Welcome to the Urantia Association International website!

If you are interested in The Urantia Book and related reader activities we hope that you will find much to interest you. This section will give you a brief description of UAI—its purpose and goals, its history and present programs, as well as its organisational structure. We hope you will check our upcoming events and pay us a visit. Please feel free to contact us at any time for further information.

UAI's Purpose and Goals

     "The religious challenge of this age is to those farseeing and forward-looking men and women of spiritual insight who will dare to construct a new and appealing philosophy of living out of the enlarged and exquisitely integrated modern concepts of cosmic truth, universe beauty, and divine goodness. Such a new and righteous vision of morality will attract all that is good in the mind of man and challenge that which is best in the human soul." [The Urantia Book, p.43:3]

The Urantia Association International (UAI) was inaugurated to work in a complementary capacity with Urantia Foundation, the publisher of The Urantia Book, for the purpose of fostering the in-depth study of The Urantia Book and the orderly dissemination of its teachings. It is a Urantia Book reader membership, task-oriented, social, and service organization and, by focusing on its goals, is designed to assist Urantia Foundation in achieving its objectives as stated in The Declaration of Trust Creating Urantia Foundation. Its task is to provide interactive learning environments in which participants deepen and broaden their knowledge of The Urantia Book, increase their teaching and leadership skills, and enjoy fellowship while doing so.

Through the UAI, readers of The Urantia Book may join in the collective tasks of providing a service ministry and social interaction for readers and non-readers alike. It is hoped that the teachings of The Urantia Book will be spread unselfishly, without fanfare or personal recognition.

     "The religion of the kingdom is personal, individual; the fruits, the results, are familial, social. Jesus never failed to exalt the sacredness of the individual as contrasted with the community. But he also recognized that man develops his character by unselfish service; that he unfolds his moral nature in loving relations with his fellows." [The Urantia Book, p.1862.7]

Principal and Concordant Objects for Urantia Foundation (Article 2.1 & 2.2 of the Declaration of Trust Creating Urantia Foundation):

     2.1 The object for which this Foundation is created is the promotion, improvement, and expansion among the peoples of the world of the comprehension and understanding of Cosmology and the relation of the planet on which we live to the Universe, of the genesis and destiny of Man and his relation to God, and of the true teachings of Jesus Christ; and for the inculcation and encouragement of the realization and appreciation of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man - in order to increase and enhance the comfort, happiness and well being of man, as an individual and as a member of society, through the fostering of a religion, a philosophy, and a cosmology which are commensurate with man's intellectual and cultural development.

     2.2 The concordant objects for which the Foundation is created are to perpetually preserve inviolate the text of The Urantia Book and to disseminate the principles, teachings, and doctrines of The Urantia Book.

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History of UAI

In order for Urantia Foundation to carry out its duty to disseminate the teachings of The Urantia Book to mankind and achieve its principal object, it was inevitable that it would need the assistance of a fraternal organization that would complement its work; an organization that would work interdependently and cooperatively with the Foundation to achieve its goals and objectives.

In compliance with the instructions given by the revelators, Urantia Foundation was formed in 1950 and in 1955, along with the publication of The Urantia Book, the Urantia Brotherhood was launched as a fraternal organization. In 1989, it became apparent that the old configuration of Urantia Brotherhood was no longer serviceable in assisting Urantia Foundation to achieve the goals mandated in the Declaration of Trust. The Foundation incorporated the Urantia Brotherhood Association with the Secretary of State in Illinois on October 23, 1989. With the assistance of readers they developed a Charter to work interdependently with Urantia Foundation to assist in the charge to disseminate the teachings of The Urantia Book to the world.

In 1993, Urantia Association International (UAI) was inaugurated to continue the mission begun in 1955. In 2007 the Urantia Association International disassociated itself from the UBA and became an independent organization. It works to encourage the establishment of study groups and fosters them with study aids and referrals. UAI supports seminars, conferences, informative and interactive Web sites and Internet services, and publications and periodicals, forming a basis of social interaction and outreach projects for the steadily growing group of readers and believers around the world. It operates on five continents and has members in places as diverse as Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Estonia, Finland, France, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Spain, United Kingdom/Ireland, United States and Uruguay. UAI is the most far-reaching organization for global dissemination of the teachings of The Urantia Book and continues to work in partnership with Urantia Foundation.

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The UAI Today

Developing Teachers and Leaders

     "In civilization much, very much, depends on an enthusiastic and effective load-pulling spirit. Ten men are of little more value than one in lifting a great load unless they lift together-all at the same moment. And such teamwork-social co-operation-is dependent on leadership. The cultural civilizations of the past and the present have been based upon the intelligent co-operation of the citizenry with wise and progressive leaders; and until man evolves to higher levels, civilization will continue to be dependent on wise and vigorous leadership." [The Urantia Book, p.911:2]

The fifth epochal revelation was given to the world well before its worldwide mission and it was given to those who are ready for it. Members of the UAI are challenged to develop new teachers and leaders for the spiritual renaissance of the world. By fostering the in-depth study of The Urantia Book and the orderly dissemination of its teachings, the UAI endeavors to foster the development of teachers and leaders-men and women who become well versed in the teachings of The Urantia Book and who are moved to impart, and to assist others to impart, the teachings of The Urantia Book to their fellow man.

