PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY
What is Unity?
Unity is a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. Unity honors the universal truths in all religions and respects each individual’s rights to choose a spiritual path.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Unity’s 5 Basic Principles
- There is only one presence and one power in the universe and in my life, God the good omnipotence.
- The Christ Spirit lives within me.
- Thoughts held in mind produce after their kind.
- I experience God’s presence and power through prayer and meditation.
- I put my faith into action by demonstration.
GOD
GOD IS SPIRIT
Unity honors the many names for God, the many paths to God, the many ways to worship God; for there is only one power and presence of God and that God loves each one of us equally. We use the words God, Spirit andUniversal Consciousness as interchangeable.
JESUS
DIVINE POTENTIAL
We believe that Jesus expressed his divine potential and sought to show humankind how to express ours as well. We see Jesus as a master teacher of universal truths and as Our Way-Shower. In Unity, we use the term “Christ” to mean the divinity in humankind. Jesus is the great example of the Christ in expression.
NATURE OF HUMANKIND
EXPRESSIONS OF GOD
We are each individual, eternal expressions of God. Our essential nature is divine and therefore inherently good. Our purpose is to express our divine potential through our thoughts and actions as we co-create a world that works for all.
THE BIBLE
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
Unity cofounders, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, studied the Bible as history and allegory. They interpreted it as a metaphysical representation of humankind’s evolutionary journey of spiritual awakening. Unity recognizes that the Bible is a complex collection of writings compiled over many centuries and continues to this day to be a valuable spiritual resource for us.
OUR TEACHINGS
CREATIVE POWER
Unity teaches that each person is a unique expression of God created with sacred worth. Living from that awareness transforms our lives and the world. Unity emphasizes the creative power of thought in our life experience. We refer to this as the Law of Mind Action. When we take personal responsibility to choose life-affirming thoughts, words and actions, we experience a more fulfilling and abundant life. Unity emphasizes the importance of applying spiritual principles in our daily lives. Unity teachings continue to evolve as we identify, embrace, and supply spiritual insights and the spiritual implications of new discoveries.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
CREATIVE THOUGHT
Affirmative prayer is the highest form of creative thought. Prayer and meditation include affirmation statements of spiritual truth, as well as the release of counterproductive negative thoughts.Through prayer and meditation, we heighten our awareness to the presence of God.
YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRIES
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
Unity recognizes that there are many expressions of family life. All are welcome. Unity creates an affirming environment that fosters positive self-image, personal responsibility, and unconditional love and acceptance.
Unity:
Beholds all children as whole and perfect expressions of God.
Empowers children to fulfill their divine potential.
Teaches children to meditate and pray.
Invites children to experience a loving God
SPIRITUAL ACTION
SACRED RESPONSIBILITY
In Unity, we feel a sacred responsibility, individually and collectively, to make a positive difference through personal example and active service in our churches, our communities, and our world.
HONORING DIVERSITY WITHIN THE UNITY MOVEMENT
SACRED WORTH
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, color, gender, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical disability, or sexual orientation.