21. Www.uuchristian.org English General Baptists are now, for all intents and purposes, a part of the Unitarian movement. This site illustrates the adoption by the General Baptists the doctrines of unitarianism and universalism (though this convergence has nothing to do with a similar convergence in the United States) in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. http://www.uuchristian.org/egb/

If you can see this, your browser does not support frames. Please click the link below http://www.uuchristian.net/uuchristian.org/egb/

22. Open Directory - Society: Religion And Spirituality: Unitarianism And Universali Try thumbshots on CNET Search.com. If you like thumbshots.org, please send your feedback. CNET Search would like to hear from you! ) the entire directory. only in Religion_and_Spirituality/unitarianism_ and_Universalism http://open.thumbshots.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Unitarianism_and_Un

What are thumbshots? about dmoz suggest URL update listing ... help the entire directory only in Religion_and_Spirituality/Unitarianism_and_Universalism Top Society Religion and Spirituality : Unitarianism and Universalism Description Thumbsh o ts.org Sponsors - Help thumbshots.org with a donation or sponsorship Adopt-a-Page - Place your link here. Support thumbshots.org by becoming a sponsor. Chats and Forums Congregations Districts History ... Worship See also: Society: Religion and Spirituality: Buddhism: Buddhism and Other Religions: Unitarian Universalism Society: Religion and Spirituality: Christianity Society: Religion and Spirituality: Deism Society: Religion and Spirituality: Humanism ... Society: Religion and Spirituality: Pagan: Wicca: Covens: CUUPs Chapters This category in other languages: Danish German Hungarian Spanish ... 100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism - An extensive collection of questions and answers about all things Unitarian Universalist. From "Beliefs, Creeds, and Doctrines" to "Joining the Church", there are many well thought out answers to common questions. Our Unitarian Universalist Faith - Frequently asked questions about Unitarian Universalism.

23. Boing Boing: Unitarianism: Good Enough For Two Presidents, Not Good Enough For T unitarianism good enough for two presidents, not good enough for Texas The state of Texas has denied Unitarians taxexempt religious status because the church http://boingboing.net/2004/05/18/unitarianism_good_en.html

A DIRECTORY OF WONDERFUL THINGS suggest a site home archives store ... xeni Tuesday, May 18, 2004 Unitarianism: good enough for two presidents, not good enough for Texas The state of Texas has denied Unitarians tax-exempt religious status because the church "does not have one system of belief." As Julia notes , Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams were sufficiently convinced of the Unitarians' religiosity that they actually were Unitarians. Never before not in this state or any other has a government agency denied Unitarians tax-exempt status because of the group's religious philosophy, church officials say. Strayhorn's ruling clearly infringes upon religious liberties, said Dan Althoff, board president for the Denison congregation that was rejected for tax exemption by the comptroller's office. Link via Electrolite posted by Cory Doctorow at 11:50:00 PM permanent link to this entry New! Other blogs commenting on this post The Guestbar! A tiny, guest-edited blog! RUSS KICK is the author of several books, including The Disinformation Book of Lists and 50 Things You're Not Supposed to Know.

24. CUC Home Page National organization of congregations acting to enhance, nurture, and promote unitarianism in Canada. http://cuc.ca/

Canadian Unitarian Council Conseil Unitarien du Canada 502-112 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, ON, M4V 2Y3 www.cuc.ca info@cuc.ca 416-489-4121 fax: 416-489-9010 toll free: 1-888-568-5723 What's New Congregations We Are... Social ... Spring, 2004 Growing Vital Religious Communities In Canada If you are looking for a religious community in which to seek spiritual growth, if you... are eager to consider religious questions with people who are not always sure they have the answers would like the fellowship of others for celebration and worship, discussion and education, friendship and mutual support want children to be helped to develop their own religious beliefs wish to preserve and extend the traditions of personal freedom and human dignity You may find what you are seeking in a Unitarian church or fellowship Please sign our Guest Book Web Weaver Updated May 27, 2004

25. Cult Of Unitarian Universalism An analysis of the historical and current heresies of unitarianism. http://www.eaec.org/cults/unitarianuniversalism.htm

