Monday, April 07, 2008
Healthy way to reach God
6 Apr 2008,
Deah Curry
...long ago our ancestors knew a fundamental truth that we are only recently rediscovering: good mental health is inextricably intertwined with deep spiritual development. Transpersonal psychologists in the past several decades have produced good science that shows that people who have strong spiritual beliefs and practices are generally more resilient in the face of life crises, and tend to have an easier time recovering from some physical illnesses.
This should not be surprising. After all, the psyche — a Greek word for soul — which has come to be used for the mind or one's consciousness in modern times, is inescapably spiritual in its core nature. And so are we. This does not mean that we must return to church or temple, or become ultra religious to fulfil the promise of deep spirituality as a safeguard for mental and physical health. Let's not confuse religious belief and observance with spiritual development, which is about cultivating awareness, empathy and wisdom, being of service, and having tolerance and integrity — all virtues that can and should apply no matter what religious framework one believes in. Healing emotions often involves developing one's spirituality.
These healing and development efforts in education and therapy are about raising consciousness in order to support transformation in the learner or client. Transformation is more than just change. It occurs at such a deep level that we are truly different beings when we undergo transformation. Transformative change is essential for all of us in order to become better people, able to make a beneficial difference in the world and in our own lives. No matter where you are in your personal spiritual journey, or mental health status, it is useful to ponder these five transformative questions.
In the way you are living your life, how are you being the medicine? In teaching naturopathic medical students, the relevance of that question is obvious. But if we think about medicine as energetic spiritual power, as the First Peoples of America did and do, I think this question applies to all of us on the path of transformational consciousness. Being the medicine is about how you are living your life in such a way as to be respectfully and appropriately using the spiritual power that is innate within you. What can you further develop in order to be the medicine more fully?
What do you trust? Notice I didn't ask who. This question is asking: in what do you place your belief that all is and will be as it should be? It's always interesting to try to take this question down as deep as one can with as much honesty as one can stand. In your everyday life, are you acting in congruence with what you say you trust? If not, what needs to be surrendered, reframed, or healed in order to be in alignment with what you say you trust? What cause will you give your life?
The answer to this question is often very telling as to how congruent we are with our espoused and lived values. What we prioritise in thoughts, words, and deeds on a daily basis is what we are giving our life energy to. Many of us say we value our families, but then we work 16 hours a day, rarely eat a meal together, and put business success above interpersonal family relationships. Doing this is giving life energy to work, to stress, to something other than the family that is supposedly valued. What we're actually doing is not congruent with what we're saying we give our life to. Philosophers might say that happiness comes from not waiting until circumstances force you to choose between the cause for which you would give your life, and the life you live everyday. Are you really living a life of purpose and meaning now, and if not, what needs to change?
What you put your attention on grows. Are you growing what you want to be growing? If not, how does your attention need to shift? It really means something spiritually profound and psychologically healthy to be able to say you walk your talk. Can you say that with full integrity? If not, look at how you need to re-prioritise your choices.
At the end of your life, what will you have dared so that you can pass on with no regrets?
Daring to take risks is one of the most essential transformative energies that I know of for both spiritual development and mental health. In fact many mental health and relationship problems start from a fear of risking being fully seen as our authentic selves, fear of asserting our whole truth, fear of risking rejection and abandonment by those we love, fear of risking pride or security, and other large and small risks. Daring is a catalyst for becoming everything we are meant to be.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Healthy_way_to_reach_God/articleshow/2929454.cmsLabels: Deah Curry, medicine, mental health, religion, spirituality, transformation, trust
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Thursday, February 14, 2008
God, Moses, And The Ten Commandments
Q: God wrote the ten commandments who gave them to Moses. Moses told the followers. That is what my catholic religion taught me.
A: Thank you for your note to Truthbook.com. We agree that your Catholic religion has taught you that: "God wrote the ten commandments who gave them to Moses. Moses told the followers. That is what my catholic religion taught me."