The UAI provides opportunities for many people to participate in meetings, seminars, and conferences in various capacities. Good leaders are essential to the formation of stable and dynamic study groups and associations. However, it is important that such leaders naturally emerge from among the readership. The UAI does not presume to designate who is and who is not a leader. Associations and local study groups naturally choose the people whom they view as well-informed, insightful, and successful communicators to teach, speak, and lead activities.

     "Religion does need new leaders, spiritual men and women who will dare to depend solely on Jesus and his incomparable teachings. If Christianity persists in neglecting its spiritual mission while it continues to busy itself with social and material problems, the spiritual renaissance must await the coming of these new teachers of Jesus' religion who will be exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration of men. And then will these spirit-born souls quickly supply the leadership and inspiration requisite for the social, moral, economic, and political reorganization of the world." [The Urantia Book, p.2082:9]

Study Groups

Often, when individuals seek to gain a deep appreciation and understanding of the teachings of The Urantia Book, they find it helpful to study the book with others. The local, informal study group is the place where teamwork is forged and spiritual growth is fostered; it is the primary social and educational arena for disseminating the teachings of The Urantia Book. Much is gained from sharing insights, interpretations, experiences, and understandings with others, therefore many people enjoy attending study groups in their local areas. The UAI seeks to foster the development of study groups by encouraging its members either to form and host a study group in their area or, if there are no other known readers in the vicinity, to list themselves as being willing to host a study group if other readers in the area become available and willing to attend.

Study groups do not constitute any part of the formal UAI structure yet they are related to its work. UAI will foster study groups which focus exclusively on the study and implementation of The Urantia Book teachings: the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.

The UAI works in liaison with the Reader Service departments in Urantia Foundation offices around the world to foster local contact among readers. The Foundation offices maintain a database of readers who have contacted the Foundation and expressed a desire to be referred to other readers in their area. These readers are referred to other readers listed on the database for that location, as well as to an UAI office bearer if there is an association of the UAI in that vicinity. The UAI member contacts the reader with a courtesy call and lets him or her know of any study groups, conferences, or local reader activities in the area.

Study aids, educational services, and assistance in running successful study groups are provided by the UAI. Members are encouraged to develop and share secondary works that will assist readers in understanding some of the more difficult concepts in The Urantia Book.

 See also >> STUDY GROUPS section

Conferences and Seminars

Conferences, meetings, and seminars are frequently organized by the UAI to bring readers of The Urantia Book together. These kinds of meetings assist readers in their study as well as giving readers an opportunity to meet and interact with fellow readers. Programs are developed that encourage the in-depth study of The Urantia Book and the development of the leaders and teachers needed to stimulate and facilitate the spread of the teachings.

The events, topics, teachers, venues, and time frames of meetings need to be planned well in advance. UAI members may volunteer or be asked to accept responsibility in any of these areas. By sponsoring gatherings from time to time, the UAI hopes to stimulate deeper understanding of the teachings of the book, strengthen commitment to its teachings and their dissemination, and eventually stimulate creative activities in the arena of human society beyond such meetings.

In addition to meetings and conferences arranged by Local and National Associations, the UAI organizes a major international conference every two years. So that all members worldwide have an opportunity to attend and to participate in the organization of international conferences, the venue for this event is alternated between those countries that have a National Association of the UAI.

Publications

Publications and communication vehicles such as newsletters, periodicals, journals, Web sites, and interactive Internet services are important tools for communication among the worldwide membership of the UAI. These assist in keeping readers abreast of news and reader activities as well as serving as educational and study pieces. The UAI produces a quarterly international journal (the UAI Journal) in multiple languages. Tidings, a monthly newsletter was started in June 2005. In addition, various Local and National Associations produce their own local newsletters.

The UAI Web site displays information, news, and, copies of its journals, with links to other Web sites such as Urantia Foundation's site as well as those created by Local and National Associations. An UAI discussion list is also provided for members to discuss organizational issues and to keep members in touch with one another.

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What UAI is Not

The UAI should not be confused with the spiritual fellowship of the kingdom of heaven, even though it is intended to foster that fellowship. UAI is not a religious organization, is not associated with any religion, and is not a competitor of any religion, even though it is comprised of individual religionists. UAI has no creeds, dogmas, priests, rituals, or holy books. UAI welcomes people of all faiths, races, and nationalities.

UAI is not designed to carry the teachings of The Urantia Book to planetary culture in its own name nor to be a direct agent of change in religious, political, social, or economic institutions. However, individuals who are engaged in all sorts of creative enterprises may be nourished by the interaction provided by the UAI. Where individuals are always free to express their own views as their own views, UAI as a group has no opinions to express on religious, political, economic, or social issues. Its focus is to remain on The Urantia Book and its teachings.

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Licensed Use of the Foundation's Marks

While many groups may come into existence for a variety of purposes related to The Urantia Book, the UAI has a unique role to play. Its licensed use of Urantia Foundation's registered marks, the Concentric-Circles Symbol and the words "URANTIA" and "URANTIAN", benefits the service activities of the UAI and supports the Foundation's trusteeship of the copyright and marks. The explicitly authorized use of the marks by the UAI helps prevent other groups or individuals, good, bad, or indifferent, from usurping them for their own purposes. Were such unauthorized use to occur, orderly liaison and dissemination to the wider public could be disrupted; the market place could become confused; and the copyright and integrity of The Urantia Book itself could be jeopardized.

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