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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Unity School of Christianity |
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| ADDRESS: Unity Village, MO 64065. (Unity Village is both an incorporated municipality and world headquarters for the organization.) OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: Unity School of Christianity. Sometimes known as Unity School or simply as Unity. Affiliate organization: Association of Unity Churches (AUC). Sometimes known simply as the ASSOCIATION. LEADERSHIP: Unity does not have a designated international leader. Connie Fillmore is president of Unity School of Christianity. A president is elected each year from the body of Unity ministers to serve the Association of Unity Churches. For additional information about the Unity movement, contact the Public Relations office of Unity School of Christianity. MEMBERSHIP: Unity School of Christianity does not have membership. Attendance in ministries affiliated with the Association of Unity Churches is estimated at over 100,000. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Unity School of Christianity and the affiliated Association of Unity Churches are two aspects of the Unity movement. Unity School was founded in the 1880s by Charles S. Fillmore (1854 1948) and his wife, Myrtle Fillmore (1848 1931). The beginnings of Unity can be traced to the attendance of the Fill mores at a lecture by E. B. Weeks in 1886. At the time, Weeks was a representative of the University of Spiritual Science founded by George B. Charles. Like the Fillmores, he later associated himself with Emma Curtis Hopkins, with whom the Fillmores studied and who in 1891 ordained them. Myrtle completely recovered from tuberculosis within two years of the meeting. As a consequence, the Fill mores became more involved in the study of metaphysics and in 1889 launched a New Thought magazine entitled Modern Thought. They also began to hold classes and conduct Sunday services. In 1890 the Society of Silent Help was formed to offer prayer for those in need. From these efforts a movement began to take shape, and in 1903 Unity School of Practical Christianity (later changed to Unity School of Christianity) was incorporated. The work expanded in the 1920s to include radio broadcasts and new publications. In 1925 the Unity Annual Conference was formed to officially recognize ministers and teachers who oversee Unity centers. The Unity Annual Conference was succeeded by the Association of Unity Churches founded in 1966. Unity is basically a Christian organization and its teachings are based on a practical application of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Although Unity publishes a number of spiritual growth books, we consider the Bible to be our basic textbook. We interpret the Bible metaphysically. BASIC BELIEFS: |
| While offering a liberal degree of freedom of belief among its members, Unity teaches what it terms "practical Christianity," a return to what is believed to be the primitive Christianity of Jesus and the Apostles. Unity teaches a belief in one God and in Christ, the Son of God, made manifest in Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is believed to be divine, but divinity is not confined to Jesus; since all people are created in the image of God, all possess an innate divinity. Jesus is regarded as the great example, the Way shower in the regeneration of each person. Jesus created an "at one ment" between God and humanity and through Jesus, each person can regain his or her estate as a son or daughter of God. |
| Unity's statement of purpose reads: "Unity School of Christianity is dedicated to teaching and demonstrating the spiritual Truth of life as taught by Jesus Christ. Unity believes that God is absolute good, everywhere present, within all persons, and is readily accessible to everyone. All the activities of Unity School are designed to help people understand their own spiritual nature and to express spirituality in their lives in practical ways. The outreaches and services of Unity School are evaluated on the basis of how well they meet the spiritual needs of people. Unity is committed to doing its part to bring forth God's plan for good and to spreading Truth throughout the world." |
| Unity accepts the authority of the Bible, but follows a metaphysical interpretation of it. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: Unity does not have any religious practices that could be in conflict with military regulations. We observe standard Christian holidays. We have no rules regarding clothing, religious articles, jewelry, or grooming. As for behavior, Unity leaves its follower free to make wise decisions, but expects these decisions to be based on spiritual principles. Unity has long emphasized the form of prayer termed "entering into the silence," which begins in a quiet inwardness and the establishment of a state of receptivity. Unity has also emphasized the use of affirmations, the repetition of positive statements which affirm the presence of a condition hoped for but not yet visible. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Unity School of Christianity is a not for profit religious corporation. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, and most members of this Board are ordained Unity ministers. The Association of Unity Churches is governed by a twenty one member Board of Trustees comprised of ministers who also serve member ministries. ROLE OF MINISTERS: Unity School of Christianity conducts a ministerial school called Unity School for Religious Studies. After graduation from this school, new ministers are ordained by the Association of Unity Churches, the ordaining body of the Unity movement. These ministers are free to serve field ministries or in a chosen capacity at Unity Village. Unity ministers carry out the standard practices of most Christian ministers. WORSHIP: Unity teaches a spiritually based life style rather than emphasizing a system of worship. We do conduct worship services on Sundays, and the format for the order of service is quite simple. It includes hymns, prayer (or meditation), The Lord's Prayer, a lesson (sermon), and perhaps additional music. No special equipment is required, and we do not have specific requirements. Unity ministers have a great deal of freedom in this respect. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: There are no special dietary guidelines, although some Unity followers choose to practice vegetarianism. (The co founders of Unity, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, were practicing vegetarians.) FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: There are no distinctive burial practices. Decisions in this area are made by the family members. MEDICAL TREATMENT: While Unity teaches spiritual healing, its followers are free to pursue medical assistance. OTHER: Unity leaves its followers free to make decisions regarding military service. There is nothing in the Unity teachings that would conflict with military regulations. Unity does not have an official position regarding pacifism. Again, this is a decision that rests with the individual. Unity does not have a system for the recruitment of New members. Those people who affiliate with Unity ministries are free to retain membership in other churches. This is because Unity is not a declared denomination. However, Unity could be considered most closely related to the Protestant denomination. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Cady, H. Emilie. Lessons in Truth. Lee's Summit, MO: Unity School of Christianity, 1894, 1953. 160pp. Fillmore, Charles. Christian Healing Kansas City, MO: Unity School of Christianity, 1906, 1938. 149pp. Fillmore,, Myrtle. Myrtle Fillmore's Healing Letters. Unity Village, Unity Books, n.d. 101 pp. Fischer, William L. Alternatives. Unity Village, MO: Unity Books, 1978. 269pp. Freeman, James Dillet. The Story of Unity. Unity Village, MO: Unity Books, 1978. 269DD. Butterworth, Eric. Unity: A Quest for Truth. Unity Village, Mo: Unity Books, FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Public Relations Department at Unity School of Christianity Unity School of Christianity Unity Village MO 64065 |
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