Home Welcome Resource Center Bookstore Unitarian Universalism Founder: Unknown Overview: The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (commonly called the Unitarian Universalist Association or UUA) is a liberal religious organization, serving the Unitarian Universalist (UU) churches of North America. The UUA was formed from the merger of the Unitarian and Universalist Churches. Before about 1960, UUs were largely considered the most liberal of Christian denominations. Since then, the beliefs of Unitarian Universalists have become quite diverse. In June 1995, the UUA acknowledged that its sources of spirituality are: Christianity, Earth Centered Religions (Afro-American religions, Native American spirituality, Wicca, other Neopagan religions, etc.), Humanism, Judaism, other world religions, prophets, and the direct experience of mystery. Fewer than 10% identify themselves as Christians; the organization no longer qualifies as a Christian denomination; it is a multi-faith group. Unitarian Universalists value the teachings of: Origen (circa 185 to 354 AD) Origen is generally considered to be one of the greatest theologians in early Christian movement ( If you were a heretic ). He stressed Jesus' humanity, and believed that God might eventually receive all people (even Satan and his demons) into heaven.

26. Unitarianism, Unitarian Christianity Several articles on unitarianism and Unitarian Christianity. A source of information for deeper understanding of religious subjects. unitarianism. http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/unitaria.htm

Unitarianism General Information Unitarianism is a form of Christianity that asserts that God is one person, the Father, rather than three persons in one, as the doctrine of the Trinity holds. A number of religious groups in Transylvania, Poland, Great Britain, and North America have been designated as unitarian because of this belief. It has not been their only distinguishing mark, however, and at times not even the most important one. As significant has been their confidence in the reasoning and moral abilities of people - in contrast to traditions that emphasize original sin and human depravity - as well as an avoidance of dogma. Modern Unitarianism dates to the period of the Protestant Reformation. A Unitarian movement has existed in Transylvania since the 1560s, when the leader was Francis David (1510 - 79). In Poland, Unitarianism flourished for a hundred years as the Minor Reformed Church until persecution forced (1660) its adherents into exile. The key figure in the Polish movement was Faustus Socinus (1539 - 1604). Isolated individual unitarians lived in England in the 1600s, most notably John Biddle, but Unitarianism developed as a formal movement in the 1700s, partly within the Church of England but mainly in dissenting circles. BELIEVE Religious Information Source web-site Our List of 1,000 Religious Subjects

27. Unitarianism Translate this page unitarianism. Allgemeine Informationen unitarianism sind ein Formular Klerus (1990). unitarianism. Hochentwickelte Informationen der Ursprung http://mb-soft.com/believe/tgc/unitaria.htm

Unitarianism Allgemeine Informationen Unitarianism sind ein Formular des Christentums, das erklärt, da1s Gott eine Person, der Vater ist, anstatt drei Personen in einer, als der Lehre der Dreiheit anhält. Eine Anzahl von frommen Gruppen in Transylvania, in Polen, in Gro1sbritannien und in Nordamerika sind als unitarian wegen dieses Glaubens gekennzeichnet worden. Es ist nicht ihre nur unterscheidene Markierung, das wichtigste jedoch und manchmal nicht zu glätten gewesen. Da ist ihr Vertrauen in der Argumentation und in den moralischen Fähigkeiten der Leute - im Gegensatz zu Traditionen, die ursprünglichen Sin und menschlichen Depravity hervorheben - sowie eine Vermeidung des Dogmas bedeutend, gewesen. GLAUBEn Sie Unsere Liste von 700 frommen Themen E-mail Modernes Unitarianism datiert zur Periode der protestierenden Verbesserung. Eine Bewegung Unitarian hat in Transylvania seit dem 1560s existiert, als der Führer Francis David (1510 - 79) war. In Polen blühte Unitarianism für hundert Jahre als die geringe verbesserte Kirche bis Verfolgung erzwang (1660) seine Anhänger in exile. Die Schlüsselabbildung in der polnischen Bewegung war Faustus Socinus (1539 - 1604). Lokalisierte einzelne unitarians wohnten in England im 1600s, vornehmlich John Biddle, aber Unitarianism, das als formale Bewegung im 1700s, teils innerhalb der Kirche von England aber hauptsächlich in dissenting Kreisen entwickelt wurde. In Amerika erschien der fromme Liberalismus, der kam, als Unitarianism bekannt, innerhalb der congregationalkirchen in Massachusetts als Reaktion gegen das revivalism des gro1sen Weckens (1740 - 43). Die Wahl (1805) der Henrywaren, während Professor Hollis von Divinity an der Harvarduniversität weg von einer Kontroverse sich berührte, resultierend aus der die Liberalen eine unterschiedliche Bezeichnung wurden. Erlaubtes "Christentum Unitarian" Williams Ellery Channings war Sermon (1819) eine einflu1sreiche Anweisung über ihren Glauben.

