Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Authority To Perform Sacramental Ordinances
Q: If we do not belong to any religious organisation, how can we receive the most important ordinances - baptism, sacrament partaking, priesthood, redemption of the dead (see book of Mormon) etc.? Is there any religion acording to Urantia book who bears true authority to perform these ordinances on Earth?
A: You asked if you don't belong to a religious organization how can you participate in sacrament partaking and the priesthood. You can't -- those are privileges of belonging to a religious organization. If they're important to you then you need to participate and become a member.
According to The Urantia Book, the ordinances you mention are human in design and not divine; their spiritual significance is derived through the significance we afford them. They're rituals and symbols that give meaning to us at significant events but there's nothing intrinsically spiritual about them.
Thank you for your question.
Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com
A: I hope you will not mind having another perspective on your question...I have a few additional observations regarding the development of rites and rituals which you might find useful.
I agree with you that big transitions in life, such as marriage, baptism, and funerals are important, and that they are enhanced and illuminated by having rituals and celebrations attached to them. They help us to make visible the joy and meaning we feel as a result of the Father's invisible ministry. It seems to me that we should be free to develop new and improved rites that have particular meaning to us in this modern age.
None of these rituals are of a legal nature, except for marriage, which does have to be a legal affair. The others - baptism and funerals - are not legalistic events, as Larry has pointed out, and can be performed by anyone, really.
In the past few years, several Urantia Book reader/believers have taken the trouble to become ministers - some are already ministers of particular religions, but some have just earned on-line ministry ordinations, which are easy to obtain, and which are valid in most states of the union. I myself have done this, and as a result, have performed several weddings for Urantia friends over the years.
The rituals themselves can be developed by the participants, and presided over by the ordained minister. Just because the rites are not sanctioned by an organized church does not invalidate their authority or authenticity. It is the attitude and intention of the participants that make the rites meaningful, don't you agree?
In the case of marriage, any ordained minister can perform the service, and, as I said above, even an on-line ministry certificate is valid in most states. The marriage of two iindividuals does not even HAVE TO be legal, but most people do want that, especially if they are young, and intend to have children.
As for the sacrament of communion, most Urantia Book readers adopt the re-enactment of the Last Supper as depicted in The Urantia Book, and this is a refreshing and new way to celebrate "communion."
I hope this has been helpful to you...
Sincerely,
MaryJo
Truthbook.comLabels: Larry Watkins, Mary Jo, ministers, rites, rituals, sacraments, The Urantia Book
Permalink
Why Is Earth Called "Urantia?"
Q: Why is Earth called Urantia? Is it related with planet Uranus and its influence over Earth?
A: Here's an etymological explanation:
-ia = noun-forming suffix used for names
general: urania - heavenly (uran-) one (-ia)
specific: Urania - the heavenly one (Gr. Myth., the Muse of astronomy)
-tia = noun-forming suffix
U.B.: "-tia" is indicative of impersonal, while "-ia" is more personal
general: urantia = heavenly (uran-) place (-tia)
specific: Urantia = (y)our heavenly place (i.e., in the cosmos)
The revelators of The Urantia Book explain that their mandate required them to use the English language to convey the revelation. Since English hadn't been invented at the time the planet was given a name, a billion years ago, the name it has in its original language is meaningless to us so an English derivative was coined as explained above. The same is true of all the other unusual and unique names found in the book. Celestial beings don't speak English; the words they use would have no meaning to us.
So, no, it has nothing to do with Uranus other than the connection through Greek mythology. The planets do not exert astrological influence over Earth.
Thank you for your question.
Larry Watkins
Truthbook.comLabels: Earth, etymology, Larry Watkins, The Urantia Book, Urantia, Uranus
Permalink
Monday, January 08, 2007
Forgive and Forget?
Q: In the Bible it says to forgive and forget. What if a person gives you a lifetime of pain, not only to you, but everyone in your family and countless others as well? I have had substance abuse problems due to this. I cannot find it in my heart to forgive this person. Am I wrong?
A: From the sound of your letter, I would say that you are carrying a big load of anger and hurt, as well as some confusion. You already know that God tells us to forgive and forget, and in your heart, you believe it, but in the present circumstances, you are finding it next to impossible to carry out this act of forgiveness.
It is so difficult when one person can cause so much heartache and distress to others. I have had experiences like this in my own life, and I know it is not easy to forgive. If it was, we would likely never have wars, murders, divorces, or all the other miseries that one person can inflict upon another. Forgiveness is an act practiced by those who want to be Kingdom-dwellers - who want to rise above "the world," where we are told that "revenge is sweet" and discover the true sweetness of taking the high road.
Forgiveness is VITAL to your well-being. I am not going to tell you that you are wrong for not wanting to forgive, but I don't think you would have written such a heartfelt question, with so much anguish, if you did not believe that your heart needed a reason to change. I believe you want to forgive, but your hurts and angry feelings are clouding your mind and judgment right now.
One thing I want to tell you is that the act of forgiveness is NOT for the offender. By forgiving, we don't justify the offenses of the person, we don't excuse their behavior, but we release them from our own judgment, and by doing so, we release ourselves from the terrible burdens of anger, pain and disappointment. And I think you would agree - these terrible heavy feelings ARE burdens of the worst sort.
It might be that this person is beyond help, is blind and deaf to the misery that they place on their friends and family. It might do no good at all even to forgive them to their face. You may want to cut this person out of your life altogther (and that might be a good idea, from the sound of things). Just because we forgive, it does not mean that we have to make ourselves available for further abuse. If you can, find ways to distance yourself from this situation.
Forgiveness is not for THEM. It is for YOU...
