Spiritual Advice and Guidance Blog: Urantia Book

Thank you for your question to Truthbook.Com. You asked: I believe I have been led to the Urantia Book by my guardian angel called Nathaniel. Is he one of the angels?

Nearly all serious students of The Urantia Book feel that in one way or another they've been led to The Urantia Book by their angels. Since an awareness of the existence of this revelation is still pretty obscure it seems quite likely that sincere seekers for truth, who listen to the Spirit of Truth and ask for guidance from their angels are guided to the book if they're ready to receive its message.

Normally we're unaware of the ministry of our angels and of their names. You may call your angel by any name you wish -- Nathaniel is a perfectly good one; The Urantia Book does not give their names since there are many millions of them here lovingly performing various tasks.

Best wishes in your study of the book. May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book with an audio clip and 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 click on the Quote of the Day link on the left side of our home page and follow the instructions. Also, you might be interested in viewing some of our flash movies - in particular, "After You Die," and "You Can Live Forever." Just click on "Audio + Video" in the left column.

Larry Watkins

Here are a few Urantia Book quotes to add to your understanding of these marvelous and sympathetic helpers of the celestial realms.

p1243:2 113:2.5 The angels develop an abiding affection for their human associates; and you would, if you could only visualize the seraphim, develop a warm affection for them. Divested of material bodies, given spirit forms, you would be very near the angels in many attributes of personality. They share most of your emotions and experience some additional ones. The only emotion actuating you which is somewhat difficult for them to comprehend is the legacy of animal fear that bulks so large in the mental life of the average inhabitant of Urantia. The angels really find it hard to understand why you will so persistently allow your higher intellectual powers, even your religious faith, to be so dominated by fear, so thoroughly demoralized by the thoughtless panic of dread and anxiety.

p1243:3 113:2.6 All seraphim have individual names, but in the records of assignment to world service they are frequently designated by their planetary numbers. At the universe headquarters they are registered by name and number. The destiny guardian of the human subject used in this contactual communication is number 3 of group 17, of company 126, of battalion 4, of unit 384, of legion 6, of host 37, of the 182,314th seraphic army of Nebadon. The current planetary assignment number of this seraphim on Urantia and to this human subject is 3,641,852.

p1245:7 113:5.1 Angels do not invade the sanctity of the human mind; they do not manipulate the will of mortals; neither do they directly contact with the indwelling Adjusters. The guardian of destiny influences you in every possible manner consistent with the dignity of your personality; under no circumstances do these angels interfere with the free action of the human will. Neither angels nor any other order of universe personality have power or authority to curtail or abridge the prerogatives of human choosing.

p1246:1 113:5.2 Angels are so near you and care so feelingly for you that they figuratively "weep because of your willful intolerance and stubbornness." Seraphim do not shed physical tears; they do not have physical bodies; neither do they possess wings. But they do have spiritual emotions, and they do experience feelings and sentiments of a spiritual nature which are in certain ways comparable to human emotions.

p1246:2 113:5.3 The seraphim act in your behalf quite independent of your direct appeals; they are executing the mandates of their superiors, and thus they function regardless of your passing whims or changing moods. This does not imply that you may not make their tasks either easier or more difficult, but rather that angels are not directly concerned with your appeals or with your prayers.

p1246:3 113:5.4 In the life of the flesh the intelligence of angels is not directly available to mortal men. They are not overlords or directors; they are simply guardians. The seraphim guard you; they do not seek directly to influence you; you must chart your own course, but these angels then act to make the best possible use of the course you have chosen. They do not (ordinarily) arbitrarily intervene in the routine affairs of human life. But when they receive instructions from their superiors to perform some unusual exploit, you may rest assured that these guardians will find some means of carrying out these mandates. They do not, therefore, intrude into the picture of human drama except in emergencies and then usually on the direct orders of their superiors. They are the beings who are going to follow you for many an age, and they are thus receiving an introduction to their future work and personality association.

p1246:4 113:5.5 Seraphim are able to function as material ministers to human beings under certain circumstances, but their action in this capacity is very rare. They are able, with the assistance of the midway creatures and the physical controllers, to function in a wide range of activities in behalf of human beings, even to make actual contact with mankind, but such occurrences are very unusual. In most instances the circumstances of the material realm proceed unaltered by seraphic action, although occasions have arisen, involving jeopardy to vital links in the chain of human evolution, in which seraphic guardians have acted, and properly, on their own initiative.

Thanks again for your question

MaryJo
Truthbook.com

Labels: angels, Larry Watkins, Mary Jo, seraphim, The Urantia Book, Thought Adjuster

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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Drugs, Chemicals, Alcohol - And Their Effects On Spirituality

Q: What is the role of mind altering drugs, chemicals, alcohol and its effect on the body and spirituality?

A: That's a very good question worthy of consideration. Let's begin in this manner: some people abstain from all drugs, alcohol, and chemicals. Others will use any one or a combination of the 3 infrequently and sparingly. Still others indulge and yet others destroy their own lives and the lives of those close to them with these same substances. Ask anyone and they'll justify their abstinence or level of use, at least justify them within in their own minds. The main difference seems to be that most (or all that I am aware of) truly spiritually perceptive people are either abstainers or infrequent and frugal users, so the use-to-enlightenment curve appears to be logarithmic. An indiscriminate use at one time or another may have no long-term effects; it all depends upon how much risk one is willing to choose to indulge in.

Here are two passages from The Urantia Book that provide some insight into an answer to this question:

"Lack of spiritual capacity makes it very difficult to transmit to such a material intellect the spiritual truths resident in the higher superconsciousness. It is to the mind of perfect poise, housed in a body of clean habits, stabilized neural energies, and balanced chemical function â€” when the physical, mental, and spiritual powers are in triune harmony of development â€” that a maximum of light and truth can be imparted with a minimum of temporal danger or risk to the real welfare of such a being. By such a balanced growth does man ascend the circles of planetary progression one by one, from the seventh to the first."

"Mortal mind is a temporary intellect system loaned to human beings for use during a material lifetime, and as they use this mind, they are either accepting or rejecting the potential of eternal existence. Mind is about all you have of universe reality that is subject to your will, and the soul â€” the morontia self â€” will faithfully portray the harvest of the temporal decisions which the mortal self is making. Human consciousness rests gently upon the electro-chemical mechanism below and delicately touches the spirit-morontia energy system above. Of neither of these two systems is the human being ever completely conscious in his mortal life; therefore must he work in mind, of which he is conscious. And it is not so much what mind comprehends as what mind desires to comprehend that insures survival; it is not so much what mind is like as what mind is striving to be like that constitutes spirit identification. It is not so much that man is conscious of God as that man yearns for God that results in universe ascension. What you are today is not so important as what you are becoming day by day and in eternity."

These and other passages should help us realize that the connection between our minds and our soul and spiritual reality are very tenuous under the best of circumstances. With us even the best of circumstances aren't particularly good to begin with â€” our biological makeup is sub-par, our hereditary endowments are lacking, our family life as we grow and mature is often a shambles, society surrounding us exudes destructive and negative influences. Add to that what appears to be a predisposition toward ingesting mind and consciousness altering substances and one could begin to wonder why we were even chosen to receive the gift of this revelation; most of us give its messages and warnings little heed, preferring instead to follow our whims of predisposition.

The experimentation with and use of consciousness altering substances is a pervasive, and for the most part accepted, part of society. Many Urantians discovered the book during "the drug daze" that have transpired since the 1960s and many of them continue to feed their habits, justifying them within their own minds and exhibiting by example that they're willing to settle for less than the best in their spiritual discoveries here on earth. Both of what are considered to be benign substances, tobacco and marijuana, produce observable physical alterations to cell structure; it follows to reason that they influence the delicate body-mind connection as well.

"Always should the domains of the physical (electrochemical) and the mental response to environmental stimuli be differentiated, and in turn must they all be recognized as phenomena apart from spiritual activities. The domains of physical, mental, and spiritual gravity are distinct realms of cosmic reality, notwithstanding their intimate interrelations."

One of the differences that separate human beings from animals is that human beings can learn through observation and analysis; they don't have to have an experience in order to understand and learn. In the area of mind altering substances and the effects they have on the lives we live here in the material world most of us don't function as particularly high order human beings. We should be able to conclude without actually having the experience that the role of mind altering drugs, chemicals, alcohol and their effects on the body and on spirituality have so little to offer of any real value, so little that the risk is too great to be considered an appealing enticement.

Thank you for your question. May I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book with an audio clip and 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 click on the Quote of the Day link on the left side of our home page and follow the instructions.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: alcohol, drugs, Larry Watkins, mind, mind-altering, spirituality, The Urantia Book

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Saturday, September 08, 2007

How May I Come To Trust The Urantia Book As Truth?

Q: How may I come to trust the Urantia way as truth? In what ways can I know this truth?

A: That's a good question and one we each have to face, whether it's in regard to The Urantia Book or any other scientific finding, philosophical ideal, or religious belief. How do you know what's real or true versus what's a figment or false? Happily God has provided all we need in this regard.

First, we're endowed with a mind and with free will. These allow us to consider the things that come into our consciousness, to think them over, try them out, see how they feel. We have an in-born conscience that helps us decipher right from wrong. We're also endowed with an ability to think logically and to make deductions from what we already know or understand. If something doesn't make logical sense then either you need more knowledge before making your decision or the thought is erroneous.

The next test is, do you believe that Jesus lived here and taught what is important for us to know? If so then you'll recall that Jesus has said for us to "fear not" -- that can also be applied to concerns about what's true and what's not. You can ask Jesus for guidance in helping you make right decisions and choices. Also recall that Jesus left us his spirit, the Comforter or the Spirit of Truth. This is an actual spirit presence for your benefit to help you know right from wrong, good from evil, truth from error. Ask for guidance -- while humans may lead you astray, Jesus won't. Trust Jesus. If you don't believe in Jesus then making right decisions and knowing the truth can be more difficult -- reading The Life and Teachings of Jesus as found in the fourth part of The Urantia Book will be a blessing to you.

Our main problem is that too many of us are timid about relying upon our own decisions. We look for authority to come from outside. We seek religions of authority, clergy of authority, traditions of authority, teachers of authority -- none of these can substitute for the authority of your own mind and your own thoughts and decisions. You ultimately answer for all of your choices and decisions and beliefs -- the responsibility for them rests with you and no one else can substitute.

It's not necessary to trust and believe The Urantia Book -- some people read it and decide it's not for them. But if you're a truth seeking person, looking for deeper answers then you owe it to yourself to read and to study this amazing book. It's a gift to humanity from deity -- if you're sensitive to truth then its teachings will ring true to you.

May I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book with an audio clip and 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.

Best wishes,
Larry Watkins

Labels: God, Jesus, Larry Watkins, Spirit of Truth, The Urantia Book, truth

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Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Adultery

Q: What says The Urantia Book about adultery? Is it a mistake to love a married man?

A#1: Adultery is not treated very extensively in The Urantia Book. It is mentioned only a handful of times, and then, mainly only in the context of evolution, where it had to to with ownership of women and property. There are a few mentions in the later portions of the book, and then, there is this event from Jesus' life:

Jesus was confronted by an angry crowd who had a woman in custody for being an adultress. They wanted Jesus to approve stoning her to death, which was the custom of the day, but it was a situation where the woman had been ill-treated by the husband, and coerced into selling her body for money for the husband. Jesus knew, of course, the whole story, and through his superb discernment, de-fused the entire situation, and the woman was set free. Jesus had no words of condemnation for this woman.

In another event, Jesus mentions adultery in this vignette involving a young man who wanted assurance of eternal salvation:

...as Jesus was going for a walk, [a] young man accosted him and said: "Master, I would know from you the assurances of eternal life. Seeing that I have observed all the commandments from my youth, I would like to know what more I must do to gain eternal life?" In answer to this question Jesus said: "If you keep all the commandments--do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your parents--you do well, but salvation is the reward of faith, not merely of works.

