Religion

Talks about what all religions have in common.

The Virtue of Laziness

Published on by Jim

Jesus was lazy and so was the Buddha.Both of them could read and presumable write but neither of them wrote anything down; probably because they were lazy.They were too lazy to be industrious and they did not ‘create’ anything.They just enjoyed talking and that is all they really did.They had no home to support or take care of.They had no bank account.Their possessions were only what they could carry.They were beggars.

It is true that they lived in climates that did not require much in the way of protection from the elements.In my world,America, I find that the elements, including society and its governments, do not allow me to live the way that Jesus or the Buddha lived.

But I am just as lazy.

I have short passions that motivate me to get up off my lazy butt and do something, but it only lasts for a short time.Then the drive falls away.

I love to talk to people, and I think I have something to offer them.ButAmericadoes not have ‘public market places’ the way they had in Jesus’ or the Buddha’s time.Americahas become a nation isolated from its self.People here spend all their time at home or at works and very little in public places.

Today, to reach out to people you ‘have to’ write something, and I am really too lazy to write anything, except short little topics like this.

We Buddhas and Christs have found a peace with the world and this peace kills our productivity.Being not productive we have no desire to hurt any one or anything; we have no inner “dis-ease”.With this peace there is no busyness or business in our world.No business, no work.We Buddhas and Christs tend to live off the charity of others; we beg for our food.

Lazy people tend to be healthier for they do not stress themselves out by working so hard.We just sit around and enjoy what life offers.I will walk or hike ten miles in a day just for the joy of it, but I will not walk a mile to look for work.

We Buddhas and Christs are so lazy we do not create wars.We Buddhas and Christs are so lazy we have a very low impact on the environment.Yet we tend to have a tremendous impact on the human environment.About half of the planets population plays lip service to Buddhas or Christs, but that is about all they do in regard to Buddhas and Christs.

I have too many possessions.I live in a small motor home that I have to maintain and support, and in this day of high fuel prices that takes a lot of work.I have this computer which I use to communicate with people. But it is probably time to get up off my lazy or cowardly ass and go out and talk to people, wherever I can find them.I know I have something to offer, I just find it hard to find people to offer it to.

So in conclusion, lazy people do not hurt anybody and they have a low impact on the environment.How much better would the world be if everybody was at least a little bit lazier?

Unholy Religion

Published on by Jim

From a web page titled “All Have Sinned” (http://www.santacruzbible.org/findingGod/allHaveSinned.php)

Man is SINFUL and SEPARATED from God, so we cannot know Him personally or experience His love

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death” [spiritual separation from God].

Romans 8:6-8 “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”

A great gulf separates man from God. Man is continually trying to reach God and establish a personal relationship with Him through human efforts, such as living a good life, philosophy, attending church or religion. But he inevitably fails.

I find this as a sick attitude or should I say, following a sick doctrine from a sick individual.The apostle Paul who wrote the above mentioned doctrine admitted that he did not get it (Philippians 3:12) so he was what Jesus called the “blind leading the blind” who “neither enters the kingdom of heaven nor allows others to”.(Matthew 15:14, 23:13)

From a more intelligent perspective, to tell people that they are ‘fallen’ or separate from God or failures or sinners or anything like that is to destroy any faith they might find in themselves to be good and healthy beings.

This doctrine is “of the sick, by the sick, for the sick” and adds nothing to humanity.It does not come from a place of love (God), but instead comes from a place of fear (Satan) and judgment.

This is NOT Jesus’ teachings but the teachings of one who used to identify with those that diabolically opposed Jesus in his time (the Pharisees).Pharisees like Saul of Tarsus (the one called the apostle Paul) wanted to rout out any who would actually follow Jesus’ suggestion and came instead to bring them back to “sound doctrine”.But Paul’s doctrine is not sound or health, at least not today by today’s standards.It might have been better for people then what they had back in his day, but today only the sickest would consider it healthy doctrine.

And yet, it is taught here in an educated society as ‘sound doctrine’.I find that this is possible only because we have a taboo about questioning people’s “faith”, even if that is not faith but faithlessness.The only reason somebody would believe Paul’s faithless doctrine is because they DO NOT have faith in Jesus’ more faithful doctrine or ways of thinking.Where Jesus advocated that people “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), which means they NOT think of themselves as sinners, Paul encourages people to think of themselves as sinner.These are diabolically opposed positions and any church that follows Paul’s way is following the way of the antichrist, or what we call today Christ-anti; Christianity.

To the Christian mind this is ridiculous because they have been programmed all their lives to see themselves and everybody as sinners.But to a healthy mind this is obvious.

Of course, Jesus came to save the sinners, for they were the ones who are still gullible enough to believe they are sinners.Those of us who are righteous do not need to be saved, for we can see that we were never imperiled.

