Church Authority Judged By Its Fruits

Criteria Of Fruits: “By their fruits ye shall know them”.

A Response when asked if I have “accepted Jesus as my personal savior”?

 I am sure you are a most gracious loving soul; that indeed you have been transformed (reborn) by the love of God in your life through what you truly believe is a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ” whom you proclaim as your “Lord and Savior”. I am happy for you to have found; through active prayer, study and meditation; your indwelling personal relationship with the Father ,  of doing that which we were all created for,” to recognize, know and to worship God”.

Certainly, many have found a “personal relationship with God” within the fabric of Christian pastoral guidance counsel, Baptism or Holy Communion. The issue “of fruits” is not whether it is possible for someone to be transformed within the context of a church fostered Christian belief and experience a true life changing event. To make that claim would be, in itself, putting a limit upon how God operates, of placing parameters upon the inscrutable Wisdom of the Almighty! Rather, the question of ” by its fruits” refers to the organized Church, how the institution of men is truly serving humanity as a whole, how its actions and history compare with the teachings of love and acceptance extolled by Jesus as applied in the world wide arena.

 Again, individuals may come to God within the confines of liturgical based awareness and thinking; rather, should I say: God, in his Mercy and Grace, may enlighten, through the living waters of the Holy Spirit, the soul of the seeker; allowing the chosen to partake of the elixir of astonishment; the soul enraptured beyond what mere words can convey; seeing true meaning far beyond that expressed within a mere church service!

However, notice a principle reiterated here of an “indwelling personal relationship with the Father” as “found through active prayer, study and meditation”.  Stated within the “Hidden Words” of the Baha’i Faith we read,” Love Me [God] that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee. Know this, O servant.” This is an important consideration. The love of God can not enter and transform unless the heart is open to receive the blessing and the heart can not be opened unless it be cleansed from worldly afflictions. The big question is how much worldly affliction is brought about by social order, State…and the Church itself? In the Bible, Matthew in Chapter 7 warns, “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day,’ Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly,’ I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers”!”

  Clearly, without open minded searching one can never find the truth, be it of worldly matters or transforming rebirth in one’s inner self. Without independent investigation, one is left with creeds and dictates requiring assumptions of blind faith in ancestral beliefs and ancient practices preached as the only allowable symbolic representation or embodiment of a covenantal relationship between God and mankind. Of course accepting ordained authority figures, as truly “called by God” into service and thus gifted with divinely inspired Biblical understanding, is part of the scenario of this doctrine centered, creed based relationship with God.

Faith based on such assumptions provides, in itself, questionable nourishment for widening horizons, of fostering an ever deepening scope of continual development. No foundation is laid for extending the hand of true love and appreciation, recognizing validity in those worshipping God in different ways with different names. There is little inner wisdom or real “spiritual growth” involvement Not much “Bread of Life” has been ingested; Just habitual acceptance without question, direction borne of status quo rather than true fulfilling rebirth. The inner eye is not open to receive the light of truth from whatever source it may be found. It remains closed in slumber lulled in the sleep of tradition and satisfaction.

 How much of our perceptual belief is framed by “conditioned response” and “formulated anticipation”? Are we limited by “blinders”, not allowing us to freely see, hear or be aware of discoveries, observations or philosophies deemed outside authoritarian imposed proscribed criteria; not looking beyond the road ahead as set forth by organized salvation/membership strategies? Do we not end up confining the Almighty within a “box” walled in by human design and expectation; possibly confusing the very love of God we seek with doctrinally determined experiences; a planned entertaining good time to be had by all; a congregational euphoria; becoming obsessed with vain imaginings of our own dreams and desires; caught up in the veils, trapped within our own walls, residing in a phantom of fantasy; categorically denying all but what we are conditioned to accept as valid and true?

 In the Bible, in Matthew 7:7, we are encouraged to,” search and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened”. In Matthew 7:16 we read,” By their fruits ye shall know them, A good tree cannot bear bad fruit nor a bad tree bring forth good fruit”. Using these guidelines I have searched for the “good fruit” i.e.: bearing greater knowledge, understanding, appreciation, acceptance and unity; uniting hearts and souls in laying the foundation of an ever-advancing world civilization; battling the demons of ignorance and superstition while promoting the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in heaven.