It's our belief that God has more to say to us than just what we may have been given in the past and that if such additional information meets our standards for truthfulness and goodness, for being logically consistent, and for spiritual fragrance then that too should sincerely be considered. That's why we study The Urantia Book and why there are people from all walks of life, Christians - like Catholics, Baptists, Mormons and Presbyterians, agnostics and atheists, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, lay persons and clergy - people such as these who study the Urantia revelation. No one religion is "right" or "wrong" -- they each contain truth; students of the Urantia revelation find that study of the book augments their religious heritage, provides new insight and answers the questions they may have that aren't answered to their satisfaction by that religion.Labels: Catholicism, Christian, God, Moses, religion, Ten Commandments, 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.comLabels: ascension, Christian, fear of God, forgiveness, grace, Larry Watkins, Mary Jo, religion, 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.comLabels: God, Larry Watkins, philosophy, religion, unity
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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.comLabels: Christian, God, guidance, Jesus, Larry Watkins, religion, Spirit of Truth
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Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Was it God's plan for Jesus to be crucified?
Q: Was it God's plan for Jesus to be crucified? Is it the blood of Christ that saved us, or was it the resurrection?
A: It was man's plan that Jesus be crucified - God didn't set it up or intervene nor did Jesus; they let the circumstances unfold and play out much as they have done throughout history. Of course God or Jesus could alter the plans of men but divine intervention seldom is employed to interfere in the choices made by free will creatures. Additional examples of the non interference by deity into the affairs of men are the loss of our mission of our planetary prince and the loss of the influence of Adam and Eve. God could have fixed them, but God doesn't interfere.
The blood of Jesus is no different from the blood in your body - what's remarkable about the shedding of Jesus' blood is that by allowing himself to be murdered he exhibited divine love for his creatures, friend and enemy alike, and in so doing planted the seeds for a great world wide religion of love and hope to spring up around his life, death, and teachings.
Jesus' resurrection gave proof that there is life after death and gave hope of better things to come to earth bound mortals. It didn't take a blood sacrifice to appease God so that we can enter an everlasting spiritual existence. We are saved by our desire to do God's will, by having even a small flicker of faith that there is more to existence than what meets the eye - one doesn't have to be Christian or believe in Jesus for salvation.Labels: blood sacrifice, God, love, religion, resurrection, the Cross
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Thursday, February 09, 2006
What Is The Proper Role Of Organized Religion?
Q: What Is The Proper Role Of Organized Religion?
A: Jesus came to earth to save people from bad religious organizations, not bad political organizations. He died in the attempt.
Organized religions result from socialization of persons with common religious experiences. They hold no ecclesiastical authority; yet God supports collective action in His behalf. (Matthew 18:20) They represent collective religious action.
Organized religions have been mixed blessings. They have preserved certain coals of spiritual truth which flame up from time to time, and even now may be rekindled; they have collected and saved writings, music and art reflecting the highest thoughts of mankind; they have maintained a popular awareness that there is a God to be reckoned with; and they have sheltered many saints who otherwise may have been destroyed. Yet, on the other hand, they have been fraught with hypocrisy and corruption; claimed status and authority which they did not possess, and used it to enslave millions; they have prostituted the banner of God before political and business causes; they have engaged in internecine warfare over minutiae of doctrine; they have repeatedly persecuted the saints; and--most important--they have stood in the way of individual spiritual progress by millions of truth-seekers.
There is no practical way by which the true worship of God can be expanded without some social organization behind it. Man is a social animal, and needs the company of others on all of life's journeys. Groups can always accomplish things which individuals cannot: maintain places and opportunities for group worship, provide literature and training; provide ministries and missions, etc. And, most important, they can create and support communities and environments in which the worship of God is encouraged.
It is great error for organized religion to become involved in politics. This is the evil which led to downfall of the Jewish kingdom and later, to the dark ages. God is a God of persons, not of causes. God loves each person on both sides of every controversy with equal fervor. For organized religion to become involved on either side is an unholy alliance. It stifles new-born faith and persecutes true believers.
To prepare for its proper role, organized religion should unburden itself of all ancient armor and armaments, all excess baggage, and come forth with the true soul-saving gospel of Jesus: that God is our Father, and we are his children; and that all men and women must learn to live as one spiritual family. In seeking Him to esteem Him, people also find themselves and feel good about it. And they become concerned about their neighbors.
