The Philosophy of Jesus.

There are many different philosophies that we can follow in life.

But none of them seems to work satisfactorily until we find the Philosophy of Jesus.

The non-violent, inclusive, non-combative, forgiveness, and mercy that Jesus recommended is a very real alternative to the aggressive, aspirational, selfish philosophies of the world.

But it is when we follow Jesus' instruction to love God, love our neighbor, and love even our enemies that we find the true core of life's meaning.

We become harmonized with the heart of the universe and life begins to open to us.

This is not to say that all struggles and sufferings end.

They do not.

    

But they take their place in the context of the Love that carries us home to Heaven.

Photo Credit: Pinterest.

Temptation.

Contrary to popular belief that temptation is all about sex I believe that the temptations of power and religion are far more damaging.

Those in positions of power - either politically or financially - have been tempted to betray their contemporaries and use mass mind-control techniques to disempower and subjugate the workforce.

This creates a two-tier society where those with money have all the power and those who work for them are powerless.

The temptation of religion to judge others, damn their enemies, and demonize anyone who disagrees with them are even more damaging because they claim the authority of God Himself.

So unconscious influences which tempt the powerful and the religious should be recognized for what they are: agents of evil.

And their effects can be seen in the world.    

Photo Credit: Tamara van Molken Flickr via Compfight cc

Bad Fruit.

A tree is known by its fruit.

The fruit of drugs is:

Mental illness, criminality, guilt, depression, addiction, degradation, and suicide.

It is suffering.

Don't be tempted.

Photo Credit: freeimages

Haight/Ashbury.

The block bordered by Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco was known as the center of the drug culture of the 1960s.

But have you ever thought about the symbolism of these names?

Haight is Hate.

Ashbury is Death.

The rock bands of the 1960s pushed drugs on their fans.

Little did we know that this was Hate and Death.

Photo Credit: Pinterest.

Easter Eggs.

Purple Haze.

Diamonds in the Sky.

Easter Eggs:

Marijuana.

LSD.

Don't be fooled.

They want your souls in hell!

Photo Credit: hdqwalls.com

Enlightenment.

The Buddha said: "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

And I say: "I am not infallible. If what I say does not agree with your own experience or your own understanding you are at liberty to ignore it."

Seek the truth and pray for enlightenment.

Photo Credit: astrogems.com

The Myth of Redemptive Violence.

Spiritual Warfare seeks to destroy evil.

It may lead to killing evil people.

But the perception of evil in our world is highly subjective and this may lead to killing innocent people.

Our culture is saturated with The Myth Of Redemptive Violence - that is the idea that there is Good and there is Evil and Good wins by killing Evil.

It is the basis of powerful modern mythology in movies like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

It appears in fairytales and ancient mythology.

It inspired two World Wars and it completes the Bible with the Book of Revelation. 

But The Myth of Redemptive Violence is not true.

Violence is never the answer.

It just leads to more violence.

And this myth is in direct contrast to the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus said: "'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."  But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer.  But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.'"  Matthew 5:38,39 (NRSV)

And: "'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,'"  Matthew 5:43-45 (NRSV)

Not only does Jesus recommend non-violent love as a response to evil but he suggests that this is the nature of God Himself.

Jesus' parables are full of examples of the King writing off debts.

This is fortunate for us because we all make mistakes.

And we all need forgiveness.

So do not seek to kill and destroy evil.

Seek to redeem evil through Love.

(N.B. The term The Myth of Redemptive Violence was coined by Walter Wink in his book Engaging the Powers.)

Photo Credit: Flipboard.

Life!

In ancient Egypt the Ankh was the symbol of Life!

It was often held to the nose to represent the Breath of Life.

It had none of the modern connotations of sexual promiscuity.

It was also shown in the afterlife to indicate life after death.

So we can look upon the Egyptians as worshippers of Life.

And know that they have their share in Eternal Life!

Photo Credit: alphacoders.

Love Life!

Seek the Light.

Look up!

Breathe.

Praise Heaven.

And Love Life!

Photo Credit: Pinterest.

Too Much Power.

An investigation into the CEO of a major corporation concluded that he had been given too much power.

At last we are beginning to see what has happened in our world.

The corporate bosses have been given too much power.

They have ruled like gods over us.

But power corrupts as we have seen in the Royal Commission into the Banks in Australia.

Too much power and no regulation leads to corruption and crime.

It has resulted in the huge disparity between rich and poor in our world.

And it has led to oppression and war.

But because we had no power to stop them the corporate plutocrats ruled.

The time has come to roll back some of the power that deregulation has given to the corporations.

It is up to new leaders to re-regulate the economy to save them from themselves.

But it is not just a matter of swinging wildly from one extreme to the other.

A sensible approach to re-regulation must take into account other economic factors.

But tax avoidance and greed should be wound back.

So that we may live in a more just, more humane world.     

Photo Credit: decocentrum Flickr via Compfight cc

Woke.

The Force Awoke.

Photo Credit: overmental.com

The Living God.

"Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living."  

Luke 20:38 (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: Paidela.