What is Unity?
Unity is positive, practical Christianity. We teach the effective daily application of the principles of Truth taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ. We promote a way of life that leads to health, prosperity, happiness, and peace of mind. Unity has established centers of study and worship throughout the world where people discover and practice the Unity way of life. We address physical, mental, and emotional needs through affirmative prayer and spiritual education. We serve those who seek inspiration and prayer support as well as those who use Unity teachings as their primary path of spiritual growth. We believe that all people are created with sacred worth, and we strive to reach out to all who seek support and spiritual growth. Therefore, we recognize the importance of serving all people in spiritually and emotionally caring ways. Our ministries and outreaches are free of discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical disability, and sexual orientation.
At its heart, Unity is a family of loved ones drawn together by their mutual belief in an idea. The idea that holds us together is that of a good and all-powerful God whose love indwells us and gives us everything we need to live happy, healthy, productive lives. This idea and the people who believe it have created incredible blessings of positive thought and prayer for our world.
Our history is filled with stories of answered prayer, prosperity demonstrations, miracles of healing, and peace. Our future holds no less, for as each of us unfolds as God’s beloved expression, our individual spiritual growth speeds the spiritual development of our world.
What is the role of the Bible in Unity?
The Bible is Unity’s basic textbook. Scripture comes alive when it is understood as a clear and helpful guide for today’s experiences.
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. The application of principles, the methods of teaching, and the organization of the two movements are quite different.
What does Unity teach about sin and salvation, heaven and hell?
Sin is our separation from God, the Good, in consciousness. Salvation is now–not something that occurs after death. It happens whenever we turn our thoughts 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.
What is the relationship of Unity to other churches?
Unity is a vehicle for instruction, inspiration, and prayer support for spiritual seekers, regardless of their religious affiliation. Unity freely shares its teachings with all churches.
At First Unity, most members attend Unity services exclusively. Others, however, utilize Unity as a spiritual supplement to another faith, remaining active with other churches or temples and identifying predominately as Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Jewish, etc. All are truly welcome here.
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. Each is a distinct organization with its own set of beliefs and practices.
Does Unity believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ?
Yes, Unity teaches that the spirit of God lived in Jesus, just as it lives in every person. Every person has the potential to express the perfection of Christ as Jesus did, by being more Christlike in everyday life.
What are Unity’s basic teachings?
We encourage you to explore and apply Unity teachings based on your own spiritual understanding. We believe this spiritual understanding is enhanced through reflective prayer and meditation.
The five basic ideas that make up the Unity belief system are:
- God is absolute good, everywhere present.
- We are spiritual beings created in God’s image. The spirit of God lives within: therefore we are all inherently good.
- Human beings create their experiences by the activity of their thinking. Everything in the manifest realm has its beginnings in thought.
- Prayer is creative thinking that heightens the connection with God-Mind and therefore brings forth wisdom, healing, prosperity, and everything good.
- Knowing and understanding the laws of life, also called Truth, are not enough. A person must also live the Truth that he or she knows.
See also: What is Unity?
Source: www.unity.org/faq-page