachusetts. These churches, whose buildings may still be seen in many New England town squares, trace their roots to the division of the Puritan colonies into parishes for the administration of their religious needs. In
2765-706: The Hall housed a clothing factory (Chamberlain & Co.; later Chamberlain & Sons). Citations Sources Unitarian Universalism Unitarian Universalism (otherwise referred to as UUism or UU ) is a liberal religious movement characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning ". Unitarian Universalists assert no creed , but instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth . Unitarian Universalists do not have an official, unified corpus of sacred texts . Unitarian Universalist congregations include many atheists , agnostics , deists , and theists ; there are churches, fellowships, congregations, and societies around
2844-512: The Humiliati movement in the 1950s, a group of reformist, liturgically minded clergy seeking to revive Universalism). Other symbols include a pair of open hands releasing a dove . Religious services are usually held on Sundays and most closely resemble the form and format of Protestant worship in the Reformed tradition. Services at a vast majority of congregations follow a structure that focuses on
2923-586: The Italian refugees settled in Soho and Clerkenwell. Giovanni Defendi , who had fought with Garibaldi , lived at 17 Cleveland Street. On 18 July 1881 an anarchist congress was held at the Cleveland Hall, Fitzroy Square, at which the American Marie Le Compte , Louise Michel , and Prince Peter Kropotkin spoke. The congress openly supported "propaganda by deed", and discussed using "chemical materials" to further
3002-555: The Philippines, where Unitarian Universalism is much more theistically oriented , member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines affirm the seven principles, but with the addition to their own first principle: "There is God. God is love." Unitarian Universalism believes that actions taken to make the world a better place are more important than what a person actually believes, as espoused by
3081-546: The Sunday evening service, as well as many other activities. Clara Sophia [Mary] Neal ran a club for working girls at Cleveland Hall two or three evenings a week. She said, No words can express the passionate longing which I have to bring some of the beautiful things of life within easy reach of the girls who earn their living by the sweat of their brow... If these Clubs are up to the ideal which we have in view, they will be living schools for working women, who will be instrumental in
3160-522: The UU General Assembly voted to replace the 7 principles in Article II of the UUA bylaws with a new covenant of 6 values, centered on Love. In Canada, members of the Canadian Unitarian Council affirm the seven principles along with an eighth principle: "Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions." In
3239-674: The absence of shared beliefs, Unitarian Universalists often see their religion as a covenantal (as opposed to a creedal ) one. Unitarian Universalists see covenants as the promises that bind congregations, communities, and individuals together in community. In Unitarian Universalism, covenants are mutual promises among individuals and communities about how they will behave and engage with each other. Covenants help create trust and care among Unitarian Universalists and in their congregations. Rather than creating things people have to do, covenants in Unitarian Universalist communities create freedom by helping members know what to expect from each other. In
Cleveland Hall - Misplaced Pages Continue
3318-720: The agent of the Massachusetts Colony, Benjamin Franklin . Priestley also founded a reform congregation, but, after his home was burned down in the Priestley Riots , fled with his wife to America, where he became a leading figure in the founding of the church on American soil. Once laity and clergy relaxed their vehement opposition to the Doctrine of the Trinity Act 1813 , which finally allowed for protections of dissenting religions,
3397-653: The beginnings of the Unitarian movement; ultimately, the dominant Christology became psilanthropism : that Jesus was a man, but one with a unique relationship to God. Influenced by the Socinian doctrine of the Polish Brethren , the Unitarian minister Samuel Clarke (1675–1729) revised the Book of Common Prayer , removing the Trinitarian Nicene Creed and references to Jesus as God . Theophilus Lindsey also revised
3476-462: The breaking of Ramadan fast for Muslims), and Christmas Eve/ Winter Solstice services. Children's and youth's religious education classes teach about the divinity of the world and the sanctity of world religions. One of its more popular curricula, Neighboring Faiths (formerly Church Across the Street), takes middle and high school participants to visit the places of worship of many faith traditions including
3555-455: The child in the arms of the notorious lecturer, Mr Bradlaugh, who bestowed upon it his Atheistic blessing..." The writer concluded that these events "clearly portend the near approach of the period when the terrible conflict which is pointed to in so many prophetic portions of the Scriptures will take place." The secularists let others make use of the hall. For a year from November 1865 the hall
