Spiritual Advice and Guidance Blog: Urantia Book

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, October 27, 2005

The Death Penalty

Q: Is the death penalty wrong?

A: There are few social pronouncements in The Urantia Book, so a ready answer to your question isn't addressed there. What it does teach is that life is a bestowal by deity and it is therefore sacred. We should do everything we're capable of to respect the life of others, to follow the Golden Rule, to love one another as brothers and sisters, sons or daughters, fathers or mothers.

That having been said, our destiny here on earth is to be ruled by laws until the time in the far distant future comes when humans will be self-reliant and naturally do the right thing, actually live the Golden Rule. Without laws and social boundaries we are less than civilized. One of the primary functions of society and of government is to protect its citizens otherwise it's the will of the strong oppressing the weak and those who disregard the rule of law overshadowing those who will abide by them.

Our laws aren't foolproof and the problem with the death penalty is that it's irreversible if it's determined later that a mistake was made. But as we progress we're getting better and better at determining responsibility.

From a spiritual standpoint whether we live out a long and productive life here before we die or we die prematurely, our destinies follow similar courses on the mansion worlds -- a bit more time may be required to get those who die prematurely back on track, but it's not a race we're running and time is not of the essence. We may possibly be doing the criminal a favor by removing him sooner from a dismal life here for the beginnings of a glorious life in the spirit.

You would probably find thoughtful people on either side of your question -- I'll offer my personal opnion. I believe that the death penalty is not wrong. I also don't believe it's a deterrent to crime or that it's a form of retaliation or vengeance by the wronged against the accused -- I see it more as a final way to remove someone who is a danger from society. It needs to be applied with care and caution and once the sentence has been made I would like to see justice carried out more swiftly.

Below is an relevant quote from The Urantia Book on the words of comfort Jesus had for a condemned criminal:

"My brother, you have fallen on evil times. You lost your way; you became entangled in the meshes of crime. From talking to you, I well know you did not plan to do the thing which is about to cost you your temporal life. But you did do this evil, and your fellows have adjudged you guilty; they have determined that you shall die. You or I may not deny the state this right of self-defense in the manner of its own choosing. There seems to be no way of humanly escaping the penalty of your wrongdoing. Your fellows must judge you by what you did, but there is a Judge to whom you may appeal for forgiveness, and who will judge you by your real motives and better intentions. You need not fear to meet the judgment of God if your repentance is genuine and your faith sincere. The fact that your error carries with it the death penalty imposed by man does not prejudice the chance of your soul to obtain justice and enjoy mercy before the heavenly courts." P.1476 (133:4.12)

Labels: death penalty, government, Jesus, law, society, The Urantia Book

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