Since there is such a scarcity of real advice on this subject in The Urantia Book, I am going to try to answer your quesiton, but from my own perspective, tempered by my years of study with The Urantia Book, and with life...

It is never a mistake to love another person - but we must make the distinction here between love and sex. They are not necessarily connected, nor should they be, if in doing so, you cause harm to another. That is what adultery is - not just LOVING a married man, but allowing that love to cross the line into a sexual connection. And such an act CAN cause harm, and almost always DOES cause harm.

Fortunately, adultery is no longer treated as a capital crime, warranting death. But, I believe that any thinking and feeling person can discern that there is something not right about it - in priciple, if not in fact. There may be factors which contribute to a person's thinking that they are justified in having sex with another person's spouse. But in the final analysis, it is not a physically healthy, or morally correct thing to do.

We can certainly love whomever we please, but that love should not cross the line into adultery. Aside from the health aspect, there are the other spouse's feelings to consider. In its simplest form, adultery appears to me to be motivated by selfishness. And since true love is not selfish, it would also seem that adultery is neither loving nor uplifting for either party - certainly not for the betrayed spouse. And this does not even address the issue of children who may be involved, should this behavior jeopardize their relationship to either of their parents.

Here are a few Urantia Book quotes regarding love:

"Love is the outworking of the divine and inner urge of life. It is founded on understanding, nurtured by unselfish service, and perfected in wisdom."

"Love is the secret of beneficial association between personalities."

"Love is the desire to do good to others."

It appears to me that a person who is thinking about a liaison with a married man is thinking less about real, heartfelt, and honest love, and more about a selfish need for this person's affection, or attention. It bespeaks an ulterior motive that may not be healthy. And that is not love, but something else entirely, and not entirely good.

Again, this is my opinion, but I would think that since the taboo against adultery is one of the original ten commandments, one might be wise to avoid it.

Sincerely,

MaryJo
Truthbook.com

A#2: MaryJo has already provided an excellent reply from her perspective; I've made presumptions but I hope that you will find my reply providing additional insight.

Is it a mistake to love a married man? Certainly not, if you're his wife; most assuredly so if you're not, particularly if he has a family.

Even more than adultery The Urantia Book speaks forcefully for the importance of devotion to the family. So the focus for you would be not the love, but do you or does he have a family?

Consider Jesus' words relating to adult/child relationships:

"...But whosoever causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea." Children require stability, peace, and a loving home environment in order to develop their potential.

"We know that any child can best relate himself to reality by first mastering the relationships of the child-parent situation and then by enlarging this concept to embrace the family as a whole. Subsequently the growing mind of the child will be able to adjust to the concept of family relations, to relationships of the community, the race, and the world, and then to those of the universe, the superuniverse, even the universe of universes." (8:1.11)

"Society itself is the aggregated structure of family units. Individuals are very temporary as planetary factors--only families are continuing agencies in social evolution. The family is the channel through which the river of culture and knowledge flows from one generation to another." (84:0.2)

"Marriage is not just an individualistic ideal; it is the evolving social partnership of a man and a woman, existing and functioning under the current mores, restricted by the taboos, and enforced by the laws and regulations of society." (83:8.8)

Character issues: Did this man profess vows when he married? If so is he not breaking some of them now? What could that indicate about his character and his sincerity? Can anyone really admire and respect someone who exhibits such character flaws? What does this indicate of your own character if you're willing to disrupt the lives of a man and his wife for personal gratification?

One of the attributes that distinguishes humans from animals is that animals only learn through experience, they have no ability for discrimination. Humans don't need experience in order to learn or to discover consequences -- we can determine beforehand what the consequences will be. Over time you will find this fruit to be bitter indeed.

Consider both the Golden Rule and the Ten Commandments. Whether these are actually God's laws or not may not be so meaningful as the fact that they are proven essential laws of civilization and society. The Golden Rule exhorts us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Are you doing to this man's wife as you would wish another would do to you if you were in her place? For what reason would you think that the Ten Commandments contains the commandment that applies equally to men and women "Thou shall not commit adultery" ?

Thank you for your question and best wishes ...

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.Com

Labels: adultery, character, family, Jesus, Larry Watkins, love, marriage, Mary Jo, Ten Commandments, The Urantia Book

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Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Who is Jesus Christ Michael?

Q: Who is Jesus Christ Michael?

A: Thank you for your post to Truthbook.Com. Our site is dedicated to the teachings of The Urantia Book and particularly to promoting the life and teachings of Jesus. The term "Jesus Christ Michael" is not a term used by The Urantia Book; it's more an all inclusive collection of the names of Jesus used in our mission statement.

Jesus had an existence before his earth life began and he has an existence now that he's gone -- his title then and now was that of Michael, an order of creative divine beings. More specifically he is called Michael of Nebadon, Nebadon being that portion of the cosmos in which we reside and over which he has supreme authority. His name here during his earth life was Jesus (in its English translation), his title before and after his earth experience is Michael (The Urantia Book does not give his before and after name, only his title). The Christ aspect is a Christian designation that's intended to elevate Jesus above the human to emphasize his divine aspects. As Urantians we tend to downplay the Christ concept in our thinking because Jesus was entirely human at the same time that he was entirely divine (Son of Man and Son of God); we tend to think of Jesus in very personal terms instead of in the more unapproachable Christ designation -- as The Urantia Book says "Christianity has elevated the concept of anthropomorphism from the ideal of the human to the transcendent and divine concept of the person of the glorified Christ. And this is the highest anthropomorphism that man can ever conceive."

May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book with an audio clip and 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.com

Labels: Christ Michael, Christian, Jesus, Larry Watkins, The Urantia Book

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Friday, July 20, 2007

Our Loved Ones And The Afterlife

Q: It says in the Urantia book that after one dies they get to see loved ones that have preceded before them for a certain amount of days of visitation. After those visitation days does one never see them again?

That's a good question for which The Urantia Book doesn't really provide an answer but we can assume that whatever the case all of our needs and desires will be intelligently met -- the mansion worlds are, after all, our entry way into the Paradise ascent so it wouldn't make much logical sense to think that we would start off with a feeling of longing or remorse. Also, our journey to Paradise is a personal and individual undertaking -- we will be associated with greater and greater numbers of others as we become more spiritually aware but our progress isn't tied to that of anyone else even though we will acquire more "loved ones" as we progress. I hope that answer helps.

Thank you for your question. May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book with an audio clip and 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.

Best wishes,

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.Com

I hope you won't mind if I add just a few remarks to what Larry has already said...

The only exception to this "visitation" idea, is the case of a child who has preceded a parent - a child who has not yet reached the age of reason. In a case like this, the surviving parent has an opportunity to raise that child. The child is still reckoned to be attached to the parent, and so the child - who has been asleep -is "awakened" with the arrival of the parent or parents on the Mansion Worlds. There are no real specifics about just what that entails, but one could assume that that parent and child will be together for longer than the ten-day visitation.

As Larry has pointed out, our new lives are going to be so different, so full of new experiences, and peopled with so many new friends...and don't forget, your loved ones are also engaged in their new lives now, too.

I am sure that whatever the circumstances, Larry is correct...we can expect a future of hope and anticpation - not longing and sorrow. And I am quite certain that, no matter what, we will never forget our loved ones from Urantia, and they will never forget us, either.

Sincerely,

MaryJo
Truthbook.com

Labels: afterlife, children, death, Larry Watkins, loved ones, Mansion Worlds, Mary Jo

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Dates In The Urantia Book, And Women Who Followed Jesus

Q: Thank you for the information found on your website. It is quite surprising with regard to the specific dates of certain occurences. Can you please tell me how you came up with these dates? What/who are your sources?

I am researching these subject women in the Bible in an effort to "chronicle" their lives according to what I've read in The Bible and certain other articles. I am really curious to know if anyone can share with me the approximate ages of these women at the time of The Ascension, as well as any other information, e.g., the persecution of Lazarus and his sisters after the Crucifixion.

A: Thank you for your question to Truthbook.Com. We always appreciate hearing from someone who's just come across the teachings of The Urantia Book for the first time.

Yes, the information on our website is quite surprising and startling when first encountered. The Urantia Book is unique; one of its purposes is to provide (when necessary) information heretofore unknown or otherwise unavailable -- the specific dates of Jesus' life being one example. Another startling bit of information is that there is no "we" in coming up with information such as these dates presented by this marvelous book -- the book is a divine gift to humanity -- we read it and accept or disregard it as we choose. To our way of thinking there is no more definitive work on Jesus' life and teachings extant than can be learned through study of The Urantia Book.

You asked about the source. Do you believe in angels? If not you may have a challenge with accepting the caveat in the book relating to the Jesus Papers (Paper 120 through Paper 196) which says: "Part IV, The Life and Teachings of Jesus, This group of papers was sponsored by a commission of twelve Urantia midwayers acting under the supervision of a Melchizedek revelatory director. The basis of this narrative was supplied by a secondary midwayer who was onetime assigned to the superhuman watchcare of the Apostle Andrew."

Your research project is most challenging, partly because the role of women in religion has been historically suppressed by the role of men in religion. Much in The Urantia Book helps explain the roles of men and women from a perspective outside of a humanly skewed historical and religious viewpoint. The two questions you've asked regarding the women around Jesus and Lazarus's sisters are covered in The Urantia Book and I wouldn't want to spoil your discovery by simply answering them. There's a study on our site titled "Mary Magdalene and Other Women Who Followed Jesus" which will help you but don't stop there.

May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book with an audio clip and 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.

Best wishes and intriguing reading and unbounded discovery to you.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.Com

Labels: angels, Bible, dates, Jesus, Larry Watkins, midwayers, The Urantia Book, women who followed Jesus

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Extreme Interest in Spirituality - a "Twin" Connection?

Q: I would like to know if by my being a "mortal-twin" has anything to do with my EXTREME interests and spiritual connections I have always been aware of even as an infant?

A: Being a twin is solely a physical phenomenon although both you and your twin can share a strong psychic connection as well as both being held within the mind circuits of your parents until your late teen years. These have little to do with a spiritual connection though -- that comes more through your own personal sensitivity and orientation toward your angels and Thought Adjuster leadings, your connection with the Spirit of Truth and the Holy Spirit, and in those areas you and your twin could be quite different.

One caution about having an EXTREME interest in things spiritual -- this is the world of your first and only material existence. From this point on we will be "spirit beings" so don't rush into being "spiritual". Love and enjoy where you are here and now and experience it thoroughly and wholeheartedly. Keep your focus on the reality about you (keep your tires on the pavement and don't let them get pointed at the sky). Avoid wishful thinking and be practical. That's the best formula for living a happy, fulfilling and productive material existence.

May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book with an audio clip and 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 again for your question.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.Com

Labels: Larry Watkins, material existence, spirtuality, twins

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Friday, July 13, 2007

Life After Death

Q: Is there life after death

A: Yes, what we're experiencing now is just the beginning, the springboard to something much more profound and meaningful. The Urantia Book has a lot of information about the purpose of this life and what existence is as we progress -- it gives an awe inspiring vision of our place in eternity.

If you'll go to our home page you'll see a block in the center part of the page titled "There is Life After Death" -- you might want to review that section to see if it answers your query. In addition, you might enjoy viewing our flash movie titled "After You Die," which gives an uplifting and comforting explanation of the life-to-death-to-life transition that we all will experience, and which is so extensively covered in The Urantia Book.

Feel free to ask more if you have other questions too. May I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of the marvelous Urantia Book with an audio clip and 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.

Best wishes,
Larry Watkins
Truthbook.Com

Labels: Larry Watkins, life after death

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Wizards, Dreams and Spirituality

Q: Is it possible for a human being to become a witch or a wizard?
What is the relationship between dreams and spirituality?
What have dreams got to do with spiritual growth?