Many Church-Christians cautioned me not to search, look or even question what was taught by authoritarian orthodox Christian teaching, that to do so was “tempting deception by Satan”; “you will be led astray”…etc. Well, I followed the advice of Matthew and looked, studied, prayed and searched. I attempted to cleanse myself of all forms of life-long social and doctrinal man-made “accepted” fashions and truths. I looked to science, astronomy, archeology, philosophy, anthropology, biology, art, music and, last but not least, read and meditated on the writings of other cultural faith traditions. In so doing, my inner appreciation and awareness of “the Beyond” was greatly enhanced.

 When looked at through the criteria of universal humanitarian needs of fellowship, understanding, love, inner and outer peace, unity, spirituality and Communion with God; while cutting through the decadent mire of man-made traditions, dogmas, interpretations, literal thinking and more; it became apparent the pearls of knowledge, as taught by all the great teachers of the past, have become clouded, altered or very misunderstood by authority figures; have been rearranged to suit short-term social goals; have been edited and re-prioritized by popularity and fashion.

 Friendships can be threatened, misunderstandings nurtured and understanding itself limited due to a misdirected misapplied church-fed fear of “being lead astray”. People often “parrot” back common clichés so often preached as street corner ministries proclaim,” Only in the name of Jesus can you be saved”. Only by the blood of Jesus…Jesus was a ransom sacrifice…your sins are paid for by His blood…only God knows what Hell is…you will be caste into the eternal lake of Fire!”. And so it goes on; the fear, narrow-minded thinking; shrinking back into a well of superstition, denying all but the Bible (itself Canonized by the church) as a resource of Truth and turning away from all that is preached as “Satanic delusion”…which is most everything outside of the Bible-only, Jesus-only paradigm.

 Thus when I look at their fruits, I see little in the church that attracts me. A short study will reveal organized church history is not a pleasant one. Great atrocities and torture have been done in the name of Jesus.

Yes, it is true. Many fine individuals can be found within the church gathered in fellowship and love nurtured within a common spiritually uplifting circle of faith. It is also true much wisdom can be learned from what may be presented in the sermons and studies of certain teachers and preachers. But overall; when viewed from the outside through the eye of world wide multicultural appreciation of art, science, literature, learning and historical perspective; I see Church orthodoxy as bearing the fruits of divisiveness, animosity, racism, misunderstanding, conquest of “soulless savages” as a divine right and even war.

Indeed, I do consider myself a Christian. I am a follower of the Christos, the Christ Spirit through which Jesus was anointed and instructed by God the words he was to say. Jesus gave us the Bread of Life; the same eternal truths seen in the Bhagavad-Gita, Quran, Zend-Avesta and other Holy revealed Writings. Jesus indeed gave his life; He submitted his will to the Will of his Father in Heaven. He lived the 1st Commandment which is to” Love the Lord thy God with all your heart and all your soul”. Jesus was a perfect Muslim, a perfect Buddha. The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God”. Buddha means “Enlightened one”.

As such, I find the truths, guidance and wisdom extolled by Jesus is not confined to only the church and to Christian held sources. The very concepts of “believer- non-believer, sinner-saved, Christian, non-Christian; any form of classification, stereotyping, prejudicial assumption, conjecture or judgment must be put aside. Instead let us look at humanity as the flowers of one garden; to appreciate different hues and styles of humanity world wide as one would view the myriad colors and shapes crafted together as designed by a master gardener; to be as waves of one sea, united in the ocean of God’s love.

“We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations — that all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that all bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease and differences of race be annulled — and so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away and the most great peace shall come. Is not this that which Christ foretold? Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind.” (Abdu’l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 10) Baha’i

I leave you with these words from the Hindu Bhagavad-Gita, “The Song Of God”.  “Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all sentient beings, I still appear in every millennium in My original transcendental form. Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice and a predominant rise of irreligion–at that time I descend Myself. In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium”. Bhagavad-Gita Chap 4:6-8

And this: “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the laws and the prophets”. ((Matthew: 22:36-40 KJB.)

And again,”And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, [God] and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. [God] That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (Himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they!  They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son of Mary, when they were bidden to worship only One God. There is no God save Him. Be He Glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)! 32 Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah disdaineth (aught) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are averse. 33 He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse”. Quran: Sura 9 “Repentence Islam

Study and peruse with an open mind and spirit the many distinguished books and verses of Divine Will and understanding bequeathed to us from the Source of the Word, that very Word John refers to when he says,”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”. (King James Bible, John 1:1)

David

For more issues and interfaith studies see http://onenessbecomesus.com

 

Apostic Paradox: A Case Of Dualism

Apostic Paradox

A Case Of Dualism

 Tainted by superstition, immersed in vain imaginings;

Conditioned, positioned; pruned public rendition.