Atheists

Published on by Jim

I find that atheist tend to “throw the baby out with the bath water” in that they reject the god concept while missing the underlining REASON for creating the concept of god. The etymology of the title “Holy Bible” shows that it means Health Book; meaning that it was a primitive attempt by primitive people to share what they had learned that was healthy for the mind, body and society. Atheists tend to miss this all together.

But one of the unhealthy aspects of religion is the belief in a personal creator god that rules the universe, for this belief in that leads to wars, torture, murder, terrorism and all kinds of suffering in the person, in society and for the planet itself.

So I feel that the idea is to get people to focus on a healthy DISCUSSION of OUR ways of thinking and our lifestyle choices and away from the superstition of theism.

Unfortunately, theists do not seem healthy enough to look at deep issues like this, so how do we get their attention, or how do we circumvent their unhealthy efforts to reach the youth of the world or those who would be open to it?

I want to raise the level of debate in the world but I am not sure how to do that, short of writing a book about it and going on the speaking trail.

Religious Sheep

Published on by Jim

I went to church tonight and was amazed at how dumb the eulogy was. The minister was trying to talk the people into thinking they were dumb animals: sheep. Maybe they really are that dumb…

The Root Cause of Terrorism

Published on by Jim

The root cause of terrorism is in the very first line of the bible, which comes out of a primitive, unhealthy mind.It says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”This is a silly construct that comes out of an immature, primitive mind that could not see that there was no beginning and there is no end.But their minds could not handle infinity and eternity so that created the illusion of beginning and end.With beginning then there had to be some ‘first cause’ or creator out there that created this world.If there is a creator then that creator must have had some reason to create the world.Then people can claim that they know the reason for this creation and they can create some laws based on that reason.With the “divine law” they can justify their mean spirited laws saying that if you do not do what “god” wants then we have a right to be mean to you.With ‘laws’ like the Torah, the Koran and the Bible, if you do not obey them then it is ok for us to terrorize you, to torture you and to murder you, for the is the law of the creator.

Therefore you can see that the root cause of terrorism is the primitive, barbaric and sick ideas of beginning and creator.

Fear of Self

Published on by Jim

Today I am struck by how people are so afraid of themselves. Everywhere I go I see people afraid. At first they seem afraid of me if they know anything about me, and sometimes even if they do not know anything about me.

I see this as a “problem” within society but here in lies the rub; maybe this ‘problem’ is only in MY mind. When I speak about this ‘problem’ with other people they only run from the discussion, so I speak about it more saying that people’s running from discussions is a symptom of the ‘problem’. The more I speak about it the more people seem to be afraid of me.

On the other hand, I recognize that I have had this same ‘problem’ myself and I found a solution to that problem: meditation or practicing relaxing around words, thoughts and ideas. I have found that what I make important I create tension around, so to relax I let go of making anything important. In order to share my insights with people I have to make them important, which creates tension or fear.

This is all a vicious cycle or a Catch-22 type situation.

I suppose that I just have to play with the dilemma; talk about it and then let it go.

Jesus vs. the Christians

Published on by Jim

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”Christians not only are not like Jesus they seem to oppose Jesus’ way and truth.

Every time I talk to a Christian I come away amazed just how much they seem to fear Jesus’ way and truth.I do not think they see themselves as apposed to Jesus’ way and truth, but in practice they sure seem to be.The opposition to Jesus’ way and truth seems to come from the writers of the New Testament.Their faithlessness is reflected in the Christian doctrine and theology.

When Jesus started his ministry the first thing he said was, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”Of course, Jesus did not say this, for he did not speak English.The oldest version of what he DID say is in Greek and the Greek word that is translated into ‘repent’ is metanoia.Metanoia means a radical change of mind or a complete reversal of our ways of thinking.

Jesus wanted people to change their ways of thinking.Christians seem to have rejected Jesus’ more profound or fundamental changes in thinking.The radical changes in their ways of thinking would enable them to find theKingdomofHeaventhat is AT HAND and let go of their unhealthy and contradictory beliefs.Following Jesus’ example means thinking like he thought and doing what he did. The false and faithless Christian doctrine discourages people from following Jesus’ example.Christianity teaches that we cannot be perfect or godly like Jesus was.I call this the teachings of the antichrist, or what we call today Christ-anti, Christianity.Jesus, who Christians call Christ, said that if you have faith…nothing will be impossible to you.

What are the fundamental differences between Jesus’ and the Christian ways of thinking?Here are just a few of them:

Jesus’ Heaven is Now

When Jesus first started teaching he said that theKingdomofHeavenis AT HAND and all you had to do to experience it was to change your ways of thinking.For Jesus the power to find heaven was in each person’s hands, NOT HIS.Jesus’ job was only to wake people up to this or to inspire them to seek a heavenly existence. In Jesus’ world you are the one with all the power to create a heavenly experience for yourself.

