Dear Friends,
As in those heady days of Unity’s Unfinished Business (some of you still remember), the familiar voice of Bernard Dozier reached out this morning via email from Florida with his insightful comments which appear below mine. He raises some questions that inspire me to want to clarify an important point: I did not affiliate with Unity for the organization. I knew little or nothing about this aspect. I signed up for the teachings. So it’s probably true, as Bernard points out, that the organization began drifting away from emphasis on the individual awakening to the more bureaucratically driven mentality long before I arrived.
I do believe, however, that under the current and former CEOs of Unity Worldwide Ministries, the drift became a wave — at least within the organization. The world as a whole doesn’t seem to be paying much attention. The hope has been that the Unity field movement would become a significant catalyst for change, not so much within the individual as in the social inequalities of world. In the guise of spirituality, it has taken on a distinct political voice advocating a myriad of left-leaning social causes. And believe me, I would say the same thing if they were right-leaning. Though I’m told the Fillmores were staunch Republicans, there is not even a hint of their political preferences in their writings, or any writings that represent the early Unity message. They appeal to all political classes.
Because it has become politicized, I believe Unity (UWM) has completely alienated the Truth seeker who holds conservative values, which is at least half the nation. The Unity I signed up for spoke to all Americans … all people around the globe, regardless of their political, social or cultural interests. It not only helped the Methodist become a better Methodist, it helped the Democrat and Republican become a better Democrat and Republican.
The spiritual message that is geared to the awakening of the individual does not ask for political preferences. It transcends them. Yes of course, render under to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But first render unto God what is God’s. In my simple way of thinking, Unity’s only function is to teach people how to render unto God what is God’s. As this occurs, the issues around Caesar’s part of the deal are resolved with much greater clarity. JDB
Now for Bernard:
conformity and mediocrity. People focused on avoiding “offense” are hamstrung, and tend to play it safe. If you’re worried about whether to say “he” or “she” or “it,” you might just keep your mouth shut. I know when I’m writing with creative fervor I’m not at all concerned with grammatical niceness or correctness. After I finish I go back and clean up the poor grammar, misspellings, syntax errors, etc., etc..
J Douglas Bottorff 
Sad to say, but some years back, when it became apparent that our Unity church was an organization that was ‘in control’ and there was a lot of undercurrent to ‘fit in’ and not necessarily be an individual, I felt the need to move away from the church. I am on a spiritual path, I was raising my son to be as well and I don’t feel that interest is served by tight organization. I love open discovery and treasure the personal guidance from within, can’t get that through an organization- albeit guided by well meaning souls instructing you even on ‘how’ to say things. We all go through everyday life and I believe, should be ‘feeling’ our way along… It just takes you right back where you started on the quest, second guessing if this is correct or that is correct.There IS no ‘correct’, there is only Spirit and expression.
I think the best case scenario is that the organization simply presents the ideas. Those who are drawn to them will come and partake. Those who are not drawn to them will not come. I would not attend a church that told me how to think, and I certainly wouldn’t lead one. Nor would I attend a church that openly favors and even advocates specific social changes. The ones I know that do this assume everyone has adopted their worldview, and all are in agreement that their worldview is the best. We see this mentality in mainstream religion. It’s the wide gate that many enter. The narrow gate, I believe, is focused on the individual awakening. With the possible exception of Hinduism, every major spiritual movement has at its core an awakened individual.
Thank you for your input. I always appreciate another voice.
Doug and Bernard, in my humble opinion, I think this whole business of “branding” has come about because the leadership at the Village suffers from a lack of recognition of Unity as a “real” denomination of the Christian religion. And where it is known at all, it is seen by many people as some sort of cult, or that organization that publishes “The Daily Word.” Liberal-leaning, definitely. They want to appeal to the younger generation, who are into environmentalism, vegetarianism. equality, etc.
But it is true that the people running our churches must be good business people, too, in order to survive, and they have to attract people to fill the seats–and keep them wanting to attend. Yes, the membership must feel that their spiritual needs are being attended to, and the ministers must feel that they are being supported. A good balance is needed. We need beliefs that work. Isn’t that why we are sometimes known as Unity Church of Practical Christianity? (Of course, many of us are not being called “churches” anymore, but “spiritual centers.” I don’t know what to think of that. Does the IRS recognize it?)
Thanks for expressing some opinioins that may be shared by many more than you think.
Thank you for taking time to respond. There appears to be a lessening interest in the church model across the nation. The reaction among many seems to be to find out what people want and try to address that. I don’t think attempting to adapt to the pop culture is the answer. Perhaps through this era of great change, a spiritual movement will emerge whose single purpose is to bear witness to the Truth. Let’s hold this vision.
Doug, For some mysterious reason I couldn’t sign in to leave a comment on your recent post.
This past winter I wrote something which might be considered a comment on your post. I am attaching it herewith. This was an assignment in one of my doctoral courses in Transforming Social Change.
Blessings,Eileen Rev. (Verna) Eileen Douglas …and so it is!
Eileen, I don’t see any attachment. Copy and send it again if you will.