Church, Holy Order, Creed, ritual;

Dogma, doctrine, addiction so habitual;

On their missions driven by suppositions,

Darkened souls myopic vision.

Shriveled death, crooked stature,

Pulpit wizards, words  enrapture.

Man-made rhetoric preaching sin,

Hypocrites to God within

Proud apostate, near agnostic;

“Sinner”! “Heathen”! sounds so caustic.

Heresy is judged to be

found in those somewhat like me.

Condemn the heretic to the fire!

Atrocities mount; the deeds are dire.

Crusades, Inquisitions, KKK

Exterminate all its just “our way”.

“Foreigners, aliens don’t belong.”

“Get out before you do us wrong.”

Yet… Might we soar above tumultuous bitterness and hate?

Let winter storms of strife within our consciousness abate.

As rain from on High refreshes the Earth,

Let us join the spring chorus, sing a song of rebirth.

New vistas illumined clear light of the Sun,

Evolution, revolution; the time sure will come.

The stage now is ready, the props set in place,

Planet Earth viewed as one in the vastness of Space.

The scene is upon us, the curtain is drawn.

An eastern horizon portends a new dawn.

A Kingdom is coming in fullness and light

In world awareness rejoice with delight.

As flowers in springtime the gardener plans,

Its time to see all as the fruit of His hands.

For more on the dualistic nature of humanity and the presence of God on Earth see http://onenessbecomesus.com

Mystery of Restlessness

Restless Seeking:

Not knowing what’s to find or even where to find it.

Not knowing how to look or how we might define it.

Restless Questioning:

Why do we even ask or even wonder?

Why do we think, sit and ponder?

Restless Searching:

Of what truth is life?

Of what reality in space and time are we composed?

To what limitations and biases are we disposed?

Deceptive Instincts:

Within cocoons, wrapped false security,

protected comfort, fetal immaturity.

Shroud of senses spun through evolution’s way’

Survival of the fittest brings us where we are today.

Deceptive Passions:

Imprinted attachment to truths held dear,

Perceived opposites shunned in fear.

Sentenced to the prison of self we be,

Our world of deception won’t let us be free.

Illumined In Knowledge:

Yet, a speck of dust floating in a sea of immensity,

forges within such uniqueness and intensity.

Arts, crafts, science; new knowledge and will,

Shared common destiny will surely be fulfilled.

Reborn In Love:

Path of guidance in gracious love is sent.,

Tarry not, we must get around the bend.

Growth in inner wisdom bidden see with inner sight,

Eternal Truth beyond, bringing knowledge and new light.

Too see more on the spiritual dawning of a new day go to http://onenessbecomesus.com

A CAGED BIRD (Our Human Spirit)

Flutter here, flitter there, back and forth without a care.

Up and down, hop about; day by day the same throughout.

Perch to perch the pattern churns, round about in endless turns.

Snug secure artificial life, a world of fashion, of man-made delights.

Caged for comfort, caged for show, caged for spectators to behold.

Bred for class and pleasing song, conformed by rules to men belong.

Ageless evolution’s trust, breeds we prize reshaped by us.

Consumerism points the way, imagined need, it seems okay.

Thus you may sing but cannot fly, from the cage where is the sky?

Barred from being as was meant, searching in bewilderment.

Perch to perch, the daily grind, from home to work commuting time.

Snug secure in our bank-owned homes, a world of finance, possessions adorn.

Safety, comfort, pride so dear, hide from the neighbors we’re taught to fear.

Go to church in class and style, looking for love in Sunday’s smile.

Confined by doctrine the priests will teach, walled in by traditions authorities preach.

From the cage where is the sky? Wings are clipped you cannot fly.

The ageless Word of God we trust, in spite of truths reshaped by us.

Man-made doctrine is not okay, unblemished Truth must free the way.

So: O bird of spirit; Created by God in the image of God!

You are the soul of mankind freed from the bondage of rusted chains, of outmoded superstition and obsolete reasoning.

Free the bonds.

Spread your wings.

Soar unto the realms on high!

Sing the song of the Nightingale Of Paradise as it warbles its sweet melody upon the trees of eternity!

http://onenessbecomesus.com

Cosmic Unity.pdf

Cosmic Unity: a pdf file with photos

Metamorphosis

Chrysalis breaking;

a new form overtaking,

freed from confinement.