Some would say that Jesus was teaching that we should focus on our behaviors (works) and DO good for one another. This is not what Jesus taught.

“How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but on the inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that its outside may also be clean.” (Matthew 23:25)
Of course, Jesus was talking about first changing our attitude and ways of thinking first, then our behaviors will change naturally.

Christians talk about heaven as if it was some place you go when you die.Heaven is a reward for being a good slave here on earth.In the Christian’s world heavenly power is outside of you.

Jesus had Dual Identities

Jesus suggested that we be ‘born again’ (John 3:3) or have dual identities as he did.One identity is that of the person, the ‘flesh’, who is ‘born of water’, who lives and dies, and who suffers, fears, loves and experiences the drama of life.The other identity is of one who is ‘born of spirit’, a god, part of the infinite and eternal being we call God, not separate from this being.This being ‘born again’ as Spirit is adding a new identity, a way of thinking like Jesus, being a god (John 10:34), part of God (John 14:28), and one with God (John 10:30).

Yet, sometimes Jesus identified not with God but as a separate being, one that had the privilege of suffering all the drama and richness that life can offer.Jesus got into this drama when he imagined himself from God in order to become a martyr.When he said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)He then went even further into the illusion of separation when he said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)This illusion of being separate from God allowed Jesus to create the great drama that he is most remembered for today.

These are just two ways of thinking, one that allows us the richness and drama that life can offer and the other allows us to rest from the rollercoaster of the drama.

Yet when it is time to rest we can identify as Spirit or one with God, infinite and eternal.“Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).As Spirit we find peace and rest. Using Jesus’ ways of thinking allows one to think of him or her self as an infinite and eternal being, allowing them to relax and rest without worry of the temporal events of life.

To follow Jesus’ example would be sometimes to think of ourselves as separate beings and other times to see ourselves as Spirit and one with all beings including God.This gives us the freedom to enjoy the drama and richness of life and the peace that comes from not identifying with the changing world.

Christian doctrine rejects this dual identity way of thinking. Christians are diabolically apposed to anyone thinking of themselves as a god, one with God and one with all people.It is their doctrine that Jesus is the only one who can be one with God, that he is special and that his way was good for him ONLY but not for us.

“The truth will set you free” so lies will limit, enslave or trap you.Christians reject the liberating power of truth and embrace the limiting power of lies.Whenever I hear the Christians say that no one can be like Jesus I cringe at the dishonesty they are trapped living with.

Jesus was Optimistic/Faithful

I can hear the Christians now as they read the above topic; they would say that we can not be one with God the way that Jesus was one with God.

That does not reflect Jesus’ way of thinking.Jesus said, “If you have faith … nothing will be impossible for YOU,” (Matthew 17:20) and, “Seek and you will find.”(Matthew 7:7)Does that sound like a powerless being or an all powerful god to you?

Jesus pointed out several times the faithlessness of his followers (Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, 17:20).Because of their faithlessness they did not seek so they did not find. These followers created Christianity.They became the blind leading the blind and all have falling into the pit of faithlessness. Their theologies, philosophies and dogmas justify their faithlessness.Because of this faithless dogma they think that what Jesus taught was ok for him, he was God, but we are not, so we can ignore his way and his truth.

This does not mean that Christianity did not serve some need.The NEED that I see that it served was to get people at least to pay lip service to Jesus’ higher moral standards. That makes my job a lot easier. I come to continue on where Jesus left off and go beyond him. My ‘audience’ is the Christian world. Jews, Muslims and the Leftist do not have Jesus’ higher moral standards to live up to.

Jesus was Not a Sinner

Jesus did not think of himself as a sinner, unworthy of grace or God’s love.This is quite the opposite of the Christian way of thinking.

The Christians doctrine teaches that all humanity is inherently flawed, sinful or evil.But, Jesus encouraged us to think of ourselves as perfect, without flaw (“So be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”Matthew 5:48) Perfect means finish, whole, complete, without flaw. The Apostle Paul admitted that he did not get this when he wrote, “It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already become perfect. But I keep pursuing it.” (Philippians 3:12)Jesus did not say to BECOME perfect, as Paul writes.Jesus said to BE perfect; which means to accept that you already are perfect, that you have always been perfect and that you will always be perfect.BUT, and this is a BIG but, you can still THINK of yourself as not perfect.The Apostle Paul should have listened to Jesus when he said, “First remove the log from your own eye then you can see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)

Sin is a relative term and constantly changing.We are the ones who choose to see something as sinful or as perfect.To motivate one’s “person” we can see ourselves as lacking or not good, just as Jesus did.Or, other times we can see ourselves as perfect and without flaw.BOTH, ways of thinking have the values.Being free allows us to use whichever way of thinking that works for us at this moment.

