In 1895, Rev. Stanley M. Hunter delivered a sermon entitled “What Shall Unitarianism Stand for in Salt Lake City?” Utah’s congregation was 4 years old, and Hunter believed there was a need for liberal religion that “stood for free thought and free speech.” This year is the 125th anniversary of the First Unitarian Church in Salt Lake, so Monday, we’re exploring the roots of Unitarianism, its history in America and Utah, and asking about the role of progressive religion in today’s public arena.

Guests:

John Buehrens is Senior Minister at First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, and former president of Unitarian Universalist Association. His books include an introduction to Unitarianism called A Chosen Faith [Indiebound|Amazon], Universalists and Unitarians in America: A People's History [Amazon] and A House for Hope: The Promise of Progressive Religion in the 21st Century [Indiebound|Amazon]

Tom Goldsmith is Senior Minister at First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. He's been with the congregation since 1987.