Free Spirits and Unitarian Universalists

The Free Spirit Connection is presented as an alternative to the Unitarian Universalist Association, with very distinct differences in beliefs, organization, clergy, and approaches to activism and sexuality. It is mentioned that many members of the Connection's Formative Assembly were former UUs, and opposed merging the nascent Free Spirit movement into the UUA; also, the Free Spirits in Stallbrook saw a large number of people who left the First Unitarian Church joining the downtown Local Gathering.
 	Free Spirit Connection 	Unitarian Universalist Association
Beliefs 	Distinct views based on The Way of the Free Spirit by Janella; pantheism, "open naturalism", humanistic ethic rooted in four core values 	Originally liberal Protestant Christianity, now pluralistic; Seven Principles as expression of common values
Organization	Connectionalism:
* Local Gatherings headed by elected councils, limits in size
* Regional Conferences composed of LG leaders meeting semi-annually
* Triennial Assembly composed of delegates from RCs
* Stewards elected every 3 years, limited executive authority	Congregationalism:
* Autonomous congregations with elected boards of various sizes
* Large regions, formed by mergers of older districts, holds annual assemblies of delegates; regional staff assist congregations in various ways
* Annual General Assembly composed of delegates from congregations and other bodies
* Board elected in staggered terms, President and Moderator elected every six years with considerable executive authority
Clergy 	Celebrants with previous education serve circuits of LGs; lay Attendants serve their LGs under supervision of Celebrants 	Ministers receive extensive education and training in theology and administration; serve congregations and other bodies
Activism 	Tends to avoid direct collective action, focusing on inspiring individuals to act on their own; diverse political beliefs including libertarians and radical centrists	"Social justice" considered a significant part of theology and congregational life; left-leaning political beliefs with tensions over dissent
Sexuality 	Openly sex-positive, welcoming not only for LGBTQI but polyamory, BDSM and sex work, with strong support for sex workers' rights 	LGBTQI welcoming, liberal attitudes towards intimate relationships, but tensions over polyamory and BDSM, no explicit or official position on sex workers' rights
Category:Free Spirit Connection
Category:Religious groups
Category:Real life
Category:Organizations
Category:Free Spirit beliefs