A: It's natural to wish we could change our environment with our thoughts alone but what we truly have control over are our own thoughts and our own actions. Harry Potter has stirred the desires for a magic world of sorcerers, witches and magicians but that's the stuff of folklore. There are always a few exceptional people capable of doing things that the rest of us can't do, but as the Hindu mystic once said, why spend years learning how to walk on water when I can easily take the ferry across instead?

Dreams are similar -- occasionally we do have profound, life altering dreams but most of them are the result of an active subconscious mind and while they may be interesting they have little if any spiritual value. Sometimes we can turn a problem over to our subconscious to work on, such as a spiritual growth decision, and it will provide an answer in our dreams. For the most part though, spiritual growth is a natural phenomenon and unless we work to inhibit it it will occur without effort.

I hope these answers are helpful. May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of the marvelous Urantia Book with an audio clip and 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.

Best wishes,

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.Com

Labels: dreams, Larry Watkins, spiritual growth, The Urantia Book, witches, wizards

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Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Three Important Questions

Q: 1. What is the source of the Urantia book? Who wrote it and where did the extra-biblical information come from?
2. What is the means by which a person enters into relationship with God? Is it automatic for everyone, or is there something that a person must believe or do?
3. Who is responsible for authorititively interpreting the teachings in the Urantia book? Is there an individual or group who is responsible?

Thank you for your post to Truthbook.com. Yes, this can be confusing on first contact -- I'll see if I can help.

For background, The Urantia Book speaks for itself; it claims to be the next (the fifth) revelation of truth to the world following on the heels of Jesus and as such it proclaims that nothing that has transpired in the intervening 2000 years is of the epochal significance it presents to you personally. There are organizations that publish the book and handle administrative tasks related to the shepherding of the revelation but there are no official pronouncements about the book's contents other than those the book makes regarding itself. As a new revelation of divine truth it is written specifically to you, not to any one culture, group, religion, race, but to each of its individual readers. It is a revelation of truth in book form with no authorized human spokesperson.

With that background the answer to your first question is -- the authors of the 196 Papers (or chapters) of the book plus its foreword are listed and described within the text of the book -- we'd call them celestial beings because they do not live here (on Urantia) -- they were tasked with a divine mandate to present the new knowledge and spiritual insight that are contained in the book. This occurred in the 1930s and was completed by the early 1940s; the book was first published in 1955. Some of the celestial beings either are, or are in close contact with, the angels administering life on this world -- the extra-biblical information you mention comes either from previously published or written records, or, when those were inadequate, it and other revelatory material comes from the records the angels keep.

Your second question: an excellent and insightful question. There is no teaching, no philosophy, no religion that is required in order to enter into a relationship with God. Teachings, religions, philosophies can help, can provide stepping stones and bridges to know and understand our heavenly Father, but any human being, even one born and raised in the jungle, can have a personal relationship with God -- God resides within every human being (in the Urantia revelation this divine fragment of the heavenly Father is named the adjuster, thought adjuster, mystery monitor). God is right here within us, we each have an inborn urge to seek God in whatever manner we may and if we do so a connection is made. Meditation may help, prayer and worship may help, a tragic or life-altering event may help or the connection may just come naturally. However natural this connection may be, it isn't automatic or automatically experienced because many people don't recognize its existence. God reaches down to us but we are required also to reach up toward God in order for that connection to occur.

Your third question -- who is responsible for authoritatively interpreting its teachings? You are. No one else is. The book is written to you -- your challenge is to read it. If it rings true your life will be transformed. If it doesn't then it would be your duty to refute its teachings -- that's something many attempt to do without reading the book or understanding its message so such criticisms are irrelevant. There are thousands of students of The Urantia Book who would be willing to discuss their understanding of its teachings with you but the only way to know the truth is to taste and experience if first hand.

Best Wishes,

LarryWatkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: authorship, God, interpretation, Larry Watkins, relationship with God, The Urantia Book, Thought Adjuster

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Thursday, March 22, 2007

Questions Regarding Death

Q: I had a good friend pass away at 41 unexpectedly. How does God decide when is your time to pass away? When she died, did she go to sleep right away? Do their souls stay around for awhile?

A: Thank you for your question. According to The Urantia Book God is the infinite controller and sustainer of all creation but God does not micromanage. God loves us so much he has conferred free will which means how we live, the choices we make and consequences we receive, and how and when we die are not decisions God takes part in -- we can always ask for guidance, but we are the captains of our souls.

One of the consequences of living on an imperfect material world is that each of us has challenges to face that are imposed by our heredity, the family environment we grow up in, the decisions we make as we grow, and the just plain accidents that occur when living in such an unpredictable environment. We tend to become so wrapped up in our daily drama that we lose sight of the bigger picture -- that we're here for only a short while and then we begin in the less material realms right where we leave off here and that there is a grand spiritual adventure before us -- this life is a stepping stone for what's to come.

Losing someone near and dear is always a shock and is cause for reflecting on the lives we live and the meaning of it all. Peace be with you as you confront your friend's unexpected death but it was not God's doing, it's part of the normal process of material existence.

When she died she lost consciousness just like happens in deep, dreamless sleep. When she is awakened on the mansion worlds she will remember who she was and will begin the new life there. The sadness of losing a loved one is experienced by those left behind -- the joy and freedom of experiencing the continuation of life after earthly death is transcendent for the one awakening.

At times you may experience your friend's presence even though she is no longer here -- her life has affected the world around us to some degree -- but the real "she" is in a better place and is not present here and does not return or visit.

Peace be with you.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: death, free will, God, Larry Watkins, soul, The Urantia Book

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Wednesday, February 14, 2007

When Will Urantia Be Free From Quarantine?

Q: When will Urantia be free from the quarantine, and when/where will Lucifer's judgement take place?

A: The judgment of Lucifer occurs in the spiritual realm, not in the physical material creation. The quarantine is also a spiritual event and has little if anything to do with material creation. Therefore there is little likelihood that we will know, need to know, or experience anything once it has transpired.

Although this world has experienced great spiritual loss due to the effects of the Lucifer rebellion we as individuals haven't suffered because of it -- God still loves us personally and individually, we still have our ministering angels, the Spirit of Truth and the Holy Spirit still connect with us, we each have an adjuster and we still participate in the ascension career; and we have the gift of the life and teachings of Jesus to guide us.

You may have heard from psychics that the Lucifer rebellion has been adjudicated and that "the circuits are open." Such a claim is intended to justify channeling and other psychic activity and give channelers credibility. But, as you may be aware, The Urantia Book does not support psychic activity as a method of spiritual development and warns against pursuing such mental activity, particularly since psychic activity stems from the subconscious mind and spiritual contact is through the superconscious mind. So what seems real to the psychic may be of some value to that psychic but is of little spiritual benefit to anyone else. It is best to ignore "the circuits are open" claims and to participate in the material life of this planet as a "normal" human being. There are no "inside tracks" to perfection.

Thank you for your question.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: God, Larry Watkins, Lucifer, psychics, quarantine, Urantia

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Caligastia's Website?

Q: Are you aware that a website for Caligastia exists?

A: Thank you for your note. Yes, I've seen Caligastia's website and had some correspondence with him a number of years ago.

Is it for real? Yes, it's real enough.

Is it Caligastia? No, Caligastia doesn't have a website; it's Robert Burgess, as indicated on the home page of the site.

His material is a good example of what can occur if one lets one's speculation and unconscious mind override logic and rationality -- as you see there's a mix of distorted philosophy, conspiracy theories and UFOs all scrambled together along with UB material.

Why anyone would be interested in investing time to try to follow the twisting trail of distorted thinking is hard to imagine. However, he's intelligent and capable of influencing someone unsure of their own thought processes so in that regard his material can be dangerous; I don't recommend spending time giving his material any consideration; the cosmology he produces is not revelatory, it's the product of a perverted human mind.

Best wishes,

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: Caligastia, Larry Watkins, Robert Burgess

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Sunday, February 11, 2007

On War, Fearing God, and Fighting for Diplomacy.

Q: Do you feel there is hope, as far as the war goes?
If God is Love,why should we fear him?
How can I fight for diplomacy to rule?

A: Thank you for your note to Truthbook.com. Your assessment of the book is as ours is -- it is so superior. Reading it slowly is the best way to extract its full meaning but if you've not had the opportunity to read it clear through I would recommend that you read it front to back rapidly, not being concerned for understanding it all -- that way you have an overall picture of the teachings and then when you go back to read it slowly your comprehension will be on a different level.

Regarding the war and coming wars; they're unfortunate and bring loss, sorrow, sadness to the world but at the same time, as the angels relate, there are positive benefits as well, all is not lost. The war on terror is just more of the same -- we're told in The Urantia Book that wars will be with us until we have all absorbed Jesus' message. We can't outlaw wars or wish them away -- they will disappear when our hearts have changed and that appears to be well into the distant future; it's a one person at a time transformation. Sometimes diplomacy will prevail, other times it will take guns and bombs.

Is it wise to fear God? In the Biblical sense of the word to fear God is to honor God, not to be afraid of God, so yes, it is wise to fear God.

God is much more than the loving caress -- God is the maker and upholder of reality.

How can you fight for diplomacy? There's little you can do in regard to international politics unless that's the sphere in which your work lies. Otherwise you're fighting for something over which you have no control and that leads to frustration. You can fight to improve the things where you have personal influence, which is what we all are called to do.

Thank you for your note.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: diplomacy, fear of God, God, Larry Watkins, politics, The Urantia Book, war

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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.com

Labels: Larry Watkins, Mary Jo, ministers, rites, rituals, sacraments, The Urantia Book

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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.com

Labels: Earth, etymology, Larry Watkins, The Urantia Book, Urantia, Uranus

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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.com

Labels: curses, free will, Larry Watkins, poverty, The Urantia Book

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Friday, December 15, 2006

Fall From Grace

Q: I believe in God and have been brought up in a christian home but fell from grace. I still sin all the time and ask for forgiveness.
Will I still go to heaven even if I continue to fall?

A: Each religion and even each sect within a religion has its own
teachings about sin so this can be a confusing topic but it is one that The
Urantia Book clears up profoundly by making two things ever so clear. One
is that we mortal beings are fallible, we make mistakes, we sin, and we
learn. That's the way God has created us; therefore God doesn't hold it
against us that we make mistakes or that we sin because that's natural
for us. The second observation is that this life in the flesh is just
the first rung on a long ladder to perfection and that all that's
required to stay on the ladder and to progress rung by rung is even just a
small flicker of faith, a belief in God or in something higher than
ourselves.

That said, when you are tempted to do something you know is wrong or
beneath you don't do it -- doing something you know to be wrong is sinful,
a giant step above mere evil. Asking for forgiveness is always a good thing.
Recall Jesus' words that pertain to just about every situation, "fear
not". God has provided the ascension scheme just so beings like you and
I can become perfected over time; it's part of the plan that we will
participate even though we begin so imperfect.

May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider
subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site
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.com

I hope you won't mind one more point of view on your question to Truthbook.

What I read in your question is something that seems to be epidemic in our world - and that something is - fear of God.

I know that in traditional religions, and even in the Bible, we are told that we must have "fear of the Lord," and it seems to me to be a very unfortunate choice of words. I would rather prefer "respect." And dare I say? I think that God would prefer that, also.

The Urantia Book offers modern mankind a new and expanded concept of God - not as a judge, not as someone who is watching for us to slip up - but as a loving, always loving Father.

I heartily invite you to read the first few papers of the Urantia Book regarding the Universal Father. I guarantee that you will feel much better in evaluating your own "fall from grace." I invite you to imagine the perfect earthly father - someone who is always loving, always forgiving, always understanding of your shortcomings and frailties. A father who never condemns, but who is always ready to comfort you in your shame when you feel you have fallen short of his expectations for you.

If you can imagine a human Father being that good, try to imagine the Divine Father, who must be all of that and much, much more.

