Where does religious authority lie?
The Unitarian view of religious authority contrasts with those held by many other traditions. It is often the case that a religious organisation, whatever its size, vests spiritual authority in a holy book, a creed or confession of faith, in a hierarchical structure or priestly caste, or in some charismatic leader or authority figure. Although this authority may be seen by its own adherents as divine or a mediation of the divine, the Unitarian view is that it remains essentially human, regardless of claims made by it or for it. Unitarians are sceptical of any claim to be in exclusive possession of religious truth. In the final analysis, all human beings have the same access to the evidence. All human beings can have a direct relationship with the ultimate, with God. All human beings can see the universe for themselves. All have the potential for an interior life of the spirit. Although someone may develop spiritually within a particular faith tradition, such development is greatest whe
