The Seven Deadly Fears.

The seven deadly sins are manifestations of fear :

Anger - is an instinctive reaction to anything we fear (fight or flight).

Lying - is fear of what will happen if we tell the truth (cowardice).

Avarice - is fear of not having enough (poverty).

Gluttony - is fear of hunger (compensation).

Lust - is looking for love.

Envy - is fear of not being as good as your neighbor (losing love).

Sloth - is fear of work (toil).

All suffering is caused by sin.
All sin is caused by fear.
Everything is forgivable.

When we understand the cause of sin we are able to forgive it through sympathy and compassion (tears).


Photo Credit: Nathan deGargoyle Flickr via Compfight cc

Fear or Respect?

 "I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways."  Psalm 119:15 (NRSV)

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love."  1 John 4:18 (NRSV)

How much suffering has been caused in the world through a simple mistranslation.

Fear will close the heart, make it hard and cold, even cruel.

But love overcomes fear.

We overcome our fears when our love and our compassion are greater than our fears.

If we re-translate "Fear God" in the Old Testament as "Respect God" how much difference it will make.

We think that "Fear God" means punishment and judgment.
But God is not a punisher of men and women.
What was meant by the Old Testament writers was that we should respect God and not do otherwise than His ways.

Fear is not a positive feeling.
When we let go of our fear we feel love.

So do not fear God.
Respect and love God.


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

Photo Credit: Chaoyue Pan Flickr via Compfight cc

Dukha.

"All life is unsatisfactory." - The Buddha.

The condition that the Buddha called dukha or unsatisfactory is the result of a lack of love in our lives which is caused by closed or hardened hearts.

We experience this feeling as children and assume that this is the normal condition.

If we examine our experience closely we will find that the difference between feeling O.K. and not feeling O.K. corresponds exactly with the presence or absence of love in our life.

What we seek is not mind powers or knowledge but love.

What do we benefit from power or knowledge if we have not love?

What do we benefit from possessions or wealth if we have not love?

What is adulation or fame but a pale facsimile of love?

All sex is looking for love.


What causes us to close our hearts but fear?
Fear of ridicule.
Fear of rejection.
Fear of violence.

What is jealousy but fear of losing love?

What causes us to harden our hearts but fear?
Fear of strangers.
Fear of violence.
Fear of crime.


What causes us to open our hearts but tears for our brothers' and sisters' suffering.

In the end our lives are not so much about the state of our minds as the condition of our hearts.

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'"  Matthew 22:37 (NRSV)
"'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Matthew 22:39 (NRSV)


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

Photo Credit: seadigs Flickr via Compfight cc

The Secret.

The great secret of our time is that since the 1960s rock stars have been selling their souls to the devil and practicing black magic and Satanism in their music.

This has since spread to sports, movies, and novels as well as T.V. commentators and advertising.

It forms a web of evil that spans the media from music and T.V. to movies and sports.

The internet is less affected because it is less controlled.  Individuals post their ideas on the internet and some of them may be involved in Satanism but on the whole the internet is more democratic.

Once you know this it is easier to uncover it.

But this does not mean that they are right.

There is no devil in reality.
So they will fail in their purpose.

In reality there is only God's love.



Photo Credit: Axusha_ via Compfight cc

A Saint.

A saint is not a violent, judgmental, wowser.

A saint is a non-violent, forgiving, lover.


Photo Credit: byb64 Flickr via Compfight cc

A Tsunami of Compassion.

A person is overcome with misfortune by the misdeeds of his brothers and sisters or by accident of nature.  But God is not in the misdeeds or the accidents, God is in the helping hand and the acts of mercy and compassion which follow upon the misfortune.

"The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish."  2 Peter 3:9 (NRSV)
And He requires of His adherents that they should be the same.
Otherwise "'what more are you doing than others?'''  Matthew 5:47b (NRSV)


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

Photo Credit: IsraelMFA Flickr via Compfight cc

God in His Universal Form.

The paradigm shift from the theistic God to the universal God is perfectly paralleled in the Bhagavad-Gita when the personal form of God in Krishna, Arjuna's charioteer, shows Arjuna his universal form with its myriad eyes, its thousand suns, all the sages, and the holy serpents, birthless, deathless, Richis, Sidhhus, Rudras,Vasus.....