As Larry has so well pointed out, it is part of the Father's plan that we are "perfecting," but not perfect. God understands, and his love binds up every wound and every hurt we may inflict on ourselves in the way of guilt and shame. It is not his plan that we should harbor these abiding feelings about ourselves. And neither should we be over-scrupulous when evaluating the degrees of our oun sinfulness, imagining that we are worse than we actually are.

A sense of having done something wrong is healthy, and remorse is a good thing, along with resolve to not repeat the offense. If you truly feel you are sinning too much, simply quit whatever you do that seems sinful to you, and ask God to fill that space with his love and with a better idea. Then forgive yourself, for God has already forgiven you.

It also might be of interest to you to read what Jesus has to say about the subjects of "evil, sin, and iniquity," found in Paper 148, section 4. Page 1660.

And again - please read the first few papers of Part I of the Urantia Book to get a boost of happiness about God, and his loving relationship with you, and all of humanity. It is guanteed to ease your fear and give you peace about God!

Take heart!

Sincerely,

MaryJo
Truthbook.com

Labels: ascension, Christian, fear of God, forgiveness, grace, Larry Watkins, Mary Jo, religion, The Urantia Book

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Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Sins Of The Fathers

Q: I have been told that the sins of the fathers are paid by the children for up to 7 generations. Where does this appear in the Bible? Thank you.

A: Here are some references to sins of the fathers:

Exodus Chapter 20 (5) You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them. For I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation of those that hate me, (6) and showing mercy to thousands of those that love Me and keep My commandments.

Numbers 14 (18) The LORD is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation.

Deuteronomy Chapter 5 (9) You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them. For I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, (10) and doing mercy to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Jeremiah Chapter 32 (17) Ah, Lord Jehovah! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and stretched out arm. Nothing is too great for You. (18) You show loving-kindness to thousads, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their sons after them.

SINS OF THE FATHERS -- Euripides (c. 485-406 B.C.), Phrixus, fragment 970: "The gods visit the sins of the fathers upon the children."

Also: "For the sins of your fathers you, though guiltless, must suffer." - Horace, "Odes," III, 6, l. 1.

"The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children." - Shakespeare, "The Merchant of Venice," act III, sc. V, l. 1

So it looks like God smites for up to 4 generations and not 7 -- that's much more comforting isn't it.

Let's look at some of what The Urantia Book has to say regarding this:

The Father's love follows us now and throughout the endless circle of the eternal ages. As you ponder the loving nature of God, there is only one reasonable and natural personality reaction thereto: You will increasingly love your Maker; you will yield to God an affection analogous to that given by a child to an earthly parent; for, as a father, a real father, a true father, oves his children, so the Universal Father loves and forever seeks the welfare of his created sons and daughters. (2:5.9)

Of Jesus it was truly said, "He trusted God." As a man among men he most sublimely trusted the Father in heaven. He trusted his Father as a little child trusts his earthly parent. His faith was perfect but never presumptuous. No matter how cruel nature might appear to be or how indifferent to man's welfare on earth, Jesus never faltered in his faith. He was immune to disappointment and impervious to persecution. He was untouched by apparent failure. (100:7.7)

Though many of the temple rituals very touchingly impressed his sense of the beautiful and the symbolic, he was always disappointed by the explanation of the real meanings of these ceremonies which his parents would offer in answer to his many searching inquiries. Jesus simply would not accept explanations of worship and religious devotion which involved belief in the wrath of God or the anger of the Almighty. In further discussion of these questions, after the conclusion of the temple visit, when his father became mildly insistent that he acknowledge acceptance of the orthodox Jewish beliefs, Jesus turned suddenly upon his parents and, looking appealingly into the eyes of his father, said: "My father, it cannot be true--the Father in heaven cannot so regard his erring children on earth. The heavenly Father cannot love his children less than you love me. And I well know, no matter what unwise thing I might do, you would never pour out wrath upon me nor vent anger against me. If you, my earthly father, possess such human reflections of the Divine, how much more must the heavenly Father be filled with goodness and overflowing with mercy. I refuse to believe that my Father in heaven loves me less than my father on earth." (125:0.6)

Jesus was baptized at the very height of John's preaching when Palestine was aflame with the expectancy of his message--"the kingdom of God is at hand" --when all Jewry was engaged in serious and solemn self-examination. The Jewish sense of racial solidarity was very profound. The Jews not only believed that the sins of the father might afflict his children, but they firmly believed that the sin of one individual might curse the nation. Accordingly, not all who submitted to John's baptism regarded themselves as being guilty of the specific sins which John denounced. Many devout souls were baptized by John for the good of Israel. They feared lest some sin of ignorance on their part might delay the coming of the Messiah. They felt themselves to belong to a guilty and sin-cursed nation, and they presented themselves for baptism that they might by so doing manifest fruits of race penitence. It is therefore evident that Jesus in no sense received John's baptism as a rite of repentance or for the remission of sins. In accepting baptism at the hands of John, Jesus was only following the example of many pious Israelites. (136:2.1)

"The divine riches of God's character must be infinitely deep and eternally wise. We cannot search out God by knowledge, but we can know him in our hearts by personal experience. While his justice may be past finding out, his mercy may be received by the humblest being on earth. While the Father fills the universe, he also lives in our hearts. The mind of man is human, mortal, but the spirit of man is divine, immortal. God is not only all-powerful but also all-wise. If our earth parents, being of evil tendency, know how to love their children and bestow good gifts on them, how much more must the good Father in heaven know how wisely to love his children on earth and to bestow suitable blessings upon them. (131:10.3)

One of the purposes of the Urantia revelation is to provide a more meaningful understanding of the personal relationship we have with our heavenly Father -- many beliefs are archaic and grounded in superstition and fear and are well in need of updating.

Thank you for your question.
Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: baptism, Bible, God, Jesus, Larry Watkins, relationship with God, sins of the fathers, The Urantia Book

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Friday, November 17, 2006

One True United Religion On Earth?

Q: Do you think there will ever be a time when there is only one united true religion on this earth?

A: It is planetary destiny that eventually all human beings will be united under one umbrella of religious philosophy.

Will it be Christian? Will it be Moslem? Will it be Jewish? Yes and no.

God loves us as individuals, not because we belong to a particular religion, sect, or group. As individuals we each approach God in our own way. Some people will want to express themselves through a Hindu orientation and others through a Buddhist one. But eventually when there is one united religion all religions will have the same philosophical umbrella defining who we are as children of God and who God is as our heavenly Father. We will have learned to appreciate one another for our differences and see one another as spiritual brothers and sisters -- the methods we use to relate to God will be of little importance.

This may be somewhat difficult to understand at this point in our development. That's one of the purposes of the teachings of The Urantia Book -- to provide an enhanced vision of the past and a bigger vision of what the future has in store.

Thank you for your question.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: God, Larry Watkins, philosophy, religion, unity

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Reincarnation? Life On Other Planets?

Q: Part 1: Does Urantia consider the possibility of rebirth or reincarnation?
Part 2: Is there life on other galaxies and do we continue to learn after death?

A: The Urantia Book is a revelation -- it claims that distinction and those of us who have read and studied it to determine if the claim is unfounded have arrived at the conclusion that it is what it claims to be. Revelation will substantiate some long-held beliefs but it will also give new and often startling insights that can unsettle cherished opinions.

The theory of reincarnation is appealing for several reasons: it seems to offer an explanation for the inequalities of life, it can offer hope for those who desire a continuation of life and meaning beyond the lives we presently find ourselves in, and it's an indication of a plan that overrides and controls our very existence. But the theory of reincarnation addresses these concepts in meager and very unsatisfactory terms and at best one is left with only hazy ideas of how and why it all fits together. Still, it would be difficult to give up a belief in the theory unless there was something much better in place to substitute.

The Urantia Book goes into all the ramifications of these musings in great detail and with exquisite definition and lays out a plan of so much greater satisfaction, logic, meaning than any teachings of reincarnation attempt. Actually, reincarnation is but a hazy reflection of a grand concept of the mortal ascendant career that we enter into once our life here is through, a concept disclosed long ago in the early days of human history that has since been misinterpreted to mean repeated lives here on earth.

Regarding life on other galaxies and continuing to learn: creation isn't the simple mechanistic forces that produce matter in the fashion described through science. True there is energy and matter but there is also spirit and it is spirit for which creation was made. The material universe is creation put into motion by God for the expression of spirit and personality.

Galaxies exist for the purpose of expressing personality. Not all stars support planets nor do all planets support material life but so many do that the numbers are nearly limitless. The purpose of material will-creature life is that it is the starting point for personality expression on a long and glorious ascendant career, where knowledge and understanding continue to be our eternal goal.

May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day at 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. And of course I would recommend that you test for yourself the teachings of The Urantia Book to find out if they ring true. It's available at most book stores and libraries or can be purchased on-line through our site.

Best wishes and thank you for your questions.

Larry Watkins

Labels: death, galaxies, God, Larry Watkins, reincarnation, The Urantia Book

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Dreams And Visions Of The Departed

Q: My Grandmother of 91 years old finaly passed on Nov. 5th 2006
My Grandfather passed away last year on August 1st. 2005.
Ever since then my grandma was never the same. She always would tell
us that shes tired and that she wants to go be with "Daddy" that was
what she use to call my grandfather when was alive. A few days before
she passed my mom told me that she had visions of her mother and of her
husband my grandpa and that he was standing in a bright light with his
arms wide open singing their favorite song "Because of You."

The nurse from hospice that was taking care of my grandmother did mention that
this sort of thing happens a lot of times when a person is very close
to passing on. What is your opinion on that sort of thing?

I guess its sort of soothing or comforting to me especialy in
this time of grief losing my grandparents back to back. My grandparents
raised my brother and myself from birth and its so hard to part from
them. Thanks again for your time.

A: I hope you received the newsletter announcing the "After you die"
presentation -- if not, it and several others are available from the home
page of our site from links on the upper left side.

Yes, I'll be happy to give you my opinion based upon my understanding
of the teachings of The Urantia Book. Every one of us has opinions on
all aspects of life, death, and everything in between and we base those
opinions on what we've read, what we've learned in school, from TV or
radio, from superstition, from friends and neighbors and family and from
what we learn through our own meditations and prayers. So it's not too
strange for someone to say they're basing their opinion on teachings
they've acquired through study of a particular book, especially after
having studied that book you've come to believe that this one is exactly
what it claims to be, a divine revelation given to us by angels. I don't
expect anyone else to believe that unless they've actually read the
book and decided for themselves too so this can be considered just my own
personal opinion. Still, The Urantia Book is very specific about what
happens to us at death and after -- that's one of the reasons we have it
today, to help us understand why we're here, why we die, where we go
afterwards, what our destiny is.

I guess the technical explanation would be that at conception we're
connected to a mind circuit -- this is an energy pattern that our brains,
once they're developed, use to gather and express thoughts and ideas as
well as through which personalities are expressed. When we die our
personality disconnects from this circuit to be given a different, more
encompassing one for our continued existence on the mansion worlds. It is
possible for those of us who are left behind to connect with what has
been left in this energy circuit which can be very real to us and we can
continue to experience the presence of our loved ones even though
they're no longer here.

The Urantia Book makes it clear that this is our first and only life
here -- that we go on to better things when we leave. That means the
departed do not come back even though it can appear that they do. Ghosts
and apparitions don't exist in the real sense; we are not destined to
hang around here for any reason after we die -- we go on over there just
where we left off here and we don't hang around waiting for loved ones.
But that doesn't mean that those who are left behind can't still feel
as though the departed are near or might meet with them in dreams
because the mind connection can still be experienced.

When we die we do reunite with the loved ones who have gone on before
us -- your grandparents are enjoying reassociating with their parents,
siblings, and other loved ones now just as you will enjoy reuniting with
them once you've depart here.

So, yes, I believe it's quite possible to have visions of and hear the
voices of departed loved ones -- visions and voices that can be as good
as real but which in actuality aren't because the loved one really
isn't hanging around in a spirit world attempting to communicate with us
here. They're off in a new existence but looking forward to reuniting
with those they've left behind.

