“Other” Submissions

 I resonate most with Unity being a way life. Steeped in the teachings of the Fillmores with Christian roots and eastern mysticism influence. When asked i simply say a positive path for spiritual living.

I say that we are an APPROACH to Christianity, following the teachings of Jesus and using the bible, and we are not religious but spiritual

Positive, Progressive, Practical, Inclusive, Christianity w/o the Christian "label"

Spiritual (While Living in the buckle of the Bible Belt, I have learned just how valuable the metaphysical teachings of Unity are. Yeshua (Jesus) was never a Christian. His teachings are from his Jewish faith first taught him by his mother from the time he could hear. While the human part of me is sad that Christianity has come to stand for exclusion, separation and judgement, I am extremely grateful that my I Am consciousness can embrace all paths.

Spiritual, drawing in the teachings of Jesus but not identifying as modern christian

Combination of both

Non denominational Christian based

New thought Christianity

Christian Based AND Universal Spirituality-Based.  As the Spiritual Leader of UMtP for over 8 years, my messages are open to all Spiritual Paths.  Our group does have some traditional parts including the Lord's Prayer.  Because of that, our church advertises as Practical Christianity so people aren't surprised when we use Jesus in a message, as the Example, not the exception.

Both - I have always found we identified as needed for our communitues

metaphysical

The “other” Christianity /Integral  FOUNDATIONAL versus Fundamental

Practical, Metaphysical Christianity ~ expressing our Christ Light within in practical, progressive, spiritual ways (which many Christians don't see as Christian and never will). We have always been some of both, from the get-go. Why fixate on making us choose one or the other now? Feels a bit like movement-wide self-sabotage. It's right there in the name! UNITY!

I think Unity is organically a "New thought group."   To call it "Christian" based is too restrictive and inaccurate.  I always wanted it to be referred to as a "Spiritual Center" instead of "Church." That is a good distinction that we are different. "... a group of religious denominations, authors, philosophers, and individuals who share a set of beliefs concerning metaphysics, positive thinking, the law of attraction, healing, life force, creative visualization, and personal power." I wanted to add that in another definition of "New Thought" it says it  "emphasizes the teachings of Jesus, is a positive approach to living that emphasizes the practice of the presence of God for practical reasons."  This describes Unity to me.

“Other” Submissions

"Spiritual but-not-religious, multi-faith," most definitely. I do not like the word "progressive," as these days it is a word that is associated with the liberal political movement, and will turn away people with more conservative beliefs. I know members have left because of some of the "progressive political influences" that have been integrated at Unity.  We need to be VERY careful associating ourselves with some of the DIVISIVE POLITICAL WORDS being used these days. As TRUTH students we know the power of words. When the board created the "Resolution on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" statement, I was very upset, and considered leaving Unity all together.  Words used that disturbed me were : systemic racism, Implicit Bias,  and White Fragility. I so not agree with any of these words. Unity needs to be more generic in teachings to all people and it is not "inclusive" to all when things feel political. Keep it out of Unity. That is not our purpose.  Just focus on the Golden Rule. As far as I know we have always been inclusive and diverse. If in the past there was some inequality perhaps it was during the times when this was the "norm" during the 50's especially,  and it was wrong and is wrong to be racist , but we have come so far. I feel putting energy, focus and money into this makes it bigger/worse and makes people feel awkward and separated. Appreciate you sending this survey out so we can voice our various opinions.

A mix of both. We are in a small town, and yet we have a mix of Christians, pagans, Jews, agnostics, and more. They are all drawn to us BECAUSE we bring it all together to help people find practical, logical ways of being what they are in a diverse and often fractured world. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE UNITY! Who raised this issue in the first place, and why? I think we need to look closely at that. If we are busy BEING Unity, there is no time to create an issue that forces people to take sides like this. Can't we just BE UNITY? My congregation and leadership is befuddled by this angst over such stark definition. Is it actually needed, or are we bigger than this? I have always thought we were bigger than this. It's right there in the name, or I thought it was! I think it should be! Why are we fighting over this? I have been in Zooms where ministers end up fighting and crying over this. We are better than this.

Both options

Both/and progressive Christian/spritual but not religious multifath

Combination of both

focusing on inclusivity with a base focused on Jesus teaching. (Jesus was not a christian)

Interreligious messaging

Messages based on the teachings of Jesus

Spiritual All Inclusive teachings or Spiritual All Accepting Living

We draw mostly from people who have a Christian background who no longer resonate with the term Christianity... we say It's Different Here and let them find out how.

We include both and have a combination in our ministry - those that are involved with the spiritual and do not relate to progressive Christianity but also the message for those that find this the essence of Unity