Frequently
Asked Questions About Unity
1. What
is Unity?
Unity is positive, practical
Christianity. It teaches the practical application
in everyday life of the principles of Truth taught
and exemplified by Jesus Christ, as interpreted
in the light of modern-day experience by Unity
and the Association of Unity Churches. Unity is
a way of life that leads to health, prosperity,
happiness, and peace of mind. The Association
of Unity Churches, in cooperation with Unity,
has established centers of study and worship throughout
the world where people study and practice the
Unity way of life.
We believe that all people are created with sacred
worth. Therefore, we recognize the importance
of serving all people within the Unity family
in spiritually and emotionally caring ways. We
strive for our ministries, publications, and programs
to reach out to all who seek Unity support and
spiritual growth. It is imperative that our ministries
and outreaches be free of discrimination on the
basis of race, gender, age, creed, religion, national
origin, ethnicity, physical disability, or sexual
orientation. Our sincere desire is to create spiritually
aware organizations that are nondiscriminatory
and that support diversity.
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"Please visit our sister churches in the
Greater Sacramento Area:"
Christ
Unity Church
Spiritual
Life Center
Unity
Center of Davis
Unity
of Auburn
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In our effort to reach out to all people
as did our Way-Shower, Jesus Christ, we support: the modification
of our facilities to make them accessible to all people,
regardless of physical challenges; the translation of
our materials into Braille and other languages; and respect
for the wonderful variety of human commitments and relationships.
We encourage ministers, teachers, and
others within Unity to honor the strength of diversity
within their spiritual communities. It is with love and
in celebration of our unity, in the midst of our wondrous
diversity, that we affirm this position.
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2. What are
the basic tenets of the Unity teachings?
First: God, Divine Mind, is the Source
and Creator of all. There is no other enduring power.
The nature of God is absolute good; therefore, all manifestations
partake of good. What is called "evil" is a
limited or incomplete expression of God or good. Evil's
origin is ignorance.
Second: We are spiritual beings, ideas
in the Mind of God, created in God's image and likeness.
The ideal expression for every human being is the pattern
every person is seeking to bring forth. Each individual
manifests the Christ in his or her own unique fashion.
The perfect expression of the Christ is, therefore, different
for each person.
Third: Jesus was a special person in
history who expressed perfection and thereby became the
Christ, or Jesus Christ. He was a Teacher who demonstrated
the importance of thoughts, words, and deeds in shaping
the life and world of the individual.
Fourth: Jesus' teaching was based
on prayer, which to Him was conscious communion with God.
Preparation for prayer involves the use of the spoken
word, the creative power of God, which is made practical
through denials and affirmations. Unity teaches that repeated
use of statements of Truth (denials and affirmations)
establishes right patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.
This is one way individuals use the creative power of
God to take dominion over mind, body, and affairs.
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3. Does Unity
believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ?
Yes, Unity teaches that the spirit of
God dwelt in Jesus, just as it indwells every person;
and that every person has the potential to express the
perfection of Christ, as Jesus did, by being more Christ-like
in everyday life.
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4. What
are Unity's distinctive characteristics?
Unity students are encouraged to align
with the spirit of the Christ within for personal guidance
and direction that will best enhance their spiritual growth.
The Unity ministry provides a safe and sacred space for
study, participation, fellowship, support, transformation
and awakening to the joy of living in God's world.
Each Unity ministry is supported by the freewill offerings
of those who share its vision. Unity affirms the freedom
of each individual to advance spiritually according to
his or her own level of understanding. Respect for and
faith in the spirit of God in every person makes it unnecessary
to set down fixed creeds or impose limiting beliefs. Each
individual is encouraged to follow the Unity teachings
in determining personal responses in his or her life.
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5. What is
the Association of Unity Churches?
The Association of Unity Churches is
comprised of over 1000 member ministries and satellite
ministries throughout the World. Each ministry is under
the leadership of a licensed or ordained Unity minister,
or authorized spiritual leader. The emphasis in Unity
organizations is on spiritual activities, such as worship
services, healing meetings, prayer groups, counseling,
study classes, and youth development, including Sunday
school and programs for young people of all ages. Since
acknowledging God's presence in each person is part
of Unity's spiritual purpose, social functions are
also an important part of Unity organizations.
