Most Asked Questions

1. What is Unity?

Unity is a positive, practical approach to making the teachings of Jesus usable in our everyday lives. It focuses on the teachings of Jesus, and is not a teaching about Jesus. It is a trans-denomination, metaphysical approach to Christianity. It is Gnostic in nature, focusing on the spiritual nature of Humankind.

2. What does Unity mean by non-duality?

Unity believes that there is only one power in the Universe, God and the God is ultimate good.

3. How does Unity define evil?

Evil is a state of separateness from God; living from the outside in, instead of the inside out. As a state of consciousness, it is not a separate power. Using the analogy of light and dark, evil is the absence of Light. Once light shines, the darkness disappears. We realize that darkness is not substance, but simply the absence of light.

4. What is metaphysics?

Metaphysics is looking beyond the physical, looking past appearances. It is a spiritual metaphor.

5. What do you mean by the Law of Mind Action?

Thoughts and feelings held in mind produce after their kind. In other words, our thoughts have power. Our life is what we think it is.

6. What is "race consciousness"?

Race consciousness is the prevailing and accumulated (past and present) thinking of the masses; the thinking of the majority. Also known as the "collective unconscious."

7. Who is Jesus Christ and how does Unity feel He saves the world?

Jesus is our Way-shower. He teaches and saves the world by showing us all what we are capable of being by means of his example. He is both human and divine, as we are. The Christ consciousness is in all of us.

8. What's the difference between Unity and Science of Mind? Christian Science?

Unity bases its teachings on Jesus, where Science of Mind bases its teachings on universal thought. The difference is that Unity is constantly evolving and finding new meaning, whereas Christian Science does not. They base their teachings only on the works of Mary Baker Eddy. Also, their followers do not utilize medical doctors for healing.

9. What is the New Age? Is Unity New Age?

New Age is a non-traditional approach to spirituality and relies to a large extent on outside forces such as crystals, tarot cards, astrology, etc. to receive guidance. Whereas Unity is a more unified teaching of first century Christianity. Unity is actually New Thought, not New Age.

10. How does Unity view the Bible?

The Bible is a divine book of life that we can look to for guidance. Interpreted metaphysically, it is the pattern of our soul's evolution, from Adam (sense-consciousness) to Jesus (Christ-consciousness). The Bible is considered Unity's textbook.

11. What is the basic belief and dogma of Unity?

Unity does not have a dogma; however, it does believe in 5 basic truths:

* There is only One Presence and One Power in the Universe, God

   the good, all powerful, everywhere present.

* God is individualized in each person and in the Universe as the

   Christ. The Christ manifests through us.

* God operates in the Universe according to the Law of Mind

   Action. Our Mind is the connecting link with God. (Thoughts held

   in mind produce after their kind.") The tools by which we work

   the law are Denial and Affirmation.

* We must learn to practice the presence of God through Prayer and

    meditation.

* We must practice what we learn and reflect that to others through

   demonstration in every thought, word, and action.

12. If I join Unity, do I have to give up membership in my church?

No. This is not a requirement of Unity.

13. What do you mean by the Christ indwelling?

The Christ-indwelling is the "I AM", the essence of our being. It is the divine spark within each of us. Jesus referred to it as "the kingdom of God within you."

14. Is Unity a cult?

No. Unity does not dictate what it's members need to believe, but celebrates freewill and choice. Unity also resists deifying its leaders, recognizing the divinity in all.

15. How is Unity different from Unitarian?

Unity is Christian; Unitarian is not. Unity believes in a Trinity. Unitarian does not. Unity believes in the divinity of Jesus, while Unitarian views him as one of many teachers. Unity also places great emphasis on prayer and meditation; Unitarian does not. Unitarian is pantheistic, while Unity believes that God is everywhere, and within.

16. Does Unity believe in the Trinity?

Yes. Unity interprets Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as Mind, Idea and Expression.

17. What does Unity believe about the second coming of Christ?

The second coming of Christ occurs when we recognize the presence of the Christ-indwelling in each one of us, when we are awakened to our own divinity

18. Are you saved?

Yes. I am saved from error thought (sin) by acknowledging the Christ spirit within. ("Saved" is not specifically part of Unity terminology.)

19. What is the nature of man/woman?

Metaphysically, man represents the thinking nature and woman represents the feeling nature. Both are represented within each of us.

20. Do you accept alternative life styles, and different faiths?

Yes. It is not up to Unity as an organization to dictate the lifestyle or

religious practices of its participants. Unity recognizes the uniqueness and divinity inherent within each individual.