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Greetings my fellow Christian brothers and sisters, I love to speak the truth and I have very serious questions that I think many believers would like to know the answer to. Can you tell me please why does God's word promise so much and yet fulfils so very little to nothing in the lives of many devout Christians, in terms of, for example: long life, health, peace, joy and happiness, etc? Instead, I've seen many atheists who live very healthy, prosperous and happy lives and they obviously don't believe in keeping God's commandments. Doesn't the Bible lose credibility in this way? Isn't this part of the reason why many people don't take God, His commandments or the Bible seriously? In other words, why do not all devout Christians live long lives and have optimum health as countless scriptures promise, such as: Psalms 84; 90, 91; 103; Pr 10:27, etc? There are many scriptures about healing: Exodus 15:26 - “…I am the Lord who heals you.” The scripture in John 10:10: states: "... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Doesn't this scripture mean that God desires for us faithful Christians to be in optimum health? Only when someone is healthy can he or she have life to the full. Not when our bodies are incapacitated or debilitated by pain, sickness or disease. Psalms 103:2-3 - Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases. The verse in Proverbs 4:22 refers to God's word and states: "for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body." Many other scriptures state that God wants us healed and whole: For example: Isaiah 53:5 - But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Jeremiah 30:17 - “I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the Lord. 1 Peter 2:24 - "He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” Romans 8:11 - And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? There are many examples of miracles and healings as recorded in the bible. Here are just a few scriptural examples: Leper in Galilee (Mt 8:1-4); Paralytic (palsy) at Capernaum (Mt 9:2-8); Man with a withered hand in Galilee possibly Capernaum (Mt 12:10-13); Women with issue of blood (hemorrhaging) healed at Capernaum during first preaching tour through Galilee (Mt 9:20-22); Two blind men at Capernaum (on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee) (Mt 9:27-31); Two Blind Men Departing Jericho (Mt 20:29-34); Jesus raises a dead girl and heals a sick woman (Mk 5:21-43); and many others as we read in: Mt 4:23-24; Mt 8:5–7, 16-17; Mt 9:6-7; Mt 15:30; Mt 20:34; Mk 3:1-5; Mk 5:25-29; Mk 10:49-52; Lk 4:40; Lk 6:19; Lk 7:12-15; Lk 13:11-13; Jn 5:5-9; Ac 10:38, etc. Psalm 107:19–20 - “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent out His word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death. Psalm 91:3 - For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. Here is another example: Psalm 91: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” The promise of blessings, including: peace, protection, happiness, healing, long-life and prosperity is not just in the Old Testament (Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16; Ps 34:12-16; Pr 22:9), but reaffirmed in the New Testament (2 Cor 9:10; Eph 6:2-3; 1 Pe 3:9-10). Innumerable scriptures promise peace, joy, strength, protection, provision and prosperity. Here are just a few: Ro 5:1 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Ps 1:1-3 - Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Ps 4:8 - In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Ps 12:5 - “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” Ps 16:11 - You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Ps 29:11 - The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Ps 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 105:37 - He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes. Ps 119:165 - Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Ps 138:7 - Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. Pr 10:22 - The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. Pr 22:9 - The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Is 32:17 - The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. Is 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Jer 17:8 - They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Php 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Php 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Ro 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 2 Cor 9:8 - And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor 9:10 - Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Thess 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. I Lost My Precious Mother On Mother's Day: Overwhelmed With Grief And Sorrow. My mother and I both repented, lived holy lives, with clean hands and pure hearts. God was first love and first priority. We prayed for at least 3 hours each and every day, and studied the Bible for at least 1 hour every day. Prayer was the very first thing in the morning. Our