unitaarid

Unitaarid, the Estonian term for Unitarians, refer to followers of Unitarianism—a religious movement that emphasizes the oneness of God and rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. Unitaarid typically prioritize reason, conscience, and personal interpretation of scripture over fixed creeds. In many communities, Unitarian belief centers on the humanity and ethical example of Jesus, rather than his divinity.

Unitarian ideas emerged during the Protestant Reformation in parts of Europe, with early centers in Transylvania and Poland-Lithuania. The Unitarian Church in Transylvania, linked to Ferenc Dávid in the 16th century, is among the oldest Unitarian communities. The Edict of Torda (1568) granted religious tolerance to Unitarians and other confessions, facilitating their establishment and growth.

In contemporary practice, Unitaarid may belong to national Unitarian churches or to Unitarian Universalism, a broader, pluralistic movement formed by the 1961 merger of Unitarians and Universalists in North America. Core themes include religious freedom, social justice, human dignity, and the use of reason in faith. Today, Unitarians are diverse, with communities ranging from theist and deist to secular-humanist and interfaith orientations.