What We Believe/Who Is Welcome

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
8. 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.

What does this mean when seen from a CUUPS lens?

First and foremost, our name, Tidewater Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, indicates that as a group, we are UUs before we are pagans. Our members believe and uphold the 8 principles above.

We believe that every person has worth and dignity; we spurn those who denigrate, harass, or deliberately disrespect others.

We believe in justice, equity and compassion; we refuse those who seek to purposefully oppress or discriminate against others.

We believe in accepting others where they are and encourage a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; we repudiate those who reject others based on sex, gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or differing abilities.

Our rituals celebrate the glory of life and our connection to the earth and each other. Our community strives to remain in right relations with each other by supporting, encouraging, listening and repairing hurts and disagreements as they emerge.

Common Questions:

• Do CUUPS pagans worship Satan? No. Satan is a Christian construct, and we do not work with the Christian pantheon as a group.
• Do CUUPS pagans sacrifice living beings in ritual? No. We recognize the interconnected web of our existence and as a chapter honor that web.
• Do CUUPS pagans support neo-nazis? No. We believe in freedom from oppression. See UU principles above.
• What happens at a ritual? See article.