Jesus Questioned Authority

How can we progress if we do not question the status quo?How can we improve ourselves and the world is we do not examine what is and how it got here?Questioning authority is the way to bring about our New Testament of change and a new reality.

Jesus questioned the beliefs of his time and even the authority of the scriptures.If he had not questioned them then there would have been no need for a ‘new’ testament.Jesus saw that they needed improving, that they were not complete.Jesus questioned the religious teachings of his time ‘love your neighbor but hate your enemy’ and saw that loving your enemy was a healthier way and greater truth.Jesus “improved” Moses’ teaching that a person who works on the Sabbath should be killed.Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.Thus, in essence, he was saying that the scriptures are made for people, not people for the scriptures.We all can choose to interpret the scriptures to liberal us or enslave us.If we are to ‘continue in his way’ then we would continue to question the authority of the religious teachers and the scriptures they way that Jesus did.

This is not the doctrine or desire of the Christianity.The faithless followers taught a doctrine of non-dissension to protect their faithlessness from being exposed.

Jesus was the Prince of Peace?

Christians often call Jesus the “Prince of Peace” ignoring what Jesus said, “Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? Not at all, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51)Division is vital and alive. Jesus said he came to set people at odds with one another.When Jesus questioned authorities and doctrine he created controversy and discussion.This controversy was divisive and the ‘fire on earth’ that would light the way for people.

Jesus’ only ‘crime’ was that he upset people with his words, because these people make words so important.Today, those who ‘talk’ and question the words of the religious are viewed as heretics, evil or divisive, at least in the minds of the religious.Christians follow after the faithless followers like Paul’s who wrote, “Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and sinful enticements in opposition to the teaching you have learned. Stay away from them!” (Romans 16:17)

Jesus was not a Follower of Anybody

Jesus had at least one teacher in John the Baptist, but then he graduated from that teacher and went beyond him; way beyond him.

To continue in Jesus’ way would be to recognize that we all have many teachers but that our job is to become his or her equal and then go beyond them; to improve upon their way and truth and to become a greater incarnation of God/Love then they were.

Jesus said, “Not everyone who keeps saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will get into the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)Calling Jesus your Lord is not what he wanted.It is doing the will of the Father in Heaven, God being within you (Luke 17:21:“the kingdom of God within you.”), and not following those or that which is outside of you.

Jesus Meditated

Faithlessness is a product of fear of change or the lack of blessedness to be at peace with change.

Jesus seemed so different from others because he had developed the skills of blessedness.He developed these skills via the practice that he called ‘watching’ but today is called meditation.Jesus’ last three parables were about ‘watching’.He even tried to teach some of his disciples (Peter, John and James) to meditate when he took them up on the mountain and asked them to ‘watch’ with him.He said to ‘watch’ that they not fall into temptation; the temptation to fear, reject and hate.But all the followers could do was fall asleep so they never learned the value of or developed the same skills that Jesus had.Without these skills they could not see that they, too, could be as blessed and liberal with love as Jesus was.Today, Christians do not have faith that they can live up to Jesus’ standard, because they do not have the same skills that Jesus had developed.

These are just some of the ways that Christians distance themselves from Jesus, his way and his truth.

These are just some of the ways that Christians distance themselves from Jesus, his way and his truth.For these reasons I see why they would call their religion Christianity.They call Jesus the Christ and their religion Christ-anti, Christianity the way of the Anti-Christ.They appose the manifestation of the spirit of Christ in this world.As Jesus said, nothing is hidden that will not later be revealed.It is time to call Christianity what it is, anti Jesus’ way and truth.

Jesus had so much to offer humanity.The Christians seem to have grasped most of Jesus’ unhealthy attitudes and behaviors and rejected his healthier one.It is one thing to not have the faith that you can be as holy as Jesus but it is another to oppose those who do strive for that goal.

Some have actually done what Jesus did and said to do.Some have sought to find the perfect truth that would set them perfectly free to enjoy and love all that life offered and they have found that kingdom of heaven that is now, here today.They have changed their ways of thinking.

Primitive Religious Mind

Published on by Jim

KRT Wire | 05/18/2005 | Quran more than a book for Muslims

This story only shows that the primitive mind, the religious mind, still makes material things important. Even fundamental Christians revere their Bible as the fundamental Muslims revere their Quran. The Quran and the Bible are just books written by primitive people FOR a primitive people. Until we can look at them for what they are we will be forever trapped in antiquity. Once we recognize the scriptures for what they are we can learn from them, we can see where ancient people still did not “get” it.