If you cut out the fear images which are tacked onto the end the "Shape of the Infinite God" fits almost perfectly the new paradigm which is everyone and everything and more.

At the end Krishna re-assumes his "mild and pleasing form" to bring peace back to Arjuna.

God can appear in any form but tends to assume the form which the experiencer will recognize as God.

In as much as the personal form of God is the Father, the universal form of God is the Father of Fathers.


Photo Credit: VinothChandar Flickr via Compfight cc

The Mass Media.

Most people these days get their values from the mass media.

If you listen to the media the purpose of life is :
Making money.
Shopping.
Watching (T.V, D.V.D.s, movies).
Partying (getting smashed).

Sport :
Winning at all costs.
Working harder.
Bullying.
Losing is pain.

Video clips :
Fast cars.
Nasty sex.
Status.
Bad (is good).
Violence.
Abuse of women.
Materialism.
The dark side.
Partying.

But.

True happiness comes from :
Loving relationships.
Integrity.
Honesty.
Self respect.
Moderation.
Courage.
Compassion.
Understanding.
Patience.
Generosity.

It is not possible to be happy without self-discipline.


Photo Credit: c_nilsen Flickr via Compfight cc

What Kind of God?

Why does God allow bad things to happen?

1.  It's not God doing them.
     We do these things to each other of our own free will.
     (Usually out of fear).

2.  There is a reason for them.
     Birth, experience, education, environment.

3.  Natural justice is a human (not a divine) concept.
     i.e. Rewarding good and punishing evil.

4."'You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?  Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  Be perfect therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."'  Matthew 5:43-48 (NRSV)

5.  "'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.'"  Luke 23:34 (NRSV)
     The greatest forgiveness is to forgive those that are harming you even while they are inflicting pain.
     Forgive your tormentors.
     The greater faith forgives the greater sins.

6.  In the end we are suffering for their (our attackers') sake.
     That they might be forgiven.

7.  God answers prayers.
     Not always immediately or in the way that we might expect.


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

Photo Credit: chrisjohnbeckett Flickr via Compfight cc

Business Conventions.

Those who are terrified of poverty (captains of industry) dominate those who are not.

The conventions of business (institutionalized fear) are:

Leave your private life (problems) at home.

All other considerations are sacrificed to profit.

There is no reciprocal obligation for management.

Business has no responsibility to the community.

This is not a charitable institution.

Financial arrangements are private (secret).

Get the next guy before he gets you.

No charitable donations without publicity.

No consultation re political donations.

No consultation re management bonuses.

Dog eat dog is the only rule.

Market forces rule.


"'For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?'"  Mark 8:36 (NRSV)

Challenge business conventions.

Pray for captains of industry to overcome their fears.


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

Photo Credit: Financial Times photos via Compfight cc

A Prayer.

Our Creator,
In whom we live and breathe and have our being,
Be with us each day, in our sufferings and our joys.
Help us to see your hand at work in our world,
And to understand each other.
Give us this day our daily food.
Touch our hearts that we may love each other.
Forgive us and help us to forgive others.
May we all be your children on earth.

Amen.


Photo Credit: VikramDeep Flickr via Compfight cc

Nature Gods.

                          

If you watch T.V. documentaries nature is:
Predatory.
Copulating.
Violent.

But there are other aspects to nature which are not shown on T.V..
These correlate with ancient gods:
Abundance (Osiris).
Nurturing (Isis).
Faithfulness (Mut).
Growth (Ceres).
Healing (Thoth).
Creativity (Ra).
Adaptability (Hermes).
Intelligence (Mercury)
Intuition (Nephthys).
Beauty (Venus).
Ingenuity (Hephaestus)((Ptah).

In school we were taught that the natural world was devoid of gods:
It was mechanical.
It was dead matter.
It had no intelligence.
It was devoid of meaning.
It was separate from God.
God was distant (in heaven).
Was Indifferent.
Was inactive.
Was to blame.
Hated His own creation.
Was tough.
Was Judgmental.

Alternatively (New Paradigm), God is a gardener (sets things in motion).
Is present.
Cares.
Is active.
Is not to blame for what we do to each other.
Is goodness itself.
Is sensitive.
Is understanding.
Is Love.