I hope that answer is comforting as well as informative. Best wishes
and feel free to write any time.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: death, destiny, dreams, Larry Watkins, the departed, The Urantia Book, visions

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Thursday, October 26, 2006

Our son had not yet found God before he died. Do you think he will become a sleeping survivor?

Q: We recently lost our 21 year-old son. He was a good person, but he had not really found God. Given his young age, do you think that he will become a sleeping survivor?

A: So sorry to hear of your loss -- the loss of a child must be even more poignant than the loss of a spouse.

May I offer an interpretation of Urantia Book teachings? Although not so specifically stated, it can be interpreted that children are inescapably linked to the mind currents of both parents from the moment of conception until they reach an age of self-determination, which is about 16, and from that point on they become true individuals. They also receive their Thought Adjuster, their contact with the Holy Spirit, connection with the Spirit of Truth, and the birth of their soul at about age 6. Outward appearances don't indicate what is going on within the mind and soul of any individual whether child or adult.

It's also my interpretation that it requires extraordinary effort here to make sure that one doesn't arrive at the mansion worlds -- I believe the major sorting occurs there after the deficiencies we live with here have been corrected and only then an informed decision about personal survival can be made.

As for myself, I have no concern or worry whether I will arrive on Mansion World One three days after I die here or whether it happens at the next dispensation, however long that takes. We're not in a race, it's a process where time is no longer of any consequence. So I'd be just as happy being a sleeping survivor as I would to be resurrected on the third day -- the time lapse will seem to be the same in either case to my perceptions.

So, my answer for you would be that there is no way for us here to determine what the immediate outcome for your son's journey to Paradise happens to be -- think the best, see him happy and embarking on the mansion world career, pray for your own peace and understanding.

Best wishes,
Larry Watkins (continued...)

Along with Larry, who sent you a letter yesterday, I also want to offer my sincere condolences on the loss of your child.

Your concern for your son's welfare in the afterlife mirrors the concern you likely had for him in his physical life. Now that he is gone from your sight, you continue to hope the best for him, and that you will be seeing him again, sooner than later.You want him to be happy, safe, and protected.

All of us desire the best for our children, and I think that when we read in the Urantia Book about the experiences of the sleeping survivor vs those who resurrect in three days, we automatically hope that we and our loved ones are among the latter group.

One reason may be that we don't want to wait any longer than is necessary to resume our lives in the "better world" to come. And we want our loved ones close - not separated by 1000 years.

I hear in your question a real concern that you and your son may have to postpone your reunion when once you reach the shores of the first Mansion World, if there is a possibility that you will be in different progressing groups.

I don't suppose that any one of us is guaranteed a short sleep of death, or a long one. These are things that we can only speculate about, but I would surely trust in God on this one, and try not to worry. No matter what the conditions of your son's existence right now, he is safe, he is protected, and his resurrection is sure, as is yours.

At some future time, you will reunite with your beloved child. Whether it is sooner or later, it IS certain. For all we really know, he may already be happily progressing and waiting for your someday arrival.

You say that your son was a good person, though he had not really found God. It sounds like he may have been looking, in any event. Jesus said: "My Father responds to even the faintest flicker of faith." It may comfort you to imagine that in his innermost heart, that flicker was present in your son, known only to God.

As Larry has pointed out, time becomes far less of a concern once we leave this time-limited planet, and the sleep of death, whether it is three days or 1000 years will not be a concern to us, no matter where we find ourselves. Those who sleep long will always be protected and safe. The time of reunion is sure, and you can rely on the goodness of God to make it all work out well.

Again, I am sorry for this loss in your life. I can only imagine the effect on your lives.

God bless you.

Sincerely,
MaryJo
Truthbook.com

Labels: afterlife, children, death, Larry Watkins, Mary Jo, resurrection, sleeping survivors, The Urantia Book, Thought Adjuster

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Friday, October 20, 2006

What are appropriate sexual relations with a life partner?

Q: What are appropriate sexual relations with a life partner?

A: The Urantia Book has a number of things to say about relationships but rather than quoting the book I'm giving my personal opinion.

Why make sexual relations different from any other relation? Why couldn't the question as meaningfully have been "what are appropriate eating arrangements with someone you love?"

We fixate on sex as if it were the key to happiness and fulfillment, both of which can be had with no sex at all. Like wealth, one can be happy and fulfilled with it or without it (but given the choice happiness and fulfillment with wealth is usually preferable.) Wealth and sex are often the focus of ambition when instead they're sideline issues that are accorded paramount priorities.

Three categories of sexual activity:

1) power and control sex -- licentious sex without regard for the other's free will

2) narcissistic and recreational sex -- sex with little or no regard for the other's emotional or physical wellbeing.

3) loving sex -- sex as an _expression of love and respect, the desire to do good to another

Nature has made sex a strong motivator built into character in order to bring male and female together for the perpetuation of the species -- without it any species would be short-lived since there are enough differences between the sexes that they would tend to remain apart. Numbers 1 and 2 above are animal origin behaviors, but human beings who have more than animal in their makeup will place this strong motivator in the context of number 3. With a spiritual focus our interactions with others regarding sex as with all our other interactions would be with a loving approach but with the current cultural forces at play the two lower categories are given just as much emphasis as if this were natural human behavior

Thank you for your question.

Larry Watkins

Truthbook.com (continue...)

A: I know that you have already had a reply from Larry, but I hope you won't mind the feminine point of view as well...

As you are well aware, sex in all its forms enjoys a very big focus in our American society - and an underserved one, in my opinion. I imagine it is because so many of us equate love with sex, and everyone desires love; but as Larry pointed out in his reply, one can have a perfectly happy - and love-filled - life without sex. Sexual relations are not a necessary ingredient for a whole life, despite what we see in our advertisements and entertainment, but sex IS a necessary ingredient if one wishes to create children and family. Likewise, the pursuit of family life is not necessary to enjoy a fulfilled life, but sex in this context is certainly necessary to sustain the human species and deserves careful, thoughtful consideration.

If you are lucky enough to have a life partner, I would say that you would do well to always follow the "golden rule" in the area of sexual relations, as well as in all other forms of communication. Always treat that person with the respect and care with which you yourself would desire that they treat you. As for the details of this kind of relationship, I cannot judge or prescribe. Many things are possible, but are all things desirable? This is something that only you and your partner can determine. The Urantia Book teaches us that any successful long-term relationship must be based on "genuine and mutual personal devotion." All other things will follow happily if that basis is first established

The Urantia Book treats sex largely in an historical context - as one important ingredient in the progression of civilization; but one thing it does say is that sex can be the source of much sorrow if used intemperately. I think many of us from the age of the "sexual revolution" of the 60's can attest to the truth of that admonition. Unfortunately, there is no rule-book regarding the sexual relations of individuals, but the strong, healthy bonding of two souls, based on true love and mutual devotion, is a great place to start

Thanks so much for writing.

Sincerely,
Mary Jo
Truthbook.com

Labels: golden rule, Larry Watkins, Mary Jo, sex, The Urantia Book

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Wednesday, September 13, 2006

How do know if I have Guardian Angels?

Q: How do know if I have Guardian Angels?

A: We have several studies on our site that offer The Urantia Book teachings about angels which should really be helpful to you. You might want to start by looking at the flash presentation "You'll Never Walk Alone" -- it's found at the left side of our home page. Then in the middle section of the home page is the link to "Angels are Real" and right across from that is another link to "There is Life after Death" which also explains about angels. Take a look at these and then get back to us if they don't satisfy the questions you're having.

Thank you for asking.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: guardian angels, Larry Watkins, The Urantia Book

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Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Who or what is the HOLY CHALICE?

Q: Who or what is the HOLY CHALICE?

A: The concept that the holy chalice or holy grail is a "who" is a concept projected to sully belief in Jesus' divinity and to undermine the position of Christianity in the world today; nevertheless it's a very popular issue resurrected by Dan Brown's "The DaVinci Code". Both the holy chalice and holy grail are folklore and unsupported legends that attempt to link supernatural powers to physical objects -- a superstitious form of pagan worship combined with witchcraft. Human beings still have the impulse deep inside to venerate relics when instead our focus should turn toward venerating truth.

The Urantia Book, which details Jesus' life and teachings on a daily basis mentions neither "chalice" nor "grail". May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. 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.com

Labels: holy grail, Larry Watkins, relics, The Urantia Book

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Thursday, May 11, 2006

Are there any other gods besides Jesus Christ who rule non-Christians?

Q: Are there any other gods besides Jesus Christ who rule non-Christians?

A: There is but one God, God the Father, who rules all of creation. Jesus is not God but he is our heavenly parent. He came to earth, not just for Christians or to establish the Christian religion, but for all people, all races, all religions to give the message that we're all spiritual brothers and sisters since God is our heavenly Father. It just ended up that Christianity decided to make Jesus their own to the exclusion of other religions. That's partly the reason we have the teachings of The Urantia Book, to help us understand history and to put religion and spirituality into perspective and to give Jesus to everyone who seeks.

Your second question was: What should be done to entrust our life in jesus and be a true believer?

That's a good question and the answer is all you need to do is at some point to sit quietly and prayerfully and talk to Jesus in your mind. Tell Jesus you want to know him better and want to entrust your life to his care. Do this meditatively and prayerfully and you will feel a connection. Trust your own understanding and reception of truth -- when Jesus left this world he left his Spirit of Truth in his place to help guide us toward truth, beauty, and goodness. Rely on that guidance, fear not, and trust Jesus.

May I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. 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 questions.
Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: Christian, God, guidance, Jesus, Larry Watkins, religion, Spirit of Truth

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Monday, April 17, 2006

What does the Urantia Book say about Divorce?

Q: What does the Urantia Book say about Divorce?

A: The Urantia Book traces the evolution of divorce as cultures have progressed and gives some of the following additionally more specific comments.

The high degree of imagination and fantastic romance entering into courtship is largely responsible for the increasing divorce tendencies among modern Occidental peoples, all of which is further complicated by woman's greater personal freedom and increased economic liberty. Easy divorce, when the result of lack of self-control or failure of normal personality adjustment, only leads directly back to those crude societal stages from which man has emerged so recently and as the result of so much personal anguish and racial suffering.

But just so long as society fails to properly educate children and youths, so long as the social order fails to provide adequate premarital training, and so long as unwise and immature youthful idealism is to be the arbiter of the entrance upon marriage, just so long will divorce remain prevalent. And in so far as the social group falls short of providing marriage preparation for youths, to that extent must divorce function as the social safety valve which prevents still worse situations during the ages of the rapid growth of the evolving mores.
Paper-83 Section-7 Para-7-8

Jesus was minded to go on discussing the other commandments when James Zebedee interrupted him, asking: "Master, what shall we teach the people regarding divorcement? Shall we allow a man to divorce his wife as Moses has directed?" And when Jesus heard this question, he said: "I have not come to legislate but to enlighten. I have come not to reform the kingdoms of this world but rather to establish the kingdom of heaven. It is not the will of the Father that I should yield to the temptation to teach you rules of government, trade, or social behavior, which, while they might be good for today, would be far from suitable for the society of another age. I am on earth solely to comfort the minds, liberate the spirits, and save the souls of men. But I will say, concerning this question of divorcement, that, while Moses looked with favor upon such things, it was not so in the days of Adam and in the Garden."
Paper-140 Section-6 Para-6

The family occupied the very center of Jesus' philosophy of life here and hereafter. He based his teachings about God on the family, while he sought to correct the Jewish tendency to overhonor ancestors. He exalted family life as the highest human duty but made it plain that family relationships must not interfere with religious obligations. He called attention to the fact that the family is a temporal institution; that it does not survive death. Jesus did not hesitate to give up his family when the family ran counter to the Father's will. He taught the new and larger brotherhood of man--the sons of God. In Jesus' time divorce practices were lax in Palestine and throughout the Roman Empire. He repeatedly refused to lay down laws regarding marriage and divorce, but many of Jesus' early followers had strong opinions on divorce and did not hesitate to attribute them to him. All of the New Testament writers held to these more stringent and advanced ideas about divorce except John Mark.
Paper-140 Section-8 Para-14

You may wish to read all of the following section as well regarding Jesus' attitude toward divorce: Paper 167 Section 5

May I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. 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.com

Labels: divorce, family, Jesus, Larry Watkins, The Urantia Book

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Sunday, April 16, 2006

Did Jesus have a daughter with Mary Magdalene?

