The United Church of Christ has posted a new article on their web site responding to recent media articles on Howard Dean and religious faith. Dean is a member of the UCC (read more). The article reads in part:

On Dec. 30, conservative syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, disparaged the UCC as "a liberal denomination that does not believe in ministerial authority or church hierarchy." Thomas further claimed that "each Congregationalist believes he is in direct contact with God and is entitled to sort out truth for himself." Meanwhile, The New Republic, in its Dec. 29 cover story on Dean's religious life, called his church "a denomination famous for its informality and liberal stances."

More accurately, the UCC's Congregationalist roots trace back to the early 1600s, when the Pilgrims and Puritans first landed on the continent. These "Congregationalists," as they were later called, sought religious independence from persecuting political authorities in Europe. They believed firmly in local church autonomy, church-state separation, personal piety and the priesthood of all believers.

Today, the UCC holds firmly to these early religious tenets. Yet, while often recognized for its historical and contemporary social justice commitments, its approach to worship might be considered traditional by most standards.