UnityHeritage.org

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ABOUT THIS WEBSITE―PLEASE READ

THE NAME: The title of this site reflects the nature of its subject matter and content. It does not represent the name of an organization or legal entity. The subject matter and material published on this site are provided by a number of individual contributors. Some of those contributors prefer to remain anonymous and use pseudonyms.

THE SPONSOR: The present sponsor of the site is LoneWolf Press, L.L.C. and is an independent company. It is not legally connected to nor affiliated in any way with the Association of Unity Churches, the former Unity School of Christianity now using the business name unity®, any other unity organization, or group using the name "Unity." Its publishing activities are not confined solely to the Unity movement but encompass a wider range of subjects and also uses other venues. Any ideas, beliefs, or opinions expressed, including those found in the historical source material, do not necessarily represent those of the sponsor.

FINANCING: In keeping with the Unity tradition established by H. Emilie Cady as well as Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, it is the intent of the sponsor, to trust in “the innate honesty and justice of all men and women,” and rely on the voluntary freewill offerings and gifts of those who have an interest in and care about the preservation, publication, and promotion of the history, heritage, and traditions of the Unity movement for primary financial support of this project. There will be fees associated with some offerings to cover costs of production, distribution, and any royalty payments that may be due content contributors. Please note, under the current sponsorship donations for supporting this work do not qualify as tax deductible under provisions of the IRS code. This restriction may possibly change at sometime in the future.

DEDICATION: This site is dedicated to the inspiration, the vision, the hope, and the faith, of H. Emilie Cady, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, the Fillmore family, James Dillet Freeman—and to all those others who worked so hard for so many long decades in service of the Master, Jesus (Yeshuah) the Christ, to spread his Truth and create the spiritual movement of Practical Christianity under the banner of Unity—also to the one who lost his way on the path and his life, who when asked, “what can we do to revive and keep alive the Unity that was?” answered saying, “Honor the Heritage, that is all we can do, Honor the Heritage.”

PURPOSE: The intent of this work is to Honor the Heritage of the Unity Movement. To ensure that all those who devoted their service to the cause for which Unity once stood did not labor in vain. Our function is to research, solicit, collect, preserve, publish and make generally available documentation, information, inspirational writing and commentaries relating to Practical Christianity, the traditional Unity movement inspired by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, its antecedents, and the goals it was intended to achieve. We hope to create and provide an extensive library of useful references and resources to any and all who value the heritage, principles, and traditional teachings of Practical Christianity from the Unity perspective, for those who seek to instruct, lead studies, or individuals who have an interest in learning about the movement's foundations and its mission.

ADVISORY: It is not the purpose of this project to advocate that individuals accept or adopt any particular facet of Unity principles or teaching. The founders of the Unity movement deliberately did not author dogmas, doctrines, rules, canons, or creeds. They sought to avoid the creation of traditional ecclesiastical structures and were adamantly opposed to the ecclesiastical institutions of churches (as they have been known) or a priesthood. Every individual is left to find and confirm the Truth imparted by the Holy Spirit and Christ presence within them to define his or her own personal credo. The diversity of ideas and opinions that come from this lack of imposed structure and the latitude given has been both the blessing and the curse of the movement. But that is the Unity way and it can be no other way—when personal liberty and freedom of choice for good or ill are restricted the free will imparted by our creator is thwarted.

COPYRIGHT © NOTICE AND PERMISSIONS: Commentaries, essays, editorials, poetry, and articles, by contemporary writers, other contributions such as audio and photographic media as well as selections, adaptations, summaries, excerpts, arrangements, collections, compilations, and anthologies of public domain material are subject to Copyright © by LoneWolf Press, L.L.C. or individual contributors. Permission is granted to download, forward, print, copy, otherwise reproduce, or distribute website content for the individual and personal use of recipients with the stipulation that none of this material may be used or exchanged for monetary remuneration, offered commercially for sale, or in any way used for financial gain.