Q: Did Jesus have a daughter with Mary Magdalene?

Q: The question really is, was Jesus the incarnation of a divine being or was Jesus just a great guy. In either case the life and teaching of Jesus changed the world so he continues to be the pivot point for both spiritual and secular thinkers.

If Jesus was really just a nice guy and had had children what would it mean to us today? Actually, nothing. Greatness comes through the spirit, through the inner life and that connection to what is of true value. The value of bloodline is a superstition -- bloodlines do not breed greatness.

Secularists are struggling as hard today to undermine the values religion imparts to culture as they ever have in the past and culture is being tested today as never before. Popular and thought provoking books like The Da Vinci Code put new doubts into peoples thoughts and the media seems to work overtime to enforce the doubt so this particular question is at the forefront of that long-asked question of who was Jesus .

The Bible states emphatically that Jesus was divine naming him the only begotten son of God and claiming that Jesus is the Son of the Trinity. The Bible appears to find less and less favor in our culture today and there's a struggle even among the clergy -- one of the main underpinnings of Western culture is eroding.

The Urantia Book is more modern than the Bible, it gives greater detail and appeals to both faith and the logical mind. It states emphatically that Jesus was divine and that in coming here he had specific purposes both for himself and for this world; this is described in detail in Paper 120 and elsewhere in the book. And just prior to his mortal life the bestowal guidelines set before him included that he not marry nor have children. As a divine being incarnating as a mortal yet having recall of his previous existence, Jesus saw all who inhabit the earth as his children, sons and daughters.

Even though our culture is sexually repressed we fixate on sex and see life thought sex tinted glasses. Others are seen as objects to be exploited for pleasure. It's assumed that everyone is also seeing everyone around them as sex objects too yet even with this near obsession most fathers do not see their daughters as sex objects. So one would ask, why would the father of us all see any of us as sex objects?

If you have concerns or doubts about this then read The Urantia Book. It clears the confusion and dispels doubt. Jesus was not like you or I -- he was a divine being here for a purpose which he fulfilled flawlessly.

This is a great question and we've added it to our discussion board so that you can have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here:
http://forums.truthbook.com/viewforum.php?f=11 and going to the forum titled "Questions & Answers."

May I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. 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.com

Labels: Da Vinci Code, Jesus, Larry Watkins, Mary Magdalene, The Urantia Book

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If Truth Book is a revelation from God, why do you charge for it?

Q: If Truth Book is a revelation from God, why do you charge for it?

A: Truthbook.com is the name of our website, a site dedicated to help people become more aware of the teachings of The Urantia Book. We don't charge for our site -- it's free to everyone. The publishers of The Urantia Book are non-profit organizations -- printing and selling The Urantia Book has never been a profitable business from its initial printing in 1955 to this day -- it's done as a service and the book is priced below what any book of comparable size and quality would sell for.

But the real question is, is The Urantia Book a revelation from God? We say it is and we say that after having approached this book with skeptical but open minds and investing the time and effort required to actually read it so we could decide for ourselves and not rely on someone else's opinion. If you're interested then you might wish to do the same thing -- feel free to browse our site if you like, or you may wish to just jump right in and begin reading the book. It's an adventure like none other.

Thank you for your question,

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: Larry Watkins, revelation, The Urantia Book, Truthbook

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Friday, April 07, 2006

How can people find the truth in their lives when Jesus Christ kept the truth from the common people, only to be disclosed to his direct followers?

Q: How can people find the truth in their lives when Jesus Christ kept the truth from the common people, only to be disclosed to his direct followers? (Math. 13.10 or Mark 4.33) It's been a question with me for a long time. Thanks for listening

A: While it's true that Jesus often taught by a new and challenging method, by parables, he in no way kept the truth from the common people. It was the common people he had come specifically to instruct -- but he did teach his apostles more advanced concepts because they would be the ones teaching the common people once he was gone -- however the primary focus of his message, that we are each a unique child of the Father in heaven who loves us equally, that we are therefore spiritually all brothers and sisters and should treat one another as such to bring the heavenly kingdom to earth -- that was openly taught and is as valuable for us to recognize today as it was when it was a new concept 2000 years ago. Jesus didn't tell his apostles anything more valuable to their spiritual life than what he told to the common people.

By teaching in parables Jesus didn't just say here's the way it is -- he provided meaningful stories and anecdotes that caused the listeners to think and to derive meanings of their own from the lessons contained within. And when Jesus left he bestowed upon the world his spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, which makes it possible for any truth seeker from that day to this to be guided toward progressively more meaningful truth. The message Jesus left was forceful and encompassing enough to change the course of history through the common people.

Thank you for your question. May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from this site 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.

Also your question is a good one which we've added it to our discussion board so that you can have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here: http://forums.truthbook.com/viewforum.php?f=11. and going to the forum titled "Questions & Answers."

Best wishes,
Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: apostles, Jesus, Larry Watkins, parables, Spirit of Truth

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Thursday, April 06, 2006

Are people faking near death experiences?

Q: What does the UB say about near death experances, are people faking does that really happen after death cuz i dont know if what they say is consistant with UB

A: Like vivid dreams and remembrances of past lives, near death experiences can seem to be real and can be life-changing experiences. But does that mean they're real? Sometimes what seems to be real and what is real are far apart -- for example, take the TV show American Idol which provides a disturbing glimpse into the the psyches of way more self-deluded people than one would ever expect existed. Thousands of contestants show up to audition to become the singing idol -- thousands too will tell the judges what great singers they are yet when they sing even untrained ears can tell they can't sing at all and even then, when asked, they'll repeat to the judges what a good job they've just done. It's obvious that the world harbors more self-delusion than one might anticipate. Knowing that self-delusion runs high in our ranks it's little wonder then that we have difficulty discerning what's real from what only seems to be real.

The Urantia Book helps us build a foundation for putting things into objective perspective in reality -- a person must read the book for themselves to determine whether or not that reality is more sensible than the one they acquire without such specific instruction.

There are several issues explained by The Urantia Book that relate to your question. One is that after we die our soul and personality depart and don't come back -- therefore ghosts and seeming communications from the departed, although they may seem real, are the result of some other phenomena, they're not what they seem. We're told that a reflective phenomenon sometimes occurs just moments prior to death that can allow the dimming consciousness to visualize something of the attending angel, so what the mind experiences and portrays to the dwindling consciousness in a near death experience is not what it seems to be either -- however, these experiences usually give a sense of peace, comfort, and love that are soothing and positive and help alleviate the fear of death, so, although not real they can serve in a most positive way.

Your question is a good one and we've added it to our discussion board so that you can have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here: http://forums.truthbook.com/viewforum.php?f=11. and going to the forum titled "Questions & Answers."

Best wishes,
Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: Larry Watkins, near-death experience, reality, The Urantia Book

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Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Why then is there a need to have creature eat creature in order to survive ?

Q: If God is loving, why then is there a need to have creature eat creature in order to survive, there seems to be something very sinister in that understanding...???

A: Spoken like a true vegetarian. I might imply from what you've written then that you believe God is unloving -- that perhaps not only do you resent God and the food you eat, but your life as well. If that's so then something seems wrong with such a philosophy, wouldn't you say?

One of the values of studying The Urantia Book is that it provides a so-much-bigger picture of God, the cosmos, us and the world on which we live. It's all too easy to try to view creation from a very circumscribed viewpoint when all we choose to work with are our view of the physical world around us. This book, as a revelation, opens a view of reality that so far surpasses our normal mundane perceptions that we can actually begin to comprehend and behave more like the cosmic citizens we're to eventually become.

Before continuing, may I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service of our site 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.

Subconscious misgivings about what one eats and drinks can lead to a wide variety of health problems. Feeling blessed by the wide variety of nutritious and delicious food we have ready access to will keep you healthier mentally, physically, and spiritually -- that attitude alone is even more important than specifically what it is you choose to eat. Jesus did say that it's not what goes into one's mouth that defiles him but what comes out of it -- and even if you don't make a habit of voicing your derision for the food you eat, that thought in the back of your mind can and will have profound adverse effect.

God has created a vast order of personalities who exist on pure energy intake -- they don't eat. You and I however have been given the opportunity of beginning here, on the lowest rung on the free-will evolutionary ladder, to work our way to perfection through the experience of the paradise adventure. We're not created perfect but we can aspire to become perfect. And so we begin as physical, evolutionary creatures born to an evolutionary world where the energy we require in order to survive is derived from the energy of our sun. It causes the grass to grow which supports the animals that eat it and the ones that eat them. Human beings are the stewards of the land and the living things -- all living things devour other living things in order to survive, there's nothing sinister about that, it's just the natural order of things on a world such as ours. Once we leave here and begin our spiritual adventure our dependence on outside sources of energy for survival diminish.

A cause to take up that could provide more worthy results than criticizing the choice of food one eats is to strive to be sure that our food is treated with honor, respect, and love -- from the plants to the animals -- these are living things we share the world with and it's to our advantage to learn to afford them the respect they're due and to honor the contribution they make to our survival.

This is a good question and we have added it to our discussion board so that you can have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here: http://forums.truthbook.com/viewforum.php?f=11. and going to the forum titled "Questions & Answers."

God be with you,

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: energy, food chain, God, Larry Watkins, The Urantia Book

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Monday, March 27, 2006

Do you believe that Jesus is coming back again to save his children on earth?

Q: Do you believe that Jesus is coming back again to save his children on earth?

A: I'll have to answer this from a personal belief point of view. The Urantia Book does say that Jesus will come back to earth but no one knows when. As for coming back to save his children - we're all his children regardless of race, nationality, religion, or lack thereof. Adam and Eve weren't "saved" from their error, Jesus wasn't "saved" from a torturous death. I don't think God is in the "saving" business so much as God is in the "learning through our own mistakes" business. So it's my opinion that no, Jesus is not coming back to save his children - he may come back to set the world aright though.

Did you know that The Urantia Book has the most complete and authentic depiction of the life and teachings of Jesus available? You might enjoy reading that section.

Labels: God, Jesus, Jesus' return, Larry Watkins, salvation, The Urantia Book

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Did Jesus growup around a major seminary while in Nazareth?

Q: Did Jesus grow up around a major seminary while in Nazareth?

A: Towns of any size each had their own synagogue where the people came to worship and to study and where male children went to school. Jesus grew up in the small town of Nazareth; it had its own synagogue; Jesus studied the scriptures and later on on occasion taught there. The only major place for study would have been in Jerusalem, some distance away from Nazareth.

There has always been conjecture regarding where Jesus learned his special knowledge, how he became the pivotal historical figure. The Urantia Book makes it clear that the study of scriptures fueled Jesus' thinking processes and helped to occupy his conscious mind with positive images and thoughts but that there were no external sources that made Jesus who he was. There was no special knowledge imparted to him, no mystery schools disclosing hidden meanings, but rather his was a normal mind focused on the teachings of the religious scholars available to anyone at that time.

You can read some of what The Urantia Book has to tell about Jesus' early training here 123:3.1 and here 123:5.1

Labels: Jesus, Jesus' education, Larry Watkins, Nazareth, The Urantia Book

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Friday, February 24, 2006

I dearly love my wonderful pets. Can I ultimately have them back in the future life?

