On Wednesday, July 10 a group from May Memorial spent the evening with two pastors from Unity of Bon Air on Buford Road. This visit was a part of our summer study in which we are learning about “non-traditional ‘Christian’ groups.”
Unity of Bon Air occupies a very attractive building surrounded by beautiful gardens built and maintained by their members. There are fountains, benches for reflections, flowers, a “rainbow bridge” and area for pet cremains, and a labyrinth. Their building is craftsman in its style, and it looks like a building that one would see in a peaceful mountain setting. It is a beautiful place. Their pastors, who met us on our visit, were very hospitable women. One, the Senior Pastor, is a former Presbyterian, and the other is a former Baptist. They both, as older adults, found welcome and converted to the Unity religion.
Here are a couple of observations I offer from our time at Unity of Bon Air.
First, the leaders of the Unity church do not claim to be Christian. In their explanation, they are “bigger” than Christianity. They have five principles that Unity followers adhere to, and outside of those five principles individuals are free to choose their own path. Many who practice the Unity faith are former (and still loosely) Christians, some are influenced by Eastern Religions, and some are even pagan. At Unity of Bon Air, we noticed even the word church was not often used in their signage and on their literature. The focus is on God’s love, peace, prayer, and acceptance of all people. They downplay doctrine, creeds, and theology.
Second, Unity holds to a clearly heretical view of Jesus Christ. I use the term “heretical,” not in a reactionary or slanderous manner, but in keeping with the historic doctrine, belief, and creeds of the Church. Unity adherents will freely say that “we believe that Jesus was God’s Son,” and that sounds like us. But when they continue they will explain that “you also are God’s child just like Jesus, and have the ability to achieve what Jesus did.” Jesus spoke the truth…you can too. Jesus was God’s child…you are too. Jesus came back to life…you can too. Jesus was no different that what you can be. Jesus was reincarnated, you can too. It is in listening to Unity’s leaders talk about Jesus that I am most challenged not to react in anger, because we know from scripture and experience that Jesus is very unlike us, that he is “true light from true light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, and that all things came into being through him.”
Finally, based on what the two pastors told us, many individuals go to Unity communities after they have been hurt in Christian Churches. They didn’t describe what type of hurts these are, or if there are common themes for people leaving mainline churches and going to Unity. But it was clear that Unity welcomes and affirms all people, especially those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. The leaders clearly stated that anyone who is a predator or who seeks to disrupt the community cannot be present, and we were appreciative of that. Unity is unapologetically liberal in its welcome and practice.
Unity of Bon Air is an interesting place. Like many other churches, they have experienced decline in attendance and financial stability since the COVID pandemic. As a Christian visiting their facility, it is easy to find a lot that looks familiar, but there is also much that is clearly outside of what we consider orthodox Christianity. But underneath it all is individuals, just like you and me, who long to connect with God and a way of life that is more than what the culture around us offers. Unity followers believe deeply in prayer, and in that prayer they believe that Divine connection and healing is possible. I could never be a part of the Unity faith, but I am reminded of our common desire and need to find God, to worship Him, and to have Him a part of our lives. This world is too much to face alone, and many people are looking for a community in which God is real and active.