Unity Church?

Help!

Does anyone know what this “Unity Church” (Spiritual Living? Science Church?) is all about? My best friend, who also happens to be my Dad, has decided that this “church” is the best thing since white bread. At first I gave him a very bland, “that’s good” response. But after reading their Statement of Faith, I am, well, shocked.

The Science of Mind is a correlation of the laws of science, the opinions of philosophy, the revelation of religion applied to human need and the aspirations of humankind.

Global Heart Statement
We see a world free of homelessness, violence, war, hunger, separation and disenfranchisement. We see a world in which there is generous and continuous sharing of heart and resources; a world in which forgiveness, whether for errors, injustices, or debts, is the norm; a world in which borders are irrelevant; a world which has renewed its emphasis on beauty, nature and love through a resurgence of creativity, art, and aesthetics; a world in which fellowship prospers and connects through the guidance of spiritual wisdom and experience; a world in which we live and grow as One Human Family.
(I pulled this from the “church’s web site.)

Part of me wants to just pray about it. And I have. But I also want to call him and ask him if he has lost his ever-lovin’ mind. This isn’t just about going to a cult meeting and calling it “church.” It’s about the very foundation of what our entire Family believes in. We’re from SW Texas and Borders are a hot button issue. My husband is active duty heading back to Iraq and so naturally WOT is huge for us ( as it should be for every American.) Abortion, 2nd amendment, on and on. The impact is enormous for a relationship which has at it’s core always had agreement on both Political and Social fronts. Not to mention a little thing called SALVATION! Aside from a token liberal Aunt, the whole family have been on the same page. Maybe I’ve just been spoiled.

So what is this “Church” about anyway? And can a sixty year old have a “passing-fancing” like a teen? I am so lost!

Please tell him to RUN as fast as he can! On the surface, they appear to be a little wacky, but not dangerous. Their “daily word” publication is similar to regular church’s “daily bread”. A little positive daily with basic good things to say. My ex boyfriend still sends me a subscription every year. I just found out that he was put in the mental ward. People kept finding him doing strange things like taking sticks and laying out in his front yard near the highway, and talking weird religious stuff. His one brother who is also in this religion kept saying he was fine, and kept saying that “we’re all immortal”. Thanks goodness another family member had him committed. When he got out I asked him what he was thinking and he told me, “ I thought I was Jesus Christ”. I remember when we were together I had printed up the link I put in below, and he refused to read it. I was concerned about Unity then. This article tells us that Unity preaches every person is potentially perfect, and that Jesus expressed that perfection, and while we are still only working toward it, we are part of the divine universal consciousness, and therefore, divine by nature. They believe that we can do anything Jesus did, in effect raising mankind to the level of the divine, and making us equal with Jesus Christ.
They also believe in reincarnation..true immortality. No heaven or hell.
They also have a crazier person involved in the church, named Byron Katie. Google that and you will realize what you are dealing with.
Is Unity church a cult? The church may deny they are a cult because they don’t do things the way some cults operate, if they can’t agree on that word, how about DANGEROUS! I know this thread is old, but I hope someone reads this.

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/unitysch.htm

I go to Unity church and I have for near 14 years now. I can garuntee that we are not a cult. Many people label cults as people or groups that they do not understand, This is a dangerous association to make because it is hard to change societies mind about this group once they have percieved it as a cult. in fact the definition is a group that incorporates mind control to decieve, influence and govern its followers. I can assure you I am just as afraid of my father joining a cult as you are. But the simple fact is we are not. We believe a littl differently than most christian faiths, but its not like we are worshiping chrystals or putting cyanide in our followers drinks. You should go on a sunday with him, and if you dont like it you dont have to go again, but its not as scary as you might think

Wow - I would say it is the opposite of a cult. I have been through the gammet of churches — being brought up in a strict Catholic family, to joining a pentecostal church and teaching there — to teaching in a conservative synagogue’s kindergarten (a mostly secular program although Judaism values - and I never considered myself Jewish btw) and finally landing in a Unity church. My family and neighborhood was very tolerant of all faiths, cultures and people. My mother would explain to me that every faith believed in God - it was just that we worship differently when I was young so it was always comfortable to be in any house of God that was tolerant of all. The Pentecostals lost me as a member with their intolerance, focus on everyone else’s sins as they decided what was the worst and not their own shortcomings and the preachers always seemed to be angry - and in some sort of war against Satan rather than having enough faith God could handle it all. If you ask me - churches that center around a man...such as the pope or a pastor are more cult like then those that work democratically with a board, and the members themselves. Unity encourages me to look inward at myself - to believe God wants the best for me and is within every individual rather then to worry about a constant good people vs evil doers battle. I felt much more pressure from the Pentecostal church in regards to money - where most give the impression you can buy your blessings and if you don’t, then don’t be surprised when what you pray for doesn’t manifest. Financially - Unity reminds me of a Catholic pass the basket thing. They do it every service but don’t make a big issue of it like most churches do (Catholics and Lutherans excluded). I have never been pressured to contribute at Unity — the most I can say I was pressured was to bring in an umbrella for the kids at a local day care center that worked with children of incarcerated parents. They reminded us 3 times not to forget to bring in an umbrella to donate. Not so offensive, huh? Money is not a focus at all. I have heard of Unity referred to as Christianity-Light but I have never felt closer to God before Unity. I still believe God is in every faith and whatever form of worship you are comfortable is where you should be. Whatever it takes to get closer to God is a good thing but to compare Unity to a cult is far from the truth. It’s kind of like bringing Christianity to today’s thought where most young people are turned off by church, Unity just makes more sense in today’s world. It’s the same exact bible...just a different interpretation. I call it my self help church because every service reminds me of a self help book...telling me to love, accept and forgive myself and see God not only within myself but within everyone around me. It’s amazing how differently you treat others when you think that way.

Fret not about Unity, it will soon disappear! The Kansas City Star reported that Unity Village would have shut down had it not been for an eccentric California lady leaving the church $13,000,000. Was involved with a Kansas City “Jesus based” Unity church which was fairly conventional. When I left, no one tried to reel me back in which is the case with cults. The Minister was continually at odds with Unity Village who considered him “old fashioned”. This Church was supported by 13 families out of the 300 family members. Most “new aged” members would provide a crumpled dollar bill during collection. Before his death, the minister warned the congregation about Unity becoming “warmed-over psychobabble services”. His sermon was a harbinger for the present reality. The congregation consisted of members who had been in some way abused in a conventional Christian Church. Unity provided a reaction. It's nothing more than a social club and does little harm.

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