Religion can, and should, create social communities of those with common religious experiences; to confirm the reality of their experiences, to reinforce their feelings of value, to encourage their continued efforts, to minister to the needs of the community, and to avoid feelings of isolation. Even religionists need social approval. And weaker and more timid souls need the shelter of some institution for early development.
Instead of destroying present religious organizations and forming new ones, we should focus upon the highest truths in each, thereby transforming them. We should build upon the foundations already laid. Existing religions have some good practices, talents and assets in place. All they need is proper direction. Religionists are better advised to work within responsive religious organizations to make them more fruitful rather than to abandon them and work alone.Labels: God, gospel of Jesus, Jesus, politics, religion, society
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Thursday, February 02, 2006
Does God Really Exist?
Q: Who, Or What Is God? Does God Really Exist?
A: It is assumed that everyone knows who, or what, is God. God is GOD and, like the President of the United States, needs no further introduction. This assumption is incorrect, and leads to much confusion. "God" is a characteristic, a description, a title, and not a common name. There is only one commonly-accepted President at a time; but there is no common acceptance of who, or what, God "is."
Relatively few people have the same mental image of God. They see different names for God, different characteristics of God, and different "do's" and "don'ts" of what God desires of them. For example, note the differences in the identity of God. Some say there is one God and his name is Allah; others say there is one God and His name is E1, or Father; others say there is one God of three persons, or a sevenfold God; some see Jesus as God, or as the Son of God, or a great prophet; etc. Every different religion and sect sees God in a separate light.
In order to avoid seeing God as a theological prescription written by one religion or sect, let us look at God as a generic term. In this manner we can get the full benefit from discussing God without concern about names, doctrine, etc. There is a simple, generic definition of God with which everyone agrees: "God" is Deity personified.
As used here, "God" is a person, and means "that part of Deity with which one may have a personal relationship." "God" does not refer to any particular manifestation of Deity, such as Yahweh, Allah, Krishna, Jesus, Father, etc. You may feel free to substitute any name of God as you see fit. It is only by freeing ourselves from any hassle over the correct name or attributes of God that we can proceed with an unemotional treatment of many meaningful issues.
Now, viewing God as a personification of Deity, does God really exist? This is another way of saying: is there really a component of Deity with which men and women can have a personal relationship?
Since we have defined God as a component (all or part) of Deity, if there is no Deity, there is no God. In Part I.A, above, we said that there is, in truth and reality, such a thing as Deity. Those who disagree and hold that there is no Deity are called "atheists." If the atheists are correct, there is no Deity, therefore nothing with which to have a personal relationship; and, ipso facto, no God.
Logically, it is possible for there to be Deity, yet Deity could either
(1) have no personal component with which to relate, or
(2) have a personal component so remote and aloof that mortal man cannot have a "personal relationship" with it.
Those taking either of these views are called "agnostics." Agnostics concede that Deity may exist, but hold that mankind can never have a personal relationship with it. If they are correct, there may be Deity, but no God.
It is the testimony of religionists which provides the most persuasive (and only unequivocal) evidence that there exists a personal component of Deity to which mankind can, and does, relate: a God. They claim to have actually experienced a personal relationship with God. This cannot be true unless Deity
(1) contains a personal component, and
(2) mankind is able to have a personal-relationship with it.
Revelation comes from no other source than personal contact with Deity. Unless all who testify to a personal experience with God are either mistaken or lying, there IS a God.
Yes, God exists, for Deity exists, and men and women can have a personal relationship with at least a part of Deity. But why take someone else's word for it?
If you have had a personal relationship with God, then you already know that God exists. And if you have not, why not now? Every person can enjoy the comfort and joy of experiencing this warm personal relationship if they only try.Labels: Deity, experience, God, relationship with God, religion
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What Is Religion?
Q: Religion And Deity - What Is Religion?
A: "Religion is the revelation to man of his divine and eternal destiny...a purely personal and spiritual experience..." (2075:333/4), "the relation of man to God." (1421:6-7) As used here, religion means the general subject of man's relationship to God. A religion is a social organization of people holding similar ideas about their relationship with God. (See Part I.E) A religionist is one who believes that there is a God and that he or she enjoys a personal relationship with God.
