Published on Sat Jul 04 2026 06:00:00 GMT+0600 (Omsk Standard Time) by 8th Principle UU

Unitarian Universalism has long been proud of its Seven Principles, which guide our faith and our congregations. Yet many among us have recognized a troubling gap: our principles point toward justice and equity, but they do not explicitly hold us accountable for dismantling the systems of oppression that persist within our own communities and the wider world. The proposed Eighth Principle seeks to close that gap by naming the work of anti-racism and anti-oppression as central to our covenant. On this page, we share voices from across the movement reflecting on why this change is necessary, what it might mean, and how we can begin to live into it.

The Principles Imply, But Do Not Require

Our current Seven Principles affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, justice, equity, and compassion, and the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. They imply a commitment to challenging racism and other oppressions, but they do not explicitly call us to do so. The Eighth Principle would add a direct statement: we 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. This addition makes explicit what has been implicit, moving us from aspiration to accountability.

Without this explicit commitment, it is easy for congregations to believe they are living their values while leaving systemic racism unchallenged. The gap between principle and practice has been felt acutely by Unitarian Universalists of color, who have often experienced the denomination as welcoming in word but not in deed. The Eighth Principle offers a way to align our stated values with our lived reality.

A Vision of Beloved Community

The concept of Beloved Community, popularized by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is a powerful vision of a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one's fellow human beings. Unitarian Universalism has the potential to embody this vision in a uniquely multicultural way, embracing not only European Americans and African Americans, but also Native Americans, Latinx people, and the full diversity of the human family. Achieving this would bring tremendous vitality and growth to our faith, but it will not happen by accident. It requires conscious awareness, intentional effort, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

The Eighth Principle places Beloved Community at the center of our covenant, reminding us that our ultimate goal is not just individual spiritual growth but collective transformation. By naming love explicitly, through the concept of Beloved Community, the principle elevates love in our consciousness, consistent with campaigns like Standing on the Side of Love.

The Work Must Be Personal and Institutional

Dismantling racism, white supremacy, and other oppressions is not a single act but an ongoing process. It requires work at both the personal level—examining our own biases, learning, and changing behavior—and the institutional level—transforming the policies, practices, and cultures of our congregations and society. The Eighth Principle calls us to account for both. It is not enough to be personally non-racist; we must be actively anti-racist. And it is not enough to change individuals; we must change the systems that perpetuate inequality.

This dual focus is why the principle speaks of "accountably dismantling" oppressions. Accountability means we are willing to be held responsible for our actions and inactions, to listen to those most affected, and to measure our progress. It is a demanding standard, but one that is essential if our faith is to be a force for liberation rather than a comfortable refuge.

A Living Tradition: Principles That Evolve

Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition, not bound by creed but guided by principles that are open to revision as our understanding deepens. Our Seven Principles were not handed down once for all time; they have evolved over the years. The Seventh Principle, affirming respect for the interdependent web of all existence, was added in 1985 as environmental awareness reached a critical mass. Similarly, we are now approaching a critical mass of awareness about the systemic nature of racism and other oppressions. The Eighth Principle is the natural next step in this evolution.

Our faith is unique in intentionally building flexibility into its structure to acknowledge ongoing revelation. We are called to continually educate ourselves, explore truth, and raise our consciousness. When we reach a new level of understanding, our principles can reflect that growth. The proposal of an Eighth Principle is not a rejection of our heritage but an affirmation of it.

Love at the Center: Why "Beloved Community" Matters

Notice that none of our current Seven Principles mentions love explicitly. That omission is striking for a faith that often speaks of love as its core. The Eighth Principle would bring love into our covenant through the phrase "Beloved Community." This is not mere sentimentality; it is a theological and ethical commitment. Beloved Community is love made concrete in the world—love that seeks justice, that binds us across difference, that compels us to act.

The Standing on the Side of Love campaign has already awakened many UUs to the power of love as a public witness. By incorporating Beloved Community into our principles, we make that commitment permanent and structural. Love becomes not just a feeling but a requirement of our faith.

From Principle to Action: What Comes Next

The Eighth Principle is not an end in itself but a beginning. It should serve as a catalyst for concrete action. We need to restore funding and support for programs like Jubilee Anti-Racism trainings, which were so valuable in the late 1990s but have been allowed to wither. We should also develop an anti-racism version of the Welcoming Congregation program, which proved effective in raising awareness and changing culture around LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Such programs provide structured pathways for congregations to live out the principle.

"The Eighth Principle is the beginning of action, not the end—a call to accountability that must be followed by concrete steps."

Many people of color have been drawn to Unitarian Universalism by its values and potential, yet their souls have been repeatedly wounded by the whiteness of our culture. If we truly adopt the Eighth Principle, we must commit to making our actions match our values. We must become a movement that feeds the spirits of all who seek a just and loving faith. That is what spiritual wholeness looks like.

A Call to Action for Congregations

The Eighth Principle is currently being considered by congregations across the denomination. You can be part of this historic change. Discuss the Eighth Principle with your congregation. Study it, debate it, and listen deeply to those who have been marginalized. Adopt it for your congregation as a covenant. But adoption is only the first step. Live by it. Act on it. Let it shape your worship, your religious education, your social justice work, and your internal community life.

For more information about the Eighth Principle and how to get involved, you can email or call . The work of building Beloved Community is not easy, but it is the work we are called to do. Let us rise to the challenge together.

Written by 8th Principle UU