I would say that Traditional Christianity supports the delusional view of human nature that is fostered by the physical senses. The Unity teachings acknowledge the influence of senses perception. This is why we teach “denial” as the means by which we break up those beliefs that are based solely on appearances and “affirmation” as the means by which we align our thinking with what is true at the deepest level. Emilie Cady’s Lessons in Truth devotes a chapter each to these practices. Even if you are familiar with these chapters, I would suggest a review in light of this discussion. Also her chapter, Statement of Being, in the same book is a good foundation for the One Presence, One Power idea.

It is the human mind that gives birth to duality. When Jesus said, “Let Thy will, not mine be done,” he was acknowledging the one presence and one power in contrast with his own will. Neither “voice” is necessarily an illusion, but the going with the will of God is the willingness to listen to the intuitive rather than the strictly intellectual side of the mind that is so heavily influenced and often misinformed by appearances.

Hi Allen,
The premise we come from in Unity is One Presence One Power. The temptation to believe in a secondary power, evil, as having a basis in reality is what causes us to “fall” from our conscious unity with God–the garden state of consciousness. It’s the “judge not according to appearances” because there is a deeper reality behind the ever-changing surface of life. It’s a challenge to hold to this principle, but the idea is to stay with it until we see the higher reality expressed through the limited appearance.