The religionist looks to his own personal experiences to verify the existence of Deity: personal contacts with the supernatural which are as real to him as experiences with the natural. He has "felt" a reality that defies all scientific explanation. He knows of realities which science cannot confirm, quantify or qualify; for example: love, beauty, mercy, justice. His experiences are therefore seen as revelations of something greater than his material environment. Millions of religionists, over many centuries, claim to have come into intimate, intelligent, loving and meaningful contact with a power higher than self, and to have experienced modes, forms and degrees of revelation which they attribute to a source and power other than natural: to Deity. Unless they all are mistaken or lying, there is a reality we may call Deity.
On the other side of the ledger, the content often differs from one revelation to another. Recorded traditions of each religion reflect truths revealed to its leaders, yet each record contains some things which differ in content from all others. Assuming that Deity must be consistent and revelation perfect, these apparent conflicts are cited as reasons to discount the existence of Deity. This makes about as much sense as saying that because one day is revealed as being sunny in California and as being rainy in Chicago, the day did not exist.
This argument that revelation must be consistent overlooks the limitations on revelation. Excessive revelation would destroy free will. Most religious experiences are a one-on-one confirmation only that the individual has come into personal contact with Deity. There are more ways than one to contact Deity. It is a mistake to assume that, because a person has found Deity under one set of circumstances, one has found the exclusive path. Revelation is always incomplete and partial, as God seldom reveals more than is needed or more than the human mind can absorb. Instead of magnifying the differences let us focus on the commonalties: in every instance, these countless personal experiences can be seen as successful efforts of Deity to confirm to mankind its existence.
At times, revelation is intended for many. These, too, suffer from human misunderstanding and misapplication. For example, the revelation of God to man by Jesus Christ was so advanced and extensive that it may be called "epochal." The full import of that revelation has not yet been fully understood or absorbed. All of these revelations point the religionist to the conclusion that some sort of Deity exists.
It is sometimes proposed that science and religion conflict with each other, but this is not really possible. Both disciplines were made by the same Creator as part of the same cosmos, therefore they must harmonize together. At times some science appears to conflict with some theology to some people. When a scientific fact is supported by ample evidence, it is the differing theological belief which is suspect. Science offers no evidence that Deity does NOT exist.
What is Deity like? Both logic and revelation provide a long list of characteristics of a superlative nature attributable to Deity. They are classic. You are welcome to provide a list of your own.Labels: Deity, experience, Jesus, relationship with God, religion
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Monday, January 30, 2006
Do Science And Philosophy Conflict With Religion?
Q: Do Science And Philosophy Conflict With Religion?
A: Science is systematized knowledge derived from observation, study and experimentation. It is concerned with facts provable by systematic observation under established principles. By its nature it is limited to the material realm, and has no disciplines for the spiritual or supernatural realms.
Deity can be postulated by science both as an a Priori force and a first cause, but cannot be confirmed by science because the phenomenon cannot be quantified, qualified, reproduced, duplicated, measured or otherwise proved by scientific methodology. Deity is not a mathematical equation, a chemical formula or a physical law. Science is concerned only with matter, energy and life, and is limited by time and space. Science may trace the universe back to the "big bang" (the beginning of time), but it has no method of determining its cause, where the "banged" matter came from, how the laws governing the behavior of matter in time and space were devised, or why the whole thing happened in the first place. Even scientists recognize that there are realities beyond the province of science. For example, science understands much about the brain, an electro-chemical organism, but it cannot explain mind. It understands paint and color, but not art.
Many scientists accept a theory that Deity exists as a master planner, a first cause, and an over controller;; but they cannot prove it. It remains for philosophy and religion to prove the actuality of any truth or reality beyond the physical universe as revealed, or to be revealed, by the observations and laws of science; to confirm or deny the existence of Deity.Labels: Deity, philosophy, religion, science, 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 - §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 - §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 - §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.comLabels: Armageddon, atonement, Christian, God, heaven, hell, Jesus, Larry Watkins, love, Paula, religion, revelation, The Urantia Book, truth
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Monday, October 31, 2005
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 - §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.
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Thank you for your question,
Larry WatkinsLabels: God, Larry Watkins, relationship with God, religion, spiritual growth, spirtuality, truth
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Thursday, October 13, 2005
The Religion of Jesus
Q: You question the use of the term “religion of Jesus.”