Right now, this offending person has a great deal of power over you. You are angry and confused. You are doubting yourself, and using substances to relieve this pain. And you may feel that you are unable to do what God has asked of you - all because you have given over control of your feelings and emotions to be manipulated at the whim of this person. Can you see that?
There will never be a sure way for you to change the behavior of the person who causes such pain, but there is one person that you can control, and it isYOU! Forgiveness is an "inside job," and it will effectively restore your power where it belongs - in your own inner life, doing what YOU know to be best.
It happens inside of you - in your mind - and it causes a change of heart when done by an act of the will, especially when we know that it is God's will that we do so. This is true freedom - to have control over our own emotions and our own responses to the actions of others.
When we wholeheartedly align our will with the Father, we can expect a very good result.
This will take a full surrender on your part - surrender to the goodness and the mercy of God - knowing that he will make all things right, in his way and in his time. Surrender your feelings of anger and pain to God, and ask that he sanctify your heart and wash it clean. Lay your burdens upon him, and lay this offending person at his feet. Then, leave them there.
I don't promise that this is easy, but I do promise trhat it is the right thing to do. It could be that you may have to do this more than once or twice - particularly if this offending person is still in your life. But with every effort, you will gain strength and you will experience victory over this problem.
We have the example of the Master, who gave his very life at the hands of muderers and betrayers, and yet, he was able to say, "forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." He was dogged for all the years of his ministry by people who hated him and wished evil on him - people who plotted against him and sought his ruin. And yet he still forgave - even while in the act of dying at their evil hands. I think it's safe to say that he understands what you're going through. Trust him to help you through it and over it.
Jesus said, What you believe I would do to others, do likewise."
One last thing - and this comes from my own personal experience: Over a period of time, we can establish patterns of behavior with troublesome people, and it may take some time and distance for you to reclaim yourself through forgiveness. Then, when and if you decide to re-connect, you can begin to establish better boundaries and healthier patterns of behavior with this person, so they will know you mean business, and that you no longer are at their mercy. No more will they be able to manipulate you. You will have risen above their misery, and your own - and you may then even be able to provide a good example for others in your life who have been likewise affected.
It will be of great help to you if you can stop seeing yourself as a victim. You can only be victimized if you allow it. Up til now, maybe you didn't know this. Now you do. Take charge of yourself. Ask God to help you, and he will.
Remember - forgiveness is for YOU, not them. Do it for yourself. Pray for the offender, leave them with God, but know that by forgiving them, you are raising YOURSELF up to where you ought to be - where God wants you to be.
Thanks so much for writing, and sharing this difficult problem.
Sincerely,
MaryJo
Truthbook.comLabels: Bible, forgiveness, God, God's Will, Jesus, Mary Jo
Permalink
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Is poverty is a curse to people?
Q: Is poverty is a curse to people? For example, the poor nations of Africa or Haiti are considered to be the poorest island in the caribbean. Why were and are these people's ancestors and offspring still going through this ordeal. especialy when innocent children are involved? If God is allowing this to happen...why? Or could there be another reason? Thanks for your opinion on this question.
A: That's an interesting question and I'll offer a personal opinion colored by my association with the teachings of The Urantia Book. Let's discuss curses first. I believe curses can be effective, but only when the recipient believes that they are as well. I don't believe there's any power inherent in a curse or in evil; the power is in the influence which the recipient allows to affect them.
Through the evolutionary struggle humans have evolved beyond countless misconceptions and superstitions -- like the evil eye and curses. And although there are people who still believe in them they are misconceptions. While it's true that Haiti and nations in Africa are the poorest on earth, there is no real thing such as a generational curse. These countries are poor because of exploitation and the politics that govern them; the men, women and children there, their ancestors, and future generations suffer as long as as those conditions continue to exist. God is not responsible for creating the conditions -- that's the affairs of men who have been given the gift of free will. Those in power used their free will to subjugate the people within their sphere of influence -- their free will was directed in purely selfish ways.
Poverty is called a curse since it can make life so much harder than we would like it to be. In much of the world it's extremely difficult to rise above poverty but there are many examples of people who have done just that. And here in the United States it's almost necessary for someone to intentionally choose poverty in order to acquire that particular "curse".
The teachings of The Urantia Book help clarify and make sense of so much that seems senseless today. May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day from our site. It's a free service that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book along with a beautiful and inspiring image, a great way to start one's day as well as to begin to understand the teachings of the book. To subscribe go to the upper right corner of our home page, click on Quote of the Day and follow the instructions.
Thank you for your question.
Larry Watkins
Truthbook.comLabels: curses, free will, Larry Watkins, poverty, The Urantia Book
Permalink
Can I Make Contact With My Thought Adjuster?
Q: How do I know for sure if I have made contact with my Thought Adjuster? Sometimes I feel very connected to it and other times I think I am making too many presumptions. How does one know for sure?
A: That's a good question, and I'm glad you asked. As you know, your Thought Adjuster is God within you — the Father permeates everything but even so, resides within you as your Thought Adjuster. You don't make "contact with" your Thought Adjuster; your Thought Adjuster contacts you. You can't force or promote or encourage or instigate contact; the Thought Adjuster is the pitcher that pours, you are the vessel that receives; the vessel doesn't produce the pouring.
Relax. It's a journey and a process, not a competition or a race and your thought that you may be making too many presumptions is may in fact be the Spirit of Truth acting in your mind. The best you can "do" is to open yourself to new possibilities through prayer and meditation, both of which are passive, "not doing", listening.
Jesus left by saying "My Peace I leave with you." Accept peace. Fear not -- life proceeds naturally. Perhaps a zen poem is in order:
In the landscape of nature,
There is neither better nor worse.
The flowering branches grow naturally,
Some long, some short.
Best wishes and thank you for your question.Labels: God, peace, Spirit of Truth, Thought Adjuster
Permalink
Xerpi