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6. What is Unity
Village?
Unity Village is the world headquarters
for the Unity movement founded by Charles and Myrtle Filmier.
After Myrtle Fillmore's remarkable healing utilizing
prayer and affirmations, many who were seeking help became
interested in how she accomplished this healing. From
small prayer circles in living rooms, Unity grew. The
first issue of UNITY magazine was published in 1889. The
teaching of the practice of prayer, through classes and
correspondence, led to the establishment of Silent Unity,
the Unity School for Religious Studies Continuing Education
Program and Ministerial Education Program and the Retreat
programs. Through its threefold ministry of prayer, publishing,
and education, Unity serves millions of people in more
than 150 countries. Unity publishes inspirational magazines,
books, audio and videocassettes, CDs, and pamphlets for
adults and children.
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7. Who are Unity
students?
Unity students are those individuals
who have found a deeper understanding of God, of themselves,
and of their world through the practical methods presented
in the Unity teachings. Often this has come about as a
result of some very trying and seemingly hopeless experience.
Unity students include many who are readers of the various
publications; others attend Unity services and classes,
finding in such attendance a spiritual "home"
in which they are strengthened in their spiritual unfoldment.
They are from all walks of life, and of all races, creeds,
and nationalities.
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8. What is
the relationship of Unity to other churches?
Unity puts into practice a true ecumenical
approach. Unity sees itself as a vehicle for instruction,
inspiration and prayer support for spiritual seekers,
regardless of their religious affiliation. Rather than
a denomination, locked in tight parameters that restrict,
Unity views itself as an ever-expanding expression of
love, light, and peace. Therefore, it freely shares its
teachings with all churches. Unity believes in the oneness
and freedom of all people. Emphasis is always on the similarities
rather than the differences in the human spiritual expression.
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9. Is there
any connection between Unity and Unitarianism?
No, there is no connection, although
there is sometimes confusion because of the similarity
of the names. Many beliefs are held in common, including
the importance of individual freedom in the quest for
Truth. This very freedom, however, makes it difficult
to determine the basic differences. In a very general
way, it might be said that the two differ mainly in their
beliefs regarding Jesus Christ and the Trinity. Unity
places great emphasis on spiritual healing, while this
is not practiced by Unitarians as a rule. In turn, Unitarians
place great emphasis on social and political action.
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10. Is
Unity an offshoot of Christian Science?
No. Unity and Christian Science, as well
as many other New Thought groups, had their beginnings
in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Many of
the leaders in these groups studied under the same teachers.
There are similarities in the teachings of Unity and Christian
Science, including the importance of prayer, the practice
of spiritual healing, and some fundamental theological
points. Also, both have great publishing operations. However,
the application of principles, the methods of teaching,
and the organization of the two movements are quite different.
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11. What is the place
of the Bible in Unity?
The Bible is Unity's basic textbook.
It is accepted as a body of history, as a moral and ethical
teaching, and as a great literary work. Beyond this, Unity
finds deep significance in the Bible through its metaphysical
interpretation, wherein names of places and people and
their experiences symbolize the unfoldment of human consciousness.
Through the study of Unity, the Bible is made more meaningful
to individuals. Scripture comes alive when it is understood
as a clear and helpful guide for today's experiences.
The Bible reveals the spirit of Truth and the word of
God. Holy Spirit, working individually through those who
study Scripture and listen within, is the final authority
in spiritual awakening.
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12. Does Unity
practice baptism and communion?
Yes, symbolically. Whereas baptism by
water represents the cleansing of the consciousness, spiritual
baptism signifies the inflow of the Holy Spirit. No person
can truly baptize another. Baptism is a mental and spiritual
process that takes place within the individual as he or
she aligns with the spirit of God.
Spiritual communion takes place through
prayer and meditation in the silence. The word of Truth
is symbolized by the bread, or the body of Jesus Christ.