Jesus came here as an ambassador of The Kingdom of Heaven. The assumption that he was a divine being, a Son of God, would lead us to believe that he existed before coming here. He was not a Christian; Christianity arose around the fact of Jesus’ life on this world. Neither was he a Jew. He was raised as a Jew but had he been a devout Jew (in the sense of the Jewish beliefs and practices of his day) he would hardly have been crucified as a heretic and law-breaker. The Urantia Book defines religion in many ways but I like this one, “In its true essence, religion is a faith-trust in the goodness of God.” The religion of Jesus, then, is his whole life, his philosophy of living, the way he lived and the way he treated others with love, respect and dignity. He showed us how to live in grace and in accordance with God’s will. He showed us the real meaning of devoted and religious living. Religion is so much more than just the church you organized religious sect you belong to. To understand what is meant by “the religion of Jesus” one must expand one’s own concepts of the word “religion.”
Who is Jesus?
Jesus came forth directly from the Father. He is a perfect representation of the Father. Many times he said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” Do you say that Jesus is not the Father? The Urantia Book says that Jesus is as a Father/Brother to humanity. Always he pointed to the one true God, the Father of all and always did he tell us that the kingdom of God was within us.
Does God really exist?
What The Urantia Book points out is that if you are not already inclined to believe in the existence of God, there is nothing, no scientific experiment, or anything that anyone can say or do to convince you that he does exist. Only a personal experience of faith can do that. Carl Baugh already believes in God and so he is going to feel his evidence is irrefutable. Scientist that don’t already believe in God feel quite the opposite about Carl’s conclusions, and this is the point. Here is the entire quote: “The existence of God can never be proved by scientific experiment or by the pure reason of logical deduction. God can be realized only in the realms of human experience; nevertheless, the true concept of the reality of God is reasonable to logic, plausible to philosophy, essential to religion, and indispensable to any hope of personality survival.”
Are angels real?
The Urantia Book says that all humans have angels who watch over them but that not all have “personal guardians.” Some Angels are assigned to groups of mortals but a personal guardian is assigned only to those mortals who have reached a certain level in their spiritual growth. It is absolutely true that God is not respecter of persons, and any person can potentially have their very own guardian angel if the work diligently to grow in spirit. The creation of God is fair and just, God rewards those mortals who willingly strive to know him and be like him. This is, in part, what Jesus meant when he said, “To him who has, more shall be given, while to him who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away.”
Is there only one way to heaven?
It is true that no person will come to the Father except by Jesus. The Urantia Book suggests that this is a literal truth. In your journey inward and upward to Paradise you literally will not advance except that Jesus will be the one to send you on. Literally, not one being in this universe will get to God, except through Jesus. Christians use this too often as a condemnation to Jews and Muslims and Buddhists, teaching that unless one accepts Jesus, now, as the only way to God, they are doomed. Jesus is the way shower to God, but every human who bears the fruits of the spirit and who loves God and values the ways of God, truth, beauty and goodness, has a equal opportunity to advance. Christians do Jesus and mankind a great disservice when they presume to judge (by their own imperfect scriptural interpretation) who has eternal value and who does not. “You can only judge men by their acts, but my Father looks into the hearts of his children and in mercy adjudges them in accordance with their intents and real desires." Anyone can say anything, God looks into the heart.
Your quote: 'And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or lo, he is there; believe him not. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.'
Jesus himself was accused of being false. He was the one who also chastised the religious leaders of his day for persecuting and killing the prophets of God. Too often folks use this passage as an excuse to discount anything that disagrees with their cherished beliefs and interpretations of scripture. It was Jesus who said, “The old things are passing away, behold, all things are becoming new.” I think he was referring to our religious beliefs as much as anything else.
Thanks for writing and be of good cheer!
PaulaLabels: angels, Christian, God, heaven, Jesus, kingdom of heaven, Paula, religion
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Thursday, October 06, 2005
How would Jesus vote?
Q: How Would Jesus Vote?
A: I think this is a great topic and it's understandable that people who love Jesus would ponder this at election time.