28. Unitarians A Christian criticism of unitarianism. http://www.macgregorministries.org/cult_groups/unitarians.html

A Christian Outreach to those trapped in cult groups. Box 454 Metaline Falls WA 99153 - Box 294 Nelson B.C. V1L 5P9 Jehovah's Witnesses Mormons Seventh-day Adventists Other Groups ... To learn more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ Examining The UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST Association (Unitarians) A RELIGION OF CHANGE Unitarians call themselves by that name because they claim to see a basic unity underlying all diversities. Their pamphlets state that they hope "to forge reasonable beliefs for ourselves without turning religion into no more than an intellectual exercise; to respect all persons while feeling free to disagree openly with points of view expressed." In 1961 the Unitarians merged with the Universalist Church of America to form the Unitarian Universalist Association of North America. They are affiliated with the Unitarian General Assembly in London, and the International Association of Religious Freedom worldwide. A RELIGION OF DENIAL THE MERGER AND RESULTING CHANGES The Universalist Church believes in Universal salvation, that is, that all will attain to heavenly glory regardless of beliefs. The Unitarians did not necessarily believe in any kind of an afterlife. A compromise hammered out during the merger eliminated the name of Jesus from the association's statement of principles, according to Time Magazine of June 27th, 1983. This article also reported that a proposal was put forth that..."reference to God be replaced with a statement that the churches "reflect various forms of Theism, Christianity, Humanism, Feminism and other religious traditions"." The article concluded with these words "Over the past seven years the U.U.A. has experienced a decline of nearly 31% (to 136,500), the most severe membership loss ever suffered by any church body in North America."

29. Unitarianism unitarianism. From More on Unitarians. The word Unitarian printing press. Books were smuggled to England, and unitarianism took root there. With http://www.sullivan-county.com/nf0/nov_2000/unitarian2.htm

Unitarianism From More on Unitarians The word "Unitarian" historically refers to the oneness of God as opposed to the Trinity of God, referred to as "Trinitarianism". The word "Trinity" is not in the Bible, nor is the concept. The naming of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit hardly occurs; except as a echo of a baptismal formula. The doctrine dates from the early Middle Ages, as an effort to reconcile Jewish theology with Greek philosophy, and was adopted as doctrine at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD at the behest of Constantine. At that time the unitarian position was called "Arianism" for its leader Arius of Alexandria. He and the idea were declared heretic, and was killed out except for a few remote Germanic tribes. With the invention of the printing press, and the wide reading of the Bible, people discovered that the Trinity was not there, and Unitarians sprang up all over Europe like crocus. In most places they were killed. Calvin burned the best know Renaissance Unitarian theologian, Servetus, in Geneva. He was burned with a slow fire, taking half an hour to kill him, with his book strapped to his leg. Earlier he had been burned in effigy by Catholics. (Servetus was also doctor, and had discovered the pulmonary circulation of the blood.) Many early Unitarians tended to be scientists or doctors. The Polish king's doctor was Unitarian, and Krakow, Poland, was one of the few place Unitarians were allowed to live without being killed. They gathered there from all over Europe, establishing a university and printing press. Books were smuggled to England, and Unitarianism took root there.

30. Nottingham High Pavement Chapel (Unitarian) Historic unitarianism in the heart of a vibrant modern city with colourful past. http://www.unitarian.org.uk/emu/Nottingham/index.html