3634-786: The continual decline of denominational churches and the almost complete failure of the Universalist movement in Canada had caused the formation of the Council to prompt a plan to merge with the UUA. Opposition to Liberal religious freedom relaxed, so that by 2002 it was agreed to increase autonomy and funding. The amalgamation proved troublesome for the Canadians, a small minority largely ignored, with only 45 congregations and 5,200 members—the Americans were insensitive to cultural differences. Unitarian Universalism
3713-594: The course of several diets between 1557 and 1568, see Edict of Torda ) under the jurisdiction of John Sigismund , King of Hungary and Prince of Transylvania, the only Unitarian monarch. The early Unitarian church not only rejected the Trinity, but also the pre-existence of Christ as well as, in many cases, predestination and original sin as put forward by Augustine of Hippo , and the substitutionary atonement of Christ developed by Anselm of Canterbury and John Calvin. There were several different forms of Christology in
3792-504: The doctrine of everlasting damnation , and proclaims belief in an entirely loving God who will ultimately redeem all human beings. According to Spanish physician, Michael Servetus , he studied the Bible and concluded that the concept of the Trinity, as traditionally conceived, was not biblical. His books On the Errors of the Trinity and Christianismi Restitutio caused much uproar. Servetus
3871-542: The ecclesiastical title, and hangs out at Cleveland Hall, somewhere down a slum by Fitzroy Square. Facilis descensus ! On 18 August 1874 Jonathan Charles King of 54 Cleveland Street and 30 Howland Street, proprietor of the Cleveland Hall Assembly Rooms, initiated proceedings for liquidation under the Bankruptcy Act. In 1876 Harriet Law again leased the hall for use in freethought lectures. In July 1877 it
3950-407: The existence and nature of the divine through its encouragement towards reason. Fifteen of the thirty-four signers of Humanist Manifesto I were Unitarians and one was a Universalist. Unitarian Universalists were also a significant presence among the signers of Humanist Manifestos II and III . Today, the majority of Unitarian Universalists in North America identify as Humanist. Although Humanism
4029-711: The headquarters of the Secularists. The doors would open at seven and the lectures would start at 7.30. There was a fee to enter, and an additional fee for seats near the front. The room was generally "half full of respectable and sharp working men, all very positive and enthusiastic." Some sample lectures were Charles Watts on An Impartial Estimate of the Life and Teachings of the Founder of Christianity ; Bradlaugh on Capital and Labour, and Trades' Unions ; Harriet Law on The Teachings and Philosophy of J.S. Mill, Esq. , The Late Robert Owen:
SECTION 50
#17330934096284108-399: The historical designation "Unitarian" or "Universalist" (e.g. " First Unitarian Church "). A few congregations use neither (e.g. Unity Temple ). For some congregations, the name can be a clue to their theological orientation. For others, avoidance of the word "church" indicates a desire to distance itself from traditional Christian theology. Sometimes the use of another term may simply indicate
4187-450: The judge had died less than two months earlier. Charles Maurice Davies wrote that year, The reigning favourite at present in London is Mrs Cora Tappan, who was better known as a medium in America by her maiden name of Cora Hatch. She came out with considerable éclat at St George's Hall, after which she drifted to Weston's Music Hall in Holborn, in which slightly incongruous locality she set up her "Spiritual Church". Now she has abandoned
4266-439: The late 18th century, conflict grew within some of these churches between Unitarian and Trinitarian factions. In 1805, Unitarians gained key faculty positions at Harvard . In 1819 William Ellery Channing preached the ordination sermon for Jared Sparks in Baltimore , outlining the Unitarian position. The American Unitarian Association was founded as a separate denomination in 1825. By coincidence and unknown to both parties,
4345-485: The location less kindly as in "Cleveland Street, a street lying in that mass of pauperism at the rear of Tottenham Court Road Chapel ". In the 1860s several lecturers including George Holyoake and Harriet Law who rejected the leadership of Charles Bradlaugh tried to make the hall a rival to his Hall of Science. George William Foote in his Reminiscences of Charles Bradlaugh recalls coming to London in January 1868 with "plenty of health and very little religion". He
4424-427: The more conservative clergy and laity of the Church of England . In response, in 1774, Lindsey applied for registration of the Essex House as a "Dissenting place of worship" with the assistance of barrister John Lee . On the Sunday following the registration—April 17, 1774—the first true Unitarian congregation discreetly convened in the provisional Essex Street Chapel. In attendance were Lee, Joseph Priestley and