Metamorphosis:

Winged wonder soon will depart;

showing what it is.

See more on butterfly metamorphosis at

http://lifecycle.onenessbecomesus.com

Culture Shock: A personal experience

Culture Shock

I was asked to comment on my experiences with the drug culture in Stanton, KY.

This article in no way is meant to promote a negative stereotype of the Appalachian people or the culture of Eastern Kentucky. I am simply reporting my own experience and putting forth a “snap shot” of how the drug culture is destroying the real meaning of what traditional Appalachian is living all about.

The year 2000 not only marked the beginning of a new millennium but opened up a chapter in my life I never could have imagined. The saga began when, from the beginning, I was misguided as to where I should set up my new mobile home. I naively ended up in, according to the State Police, “one of the worst pockets of drug abuse in the state”.

Having just left Minnesota, I was totally unaware of the “drug culture”. I tended to assume the innate goodness in neighbors and individuals until proven otherwise. Even as my trailer was set up in the lot the neighbors were open and friendly. Little did I know what the real hidden motives would be behind this apparent “friendship”

As the first months went by it became obvious the culture, education and mind-set of these people was very different. I was not cautioned or prepared; after all, was I not in the middle of the United States? Was this not the beginning of the 21^st century? Had we not sent people to the moon and explored the stars? Did not people believe in the sciences, and good education? Was not ancient medievalist thinking in the past? As experiences began to unfold I began to wonder.

As for education; most of the people, including the youth, were high school drop outs. The parents did not discourage even their own high school aged children from dropping out saying,” you don’t need education, school education is not necessary, it won’t help you get any better job than you can get without it. School teaching could even lead you astray from Jesus,”

As the locals became aware I was not one of them and was brought up in a middle class well educated neighborhood far to the North, there seemed to be an element of suspicion but the open camaraderie continued. They began by asking if I would help the younger elementary children with school assignments. Soon this escalated to needing money to buy clothing and food for the children.

During this time I was invited to a Pentecostal church. The service was very different. There was “calling upon the Holy Spirit” to descend where members would stand, wave their hands while reaching upwards in chant. Later came a remarkable scene where people, coming up to the alter to be healed, would be gripped by the minister, told they were healed by the power of Jesus, and then pushed hard on the forehead causing them to fall backwards seemingly in a catatonic trance. People standing directly in back would catch them and lay the unconscious believer on the floor.

The hallmark of the end of the service was a marked increase in “speaking in tongues”. Although sporadic at first, it reached a crescendo. Soon more members were lying on the floor between the chairs. Shaking and/or speaking in tongues all the while seemingly unaware of the outside world.

Needless to say, my Midwest educated mind was not prepared for this. I truly was confused and uncomfortable with the whole situation. I wanted to leave but since I had driven my neighbors to the church I had to wait for them. At this point I began walking around the perimeter of the sanctuary and, while carefully stepping over people lying on the floor, proceeded to say my own prayers for guidance. Almost immediately the preacher hurriedly came up to me asking in a firm tone,” who are you praying to,” I answered,” God,” Then the minister asked,” are you praying to Jesus,” I replied simply,” I am praying to God,” At this the minister said,” in this church you can only pray in the name of Jesus,”.

It was soon after this surreal experience (where I had also been approached to be saved through “laying on of hands”) I learned that these people are so suspicious of anything new or different because it might be an attempt of a satanic spirit to mislead them. The preacher apparently thought I was conjuring up the devil!

As time went on the neighbors (who were continously asking favors from “Minnesota Man”) approached me to see if I would exorcize a demon from a wooden peace symbol that had a history of being used in Witchcraft Coven Ceremonials. They said,” We have been hearing voices and felt strange powers from this log. Our Pastor told us it was full of demons which had to be driven out. We know you don’t believe in this sort of thing so would you burn it? We are scared but we know you are our friend. Would you help us?” They gave me some kerosene, and, fearfully backing away, placing both arms as a shielding cross across their breasts.

All this time there was an inordinate amount of traffic coming in and out of the trailer park. Once, during a visit one of two friend’s speech began to slur. Within minutes she was unable to communicate and was flaccid and drooling. She had just taken a “Soma” Before she came. Soon a cop came by wondering if I had knowledge of or had seen a young man who had just died of a drug overdose. ,”Yes, I had seen him earlier today. He came to look at some chameleons I was selling,” The officer told me,” this was just a routine investigation. He was found dead in his trailer,” Then the officer stated,” You know, you don’t belong here.”