Photo Credit: hapePHOTOGRAPHIX Flickr via Compfight cc

Posture.

Satanists (rock stars etc.) can be reconciled with God.
Their image of God is the orthodox fear image of the Church.
This is subject to change due to the new paradigm.
Their image of God may change to one of unconditional love, forgiveness, and compassion.
Then Satan will become redundant.
"'Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.'"  Matthew 21:31b (NRSV)

Those who smite Satan may change.
Satan is God's prodigal son.
He can be reconciled with God.
The sword may be renounced.
"'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.'" Luke 6:27,28 (NRSV)

Religious authorities should be challenged.
Their interpretation of scripture should be questioned.
God is love, forgiveness, compassion.
Repressed homosexuality may be outed.
Pedophile priests can pray for their demons to be lifted from them.
They can be forgiven.

Sexuality should be liberated.
With respect for the beloved, the beloved's free will.
Sexual activity may be restricted to voluntary authorization and adult consent.
With discipline of actions and thoughts out of respect which comes from love.

Sin is caused by fear.
Everyone is forgiven.
No matter what we have done there is always a reason.
Ignorant actions are not condemned by God.

Mutuality.
Sometimes I help you, sometimes you help me.

"'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"  Matthew 25:40 (NRSV)


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

Photo Credit: L'art au présent Flickr via Compfight cc

Sex.

Sex is not a sin.

Sex is not the reason for the fall of humanity.
Humanity is not fallen.

Sex is the consummation of love.

Homosexual love and heterosexual love are equally valid and identical.

It is best, however, to refrain from sex when:
                             1.  The object of desire has not given their permission.
                             2.  Sexual activity violates vows:
                                                       (a)  marriage vows.
                                                       (b)  vows of sexual chastity.

Why?

Out of respect for the object of desire (the beloved).

Love brings with it both desire and respect.
Discipline honors that respect.

God's law is love.
Love overcomes fear.
Love transcends fear.

What do you feel for the one you love?

Love.

Desire.

Concern.

Respect.

Passion.

Generosity.

Forgiveness.

The desire to communicate.

The desire for union (marriage).

The desire to share yourself.

Affection.

Intimacy.

Joy.


Photo Credit: Joss0177 Flickr via Compfight cc

The Church.

The conservative establishment (bishops) usurped the message of Jesus at Nicea, put words in his mouth, and changed him back into a king and conqueror, later to be used to conquer other nations.

Jesus' message of unconditional love and forgiveness was subordinated to the Machiavellian mass control techniques of the establishment.
The Fall/Redemption, Penal Substitution theology.
Jesus the teacher of love became Christ the almighty king.

Later Augustine extended this control to sex, making sex the reason for the Fall and causing men and women to feel unworthy of God's love, then providing forgiveness for the price of obedience.

Lastly, Jesus was said to be returning to judge humanity (something which he refused to do in life) and the theology of rewards and punishments (which Jesus had rejected) was returned to the place of power which the priests of Yahweh had established.

So Jesus' message of unconditional love and forgiveness from God was lost to the world.
In its place we have the Church.


Photo Credit: Onasill ~ Bill Badzo Flickr via Compfight cc

The New Paradigm.

Original blessing.

Inclusiveness.

Equality for women.

Acceptance of homosexuals.

Sex is not a sin.

No judgment.

Positive self-image.

No fear or guilt.

Consideration for others.

Multi-Faith.

The Day of Benediction.


Photo Credit: phatcontroller Flickr via Compfight cc

Contemplation.

Awareness of God.

Understanding of God.

Direct experience of God.

The gift of grace:
God's presence and His very self.

God is real.

God loves us.

Prayer is communication with God.

God answers prayers.
Not always immediately or in the way we might expect.

God works in the world through people.
We share in the work - illuminating darkness.
                                     - helping others.
                                 
We all have free will.
God will not force us.

God may prompt or suggest, but we still have free will.
Love will not violate our rights.

At a certain point God's truths become self-evident.

The cause of suffering is sin.
The cause of sin is fear.
Therefore no one is guilty.
God forgives everyone.

"'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"  Matthew 25:40 (NRSV)


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

Photo Credit: Marco Hamersma Flickr via Compfight cc

Satanism on the Phone.

