Editing Friends of Man (section)

== Beliefs and practices ==
The movement theology includes Christian doctrines of [[Restorationism (Christian primitivism)|restorationism]] and [[millennialism]]. Its beliefs can be found in Freytag's writings: ''The Divine Revelation'' (''La Divine Révélation'', 1920), ''The Message to Humanity'' (''Le Message à l'Humanité'', 1922) and ''The Eternal Life'' (''La Vie éternelle'', 1933).{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} The movement stresses the need to change the character of humanity by practicing the Gospel. Members believe that only 144,000 persons, who are the Kingdom of God's members, will go to heaven. They are [[antitrinitarian]] and believe in a sole God, [[Jehovah]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Le christianisme unitarien en France — une étude sociologique |url=http://barbeyphilippe.jimdo.com/le-christianisme-unitarien-en-france-une-%C3%A9tude-sociologique/ |publisher=barbeyphilippe |first=Philippe |last=Barbey |author-link=Philippe Barbey |language=fr |access-date=28 June 2009}}</ref> They are vegetarian.<ref>{{cite web |title=Églises, communautés et sectes, par Dr. Wilbert Kreiss — Les Amis de l'homme |url=http://www.egliselutherienne.org/bibliotheque/doctrine/symbolique/Symb_18.htm |publisher=egliselutherienne.org |first=Wilbert |last=Kreiss |language=fr |access-date=28 June 2009}}</ref>

In 1951 the movement turned increasingly to [[philanthropy]]: help for [[disadvantaged]], disaster relief and material donations for farmers.<ref name="ref">{{cite book |title=Des " sectes " dans la France contemporaine – 1905–2000 — Contestations ou innovations religieuses ? |first=Jean-Pierre |last=Chantin |publisher=Privat editions |place=Toulouse |year=2004 |page=48 |language=fr |isbn=2-7089-6855-6}}</ref>

They celebrate the feast of the Army of the Lord on 18 April and the feast of the little flock on 18 October. The weekly four meetings are largely devoted to study of the founder's writings. Baptism and the [[Last Supper]] are celebrated only within the Swiss branch, not in France.<ref>{{cite book |title=Dictionnaire des groupes religieux aujourd'hui (religions – églises – sectes – nouveaux mouvements religieux – mouvements spiritualistes) |first1=Jean |last1=Vernette |author-link1=Jean Vernette |first2=Claire |last2=Moncelon |publisher=Presses Universitaires de France |year=2001 |page=16 |language=fr |isbn=978-2-13-052026-9}}</ref>