Nottingham High Pavement Chapel (Unitarian) Charity number 247436 All are encouraged to develop their own faith in a spirit of free enquiry. Worship Sunday at 10.45am Lunchtime meditation - 1st. Wednesday in month at 1.15pm. Social Activities Coffee evenings and other get-togethers including socials and alley skittles. History The congregation emerged from the Presbyterian system prevalent in the Commonwealth period. By 24th Aug 1662, under the Act of Uniformity, the three Nottingham ministers Whitlock, Barrett and Reynolds had been deprived of their livings and left town within weeks. They returned openly in 1687 and the first chapel was erected soon afterwards on High Pavement. By 1735 a liberal direction had been established and in 1802 the Unitarian standpoint was confirmed. In 1758 a new junior minister was appointed as an assistant. This resulted in a schism. The senior minister withdrew his supporters and opened a chapel in nearby Halifax Place. It was 1775 before the two congregations recombined. The original chapel was considerably rebuilt in 1805 and a neo-gothic chapel, which is now the

31. Socinianism: Unitarianism In 16th-17th Century Poland And Its Influence Socinianism unitarianism in 16th17th Century Poland and Its Influence. Online Connections For a useful history of unitarianism, see About unitarianism. . http://www.sullivan-county.com/nf0/nov_2000/unitarian1.htm

Socinianism: Unitarianism in 16th-17th Century Poland and Its Influence Key dates 1539 - Faustus Socinus (Fausto Sozzini) b. in Siena (in Italy) 1542 - Catholic Inquisition begins. 1552 - Faustus publishes first book, declaring Jesus divine but not God 1553 - Michael Servetus, unitarian theologian, burnt at stake by John Calvin in Geneva. Also see John Calvin 1552-64 - Faustus spends 12 years as secretary to the sister of the Duke of Florence. 1579 - Faustus moves to Poland 1585-1638 - Most brilliant period of Socinian movement, centered in Racow, Poland around 1600 - Death of Faustus 1660 - Socinians expelled from Poland by hostile Catholic king John Casimir Late 17th century - Socinians influential in Netherlands and England, where, among other things, they inspires the development of Deism (a view more radical, because less tied to Scripture, than Socinianism) Also see Deism and Reason and Romanticism Late 18th century - Joseph Priestley brings Socinian unitarianism to the United States, where it becomes a major strand in early 19th century American unitarianism Some Notes Toward a History of Socinianism Laelius Socinus was a renowned Italian writer and theologian of the early sixteenth century who was friends with most of the Protestant leaders of the time.

32. Kirkstead Unitarian Chapel, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire unitarianism in deepest Lincolnshire. http://www.unitarian.org.uk/emu/Kirkstead/index.html

Kirkstead Unitarian Chapel, Woodhall Spa This small chapel stands here as a witness to the continuing presence of liberal religion in rural areas. Worship Services Occasional Services at 3.00pm usually on the fourth Sunday when there are five Sundays in the month. The Building Today The Kirkstead Chapel is presently used on a daily basis as a nursery school although special services are held regularly and attended by members of the East Midlands District. The Building Yesterday The Kirkstead Chapel was built in 1821 for a Presbyterian congregation. It is the resting place of Richard Wright, the famous travelling Unitarian minister. He spent the last ten years of his ministry at Kirkstead where there is a memorial stone to him in the chapel. Chapel Minister: Lindy Latham Area Minister to the Lincolnshire Unitarian Development Group which includes Boston, Kirkstead (Woodhall Spa), and Lincoln. Further information Telephone: Lincoln (01205) 311212 or: (mobile) 0976 892 099 This month's calendar East Midlands email contacts Howard Wilkins Now visit some of our other East Midlands Unitarian chapels Belper Boston Derby Hinckley ... Nottingham If you liked this web page try these Unitarian and Free Christian Churches Home Pages Church of the Open Mind International Council of Unitarians and Universalists Unitarian College Manchester ... International Association for Religious Freedom

33. Notable Women A list of women who were associated with unitarianism and/or Universalism, linked to more information to be found on the web. http://www.geocities.com/~bread_n_roses/

Notable Women A Project in Reclaiming Our Heritage =Pot of gold: don't miss these pages! Unitarian and Universalist women: Famous Women with Unitarian and Universalist Connections Writing Unitarian and Universalist Women Back Into History: An Annotated Bibliography Interconnections: Related links: more notable women Interconnections: web rings, memberships Communication: Discuss notable women and women's heritage Sign or view the guest book for this site Sign up to receive periodic mailings with information about this site Email me Related Sites: Women's History Women of Transcendentalism , an Introduction to Transcendentalism , and The Transcendentalists Quotes by Women and Wisdom Quotes Famous Unitarians and Universalists Emigration one story For more related information, change the search term in either box below for more information on notable women. Women's History About.com Women's History About.com About.com Women's History Women's History About.com Women's History About.com Women's History About.com

34. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Unitarians In short, presentday unitarianism is hardly more than natural religion, and exhibits in some of its members a pronounced tendency towards Pantheistic http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15154b.htm

Home Encyclopedia Summa Fathers ... U > Unitarians A B C D ... Z Unitarians A Liberal Protestant sect which holds as it distinctive tenet the belief in a uni-personal instead of a tri-personal God I. NAME AND DOCTRINE In its general sense the name designates all disbelievers in the Trinity , whether Christian or non-Christian; in its present specific use it is applied to that organized form of Christianity which lays emphasis on the unity of the personality of God . The term seems to have originated about 1570, was used in a decree of the Diet held in 1600 at Lecsfalva in Transylvania, and received official ecclesiastic sanction in 1638. It supplanted the various designations of anti-Trinitarians, Arians , Racovians, and Socinians. In England the name first appears in 1682. It became frequent in the United States from 1815, although it was received unfavourably by some anti-Trinitarians, and omitted in their official titles by some congregations whose religious position it defined. The explanation of this opposition is to be found in the reluctance of the parties concerned to lay stress on any doctrinal affirmation. Historical associations account for the name Presbyerians, frequently applied to Unitarians in the British Isles, and Unitarian Congregationalists, used in the United States. No definite standard of belief is recognized in the denomination and no doctrinal tests are laid down as a condition of fellowship. The co-operation of all persons desirous of advancing the interests of "pure" (i.e. undogmatic, practical)

35. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Scituate Mass One of the first churches in North America evolved from its 17thcentury beginnings, through its 19th-century conversion to unitarianism, to its UU character today. Worship services are held every Sunday and childcare is provided during service. http://www.firstparishscituate.org

elcome to the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate, Massachusetts. Our Church is located at 330 First Parish Road in Scituate, Massachusetts. We may be reached by telephone at 781.545.3324 or email us . Worship services are held every Sunday from September through June at 10:30 am, and childcare is lovingly provided during the service. First Parish is wheelchair accessible Please click on any one of the topics on the navigation bar at the top of this page to learn more about our worship services religious education program, or any one of our activities music program , or news about our upcoming events. If you are interested in having your wedding at First Parish, please call 781.545.3324, or email us email

36. Unitarianism - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia unitarianism Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaunitarianism. (Redirected from Unitarian). unitarianism emerged heresies. Overt unitarianism has never had much vogue in Scotland. The http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarianism

Unitarianism From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Unitarianism emerged out of Christianity based on a belief in the oneness of God, a rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity , and a belief in the moral authority, but not the deity, of Jesus . Unitarians can be more generally characterized through the ages as free thinkers and dissenters , evolving their beliefs in the direction of freedom, tolerance, rationalism and humanism Modern-day Unitarians in the US and Canada typically use the term Unitarian Universalist or [UU], and most do not consider themselves Christians http://www.uua.org/news/011205.html Table of contents 1 Origins 2 Poland 3 Transylvania and Hungary 4 England ... edit Origins Unitarianism as a system of Christian thought and religious observance has its basis, as opposed to that of orthodox Trinitarianism , in the unipersonality of the Christian Godhead , i.e. in the idea that the Godhead exists in the person of the Father alone. Unitarians trace their history back to the Apostolic age, claim for their doctrine a prevalence during the ante- Nicene period, and by help of

37. Clifton Unitarian Church - What Is Unitarianism? the little church with a lot of room , http://www.cliftonunitarian.com/whatisunitarianism.html

"the little church with a lot of room" HOME Contact Us Clifton Unitarian Church is part of the Unitarian Universalist Association which formed in 1961. Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion that is accepting of all traditions, ideas and lifestyles. We keep our minds open to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience, and reason should be the final authorities in religion. In the end religious authority lies not in a book, person, or institution, but in ourselves. We put religious insights to the test of our hearts and minds. We uphold the free search for truth. We will not be bound by a statement of belief. We do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. We say ours is a non-creedal religion. Ours is a free faith. We believe that religious wisdom is ever changing. Human understanding of life and death, the universe and its mysteries, is never final. Revelation is continuous. We celebrate unfolding truths known to teachers, prophets, and sages throughout the ages. We affirm the worth of all women and men. We believe people should be encouraged to think for themselves. We know people differ in their opinions and lifestyles, and we believe these differences should be honored.