faith was very strong. We strove to obey God's commandments, including keeping the Sabbath day holy. We attended Sabbath services. We served God. Preached the true gospel. We both practiced abstinence, self-sacrifice and self-discipline, so we didn't spend money on holidays, restaurants or other pleasures. We were truly faithful disciples of Christ, by striving to live according to His word. Out of the little that we had, we donated money to charities and helped homeless people. We were never ever involved in occultism. My mother was totally faithful to my father in marriage, although he was very abusive towards her. Although, she forgave him many times, the abuse didn't stop. On the contrary, the more she forgave, the worse the abuse became. It reached a point where she had no choice but to divorce him. From then on, my mother never remarried. She lived the life of a widow for twenty years. We lived a very modest and quiet life. We practiced celibacy and sexual abstinence. Our lives resembled those of nuns. My mother was very protective of me and she taught me to pray since I was two years of age. While parents usually read fairy tale stories to their children, I slept with the Bible under my pillow, which I took with me to the private school that my mother enrolled me in, and I learned about God. We put so much faith and trust in God and I feel like He has really let us down. The verses in Psalm 103:1-5 state: "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed." My mother suffered from colorectal cancer which spread to her lungs, brain, liver and kidneys, heart failure, pulmonary edema and anaemia, including numerous other medical issues. I was completely shocked, devastated and heartbroken when my mother passed away at an early age, and I read her long medical report, which went on and on. She was in terrible pain and had near fatal falls on a few occasions. Despite praying to God continuously, from early morning until late at night, with fasting and begging for my mother to be healed, my prayers returned unanswered. The more I prayed and fasted, the worse her health became. It deteriorated so much that she was bed-ridden for one year and couldn't see the light of day. None of these illnesses run on my mother's side of the family. We both took care of our health by drinking fruit and vegetable juices, exercising and more importantly, absolutely NO smoking, drugs or alcohol. While other people were celebrating Mother's Day with gifts like cakes, chocolates and flowers, as well as dining with their mothers at restaurants or taking them on luxury cruises, my mother was in the morgue awaiting cremation. I was extremely offended when my mother's stepsister rang me up saying that she won't be paying for some bones. It would've been a kind gesture to offer some financial support on her part, since she is: 1) my mother's sister, and 2) very rich. She didn't come to visit my mother at the hospital, although it would've taken her approx. 2 hours by train, and said she was busy walking her dog at the beach. God's people are plagued by an entire series of extremely serious illnesses—including a number of leading people directly involved in the work. During the 1980's there was a huge number of ministers wives that were stricken. It has always been a fact that wives of so many ministers and church leaders have been stricken by cancer. In 2016, Cornerstone Contact Centre pastor Don Cameron died at the age of 45 years, after a battle with cancer. Jeffery Largent, pastor of Culver flock passed away in 2016, at the age of 59 years, after his second battle with cancer. Church of the Highlands Greystone Campus Pastor Keith Lindsey passed away in 2016 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Kara Tippetts, wife of PCA church pastor Jason Tippetts of Westside Church, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a devout Christian mother of four, who had stage-four breast cancer and passed away at the age of 38, in 2015, after a long battle. In 2014, Steve Hill, the evangelist of the Brownsville Revival, passed away at his Alabama home Sunday after fighting a long battle with cancer. He was 60 years old. LaKisha died in 2014, at the age of 40 after an 18-month battle with breast cancer. She was the wife of Pastor Breonus Mitchell of Greater Grace Temple Community Church. A Wesleyan pastor, Daniel “Danny” Eiler, age 30, passed away in 2014, after battling leukemia. He served as senior pastor of The Springs Community Church in Ringgold, Georgia. David Landrith, senior pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, died at age 51. Landrith was diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer known as colorectal melanoma in 2013. In 2009, founder and pastor of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Billy Joe Daugherty's battle with cancer took a turn for the worse as he fought an infection at Houston's M.D. Anderson Hospital. He passed away at the age of 57 years. The list goes on and on ... My mother's faith was very strong right to the very end when she passed