I first found out about Unity while reading a book called _Chop Wood, Carry Water_ (great book, by the way), which mentioned your prayer service, Silent Unity. So I looked you up online and began reading about your church. I could really feel something... a warmth ... in my heart as I read more and more about you and found that my believes resonate so well with yours. So I had to laugh when I read this: *If you're one of the "spiritual but not religious" people who questions your childhood faith or is looking for something more, this Web site may feel like a homecoming..." It's so true for me. For now, I'll keep exploring Unity. I'm not generally comfortable with organized religion, but Unity seems pretty atypical. So I'm not sure where I will go with this, but I just wanted to say "Thank you" ... specifically for Silent Unity, but also generally for all that you say and do here.

I admire any people that are willing to question their childhood faith and take a good look at what it is they truly believe. Having done that in my own life and reaped the benefits, I feel I must provide my opinion about the information discussed here. I have found that a balance between religion and spirituality really bring about a fulfilling experience in my life. I found the rules and regulations and the "letter of the law" attitude of typical Christianity is simply oppressive. However, I don't think this calls for the wholesale rejection of it. There is much to religious practice. Many of the Christian traditions and so-called rules really do have a basis in spirituality and they represent a wonderful way of expressing one's faith. I think the danger lies in blindly following the rules and practices without an understanding of what they mean. When I spend time reading my Bible I find that the Jesus I meet there is not an oppressive character. I have found him to be a man that desired to free us from the chains of religion while helping us to understand the spirit of that religion. I believe that the teachings of Jesus are so essential not because that's what the church says but because his words ring true in my soul. There is a spiritual resonance to his words that goes beyond rational description. And when I read his teachings, it's as if truth has sat down in front of me and stared me in the eyes. It's something that truly must be experienced. But many people find it hard to swallow when he says that the only way to the father's kingdom is through belief in him. People would rather believe that they can follow any path they choose because it's easier and because they are tired of being oppressed by the rules of the church. For those in this boat, I ask that you really look at who Jesus is. He sought to free us from these "rules" that we find so suffocating. But please, please don't take my word for it. QUESTION EVERYTHING!

I was born a Catholic and was brought to Church every Sunday until I was old enough to start critically thinking. Since that time, I've struggled with the Catholic Church. I am spiritual but I have never had a connection to the Church. I can't ever recall a time when I felt "enlightened" as a result of going to Church. All my life I've gone sporadically because I thought it was the "right thing" to do. I've never enjoyed doing something just out of habit so I continually questioned the reasons why I should keep going to mass every Sunday. I"ve been thinking about it more and more lately because my daughter has relatives on both sides who truly believe that she must be baptized and must go to Church every Sunday. Now they would never come out and say that to me but I believe it to be true. On the other hand, I have recently become consumed with teachings about the power of positive thinking and how our thoughts create our reality. I would like to think that my daughter and I have more control over what happens in our lives than some other Catholics believe. Maybe I'm wrong but I always thought that Catholics believe that everything was up to God and we had no control over our fate and if we didn't go to Church every Sunday, we would never be accepted by God. That never sat well with me and I was always torn between feeling guilty for not going to Church and trying to figure out the reasons why I should go in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I believe the Catholic Church has done many wonderful things for millions of people, but, I could say the same thing about many other religions as well. With so many religions to choose from, how does one know what is right for a 7 year old girl? I have recently been reading about the Unity Church which combines this New Thought Movement with Christianity. I have never been to a Unity Church but it sure does sound like something that would resonate with me.

Sadly, there is a difference between the two. And while religion will continue to alter its beliefs further as the centuries tick by, our Spirituality is something sacred we carry within us, no matter what century we are living in. It is our own Divine connection to God, and no belief system in the world can break the wonderful bond we have with our creator. http://SpiritualJourney101.tripod.com

I am glad to know that you are reaching out to those that might be spirital; but not religious. At least I feel like you are reaching out to me also. A positive gesture; keep up the good work that you all have been doing for me and countless others, words cannot explain. Thank God For Silent Unity.

I personally have met many people in my life who are and were "religious". They went to church every Sunday, were seen at all of the functions and special events, and even were leaders in the church. But most of them were not "spiritual". They missed entirely the point and example of Jesus. The message and example did not reach thier "spirit", thier soul. They went the the motions and practiced a way of life that was ritualistic, not spirtualistic. A person can be religious without being spiritual. Unless you believe with "spirit and truth", then the soul and spirit will be empty, unfulfilled. The example Jesus gave us was based on love, compassion and works. Not actions or rituals. Jesus established a way of life, not a religion. Those who seek Unity are on a spiritual path, not a religious one. Thank you Unity.

This speaks to me as does just about everything that Unity stands for! For years I have said that I am spiritual but not religious and have looked for a spiritual home. I have found that in Unity. Thank you so much! Debbie

I don't want to define myself as either being spiritual or religious. I can be both at the same time, and there are times that I am one or the other. There are definitely times I don't feel very spiritual or religious. That's why through the years Unity has meant so much to me. Unity churches and "Unity people" have opened their arms no matter where I am on my spiritual or religious path at the time. Rather than religion, I have always viewed Unity as a spiritual movement. I hope all people seeking spiritual guidance feel welcomed home. In the prologue of Unity: 100 Years of Faith and Vision, Charles R. Fillmore, the grandson of Unity co-founders, sums up how I feel about Unity. He wrote that the word movement "denotes growth and expansion rather than the preservation of the status quo and the resulting stagnation. We believe that a religious system should be open and flexible with the ability to accept new revelations of our relationship to God as they are progressively disclosed. Thus, Unity emphasizes that, consciously or not, we all seek better understanding of God's limitless intelligence. Our leaders are students as well as teachers since no one has complete knowledge of Truth. We are all fellow members in life's fascinating classroom." --Angie Olson

Using the phrase "spiritual but not religious" seems like a weak, negative, somewhat "in-your-face" and almost arrogant approach to marketing the Unity movement. It may suggest, for example, that a religious person may not be spiritual. One of the key founding principles of Unity was that it was inclusive and honors all paths to God. I would prefer an invitation to people of all religions and spiritual inclinations rather than those who may not currently identify with a religious (or non-religious) philosophy or organization. In fact, most of the people who come to our ministry are exploring it because they are looking for a new approach to religion (and, yes, one with a greater emphasis on spiritual experience) rather than individuals who are currently "unchurched". Please reconsider this approach.