The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-09-20
'FREE-FOR-ALL"
DISCUSSION OF
RELIGIOUS IDEAS

Kansas City, Mo-, Sept. 1S-A
"free-for-alT' discussion of religious
and metaphysical ideas is to feature
the seventh annual congress Of the
International New Thought Alliance
which meets in Kansas City tomor-
row and continues until the follow
ing Sunday, Sept. 26. Leaders and
delegations representing thirty-six
different cults from every part of the
United States and from Canada, Eng
land, France and Mexico, claiming
over n million followings, are expect
ed to be present.
The Unity School of Christianity,
the headquarters of which is located
in Kansas City, will act as host TO
tho gathering.
The congress, according to Royal
Fillmore, secretary of the Unity
School, will be an open discussion CT
, religious and metaphysical research;
AS the affiliated organizations noiu
widely divergent views, it is the pur-
pose of this years gathering to slft
through a maze of conflicting theories
and attempt, through the 1ntercnanSe
of ideas, to reach a program dennlIe
upon essential points
There is to be no attempt, now
ever, to weld the various cuiS mo
any tightly-bound organization. Co
! ordination along principal lines is
the chief thing to be sought, MI III
= more explained Freedom of express
/ sion Is the first point all are agreed
upon and every element is to nave us
This is the first congress since the
Unity School and the Colorado COZ
lege of Divine Science, two OF the
largest organizations in the move y,;
ment. became affiliated with the alli-
ance The larger affil1at1on was
! brought about by the ellmI 'i
from the alliance last year OF soi,ie
of the teachings considered by the
more spiritual element as being CD
iectionable, and by the further der
Unite declaration upon the part OF
the alliance of the Christian standard
las a principle, said Mr.. FlllIIlole-
This change of policy at the Iasl
congress, which was held at Cincln-
natl, also brought, about q strohSIy
supported movement to cnange te
name of thes congress, as 1t was ue-
olared by some that the name new
Thought" did not convey any partlc,
,ular meaning and that a name shouIu
Ebe adopted, consistent with tine pre-
sent ideals of the movement. IhlS
subject is expected to be taken up
early in the convention this year.
The alliance, according to Mr.. Fill,
more, is a group OF me Ia nnaral
tive laws behind physical expression
and to teach these laws and use them
to the advantage of humanity
1.-THE alliance does not exercise
any administrative functions over the
membership" he said, but simply
requires that the members bring
their teachings up to the Christian
standard.
1.-THE world has never yet had
real Christ movement, which gives
us the golden opportunity to have
one now. -.
1.-THE Unity school holds for its
ideal the practical application of the
principles taught by Jesus Christ The
membership comprises persons OF
every creed and denomination These
men hers are not bound in any way
but IRE encouraged to remain with
their particular church. UniX is moi
attempting to form a separN1 creed
or organization, but desires 70 unity
of Christ's teachings. 1t does not seek
to bind it's members to anything
Unity advocates and demonstrates
the healing power of prayer.
AT the congress "a board of direc-
tors and officers will be elected. The
constitution and bylaws may be
amended and such other business as
does not affect individual freedom
of the membership may be elected
the alliance who will figure in the
speaking program are:
James A. Edgerton, Washington
ID. c., President of the alliance
Charles Fillmore, head of the Unity
school: Mrs. Elizabeth Towne, Holy
oke Mass, editor of Nautilus; Mis-
Mona l.. Brooks. Denver, Colo; Sid
ney WeLtmer, Nevada, Mo-; r. c
Douglas. Boston, Mass; Miss Harrie
Hale Rix, Los Angeles; the Rev
Thomas Parker Boyd, San Francisco
Eugene Del Mar. New York fCty
Mrs Hay Cornell Stoiber, Cincinnati
and the Rev. w. John Murray, New
York City