There is an assumption that, to be religious, you have to accept the ideas of sin and judgment and guilt, and then follow certain prescriptions to receive the religious unction called redemption. Unitarianism stands squarely outside this conventional understanding of religion. Unitarian Universalists have opted for a different religious approach. The very idea of a "free church" strikes most people as a contradiction in terms. A church with no theological dogma, no intellectual constraints, no parameters on religious expression, makes it difficult for many to understand what it is that makes us a religious lot.

The ambiguities of liberal religion are challenged by those who adhere more closely to religious creed. They might argue, "What is so great about being free, if you have no idea in what direction you want to go, or if in fact you have no sense of direction at all?" Direction and assurance, two potent calling cards of traditional religion.

It seems to me that religion has been poured into a mold that offers direction and assurance, but anything outside that mold fails to live up to what it means to be religious. A fresh perspective on religion might be the bold assertion that religion raises ridiculous questions. If you ask: Is there a God? Is God a Supreme Being? Is there life after death? Only one kind of answer can satisfy all those questions, namely, Nobody Knows! Instead, what if religion asked questions that religion could answer, questions like "What can transform human beings?"

Inherent in this question lies the religious assumption of our moral obligation to the establishment of a just and loving world. Contrary to traditional ideas that life's meaning is expressed in devotion to ritual and creed, our task is to transform a world of cruelty and indifference to a just and compassionate and peaceful community. Implicit is the belief that we will not be mystically delivered from evil, but that we own the burden of purging the evils of injustice ourselves.

Unitarians have been defined as "A company of seekers, bound closely together in their common confession that what they seek is still beyond them." I accept that definition. We are a company of seekers, muddling through a difficult and painful world with no clear destination or assurances. But we believe that ambiguity in these matters does not diminish the spiritual journey but makes the pilgrimage more alive with infinite possibilities.

We are a company of seekers who regard religion as a means rather than an end, as a tool and not the answer. Religion must bring the big life issues into focus, not provide kindly solutions. We are a company of seekers who bring to our religion an inquisitive mind, a restless soul, a social conscience, and I certainly hope, a sense of humor. We offer no direction or assurance, but carry a strong faith in human life. We believe that all people on earth have an equal claim to justice and freedom.