by Reverend Sallie Fox 

What would be the perfect name for a religion or spiritual path that emphasizes the oneness and connectedness of all creatures in our universe with God, their divine Source? What could we possibly call such a religion that teaches about a God who is everywhere present, all-knowing, all-powerful, all good, and absolutely loving? And how could we refer to a faith that assures us that the divine presence of God is always within us, no matter who we are or have been in the past? How about “Unity”? Sounds good to me!

Unity began as a spiritual movement in the 1880s, when its co-founders, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, experienced physical and spiritual healing through the use of affirmative prayer, and wanted to share their discovery with others. Through affirmative prayer and gratitude, we claim the truth of who we are, as God’s precious creations, made in God’s image, whose divine purpose it is to “be the light of the world”. Through meditation and time in the silence, we listen to God’s wisdom and guidance, knowing that everything in our lives is in perfect divine order.

In Unity we deny the power that anything outside of ourselves could have over us. We deny the existence of a “devil”, and believe that the only place where “evil” can appear to exist is in the minds of those who feel disconnected from God.

We acknowledge Jesus as our master teacher and way-shower, through whose example we can know our connection to God, and learn to love unconditionally. We believe, as Jesus taught, that “the Kingdom of God is at hand”, right here and now, if we only choose to see it through the eyes of love. We believe that the “Christ” is within each of us, as our personal connection to God, and our highest potential for living healthy, joyful, prosperous, and peaceful lives.