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Twenty Questions and Answers About Unity
What in the world IS UNITY?
20 questions most often asked...
1.
What is Unity?
2. What are the basic tenets of the Unity teachings?
3. Does Unity believe in the divinity of
Jesus Christ?
4. What are Unity's distinctive characteristics?
5. What Is the Association of Unity Churches?
6. What is Unity School of Christianity?
7. Who are Unity students?
8. What is the relationship of Unity to other
churches?
9. Is there any connection between Unity and
Unitarianism?
10. Is Unity an offshoot of Christian Science?
11. What is the place of the Bible In Unity?
12. Does Unity practice baptism and communion?
13. What is the significance of the blood of Jesus
Christ?
14. What about the Crucifixion?
15. Does Unity accept the virgin birth?
16. Does Unity look for the Second Coming of Jesus
Christ?
17. How does Unity regard the Trinity?
18. What does Unity teach about sin and salvation,
heaven and hell?
19. Does Unity believe in reincarnation?
20. What are the advantages of attending 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 School of Christianity and the Association of Unity Churches. Unity
is away of life that leads to health, prosperity, happiness, and peace
of mind. The Association of Unity Churches, in cooperation with Unity
School of Christianity, 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 out-reaches be free of
discrimination 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. 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.
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: That 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.
Forth: 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.
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.
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.
5. What Is the Association of Unity Churches?
The Association of Unity Churches is comprised of approximately 900 member
ministerial and satellite ministries on the North American Continent and
Puerto Rico; through the International Services Department of Unity School
there are approximately 100 international ministries informally affiliated
with the Association of Unity Churches. 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.
6. What is Unity School of Christianity?
Unity School is the world headquarters for the Unity movement founded
by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. 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 Pro-gram
and the Retreat programs. Through its threefold ministry of prayer, publishing,
and education, Unity School serves millions of people in more than 150
countries. Unity School publishes inspirational magazines, books, audio-
and videocassettes, CDs, and pamphlets for adults and children.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 dc-emphasized as a general
rule, so that full attention may be devoted to the teachings and their
practical application.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 an 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 reembodied into a lower form of life is not accepted
by Unity.
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
fur 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.
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