| Unity Church of Memphis |
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Diverse. Different. Divine. |
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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. Our sincere desire is to create
spiritually aware organizations that are nondiscriminatory and
support diversity. |
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 the source and
creator of all. There is no other enduring power. God is good and
present everywhere.
We are spiritual
beings, created in God’s image. The spirit of God lives within each
person; therefore, all people are inherently good.
We create our life
experiences through our way of thinking.
There is power in
affirmative prayer, which we believe increases
our connection to God.
Knowledge of these
spiritual principles is not enough. We must live them.
| Is Unity a
denomination?
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. 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 at Unity Village involves
prayer, publishing, and education services to people of all
faiths.These nondenominational aspects include the prayer ministry,
Silent Unity, Daily Word (Unity's nondenominational
inspirational monthly magazine), retreats, and continuing education
classes that are open to everyone and teach Unity principles in
nondenominational settings. |
| 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 Christ-like in everyday life. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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. 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 body
of Jesus Christ. The conscious realization of God-life is
symbolized by the wine or blood of Jesus Christ. Unity practices
communion by appropriating, or partaking, of the spiritual energy
represented by these elements. |
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