North American Unitarian Association

Many of you may be familiar with 17th century Dutch philosopher Baruck Spinoza.  I knew the name and the famous quote from Einstein that he “believed in “Spinoza’s God” but I didn’t have a very clear idea of the resonance his beliefs hold for many Unitarians.  Thus, I was grateful to bump into the video below that overviews his life and his ideas.  Like many Unitarians he came from a religious home and community, but found that his ideas outgrew these religious teachings.

I was also interested in his ideas that ‘God and nature were the same. His expression “God or Nature”, illustrates this.  He also taught that God was in everything  and all living creatures share the Conatus Principle. “Each thing, as far as it can by its own power, strives to persevere in its being” – a nice summary of our shared evolutionary drive.

I hope you enjoy the 13 minute video below.

• Oct 17, 2026 Service – The Voyage of the Soul
  Featuring a talk by Ken Murino GLIDING O’ER ALL. – Walk Witman GLIDING o’er all, through all, Through Nature, Time, and Space, As a ship on the waters advancing, The voyage… Read more: Oct 17, 2026 Service – The Voyage of the Soul
• Summit 2026 Recordings Now Online
  The video recordings from NAUA Summit2026 as well as the transcript of Helen Pluckrose’s keynote talk are now available from the NAUA website. The slides and transcripts of other sessions… Read more: Summit 2026 Recordings Now Online
• Liberal Religion Without Conformity: Helen Pluckrose on the Future of Liberal Humanism
  Key reflections from Helen Pluckrose’s keynote at the North American Unitarian Association (NAUA) Summit 2026 What holds a community together when its members do not share the same beliefs? Can… Read more: Liberal Religion Without Conformity: Helen Pluckrose on the Future of Liberal Humanism
• September 16, 2026 Board Minutes
• Draft NAUA Principles and Foundations
  Principles and Foundations of the NAUA The Principles and Foundations below are in draft form to be be discussed and voted on at Summit 2026 and if approved to be… Read more: Draft NAUA Principles and Foundations