I have gotten some interesting insights when considering this question of how Jesus would vote. In the first place, I don't think Jesus would ever allow his political position to be known. Jesus fully understood his own power. One of the greatest powers of all is the power of influence. Knowing that humans would take the easy path of having Jesus make all of their decisions for them without thinking these things through for themselves, I think he would keep his political opinions to himself. I'm not suggesting that most of us should do that, but I think that the Pope, for instance, should keep his politics to himself. Religious leaders should never endorse political candidates; this whole election has really driven home for me the wisdom of the separation of church and state.
Clearly, Jesus calls us to learn how to think not what to think. When we all become adept at independent cosmic thinking we will naturally come to more Godlike conclusions and be able to make more Godlike decisions. That is, decisions which create the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people for the greatest amount of time.
These scientific, moral, and spiritual insights, these cosmic responses, are innate in the cosmic mind, which endows all will creatures. The experience of living never fails to develop these three cosmic intuitions; they are constitutive in the self-consciousness of reflective thinking. But it is sad to record that so few persons on Urantia take delight in cultivating these qualities of courageous and independent cosmic thinking.
The Urantia Book, P.192 - §5
We know from his life and teachings that Jesus deliberately avoided making pronouncements on political issues. The closest he came was "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God's." We could write a novel on what he meant by that. But suffice to say, it doesn't give us much to go on at election time. However, I think we can look at his life by example and infer some definite qualities to look for in a leader. Here are some things I have thought of:
He was honest and sincere. He said what he meant and meant what he said. He spoke the truth even when the truth hurt. He was loyal to the highest principals in the highest sense of the word. He would be righteously indignant of the false and malicious political spin and negativity that we have become accustomed to.
He was courageous. He was willing to put himself on the line even to the point of direct contradiction with the powerful religious rulers of his day.
He was fair. He never would have thought only of the interest of his people (the Jews) or his nation (Israel). There was no self-interest in him. Everything he did was for the greatest good for all. From my point of view, the most powerful man in the world should also be a good world citizen. A true leader would want to lead mankind, not just America, into a new and better way of life. As Jesus said, "When you once begin to find God in your soul, presently you will begin to discover him in other men's souls and eventually in all the creatures and creations of a mighty universe. But what chance does the Father have to appear as a God of supreme loyalties and divine ideals in the souls of men who give little or no time to the thoughtful contemplation of such eternal realities?"
P.1733 - §1
He was wise. He understood human nature well enough to know how certain people would react in certain situations.
He was patient. He waited for the right time to act and chose his battles and his opportunities very carefully.
He was respectful and trusting. He believed in men because he knew that God is in them. He empowered men to decide and act and supported the wisdom of the group. When the group made a decision he honored it.
He was merciful. He understood the human condition and was forgiving of human frailty. However, he abhorred deliberate wickedness, he said that more was expected of the Master than of the servant, and in the end he did not tolerate the corruption of false leaders.
He was sympathetic. He had real insight into the human heart and the human condition. He had real compassion for humanity and wanted all people to "have life and have it more abundantly."
He was truly kind. I don't think he would ever have resorted to harming anyone or allowing anyone to be harmed. He once said that he would not defend himself against harm unless he discerned that God was not present in the person who sought to harm him.
Clearly, we can't expect a leader, even one with as much power as a US president, to possess all the wonderful qualities that Jesus did. There were many powerful men in Jesus day that had no respect for Jesus and thought him foolish and weak. There are many powerful people today, even those who profess to follow Jesus, who would never endorse his non resistant and non violent ways. Many who think that, although Jesus ideals are truly good, they're not practical and they won't work.
Sadly, at this point in time, we are stuck with the reality of always having to choose between the "lesser of two evils." That is, two mortal men who are anything but perfect. We can take the easy way out and vote along party lines, trusting that at least our basic political philosophies will be upheld, or we can look at each man and try to discern their true character.
I personally admire men who have had to overcome a good deal of adversity in life. I think adversity and affliction build a strong and balanced character. Therefore, in the end, I believe that Jesus would vote for the man whom he perceived had the most character.
Blessings always.....PaulaLabels: character, ideals, Jesus, politics, religion, The Urantia Book
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Xerpi
