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Name:
Unitarianism
Dates:
First Use of the Term: 1587, Transylvania
First Congregation: 1774
First Congregation in the USA: 1782
American Unitarian Association founded: 1825
Unitarians merged with Universalists: 1961
Definition:
The doctrine of Unitarianism is a Christian belief which developed in opposition
to the orthodox Christian doctrine of trinitarianism. The first use of the word
appears to have been in Transylvania in 1568, when the Reformation was a mere 50
years old. With roots in the Radical wing of the Reformation of the early 16th
century, Unitarianism has long pursued a more rationalistic approach to religion
and Christianity.
According to Unitarianism, God has but a single personality and form, while Jesus was only a human. Other traditional doctrines rejected by Unitarians are the Fall, Atonement, and eternal punishment in hell. Unitarianism moved from a doctrine to a denomination in the early 19th century in England and the United States through the work of Christians who adhered to Arminian Theology, and in the 1960s American Unitarianism dissociated itself from Christianity generally. For Unitarians, religion is treated as something like a refined moral sensibility rather than a commitment to a life-long spiritual transformation as in some Christian groups.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Christianity?
What are the various Christian groups, denominations, sects and heresies? What are some key concepts in Christian theology? What are some of the most important events in Christian history? All of this and more are covered in the Christianity FAQ.What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear. Read more about how dictionaries, scholars and others have tried to define and explain religion.