The conscious realization of God-life is symbolized by
the wine, or the blood of Jesus Christ. Unity practices
communion by appropriating, or partaking of the spiritual
energy represented by these elements.
In Unity services, ritual is de-emphasized
as a general rule, so that full attention may be devoted
to the teachings and their practical application.
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13. What is the significance
of the blood of Jesus Christ?
The blood of Jesus Christ represents
the spiritual energy of God-life that purifies or redeems
the body through a cleansing and renewal of the consciousness
by the spoken word. Regarding the "spilled blood,"
or the "ransom of many," the emphasis in Unity
is not so much on the death of Jesus as on His life. He
did not relieve us of the necessity of working out our
own salvation, but His example and teachings show us the
way.
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14. What about
the Crucifixion?
Unity teaches that the cross symbolizes
the crossing out of all false beliefs. Here again, emphasis
is on life and living, through the resurrection rather
than on the Crucifixion.
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15. Does Unity accept
the virgin birth?
Unity accepts the virgin birth as an
experience in the spiritual unfoldment of each individual.
Thus the virgin birth is spiritually interpreted as the
birth of the Christ consciousness (the awakening of the
awareness of God's Spirit within) in the purified
soul.
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16. Does Unity
look for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
Unity understands the Second Coming as
the individual expression of the Christ consciousness.
This is not an event to be anticipated in the future.
It is happening here and now, through prayer, meditation,
study, and application.
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17. How does Unity
regard the Trinity?
Unity interprets the religious terms
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit metaphysically, as three
aspects of mind action: mind, idea, and expression. This
is the process through which all manifestation takes place.
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18. What does Unity
teach about sin and salvation, heaven and hell?
Sin is our separation from God in consciousness,
caused by our belief in the "devil" or a power
other than God, the good. This belief leads to our unwise
use of our God-given powers and abilities. Salvation is
now--not something that occurs after death. It happens
whenever we turn our thoughts (repent) from fear, anxiety,
worry, and doubt, to thoughts of love, harmony, joy, and
peace. The "fall" takes place in consciousness
whenever we fall into negative habits of thinking.
Heaven and hell are states of consciousness,
not geographical locations. We make our own heaven or
hell here and now by our thoughts, words, and deeds.
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19. Does
Unity believe in reincarnation?
Many Unity students accept the concept
of reincarnation (re-embodiment after a period of soul
rest). This allows us to attain new understandings in
a new life experience, so that we can eventually express
perfection and demonstrate eternal life. This is our ultimate
goal. Unity's real emphasis is on regeneration, not
reincarnation. When we achieve this goal, as Jesus did,
it will no longer be necessary to reincarnate. The belief
that we could ever be re-embodied into a lower form of
life is not accepted by Unity.
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20. What are
the advantages of attending Unity?
To attend Unity is to be assured that
one will be kept constantly in the remembrance of his
or her own inner Christ potential. This awareness, plus
the practical principles for living a happy and successful
life, is experienced at Sunday services and weekday classes.
By joining with others, it is possible for the local Unity
ministry to provide expanding services, such as Sunday
school, a radio and/or TV ministry, community outreach,
prayer and support groups, and counseling. It is very
helpful for individuals to have a place where they can
be involved in putting these teachings into practice in
serving others. Through the local ministry's affiliation
and participation in the Association of Unity Churches,
such individuals are part of a global movement which forms
a base on which to stand as we build a better world together.
21. Is Unity a demonination?
Some aspects of the Unity movement are denominational, and some are not. For example, there are more than 900 Unity churches and study groups affiliated with Unity's sister organization, the Association of Unity Churches International. This is a denominational aspect of Unity. In addition, the Unity Institute at Unity Village trains approximately 60 students every two years to be Unity ministers. This is also denominational. However, the majority of the work done by Unity involves prayer, publishing, and education services to people of all faiths. These nondenominational aspects include the prayer ministry, Silent Unity, Daily Word (Unity's non-denominational inspirational monthly magazine), retreats, and continuing education classes that are open to everyone and teach Unity principles in nondenominational settings.
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Copyright © by the Association of
Unity Churches
