What is Unity?

Unity is a worldwide educational and religious organization that began in Kansas City, MO, over a century ago.

Unity is a positive approach to life, seeking to accept the good in people and all of life. Unity stresses that God is not a physical being in the sky, for this limits God. God is spirit, everywhere present, the one and only Spirit behind, in, and through all things, visible and invisible. God is seen as having many attributes, but most importantly, God is LOVE.

Unity denies the presence or power of any existence opposed to God. It sees that there are evil appearances and suffering in the world, but ascribes these to ignorance and erroneous use of God's laws of life.

Unity affirms the divinity of Jesus, but goes further and assures us that we, too, are children of God, and, therefore, divine. Jesus expressed divine potential and sought to show us how to express ours as well. Salvation is then the expanding understanding of one’s innate divinity and perfection through living life focused on Spirit.

Unity explains the mind as our connecting link with God or Divine Mind and shows how the action of mind affects our bodies and circumstances. Much emphasis is placed on the effective power that every thought, feeling, word and act has upon our lives. Prayer is our conscious communion with God.

Prayer is not seen as a technique for changing God, but for expanding and transforming our minds, and thus changing us.

Unity seeks to relate religion to daily needs, affirming that for every need there is God’s perfect answer. A main textbook is the Bible, and Unity relates its lessons to our lives and everyday experiences.

Unity does break from tradition in that it has no creedal requirements, dogma, ritual, or ecclesiastical garb. Unity chooses to believe that there is good in every religion. Different religions are like spokes on a wheel with the hub being God. They may be set apart by a variance of beliefs and approaches, but they are all seeking the one God as the hub of all life. Consequently, Unity does not deny anyone the right to have their own beliefs.

Unity views worship as serving God by uplifting and glorifying God’s spirit in all people, in positive, joyous ways. It seeks not to emphasize one’s transgressions of the past, but instead gives attention to the good that exists in every person and what can be done now to transform one’s self and life.

Unity's main concern is not so much with a "future life," but with teaching people how to live fully in the present, seeing the good in all things. Unity also believes in eternal life and views the present life as part of eternal life. Unity does not impose any financial burdens or pressure on it’s adherents. It believes the desire for giving should be initiated from within the giver to reap the joys of sharing. Consequently, all support is by freewill love offerings.

Unity is nondenominational and welcomes, in dignity and love, people of all races, colors, religions, social backgrounds, and economic levels.

In summation, Unity emphasizes the divine potential within every child of God and teaches that through a practical understanding and application of what Jesus taught, every person can realize and express his or her divine potential for a happier, fuller, and more successful life.