away, and I wish to point out the fact that I even called for the elders of the church to anoint my mother with olive oil, as the following scripture states in: James 5:14-15 - Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. The scripture obviously wasn't fulfilled in my mother's life who was a faithful Christian, and the lives of many other faithful Christians. As stated previously, God's promises are not just found in the Old Testament, but reaffirmed in the New Testament, as we read in James 5:14-15 as well as many other scriptural references that I've already quoted previously. At the beginning of the chapter in 1 Cor 12, we read that Paul is addressing brothers and sisters. "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed." Verse 7-10 mentions: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." One of the important ministries of the Holy Spirit to believers today, is His bestowal of spiritual gifts on Christians at the time of their conversion. Ephesians 2:10 mentions: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." The only way we can do good works is if our bodies are not incapacitated or debilitated by pain, sickness or disease. If gifts of healing and miracles are operating in the lives of Christians in these churches, then there would be NO sicknesses, suicides, and crimes such as murder happening there. Suicide is happening at an alarming rate in the Churches of God with so many pastors committing suicide. Living Church of God - Joplin, Missouri pastor Karl Beyersdorfer killed himself on 5/27/2016. Others who committed suicide in the Worldwide Church of God are mentioned in the below article: http://hwarmstrong.com/suicide-statistics.htm The following verses refer to believers in Christ Jesus: Mark 16:17-18 - And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” The following link displays an article on miracle workers who couldn't heal themselves: http://www.bible.ca/tongues-miracles-fake-pentecostal.htm The list goes on and on. The verse in Exodus 20:12 states: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. It is reaffirmed in the New Testament in: Ephesians 6:2-3 - “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Psalm 90:10 tells us how many years a long life is: "Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; During my lifetime, I've seen mothers who honoured their parents and yet lived short lives, like my mother who honored both her parents and grandparents. On the other hand, mothers who dishonoured their parents and yet lived to ripe old ages of over 80 years of age. There are even criminals, such as serial killers, rapists and paedophiles who live long lives on the earth. While at the same time, a shocking number of innocent people are sentenced to death. One of the ways in which we honor our parents is by having a clean criminal record. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, "tells you that a surprising number of innocent people are sentenced to death," Samuel R. Gross, the lead author, said in an interview with Newsweek. "It tells you that a lot of them haven't been exonerated. Some of them no doubt have been executed." The headline on newsweek.com is "One in 25 sentenced to death in the U.S. is innocent, study claims." Do all these convicted criminals deserve to live, and my mother who was a godly, holy, righteous mother deserve to die, along with all these other devout Christians? Charles Manson, the convicted American serial killer is still alive today at the age of 82 years. Charles Albright, known as the eyeball killer, is 83 years. The nurse Jane Toppan, a serial killer, lived to be 81 years of age. Edward Theodore Gein was an American murderer and body snatcher. He died at the age of 78 years. Ian Brady, the child killer is 78 years. Robert Hansen, the serial killer died at the age of 75 years. Dennis Rader is 71 years of age. Phillip Jablonski, another serial killer is 70 years of age, and the list goes on and on. Incarcerated criminals enjoy the fresh air and sunshine with fitness and recreational activities, including sports, gym, pool tables and so forth. These prisons are more like holiday resorts. Charles Manson, the ringleader of the killer cult still remains unrepentant even at the ripe old age of 82 years, just like many other criminals. I'm puzzled as to why God allowed all these criminals to live long lives. Was He waiting for them to turn to Him and repent? But God has foreknowledge. We find instead, that they committed more and more crimes, while growing old without any sign of remorse? Psalm 91:16 states: "With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” This verse is supposed to be referring to devout believers. Instead, we see that the criminals are the ones who are living long lives. Why would God want to satisfy scum of the earth with long lives? The Bible also states that God has foreknowledge. Therefore, He knows in advance whether anyone will repent. Isaiah 46:9-10 - Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: If God made us for a reason and that is to begin a relationship