QUESTIONS AND ISSUES ADDRESSED: It is surprising to find that there are so many differing opinions and disparate ideas as to the true nature of Practical Christianity and the Unity Movement. There are fundamental Christian groups who believe that Unity is not in accord with basic teachings of Christianity and consider it a cult. Some progressive New Thought groups are not at all comfortable with Unity because of its traditionally strong emphasis on the Bible, reverence for the personage of Jesus (Yeshuah) the Christ, reliance on the teachings of Jesus as well as his apostles, and acknowledgement of Christian religious reformers throughout the centuries.

NEW THOUGHT OR NEW AGE?: Unity is commonly considered to be a part of the contemporary "New Thought" movement. Public statements from contemporary leaders of parent organizations representing the Unity movement proudly confirm their “Oneness” with the New Thought community and are seeking to form alliances with New Thought organizations. I is probable that the majority of Unity "ministers" and "congregants" or adherents believe they are part of the New Thought movement. The neo unity® hosted a “New Thought Community Retreat” for eleven New Thought organizations in the Spring of 2004 and are actively involved with some of those organizations.

Prior to this event, the last time Unity hosted a New Thought conference was in 1920, eighty-four years before. Looking back to March of 1922, Unity School of Christianity, under the direction of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, formally severed their relationship with the International New Thought Alliance. They chose not to be associated with or considered to be “New Thought” and preferred Unity to be known as Practical Christianity and as part of the Truth Movement.

Although Unity organizational leadership in this era seeks to divorce themselves from what they consider to be the stigma of the "New Age" fringe, Traditional Unity is in reality a Christian "New Age" reform movement. Unity Farm, the original name of Unity Village before its incorporation as a municipality in 1953, was in truth intended to be a Christian New Age Commune. Any serious study of the traditional writings support these contentions beyond any shadow of doubt. Although Unity may include many elements similar to those of "mental science" practices and pure New Thought philosophy, the Practical Christianity of traditional Unity is not "mental Science" or New Thought in its theology and this position was consciously, deliberately, acknowledged and publicly stated by the founders.

WHAT IS UNITY?: So, what is the truth about the Unity movement? What are its roots? On what foundation does it stand? Is its philosophy and theology sound? On what key principles is it based? What beliefs does it promote? What are the basic teachings and practices? Is the Holy Bible truly its basic text? Is it a modern, liberal, enlightened, and practical Christian movement or something else? Is it a denomination, sect, or cult? What was the original mission and vision? What ends did it seek to achieve?

Is the life long labor of Myrtle Fillmore who was the true founder of Unity to have gone in vain? Was Charles Fillmore merely an eccentric metaphysical opportunist to be brushed off and forgotten or a Prophet for our time?

WHY? The Practical Christianity of Unity has a very unique place among religious movements. It was born out of American theological philosophy and practices. The fabric of Unity is woven in a pattern like no other. It is one of a kind. To those who have come to understand the Christian theology and philosophy upon which it is based, the significance of the principles, practices, traditions, have been touched by the Spirit of Truth, and found their inner Lord; the Unity Movement has become the final gathering place on their spiritual journey, their spiritual home in this world. Should the heritage of Unity be lost there would be nowhere else for them to go or for others to find the same refuge.

If Charles Fillmore was correct in his assertion that “Unity is a link [not the last word] in the great educational movement inaugurated by Jesus Christ” then it is of great importance to preserve this link and avoid a break in the chain. The Unity Movement of decades past was a pillar of Kansas City society, a strong spiritual voice in the nation, and broadly recognized. It gained respect from diverse elements of our culture and religious leaders from many denominations. Unity literature included a number of publications, such as Wee Wisdom, that were widely distributed and acceptable to numerous religious groups as well as the general public. Unity’s message was once carried on nationwide, public radio and television.

The movement no longer enjoys the same prominence, prestige, and stature that it once did. Has it fallen from grace? Can the movement of Practical Christianity be revived to once again become an influential force for Truth in our society without sacrificing the principles upon which it was founded? The answer to this question is up to those of us that care. We are children of God; together we can make a difference!

THE POWER OF ONE:
"...Changes [for the better] can come from the power of many, but only when the many come together to form that which is invincible—The Power of One."—Bryce Courtenay