38. Unitarianism Before 1825 In North America From The Epic of unitarianism Original Writings from the History of Liberal Religion by David B. Parke. The epic of unitarianism begins with him. http://www.uuottawa.com/before-1600s.html

The Sixteenth Century: Antitrinitarians and Toleration From "The Epic of Unitarianism: Original Writings from the History of Liberal Religion" by David B. Parke Until the sixteenth century western Europe was Roman Catholic. A few scattered groups - the Waldenses, Hussites, and Bogomils, to name three - had rebelled against the Church, but without widespread effect. The first cataclysmic protest against Catholicism was initiated in 1517 by a German monk, Martin Luther, who held that men were justified not by submission to the Church, but by faith in God. When his protests resulted in excommunication, Luther assumed the leadership of a new religious movement, Protestantism. The Protestant Reformation spread quickly to Switzerland, Italy, France, the Low Countries and Scandinavia. Seeing in it an ally against oppression of every kind, princes, peasants, merchants, and scholars flocked to the new movement which, however, grew so rapidly that it was impossible for one man to control it. The Lutheran Reformation was more than an ecclesiastical revolution. By sundering Catholicism's structure of authority it precipitated a social upheaval out of which, in the succeeding centuries, European Nationalism, modern democracy, and capitalistic civilization have emerged. Every revolution that seeks to effect permanent changes in the social structure must retain elements of continuity from the old social structure. For the early reformers, especially Luther and John Calvin, uniformity of Christian doctrine was such an element. After wavering, they chose to retain the Catholic doctrines virtually intact - excluding those ascribing supreme authority to the Roman pope. One of the items retained was the Athanasian creed. But many Protestants, especially Anabaptists in Germany, Switzerland and Holland, were dissatisfied with the traditional dogmas. Believing that the Bible should be the only rule of faith, they held that Christian doctrine needed a reformation too. The first strong voice of radical Protestantism was that of a Spaniard, Michael Servetus. The epic of Unitarianism begins with him.

39. Canadian Unitarianism And Universalism RETURN TO HISTORY MENU Canadian unitarianism and Universalism. PATHS TO unitarianism AND UNIVERSALISM IN CANADA. BY THE REV. DR. PEG GOODING unitarianism . . . http://www.uuottawa.com/cuh1.html

RETURN TO HISTORY MENU Canadian Unitarianism and Universalism PATHS TO UNITARIANISM AND UNIVERSALISM IN CANADA The Rev. Dr. MK Gooding 1983. Next History Link - Founding of the Ottawa Unitarian congregation RETURN TO HISTORY MENU Last Update: May 17, 1999 Contact the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa at info@uuottawa.com

40. Unitarian Universalist Origins Sigismund’ s court preacher, Frances David, had successively converted from Catholicism to Lutheranism to Calvinism and finally to unitarianism because he http://www.uua.org/info/origins.html

Unitarian Universalist Origins Our Historic Faith Mark W. Harris Unitarians and Universalists have always been heretics. We are heretics because we want to choose our faith, not because we desire to be rebellious. “Heresy” in Greek means “choice.” During the first three centuries of the Christian church, believers could choose from a variety of tenets about Jesus. Among these was a belief that Jesus was an entity sent by God on a divine mission. Thus the word “Unitarian” developed, meaning the oneness of God. Another religious choice in the first three centuries of the Common Era (CE) was universal salvation. This was the belief that no person would be condemned by God to eternal damnation in a fiery pit. Thus a Universalist believed that all people will be saved. Christianity lost its element of choice in 325 CE when the Nicene Creed established the Trinity as dogma. For centuries thereafter, people who professed Unitarian or Universalist beliefs were persecuted. This was true until the sixteenth century when the Protestant Reformation took hold in the remote mountains of Transylvania in eastern Europe. Here the first edict of religious toleration in history was declared in 1568 during the reign of the first and only Unitarian king, John Sigismund. Sigismund’ s court preacher, Frances David, had successively converted from Catholicism to Lutheranism to Calvinism and finally to Unitarianism because he could find no biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity. Arguing that people should be allowed to choose among these faiths, he said, “We need not think alike to love alike.”

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