Q: I dearly love my wonderful pets. Can I ultimately have them back in the future life? Perhaps recreated for me?

A: Where would we be without our pets or without animals in general who give us such appreciation, happiness and joy, attention, love and affection? Unlike other people, animals can give us attention and show us affection when we want it. Pets are like visible ministering angels; they can help the mentally and physically sick heal faster, give love to the unloved, and help us feel the joyous sense of being alive. They offer us the opportunity to take responsibility for a thinking and feeling creature other than ourselves. Their majesty, beauty, power, delicacy brings us a sense of humility and awe and often mirrors back to us like no other encounter can. Surely we are blessed to have the variety of animals living here with us that we do; we're all the better because of them in their infinite variety.

From The Urantia Book we learn that our deep appreciation for animals is natural since human origins are from animal ancestry although now there are a number of traits that elevate us above the animals, one being our moral and religious natures and the other being personality. Humans can learn not only through experience but by thinking ahead and drawing conclusions, looking before we leap, whereas animals ordinarily learn only by leaping. They achieve goals based on accumulated experience; we can examine the goal and judge its value, can discriminate between ends as well as between means, can know what we are doing, why we are doing it, where we are going, and how we will get there without ever having to have the actual experience.

One of the challenging concepts of The Urantia Book is that animals do not possess personality whereas humans do, and that it is personality that survives physical death; this means that we continue on in our existences once our lives here on earth are through but that our beloved pets don't. And any pet owner will readily say their cat or dog definitely does have a personality so obviously The Urantia Book is wrong. The difficulty lies in what we commonly define as personality and the Urantia book definition. In Urantia book terms, personality is the unique gift of the Father in heaven bestowed upon free-will creatures. Human beings are the lowest order of free-will creatures in creation. Animals, being lower on the scale of life than human beings, are not free-will creatures and do not have personality bestowed upon them. The personality we recognize in our animals is the result of the interaction between animal and human and the accumulated experiences of the animal; we associate their interaction with us as being their unique personality.

The love and association we experience through our pets enriches our lives, makes us better people, enlarges us emotionally, all of which is to the benefit of the development our our soul, the vehicle that carries personality on into the spirit world. And there we will again encounter lower life forms that will be like our animals were here, where we will receive love and recognition and have the opportunity to express them to lower forms just as we have here.

We may think it unreasonable or unjust that we're not reunited with our earthly pets when we depart here but consider that many people and some religions believe/teach that when we die it is all over, that nothing survives death, that despite the example Jesus provided we live, we die, and that's it for the human personality. In light of such nihlistic thought the understanding that it's our pets that don't survive takes on a different significance. Which would make more logical sense, that your life as a human being is of no ultimate value and ceases when you die, or that animal life, unblessed by free-will and divine personality does not survive?

When our beloved pets die their life energy returns to whence it came; they survive in our memories. When we die we will be blessed with associations of other life forms like the animals left behind. Think of the love and attachment you felt for the first pet you had and how, when it died you thought there would never be another to replace it. Then eventually you had another pet that you loved as much as the first -- you remembered the first as fondly as you cherished the next. You couldn't have the first back but you found something that substituted so well you were equally delighted with the second. So it will be in the life to come.

Yours is a good question and we've added it to our discussion board so that you can have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here: http://forums.truthbook.com/viewforum.php?f=11. and going to the forum titled "Questions & Answers."

May I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. 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.com

Labels: animals, free will, humans, Jesus, Larry Watkins, memory, personality, pets, The Urantia Book

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Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Terminology and concepts unique to The Urantia Book

You wrote: "I was reading something about a Avonal son on earth , by the name of Monjoronson I was wondering if that was some really creative thinking or was is it actually real."

A: I think creative thinking is a nice way of putting it. The Urantia Book is rich in new concepts, vivid stories, spiritual and religious revelation which stir, stimulate and excite its readers in profound new ways. Individuals who already have a somewhat tenuous grasp on reality can easily be carried away by their contact with this material since its very design is to expand thinking and enlarge concepts of reality. Individuals who are already psychically sensitive can readily be stirred to flights of greater psychic fantasy as well -- often including the terminology and concepts unique to The Urantia Book in their adventures which give the impression of being factually based in the new reality revealed by the book. This occurs despite warnings against such self-deception provided by the book, an example being here (110:5.5).

Life on this world is challenge enough for those endowed with good heredity, a good mind and emotional stability, provisions that should be available to everyone on a normal world, which we are not. Additional problems arise from self-inflicted abuses, such as with drugs and alcohol that can cause irreparable damage to an otherwise normal person's perceptions. There's little wonder that so much confusion exists among us.

Historically psychic activity has proven to be so unreliable, even though it can stir awe and the emotions, that for the sincerely truth-discerning all psychic claims should simply be summarily rejected; psychic experiences may be meaningful to the person having them but that meaning is of little value to someone else. When genuine contact is made with genuine spirit beings it will occur in such undeniable fashion that it can't be dismissed by cautions against the experiences of the psychic realm.

Your question is a good one that others may appreciate too so and we've added it to our discussion board so that you can have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here: http://forums.truthbook.com/viewforum.php?f=11. and going to the forum titled "Questions & Answers."

Thank you for your question.
Larry Watkins

Labels: Avonal Son, Larry Watkins, Monjoronson, psychics, The Urantia Book

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Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Is it ok for other people parents to judge you of your past if they are true Christian?

Q: Is it ok for other people or parents to judge you for your past if they are true Christian?

A: You're asking then, should Christians hold one another accountable for their behavior, probably based on the belief that when Jesus said "Judge not" he was saying that everyone should be allowed to do, say, act, any way they choose and no one should hold anyone else accountable because they will be judged in like manner. Does that make sense? and could anyone actually think Jesus would mean such a thing?

Wouldn't it make more sense if we assumed that Jesus meant not to judge or decide upon someone elses spiritual value? That I cannot presume that I'm better than someone else in a spiritual sense, or that I'm spiritually superior to another, or that my wants and needs are more important than those of someone elses? If, as Jesus has said, we're all God's children, then God is our heavenly Father, and if, as we've been told, God is no respecter of persons, then spiritually we're all equal, everyone is my equal brother or sister in God's eyes, I'm in no superior position to be spiritually critical of anyone -- that kind of judgment is left for God and the angels.

However, when it comes to our actions here on earth each one of us is compelled to continuously make judgments. That's why we've been given discerning minds, a sense of mercy, a sense of fairness and justice, a sense of compassion and of righteousness. These should all come into play as we weigh and judge the actions and deeds of one another and hold one another accountable for behaviors past and present, no matter what religion or lack of religion is professed. Just as society has the authority and obligation to judge its citizens and remove individual freedoms, or incarcerate, or even put to death those who won't live in compliance with social rules, so too do individuals have the right to make determinations of one another based on past performances and behaviors.

So yes, it is right that you're judged for your past. The only way to change the way others think of you is to prove that you should no longer be tied to a critical judgment and you do that through your present behavior, your thoughts and your deeds expressed over a period of time.

This is a good question and we have added it to our discussion board so that you might have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here: Judging one another and going to the forum titled "Questions & Answers."

May I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of The Urantia 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.

Best wishes,

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: Christian, God, Jesus, judgment, justice, Larry Watkins, mercy

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Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Will We Be Reunited With Loved Ones When We Pass On To Eternity.

Q: Will We Be Reunited With Loved Ones When We Pass On To Eternity?

A: The Urantia Book provides as complete and meaningful an explanation and description of our existence after we depart this world as any source you will find. It offers hope, assurance, the prospect of great adventure, and reuniting with our earthly loved ones.

Upon death the Thought Adjuster temporarily loses personality, but not identity; the human subject temporarily loses identity, but not personality; on the mansion worlds both reunite in eternal manifestation. Never does a departed Thought Adjuster return to earth as the being of former indwelling; never is personality manifested without the human will; and never does a dis-Adjustered human being after death manifest active identity or in any manner establish communication with the living beings of earth. Such dis-Adjustered souls are wholly and absolutely unconscious during the long or short sleep of death. There can be no exhibition of any sort of personality or ability to engage in communications with other personalities until after completion of survival. Those who go to the mansion worlds are not permitted to send messages back to their loved ones. It is the policy throughout the universes to forbid such communication during the period of a current dispensation. (112:3.4)

From the resurrection halls you proceed to the Melchizedek sector, where you are assigned permanent residence. Then you enter upon ten days of personal liberty. You are free to explore the immediate vicinity of your new home and to familiarize yourself with the program which lies immediately ahead. You also have time to gratify your desire to consult the registry and call upon your loved ones and other earth friends who may have preceded you to these worlds. At the end of your ten-day period of leisure you begin the second step in the Paradise journey, for the mansion worlds are actual training spheres, not merely detention planets. (47:3.6)

On our home page there are 9 boxes providing links to various sections of our site -- the box in the 3O'clock position is titled "There is Life After Death" and that will take you to a presentation of more of what The Urantia Book has to say on this topic.

May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. 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.com

Labels: death, Larry Watkins, life after death, loved ones, Mansion Worlds, The Urantia Book

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Monday, December 19, 2005

What is the truth about Reincarnation?

Q: What is the truth about Reincarnation?

A: The acceptance of "truth" is a relative thing in human experience. To a Moslem, truth is contained in the teachings of the Quran, to most Christians the Bible is the truth. Even within the various Christian and Moslem sects the truth is seen from different angles. So how do you know the truth and how might God regard your affinity for it?

Your endowments as a human being include a mind for interacting with your environment and logic for sifting through information to determine facts, meaningful truths and to formulate beliefs. That's how a Moslem and a Christian can arrive at their truths which essentially conflict with one another but which quite possibly are pleasing to God because they were each arrived at through the best application of each believer's endowments. What we may assume to be most pleasing to God would be how we arrive at and act upon our decisions and beliefs, not specifically what we believe.

For students of The Urantia Book the message it contains has become their standard for perceiving truth and The Urantia Book does have several things to say regarding the theory of reincarnation. If you'll return to the Truthbook.com FAQ (upper right hand corner of our home page), under ("What does The Urantia Book Say About...), and the heading "What does the book teach regarding reincarnation?" you'll find some of the reason students of the book replace whatever beliefs about reincarnation they may have one time entertained with the Urantia book teachings.

This is an often asked question so we have added it to our discussion board so that you might have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here: http://forums.truthbook.com/viewforum.php?f=11. And may I also recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. 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 Urantia teachings. 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.com

Labels: Bible, Christian, Larry Watkins, Moslem, Quran, reincarnation, The Urantia Book, truth

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Friday, November 18, 2005

When I die and go to Heaven, how can I be happy when I realize that someone I love is not in Heaven with me?

Q: When I die and go to Heaven, how can I be happy when I realize that someone I love is not in Heaven with me, but suffering in hell?

A: Your question reminds me of a similar question I asked myself some 34 years ago when I was just 16 and studying the Bible with a group of religionists. While these folks did not believe in Hell, they did believe in Armageddon. Their doctrine was that at Armageddon, God would destroy everyone on earth who was not a part of their church.

At the time, I met a woman (whom I'd never seen before nor since) and I was talking to her about the teachings of this group. She told me something I never forgot. She said, "Paula, you have the ability to know the truth in your own heart. If something grinds against your own natural and logical beliefs don't except it as being true." I felt then that this made a great deal of sense, in fact it actually rang as truth to me, so I took it to heart.

Shortly after that, I went to study with the woman who was helping me learn the church's doctrines, which adherents of this church simply called "The Truth." I had been studying with her for about 6 months at the time. She told me, "Paula, if you don't convert your parents to 'The Truth' God will have to kill them at Armageddon and it will be your fault."

Well, here was a perfect example of something posed as "truth" that most certainly did "grind against my own natural and logical beliefs." I unequivocally balked at her audacious statement, and replied, "Are you saying that God is going to kill my parents?!"

To which she replied, "Well, yes, he will have to dispose of anyone who is not in The Truth."