Satan is not a real being but an explanation for why bad things happen to good people.

But because there is no Satan does not mean that there are no Satanists (people who believe in Satan and act accordingly).

There are elements within our popular culture which sell their souls and practice Satanism and black magic for the purposes of perceived material rewards.
Mostly rock stars but also some movie stars and directors, some sportsmen and women, some writers and journalists etc..

This is heavily disguised.

The effects are :
Any attempt at enlightenment or spirituality will be manifested backwards.
The spiritual search will  be sabotaged.
Religious or spiritual people will be persecuted.
Vulnerable people will be preyed upon.
Manipulation of unconscious images.
Distraction from your life's purpose.

They will tempt you to transgress.
Then "move the right hand of God" against you = judgment and hell.

They also sell their own products and frame the innocent.

What to do :
Reverse the images etc..
Stop listening to their music and watching their shows.
Pray to God for help.
Ask, seek, knock.
Study the Bible with discrimination.
Listen to classical sacred music.
Love God and your neighbor.


Photo Credit: JoRDaN-YeaH!♦♣♥♠ Flickr via Compfight cc

The Word of God.

(in God's presence these words were spoken)

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.'"  Mark 12::30 (NRSV)
"'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Mark 12:31 (NRSV)

"'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.'"  Luke 6:27 (NRSV)

There are only two things in the world
- Love and Fear.

They are not evil, only fearful.
What are you so afraid of?

There is no fear in the presence of God.
As if fear had never been invented.

There is no hell.
Only God's love.

"Satan" is God's prodigal son.
He is loved as God loves "the Christ".

Sex is not a sin, homosexuality is good.
Moderation in all things.

The physical body is sacred also.
Sacred matter.

God is not to blame for what we do to each other.
To blame God is unfair.

Demonic people have divine souls as well.
They are merely unaware of them.

We are here to experience.
Our life is like a Shakespearean drama of which we are the protagonist.


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

Photo Credit: Angela-xujing Flickr via Compfight cc

He.

In the following material I sometimes refer to God as He.

This is not an attempt to ascribe a gender to God.
It is a faithful record of how God appeared to me - as the Father.

The personal God is one form in which God can appear.
This does not preclude the possibility that God may appear to others in a different form.

Our language is inadequate.
The personal pronoun He is used in lieu of a pronoun that includes He/She and more.
There is no such pronoun in English.


Photo Credit: f_snarfel Flickr via Compfight cc

Progressive Christianity.

What I don't believe :

1.  I don't believe that the Bible is the literal word of God.

2.  I don't believe in the Fall/Redemption model of Christianity.

3.  I don't believe in the virgin birth.

4.  I don't believe in the physical resuscitation of Jesus body.

5.  I don't believe in the three tiered universe (and therefore the ascension).

6.  I don't believe that sex is a sin.

7.  I don't believe that people should be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, creed, or sexual orientation.

8.  I don't believe that religion should control people using fear and guilt.

9.  I don't believe that Jesus Christ is the only path to God.

10.  I don't believe that Jesus is divine in a way that others are not.

11.  I don't believe in the judgment - personal or collective.


What I do believe :

1.  I do believe that the Bible should be interpreted as poetry and metaphor (taking into account the individual authorship and the cultural and historical context of each piece of writing).

2.  I do believe in original blessing (God's good creation).

3.  I do believe that God is love.

4.  I do believe that God is compassionate.

5.  I do believe that we should work towards "The Kingdom of God" on earth (not just a reward in heaven).

6.  I do believe that "The Kingdom of God" is characterized by justice, equality, understanding, and peace.

7.  I do believe that God is immanent and panentheistic.

8.  I do believe that homosexuality is a legitimate expression of God's good creation.

9.  I do believe that women are equal to men.

10.  I do believe that people are free to worship God in any way that they see fit.

11.  I do believe in life after death for everyone.


Photo Credit: ideacreamanuelaPps Flickr via Compfight cc

The Flower of Love.

A novella about homosexuality and Progressive Christianity:
"The Flower of Love"
Download it free from:
www.michaeleeast.wordpress.com

Photo Credit: Khánh Hmoong Flickr via Compfight cc