with, serve and obey Him, then why doesn't He grant long lives to those devout Christians who do good deeds. It is God who decides when we are born and how long we live according to: Psalm 139:16: "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." God is the one who planned the days of our lives in advance, choosing the exact time of our birth and death. This goes for criminals too, as well as many famous atheists who have lived to ripe old ages including: Diana Athill (99), Katharine Hepburn (96), Baba Amte (94), Uri Avnery (93), Julius Axelrod (92), Marlene Dietrich (91), Kai Nielsen (90), Henry Burstow (90), Jorge Amado (89), Eric Ambler (89), Tom Lehrer (88), James Randi (88), Paul Kurtz (87), Edward O. Wilson (87), Larry Adler (87), Mary Adams (86), Jemima Blackburn (86), Michael Martin (84), Philip Roth (83), Steven Weinberg (83), Victor Stenger (81), Robert Altman (81), Woody Allen (81), and many others. The verse in Isaiah 30:18 states that the Lord is a God of justice. "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" Where is the justice? I'm absolutely appalled and disgusted by the injustice not only in the Christian community, but in the world today. I believe these injustices promote and encourage evil all the more. Many devout believers have been martyred who were very faithful to God, like Stephen and all of the twelve apostles who died as martyrs during the first century, with the exception of John, the writer of the Gospel with his name and the Book of Revelation who died a natural death, at 94 years of age, close to the year 100 A.D. A report issued by a Christian organization fighting religious persecution states that a Christian is killed for his or her faith every five minutes across the world. It has escalated dramatically over the centuries, with more Christian martyrs in the 20th and 21st centuries than in the preceding 19 centuries — going back to Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. The situation is only getting worse. Over 75% of Christians persecuted in North Korea who are subjected to torture, imprisonment and all sorts of punishment do not survive to tell their stories. Currently, more than 200 million Christians around the world are threatened because of their faith. Is God pleased with martyrdom? Does it give Him satisfaction to see many Christians martyred for their faith. Does God consider it a sacrifice that brings glory and honour to Him, thereby pleasing and acceptable? Thank you. God bless you, Rachel Henderson

Mesmerism, a spin-off, Christian Science is where I'm educating from today in this thread. Here is the place my faith is going strong, my mind over matters. THE Power of Positive Thinking is mentioned in this text and Mesmerism as well. http://mitchhorowitz.com/ Here is an Amazon Book Dump... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=occult+america&sprefix=occult+america%2Caps%2C288&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Aoccult+america Occult America, do you have a favorite Ouija Board, Talismens or Spells or Incantations? http://www.coasttocoastam.com/search/?search=Search&query=Occult+America

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of GOD." (Matthew 5:9)

I present this material for your edification. In the spirit of the ULC and this forum, I ask that comments be logically sound and friendly. Be very certain about your facts/position before you make negative assertions, please, and make any such comments respectfully. This book is every bit as much a "sacred" work or "holy scripture" as any other religious book. Any serious student of any major religious faith/belief system well knows that the written material associated with her/his faith/belief system has its own "unique" characteristics. This new revelation is not alone in its unquestionably atypical origins. I ask that you treat this book and any discussion thereof in this forum with at least the same respect that you afford your own belief system and associated written materials. That said... There is a modern day Revelation available. It is called The Urantia Book. There are numerous rumors and much incorrect information on the web regarding this book, who brought it, how it got here, and where it came from...I hope to provide some clarification to those with sincere interest in seeking the truth, This book is no joke. It is 2096 pages long and includes 196 chapters. I have studied it for over 35 years and, according to the best of both my knowledge and experience, I affirm that it is in truth and fact the 5th Epochal Revelation provided to this world. Questions about the other four? Answers to come very soon [or read the book]! ** In what follows, I may include some editors notes [--ed.] for purposes of clarification. From the first page of the forward to The Urantia Book: "IN THE MINDS of the mortals of Urantia — that being the name of your world — there exists great confusion respecting the meaning of such terms as God, divinity, and deity. Human beings are still more confused and uncertain about the relationships of the