I thought for a moment and then said, "My parents are the most loving people I know. They are kind and loyal and trusting and sincere. They are truly good, even wonderful people and you say that God is going to kill people like them just because they don't belong to your religious group?"

Again, she vainly tried to explain to me how God would have no choice but to do such a thing.

I then told her, "You may think it would be Heaven to live forever on earth in peace, where the lion lays down with the lamb, etc., knowing that God had killed your loving parents. But that wouldn't be Heaven for me, that would be Hell."

At this point she was aghast, and she exclaimed, "Oh you can't feel that way!"

I simply said, "I'm sorry but I do feel that way and I can't study with you anymore."

I left her standing there with her mouth open. As I walked alone the twelve blocks to my house, I talked to God. I said, "God, you may just as harsh and unforgiving as they say you are. Perhaps you are willing to kill good people because they don't follow one religion or another and if you are that way, I'm sorry but I can't worship you." Then, after a moment's reflection I thought, "Somehow God, I just can't believe that you are that way.

But if you want me to know who you really are, you are going to have to reveal yourself to me because I'm not getting involved with anymore religions." I felt good in my heart about that declaration and I left it at that.

Four years later, during the worst crisis of my life, The Urantia Book came into my life. It claims to be a revelation of God to humankind. Well, I asked God to reveal himself so my mind was open to such a thing. Imagine my joy when I found the God that was so loving, so merciful, so just, so perfect that I joyfully worship him with every fiber of my being.

Here are three great quotes from that wonderful book that I hope will reassure you that God, our truly loving Heavenly Father, takes no delight in causing any harm to any of his children.

P.39 - Â§1 It is wrong to think of God as being coaxed into loving his children because of the sacrifices of his Sons or the intercession of his subordinate creatures, "for the Father himself loves you." It is in response to this paternal affection that God sends the marvelous Adjusters to indwell the minds of men. God's love is universal; "whosoever will may come." He would "have all men be saved by coming into the knowledge of the truth." He is "not willing that any should perish."

P.2017 - Â§3 When once you grasp the idea of God as a true and loving Father, the only concept which Jesus ever taught, you must forthwith, in all consistency, utterly abandon all those primitive notions about God as an offended monarch, a stern and all-powerful ruler whose chief delight is to detect his subjects in wrongdoing and to see that they are adequately punished, unless some being almost equal to himself should volunteer to suffer for them, to die as a substitute and in their stead. The whole idea of ransom and atonement is incompatible with the concept of God as it was taught and exemplified by Jesus of Nazareth. The infinite love of God is not secondary to anything in the divine nature.

P.60 - Â§3 The barbarous idea of appeasing an angry God, of propitiating an offended Lord, of winning the favor of Deity through sacrifices and penance and even by the shedding of blood, represents a religion wholly puerile and primitive, a philosophy unworthy of an enlightened age of science and truth. Such beliefs are utterly repulsive to the celestial beings and the divine rulers who serve and reign in the universes. It is an affront to God to believe, hold, or teach that innocent blood must be shed in order to win his favor or to divert the fictitious divine wrath.

I hope this helps.

Blessings.....Paula

Another view from Larry:

A: There would probably be no way in heaven that you could be happy if that were the case. I suspect that you are a Christian -- you may be interested to know that not all Christian sects promote a belief in hell. And, as you put it, if there were a hell wouldn't it seem contradictory for you to be happy in heaven?

The Urantia Book provides an exalted vision of God, that God is as Jesus saw him and described him, a loving heavenly Father even so much better than an earthly parent. And Jesus asked, if a loving earthly father would not exhibit wrath and retribution toward his own children why do we choose to believe that the heavenly Father of us all would treat us even worse than a human parent? That seems contradictory too doesn't it.

If you've not already done so, may I recommend subscribing to our Quote of the Day. It offers daily inspirational and meaningful quotes from The Urantia Book along with a great picture. It's an easy way to become familiar with the teachings of this marvelous book and is available from the upper right corner of our home page.

Thank you for your question.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: Armageddon, atonement, Christian, God, heaven, hell, Jesus, Larry Watkins, love, Paula, religion, revelation, The Urantia Book, truth

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Thursday, November 10, 2005

Why do so many people feelingly experience re-incarnation as a spiritual reality?

Q. Why do so many people feelingly experience re-incarnation as a spiritual reality?

A. Buddhists and Hindus experience reincarnation as a spiritual reality because it is an integral part to their view of the life and death cycle and most believers in any one particular religion tend to accept all the doctrines of that religion. Others accept reincarnation as valid because it seems to provide a logical answer to the age-old questions of why do some people seem to be blessed while others face lives of struggle. And still others accept reincarnation because they believe they've been given proof through past life regression, deja-vu, or psychic experiences that appear to point to its validity as a belief system.

Perhaps one of the main reasons people accept the theory of reincarnation is because deep down they realize that there's more to existence than this one short life can provide and because they have not been given another satisfying or more complete explanation of the breadth and scope of the adventure that awaits upon departure from this life in the flesh while a belief in reincarnation seems to answer that call. As you may be aware, The Urantia Book makes it clear that this is the first and only physical experience required to cause the soul to be born and that from this point onward our existence will be one of increasing spiritual awareness and development. The Urantia Book describes in exquisite detail the universe career we embark upon after physical death, what we will experience as heaven and beyond. This ascension plan is so full and all-encompassing that what the theory of reincarnation offers pales and seems dull and tedious in its wake. So until the time comes that there's a more complete understanding of God's plan for us the theory of reincarnation will continue to hold a place in the beliefs of many.

Thank you again,
Larry Watkins

Labels: Buddhism, Hinduism, Larry Watkins, reincarnation, spiritual growth, struggle, The Urantia Book

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Monday, October 31, 2005

Is the Catholic church the original, and the one true christian faith?

Q: Is the Catholic church the original, and the one true christian faith?

A: Since Jesus did not establish a religion the first Christian religion sprang from the teachings of the Apostles and from that the Catholic Church originated, so it is the oldest Christian religion. Is it the one true Christian faith? No. Other Christians established other Christian denominations to better encompass truth as they understood it -- that was the cause of the Protestant reform and the development of other Christian denominations.

The only true faith is that which you personally experience -- and we all experience faith differently. For some a particular church or temple or mosque fulfills their spiritual need, but we're all different and no one religion fills that for everyone.

The Urantia Book is one of the most inspiring works on religion and spirituality that you're ever likely to come into contact with. May I suggest you consider studying this marvelous book; it answers most of life's most perplexing questions like no other. You may also wish to consider subscribing to our Quote of the Day which will give you daily thoughts from the pages of The Urantia Book along with an inspiring image. It's a free service available from the upper right corner of our home page.

Thank you for your questions,

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: Catholicism, Christian, experience, faith, Jesus, Larry Watkins, Protestant

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Which religion is perfect?

Q: which religion is perfect? Hinduism, Christianity or Islam?

A: There's a distinction between religion and spirituality that should first be made, spirituality being the personal relationship you have with your creator, and religion being the social form you choose for expressing your spirituality. Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam are different forms of expression of the spiritual and religious drive within us -- they're sustained by social participation, spiritual experiences, by history and tradition, and by religious authority. When any particular religion meets the needs of one's inner life it's spiritually beneficial and when it doesn't it's time to find something that may more closely match one's spiritual development, because we can evolve spiritually during this lifetime.

There are thousands of religions practiced in the world today -- you've named 3 but along with Judaism and Buddhism you could have also included: ancestor worship, Brahmanism, Confucianism, Jainism, mysticism, paganism, Pantheism, polytheism, Shinto, Sikhism, Yoga, and Zoroastrianism to name a few of the others.

Which religion is perfect? None. They each have spiritually beneficent teachings and practices mixed with time-worn traditions. Although spiritually inspired, religions are man-made institutions and are therefore imperfect. That doesn't deny their spiritual value or what can be accomplished through them for personal and social good.

In the Bible we learn that "God is no respecter of persons" meaning that God doesn't show favoritism and that in God's eye we are all equal. The same would be true of religions -- none is more blessed in God's eye than any other. What's most different among religions is the truth they contain and the truths they teach.

Following is a sample of The Urantia Book's teachings on religions and the truth they contain:

P.1012 - Â§4 The many religions of Urantia (earth) are all good to the extent that they bring man to God and bring the realization of the Father to man. It is a fallacy for any group of religionists to conceive of their creed as The Truth; such attitudes bespeak more of theological arrogance than of certainty of faith. There is not a Urantia religion that could not profitably study and assimilate the best of the truths contained in every other faith, for all contain truth. Religionists would do better to borrow the best in their neighbors' living spiritual faith rather than to denounce the worst in their lingering superstitions and outworn rituals.

The Urantia Book contains the most objective and inspiring analysis of religion versus spirituality that you're ever likely to come into contact with. May I suggest you consider studying this marvelous book; it answers most of life's most perplexing questions like no other. You may also wish to consider subscribing to our Quote of the Day which will give you daily thoughts from the pages of The Urantia Book along with an inspiring image. It's a free service available from the upper right corner of our home page.

Click here for today's inspiring quote: http://www.truthbook.com/quotes/index.cfm
Click here for a fee subscription to Quote of the Day: http://www.truthbook.com/quotes/subscribe.cfm

Thank you for your question,

Larry Watkins

Labels: God, Larry Watkins, relationship with God, religion, spiritual growth, spirtuality, truth

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Tuesday, October 11, 2005

How does God feel about homosexuality?

Q: How does God feel about homosexuality? Are all humans innately bisexual? Is sex even a moral issue? Is it only for procreation? Is it wrong to enjoy?

A: Since it's not humanly possible to speak for God we have to do the best we can with our own intelligence. Unlike the Bible, The Urantia Book is not specific about many of the social issues we face today.

There is a wide gulf separating sexual desire, inclination, and motivation from sexual involvement, activity, and interaction -- the difference between leading a chaste, even celibate life versus leading a more self-centered, promiscuous one.

I know of no accepted scientific study that indicates that humans are innately bisexual. That again would seem to be purely a matter of choice. Is sex a moral issue? Sex is probably THE moral issue to be faced at this time in this culture.

Here are some quotes from The Urantia Book relating to character that you may find meaningful:

Remember: While inherited urges cannot be fundamentally modified, emotional responses to such urges can be changed; therefore the moral nature can be modified, character can be improved. In the strong character emotional responses are integrated and co-ordinated, and thus is produced a unified personality. Deficient unification weakens the moral nature and engenders unhappiness. (140:4.8)

No human emotion or impulse, when unbridled and overindulged, can produce so much harm and sorrow as this powerful sex urge.
(82:1.10)

Human life consists in three great drives--urges, desires, and lures. Strong character, commanding personality, is only acquired by converting the natural urge of life into the social art of living, by transforming present desires into those higher longings which are capable of lasting attainment, while the commonplace lure of existence must be transferred from one's conventional and established ideas to the higher realms of unexplored ideas and undiscovered ideals. (160:1.2)

It requires a great and noble character, having started out wrong, to turn about and go right. All too often one's own mind tends to justify continuance in the path of error when once it is entered upon. (184:2.12)

And The Urantia Book has this to say about pleasure:

Let man enjoy himself; let the human race find pleasure in a thousand and one ways; let evolutionary mankind explore all forms of legitimate self-gratification, the fruits of the long upward biologic struggle. Man has well earned some of his present-day joys and pleasures. But look you well to the goal of destiny! Pleasures are indeed suicidal if they succeed in destroying property, which has become the institution of self-maintenance; and self-gratifications have indeed cost a fatal price if they bring about the collapse of marriage, the decadence of family life, and the destruction of the home--man's supreme evolutionary acquirement and civilization's only hope of survival. (84:2.12)

For more on this topic, visit our FAQ listed on the top right navigation of Truthbook's home page.

Sincerely.....Larry

Labels: art of living, bisexuality, homosexuality, Larry Watkins, procreation, sex, The Urantia Book