It was now clear to the drug dealers I knew what was going on. They offered to let me in on a deal if I would drive them to Beattyville, loan them $200 dollars for the Doctor’s fee (which was the cover charge for writing them prescriptions for drugs they would sell on the street). I of course, would have to pay the pharmacy bill as well in order to get a ten percent cut of the street sales profit. I could not believe what they were asking and backed away saying,” I want nothing to do with this”

The grand finale was yet to come.
About a year and a half after moving there I left to visit Minnesota. Upon my return, the homecoming scene was a horror. The trailer home was vandalized to the point of needing major repair, checks from a blank checkbook were embezzled and somehow, they had gotten my credit card number and charged a large total on the account through the internet.

The local Police were of little help. It seems, back in the year 2000; most of the Law Enforcement was corrupted by drugs, favors and nepotism. Threatening phone calls from people impersonating police officers and lawyers we common. So much else was going on I cannot recount them all. This writing could easily become a book! Suffice it to say a car given to me by my parents was rolled down a hill and totaled. My total losses added up to about $60,000 dollars.

One nice young officer came to my door saying,” We can tell you are not from here. We know what is going on with the drug dealings in the neighborhood and are gathering evidence to stop it. I strongly suggest you move out.” Indeed, it was time to leave.

My misadventure caused me major disillusion about humanity. Even as I write this nearly seven years later it is an emotional experience.

I went bankrupt, yet my overall faith in supreme goodness came to my aid. I see God as far larger than any single creed or doctrine. I am, thankfully, in comfortable housing and have met some true friends helping me to recover. This was a great lesson.

Thanks be to God, the Lord of all the worlds!

Feel free to visit “serving the case for world unity” http://onenessbecomesus.com and you will see where I am coming from.

 

 

 

 

 

Ways And Needs

As is evident from space, the Earth is but one home and mankind its citizens.

Boundaries of nation and creed are not visible but dwell only in the imaginations of men.

Unity is the password here as is >global thinking.

Surely It Is time For >A Different Perspective.

For we Are Cradled Within A Matrix Of Immensity..

Here is a thought:

Science is showing that humanity is genetically a very closely related family. Mitocondrial DNA analysis from populations worldwide point to a common ancester who lived 150 thousand years ago. Racial differences, such as the degree of skin pigmentation, all happened as mankind spread across the globe. As different environments were encountered adaptations over many thousands of years resulted in the variations of hue, height, hair, habits etc. that we see today.

Let us not think of ourselves as Jew, Christian, Muslim, Palestinian, American, etc. But rather as a single humanity dwelling upon one world, calling upon the same universal God of all.

>The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.

It is time, it is essential for our future, we learn to recognize:

1. The need for global awareness and mutual acceptance:

Unity, diversity, tolerance, appreciation; to know we all share the same deep needs for fellowship, satisfaction, peace and tranquility in our lives.

2. The validity of diverse ways of relating to and worshipping God:

Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism: the “Eightfold Path”, the “Ten Commandments”, “Sermon On The Mount”, the Native American “Four Directions” and much more.

3. The worth of both science and religion:

Science, reason, philosophy; seeing modern technologies as a means of fostering enlightenment and acceptance based on knowledge, communicating with and uniting the world in peace.

link to >Investigating the “Case For World Unity”.pdf or htm”

Or for more on philosophy and interfaith studies link to

http://onenessbecomesus.com

For a list of faiths and a comparison of scriptures se

http://onenessbecomesus.com/Faithslisting.html

Observations And A Positive Perspective

The dawning of a new world consciousness of unity, peace and brotherhood

The time we live in is full of wondrous discoveries. Since 1844, the year Samuel Morse tapped out the message “what has God wrought” on his crude communication device, mass communications has evolved and grown into a thriving worldwide network reaching all corners of the globe. It is hard to imagine life without radio, TV or the telephone and yet, over a mere century ago they didn’t exist.

In the span of a human lifetime the dream of flight has been fulfilled. In 1903 a flimsy powered flying contraption built by owners of a bicycle shop capable of but brief flight was considered a major achievement. Just sixty-six years later the Eagle had landed on the Moon. Now airlines routinely transport people and packages around the world on a regular basis.

Within the last thirty years the world of computer technology with all of its ramifications has changed the way we work and communicate. The Internet allows most anyone immediate personal access to persons, goods or services located anywhere on the planet.