divine personalities designated by these numerous appellations. Because of this conceptual poverty associated with so much ideational confusion, I have been directed to formulate this introductory statement in explanation of the meanings which should be attached to certain word symbols as they may be hereinafter used in those papers which the Orvonton [essentially the Milky Way galaxy--ed.] corps of truth revealers have been authorized to translate into the English language of Urantia. It is exceedingly difficult to present enlarged concepts and advanced truth, in our endeavor to expand cosmic consciousness and enhance spiritual perception, when we are restricted to the use of a circumscribed language of the realm. But our mandate admonishes us to make every effort to convey our meanings by using the word symbols of the English tongue. We have been instructed to introduce new terms only when the concept to be portrayed finds no terminology in English which can be employed to convey such a new concept partially or even with more or less distortion of meaning. In the hope of facilitating comprehension and of preventing confusion on the part of every mortal who may peruse these papers, we deem it wise to present in this initial statement an outline of the meanings to be attached to numerous English words which are to be employed in designation of Deity and certain associated concepts of the things, meanings, and values of universal reality......" ** Those of you who have read any of my posts know that I am a factual kind of guy. I am straight to the point, and that which I post is solidly backed up with experience and/or evidence. What I am sharing here today has been examined and positively appraised by theologians, philosophers, historians, chemists, anthropologists, eugenicists, biologists, botanists, astronomers, physicists, mathematicians, linguistic experts, psychics, spiritualists, witches, warlocks, military scientists, political scientists, politicians [at least one American President], lawyers, medical doctors, priests, bishops [at least one Pope], ministers, pastors, musicians, nuclear scientists, and I am sure I have forgotten some.... For each and every field, the information presented in the book that can be verified has been verified. If a topic is pure revelation and cannot be verified by current methods, then it has been deemed plausible and even probably correct. This applies not only to the realm of science but also the realms philosophy and religion. + + + Things...Meanings...Values + + + In my personal experience, when a rejection of this book has occurred, it was not because of the material actually presented within the pages of The Urantia Book. Without exception, rejections have occurred only when no actual effort was made by the critic to sincerely read the book, and, when that happens, it is typically because of skepticism surrounding the origin and nature of the book. Be not discouraged; human evolution is still in progress, and the revelation of God to the world, in and through Jesus, shall not fail. Blessings! Bill Sadler Rev. William J. Sadler, Jr., D.Div.

"Death added nothing to the intellectual possession or to the spiritual endowment, but it did add to the experiential status the consciousness of survival."1 A Personal Philosophy of Religion An idea is only a theoretical plan for action, while a positive decision is a validated plan of action. A stereotype is a plan of action accepted without validation. The materials out of which to build a personal philosophy of religion are derived from both the inner and the environmental experience of the individual. The social status, economic conditions, educational opportunities, moral trends, institutional influences, political developments, racial tendencies, and the religious teachings of one’s time and place all become factors in the formulation of a personal philosophy of religion. Even the inherent temperament and intellectual bent markedly determine the pattern of religious philosophy. Vocation, marriage, and kindred all influence the evolution of one’s personal standards of life. A philosophy of religion evolves out of a basic growth of ideas plus experimental living as both are modified by the tendency to imitate associates. The soundness of philosophic conclusions depends on keen, honest, and discriminating thinking in connection with sensitivity to meanings and accuracy of evaluation. Moral cowards never achieve high planes of philosophic thinking; it requires courage to invade new levels of experience and to attempt the exploration of unknown realms of intellectual living. Presently new systems of values come into existence; new formulations of principles and standards are achieved; habits and ideals are reshaped; some idea of a personal God is attained, followed by enlarging concepts of relationship thereto. The great difference between a religious and a nonreligious philosophy of living consists in the nature and level of recognized values and in the object of loyalties. There are four phases in the evolution