Talking about one's belief (or non-belief) in God can be difficult, especially when it is intimately connected to a sense of safety and peace. On the other hand, our conversation about God can be the very thing we have been waiting for to propel us forward on our spiritual path.

This Sunday, Rev. Jean-Marie will explore some of the challenges and obstacles we might experience as we contemplate God and how Unity can and should offer a safe place for anyone to feel comfortable practicing their beliefs. At the same time, as we are comforted in our beliefs, we are also encouraged to remain curious about the possible evolution of our own way of Being.

Join us to contemplate these ideas together and enjoy beautiful music followed by delicious food and friendly fellowship at our Second Sunday potluck.

Listen & Watch

Sermon Notes

Definitions

Conundrum: a confusing and difficult problem or question.
Theology: the study of the nature of God and religious belief.
- Theism: the belief in one God who created the universe, is separate from it, and who is still actively involved in it (slides 5)
  - Religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism (Abrahamic traditions, often referred to exclusively when using the term interfaith).
- Deism: the belief in one God who created the universe, is separate from it, and is no longer actively involved in it (slides 14).
- Pantheism: the belief that (one) God is identical with the universe (no separation).
  - Religions: some schools of Hinduism, Taoism
- Panentheism: the belief that the universe is within God, yet God is greater than the universe (no separation; slide 16).
  - Religions: Confucianism, Jainism, Sufism
- Process-Relational Panentheism: like panentheism with the added belief that there is a constant interaction between God and the universe (co-creation; slide 18)
  - Religions: Bahai’ism, Unity
Science: the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through; knowledge of any kind.

Unity’s 5 Principles

There is only one Presence and one Power in our lives and in the universe—God, Goodness, Omnipotence.
We are God expressing such inherent Goodness.
Our way of thinking shapes how we experience our lives.
We use prayer, meditation, denials, and affirmations to expand our spiritual Understanding.
Knowing these Principles is not enough. We must act upon and live them every day.