The harnessing of electric power, the internal combustion engine, the light bulb, recorded music and speech, great advances in science and medicine-all this and many invented appliances and conveniences have enabled us to live easier healthier lives. Instant daily communication along with scientific enlightenment has nurtured a new consciousness- an awareness of being the citizens of the Earth, that all of humanity is truly one biological family.

Remember that Christmas Eve back in 1968 when the Apollo 8 astronauts read from the book of Genesis while circling the Moon? The Earth was seen for the first time by humankind as a singularly beautiful fragile distinctive oasis in the incomprehensible terribly hostile unforgiving vastness of Space? Within a few short years DNA tests have proven conclusively that we indeed are not only one species but share an uncommonly recent closely-knit ancestry as well.

Yet this time of incredible change also marks the beginning of an era when we are presented with choices bearing unique consequences upon which the welfare of humanity, and ultimately, all life on Earth are forced to live with…or die with.

As humanity continues to develop new ever more efficient ways of manipulating the workings of creative design to suit the whims and desires of the moment it becomes ever more apparent of the need for some sort of guidance beyond the scope envisioned by human corporation or government legislated by limited man-made goals and expectations. In addition, it is only too obvious how the demons of racism, bigotry, superstitious fear, greed, hypocrisy and religious intolerance have cursed our species and caused us to descend into the pit of war, malice and aggression between our own selves.

Yet, although this ongoing revolution and evolution of knowledge and enlightenment enkindling, at an ever accelerating rate, the hope of an ever-advancing worldwide peace and commonwealth of nations continues to become ever-more evident; the wars, fighting and terrorism continue, but, at the same time, it is also most evident the stirrings of a developing embryonic civilization also continues. What is going on?

Many modern scholars see a direct connection between the historic appearance of singularily gifted beings giving birth to a lasting religion of major impact and a subsequent growth of its corresponding civilization. Then, Baha’is believe, as time passes the original teachings of these Masters become clouded or lost altogether as truths are replaced by misleading beliefs tied to the physical terminology used to describe that which is indescribable- the world of the spirit, that which draws mankind to the reason for his being, the true knowledge and worship of God.

The spiritual lessons provided by these holy Teachers guide us in finding true everlasting fulfillment in an awareness, acceptance of and obedience to the will of the Almighty, the great Redeemer, that which brings out the true spirit of mankind from the negative waywardness of the material instinct of fighting, hatred, greed, lust, deceit etc. to the positive higher virtues of unity, love, compassion, forgiveness, and faithfulness.

In a world where we are attaining so much technical know-how, but don’t really know how socially to apply it; in a world where brother fights brother in the name of their respective gods and belief systems; in a world trampled upon by the arrogance of excess materialism, of might makes right, of fear of the unknown; a world wherein the spirit of mankind is imprisoned by self-imposed boundaries of religion, government, science, superstition etc. Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith brings renewal and hope.

For more on the need for a new way of thinking, a spiritual global consciousness visit http://onenessbecomesus.com

The Case For Cooperation

The Case for Cooperation among the peoples of the earth

It is a wonder we, as a species, have survived. It seems we have a talent for sinking to the utmost depths of depravity or rising to the sublime heights of nobility. We torture, maim, burn, attack, crucify those who are deemed somehow “out of favor” in the eyes of God or humanity. In the name of “progress” the Earth’s resources are plundered for profit with little concern for the long-term consequences for our children’s children. Yet we produce great works of art. Science and technology has opened new vistas upon the universe showing how all is interrelated and humanity is but a part of a reality vast beyond understanding. We are coming to understand the transcendent unity of all things- everything is interconnected and interdependent.

From the above, is it not reasonable to assume we, as humanity, are of one reality? Are not the divisions of creed, sectarianism, racism, nation, ideology, poor and rich, old and young, man or woman, leader or follower found only in the minds of men? From Space the Earth is seen as one. There is no map in the heavens showing the boundaries we inflict upon ourselves.

We are indeed a single many-faceted species. It is imperative to look at the members of different races and religions as members of a single family. Yet, how can we rise above the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that stand in the way of appreciation of differences and tear down the barriers that prevent consultation and understanding between the peoples of the world? What will it take? The road we are on now leads to ecological disaster and possible extinction. Yet, Mankind is capable of much more. What is the solution to the pollution of the heart, mind, soul and the physical environment that supports us all?

David