of religious philosophy: Such an experience may become merely conformative, resigned to submission to tradition and authority. Or it may be satisfied with slight attainments, just enough to stabilize the daily living, and therefore becomes early arrested on such an adventitious level. Such mortals believe in letting well enough alone. A third group progress to the level of logical intellectuality but there stagnate in consequence of cultural slavery. It is indeed pitiful to behold giant intellects held so securely within the cruel grasp of cultural bondage. It is equally pathetic to observe those who trade their cultural bondage for the materialistic fetters of a science, falsely so called. The fourth level of philosophy attains freedom from all conventional and traditional handicaps and dares to think, act, and live honestly, loyally, fearlessly, and truthfully. The acid test for any religious philosophy consists in whether or not it distinguishes between the realities of the material and the spiritual worlds while at the same moment recognizing their unification in intellectual striving and in social serving. A sound religious philosophy does not confound the things of God with the things of Caesar. Neither does it recognize the aesthetic cult of pure wonder as a substitute for religion. Philosophy transforms that primitive religion which was largely a fairy tale of conscience into a living experience in the ascending values of cosmic reality.2 I would be delighted for you to share your personal philosophy of religion/living. Peace,Rev. Bill 1 From Morontia Mota [ HERE ] 2 An excerpt from The Urantia Book. See it in its original context [ HERE ]Important: The Urantia Book is in the public domain, and the original holder of the copyright, The Urantia Foundation, has granted permission to reproduce or copy the standardized English text without permission. TIN: UF-ENG-001-World-2009-0.19.SRT

Shamanism — Medicine Men and PriestsThe evolution of religious observances progressed from placation, avoidance, exorcism, coercion, conciliation, and propitiation to sacrifice, atonement, and redemption. The technique of religious ritual passed from the forms of the primitive cult through fetishes to magic and miracles; and as ritual became more complex in response to man’s increasingly complex concept of the supermaterial realms, it was inevitably dominated by medicine men, shamans, and priests. In the advancing concepts of primitive man the spirit world was eventually regarded as being unresponsive to the ordinary mortal. Only the exceptional among humans could catch the ear of the gods; only the extraordinary man or woman would be heard by the spirits. Religion thus enters upon a new phase, a stage wherein it gradually becomes secondhanded; always does a medicine man, a shaman, or a priest intervene between the religionist and the object of worship. And today most of our systems of organized religious belief are passing through this level of evolutionary development. Evolutionary religion is born of a simple and all-powerful fear, the fear which surges through the human mind when confronted with the unknown, the inexplicable, and the incomprehensible. Religion eventually achieves the profoundly simple realization of an all-powerful love, the love which sweeps irresistibly through the human soul when awakened to the conception of the limitless affection of the Universal Father for the sons of the universe. But in between the beginning and the consummation of religious evolution, there intervene the long ages of the shamans, who presume to stand between man and God as intermediaries, interpreters, and intercessors. How does your belief system include or exclude the medicine man, shaman, or priest? Should religion be secondhanded? In your belief system, is there someone who acts as an intermediary, interpreter, and/or intercessor? What about intercessory prayer??? Does the God of your belief system need to be coaxed into loving and helping you and/or others??? In your opinion, did the Judeo-Christian God of Love really NEED Jesus of Nazareth to be crucified as a SACRIFICE to convince him not to PUNISH humanity for the SINS of Adam and Eve, or is the typical Christian position/teaching regarding the reasons for the betrayal and execution of Christ a misunderstanding and misinterpretation of God and His will??? What do YOU think??? Peace, Rev. Bill