4503-534: The nature of the Christian God , modern Unitarian Universalists hold a variety of views about the nature and existence of deity. Most Unitarian Universalist congregations take no formal stance on whether or not a god or gods exist but leave it up to individual members to decide for themselves what they believe. Unitarian Universalists may be atheists , agnostics , and theists . Among those Unitarian Universalists who use language of divinity, both monotheism and polytheism are common, and Unitarian Universalists hold
4582-439: The near future, in altering the conditions of the class they represent. The Girls' Club was a great success, but in the autumn of 1895 Mary and Emmeline Pethick left the mission to set up their own Espérance Club for girls. They wanted to escape from the mission's institutional constraints and to experiment with dance and drama. The last records of the West London Mission from Cleveland Hall date to 1916. From 1917 to 1929
4661-439: The opening of the hall said the meeting was protracted and many souls were converted. In 1890 the hall was said to be self-supporting. In practice, however, it relied on generous donations. A dedication service for the Cleveland Hall Food Depot was held in February 1891. The depot received and distributed gifts of food for the hungry. The mission held coffee concerts, lantern talks and a social hour for young men and women after
4740-430: The religion. Here are examples of the speeches submitted: In Unitarian Universalist congregations, we gather in community to support our individual spiritual journeys. We trust that openness to one another's experiences will enhance our understanding of our own links with the divine, with our history, and with one another. Most Unitarian Universalists believe that nobody has a monopoly on all truth, or ultimate proof of
4819-411: The revolution. The meeting resulted in a question being asked in the House of Commons. The Commonweal of 5 February 1887 announced that "A meeting of the international revolutionists to protest against the coming war will be held in Cleveland Hall, Cleveland Street... The chair will be taken by comrade [William] Morris . Speeches will be made in various languages ..." Morris described the place at
SECTION 60
#17330934096284898-426: The same degree. There is a wide variety in how congregations conceive of themselves, calling themselves "churches", "societies", "fellowships", "congregations", or eschew the use of any particular descriptor. Many use the name "Unitarian Universalist", (and a few "Universalist Unitarian"), having gradually adopted this formulation since consolidation in 1961. Others use names that reflect their historic roots by keeping
4977-463: The search for truth, and the Universalist belief that God embraces all people equally has led to the current Unitarian Universalist belief that truth and spiritual meaning can be found in all faiths. This is reflected in the wide array of spiritual practices found among Unitarian Universalists today. Many Unitarian Universalist congregations include Buddhist-style meditation groups, Jewish Seder , Yom Kippur and Passover dinners, iftaar meals (marking
5056-502: The select few, the Elect , who were supposed to be saved from eternal damnation by a just God. Instead Universalists asserted that all people will eventually be reconciled with God. Universalists claim a long history, beginning with several Church Fathers, though some modern scholars question whether these church fathers taught the defining doctrine of Universalism ( universal salvation ). This core doctrine asserts that through Christ every single human soul shall be saved, leading to
5135-476: The time of the meeting as "a wretched place, once flash and now sordid, in a miserable street. It is the headquarters of the orthodox Anarchists, most of the foreign speakers belonging to this persuasion; but a Collectivist also spoke, and one, at least, from the Autonomy section who have some quarrel which I can't understand with the Cleveland Hall people." The hall came to be owned by the West London Methodist Mission of Hugh Price Hughes . The foundation, which
5214-484: The title Cleveland Hall . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cleveland_Hall&oldid=570479555 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Cleveland Hall, London Cleveland Hall
5293-461: The truth of everything in any one belief. Therefore, one's own truth is unprovable, as is that of others. Consequently, we should respect the beliefs of others, as well as their right to hold those beliefs. Conversely, we expect that others should respect our right to our own beliefs. Several UU's then, would likely hold as many different beliefs. Other beliefs they may hold in common are a respect for others, for nature, and for common decency, leading to
5372-406: The words of Unitarian Universalist minister Alice Blair Wesley: "...authentic human freedom is of necessity, lawful freedom, and because we receive the possibility of freedom as a gift of the way things are, an authentic covenant is: a glad promise to live freely together, insofar as we are able, in accordance with the laws of reality that make our freedom possible. This is true whether the agreement
5451-512: The world's religions as well as the words and deeds of prophetic people as inspiration for their spiritual journeys. Although members are cautioned to be aware of possible cultural appropriation of traditions that do not belong to them, Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to find wisdom in a diverse spectrum of religions, customs, and cultures from around the world. Although the predecessors of Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism and Universalism , find their origin in unorthodox beliefs about
5530-795: The world. The roots of Unitarian Universalism can be traced back to Protestantism and liberal Christianity ; more specifically, it can be traced to Unitarianism and Christian Universalism . Unitarian Universalists state that from these traditions comes a deep regard for intellectual freedom and inclusive love. Congregations and members seek inspiration and derive insight from all major world religions . The beliefs of individual Unitarian Universalists range widely; they can include, but are not limited to, religious humanism , Judaism , Christianity , Islam , Hinduism , Sikhism , Buddhism , Taoism , syncretism , neopaganism , atheism , agnosticism , New Age , omnism , pantheism , panentheism , pandeism , deism , and teachings of
5609-468: Was a meeting hall in Cleveland Street, London that was a centre of the British secularist movement between 1861 and 1878, and that was then used for various purposes before becoming a Methodist meeting hall. Cleveland Hall was built with a legacy from William Devonshire Saull , an Owenite , and in 1861 replaced the John Street Institution as the London centre of freethought . The hall was controlled by its shareholders, and these changed over time, so it
5688-488: Was active from 1889 to 1916, was dedicated to helping poor young women. The mission spent £1,500 to convert it into a mission hall. There was seating accommodation for six hundred people upstairs, and downstairs had rooms for the same number of people and a kitchen. The hall was fronted by a three-story building that now held a coffee-palace, classrooms and a place of residence. The Hall was reopened in May 1890. Meetings were held every night. An American visitor who attended
5767-772: Was eventually arrested, convicted of heresy, and burned at the stake in Geneva in 1553. The term "Unitarian" entered the English language via Henry Hedworth , who applied it to the teachings of Laelio Sozzini and the Polish Socinians . Unitarian churches were formally established in Transylvania and Poland (by the Socinians) in the second half of the 16th century. There, the first doctrines of religious freedom in Europe were established (in
5846-483: Was intrinsically an evangelical Protestant. In some agnostic historiographies the flaming chalice displayed a vague resemblance to a cross in some stylized representations, relying on the sepulchral traditions of the Hospitallers. Many Unitarian Universalist congregations light a chalice at the beginning of worship services. Other symbols include an off-center cross within a circle (a Universalist symbol associated with
5925-609: Was leased for Sunday evenings so that the American Unitarian abolitionist Moncure Daniel Conway could "address the working classes." However, the audience consisted of well-dressed lower-middle-class people. In April 1868 there was a meeting of operative house-painters to discuss co-operation with the Manchester Alliance of Painters on a federative principle. In September 1868 the Artisans' Club and Trades' Hall Company held
6004-531: Was not always used for freethought purposes. The hall was at 54 Cleveland Street, Marylebone , north of Soho in an area with a large immigrant population. According to the Secular Review and Secularist in 1877 the hall was a large and commodious building with a historic repute in connection with secular propaganda. It was near Fitzroy Square , three minutes walk from the buses of Tottenham Court Road or from Portland Road Station . Another source described
6083-515: Was reported that Harriet Law had leased Cleveland Hall for another twelve months, and a meeting would be held at which George Holyoake, Harriet Law, George William Foote and others would speak. The secularists did not renew the lease in 1878. The hall was then used for some years for dances and other purposes. In the 1870s and 1880s various groups of political refugees came to London, including French communards , German socialists, Russian Jews and Italian anarchists such as Tito Zanardelli . Most of
6162-452: Was taken to Cleveland Hall by a friend, and "heard Mrs Law knock the Bible about delightfully. She was not what would be called a woman of culture, but she had what some devotees of 'culchaw' do not possess - a great deal of natural ability..." A few weeks later Foote heard Bradlaugh speaking at the hall. Foote later became increasingly involved in the secular movement. An 1870 book on The Religious Life of London described Cleveland Hall as
6241-424: Was the first formal declaration of the principles of church order and governance in colonial North America. Today, many Unitarian Universalist congregations create their own covenants, often called covenants of right relations, to formally lay out the principles of their congregations. In the United States, members of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenanted together via the seven Principles and Purposes,
#627372