Important: The Urantia Book is in the public domain, and the original holder of the copyright, The Urantia Foundation, has granted permission to reproduce or copy the standardized English text without permission. TIN: UF-ENG-001-World-2009-0.19.SRT PLEASE NOTE: This topic is not intended for skeptical criticism. There will shortly be a second topic in this section of the ULC Forum where you are welcome to constructively criticize and ask questions of a skeptical nature to your heart's content. I suggest looking [ HERE ] and [ HERE ] before making critical comments. "Knowledge is possessed only by sharing; it is safeguarded by wisdom and socialized by love." http://www.urantia.org/urantia-book-standardized/paper-48-morontia-life#U48_7_28 The Urantia Book is the newest major Revelation provided to our world. It is a work of supreme importance, prepared with only the most sincere, loving intentions by many different people [celestial – not material flesh and blood] hailing from the headquarters of our superuniverse [center is the Milky Way], the Central Universe of Havona, and even Paradise itself who want us to find God and become like Him. They have provided this revelation to us in response to the Supreme Mandate to be perfect, even as our Father in heaven is perfect. [see Matthew chapter 5 of the Judeo-Christian Bible for Jesus’ comment on the meaning of this mandate – and the mandate itself (5:48).] There is not a hint of deception in this work. I do not believe an honest, truth seeking, and God loving soul can sincerely and with positive intention read this supernal work without experiencing a sense of profound awe and even excitement regarding the people, places, and things explained, as well as its revelation of the eternal, ultimate, and final destiny that awaits our attainment. One of the authors of the UB put it this way: There is in the mind of God a plan which embraces every creature of all his vast domains, and this plan is an eternal purpose of boundless opportunity, unlimited progress, and endless life. And the infinite treasures of such a matchless career are yours for the striving! The goal of eternity is ahead! The adventure of divinity attainment lies before you! The race for perfection is on! whosoever will may enter, and certain victory will crown the efforts of every human being who will run the race of faith and trust, depending every step of the way on the leading of the indwelling Adjuster and on the guidance of that good spirit of the Universe Son, which so freely has been poured out upon all flesh. [see this selection in The UB HERE] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Although a group of humans living in Chicago was involved in the reception of this book from around 1900 to 1935, no human being wrote any part of The Urantia Book. The revelation mandate insisted that whenever a human thought existed that effectively portrayed the intended meaning, that human thought was to be used. There was no intention of stealing anyone’s work without their permission. I cannot imagine how anyone can read the impeccably sincere, wonderfully beautiful, amazingly precise sections of the UB that are obviously pure revelation and for one instant think that the authors needed to STEAL anything from a human--the whole idea is absolutely ludicrous! But there are those who have argued the notion... Anyway… Although a human “subject” was involved at certain times, this book was not channeled. This book is NOT a product of “automatic writing.” This book does not claim to be inspired. This book is what it is – an unsurpassed revelation of truth, beauty, and goodness brought to us on behalf of the Infinite One; the First Source and Center; that One Uncaused Cause; the Creator, Controller, and Upholder of the Universe -- Our Universal Father -- and all His Sons and Daughters who lovingly administer the Universe of Universes and care for us, we mortal humans at the beginning of our ascendant career – the long and winding road to Paradise!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am highly qualified to discuss topics pertaining to the text of The Urantia Book. The purpose of this ULC forum topic is to post and discuss various sections of interest from The Urantia Book. If The Urantia Book is new to you, take a look at either table of contents via the links below. I am certain you will see some section related to your belief system and of great interest to you. Just copy and paste the relevant text from the UB as a post to this topic along with any of your specific questions or comments related to that text. I will do my best to respond promptly, but please understand that sometimes I am away for several days at a time. THE URANTIA BOOK The Parts of the Book PART I. The Central And Superuniverses [ HERE ] Sponsored by a Uversa Corps of Superuniverse Personalities acting by authority of the Orvonton Ancients of Days PART II. The Local Universe [ HERE ] Sponsored by a Nebadon Corps of Local Universe Personalities acting by authority of Gabriel of Salvington PART III. The History Of Urantia [ HERE ] These papers were sponsored by a Corps of Local Universe Personalities acting by authority of Gabriel of Salvington PART IV. The Life And Teachings Of Jesus [ HERE ] This group of papers was sponsored by a commission of twelve Urantia midwayers acting under the supervision of a Melchizedek revelatory director. The basis of this narrative was supplied by a secondary midwayer who was onetime assigned to the superhuman watchcare of the Apostle Andrew. To see an exhaustive table of contents including all 196 Papers and all sections within each paper click [ HERE ]. Peace, Rev. Bill Sadler

Mark Lowery ~ Marry Did You Know http://youtu.be/A_JBUs7T1lc