One of the problems people have with believing in God is the contradiction of an ALL POWERFUL God that is CONSTRAINED or the concept of a God who IS LOVE allowing the capacity for evil that is in the world. That thought process seems founded on the lofty assumption that mankind has the capacity to understand what it means to be "God". A true in-dept understanding of GOD or Godness seems highly allusive if that understanding is based on the comparison to the things that humanity typically "worships" as God.
Why do we so desperately long to worship what we are not... or what we don't have... or what we can't keep? Why is a God who is like us, who loves us and actually gets us so unappealing to the masses.
An anthropomorphic God is more than an attempt to relate to what we can't possibly understand beyond a personal experience or the capacity to believe without experience. If God is real, there MUST be a part of God in us and a part of us in God. But God must be more. More than a intangible, invisible person...but WHAT?
This is the true challenge of faith; to believe in God without needing to reconcile the contradictions of our existence in the world that "God made". Why is the concept of an entity that is absent of contradiction so alluring? Would any all "good" being be able understand us? How could we EVER understand it?
The only way we can explore the God around us and in us is when we have the courage for contradiction. And there is no place with any greater contradiction than the human soul. Our soul, the result of an eternal spirit being intertwined and muddled with a mortal body, a limited perspective and a finite experience of an infinite existence... what a contradiction.
Considering this, maybe acknowledging God inside your heart is a great place to begin the expedition of seeking God.
Take courage.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
the Controversy of Connection
The Bible presents the human body as the image of how those who believe in Christ should be connected.
The interesting thing about the body is that it is comprised of distinctively different parts. Each member of the body is like a distinctive community of cells and tissue that has few if any equals. Every member, though different, has a role to play and something to contribute to the body.
Considering how the human body is composed, how beneficial to the body would it be if each member had the power to judge the other and bully another body part into becoming homogeneous? What happen if the eye could force the heart to look and behave like an eye. Or if an ear had the power to make your nose hear at the expense of the sense of smell. And on, and on... each member declaring the superiority of their function while devaluing the distinctive uniqueness of the other parts.
A body could not survive under these conditions, yet so many who claim to be part of the body of Christ support this practice proudly. This is why Huemanity Unilimited exists, to promote Connectionism, a movement towards unity within the body of Christ (aka the communities of believers). Until we all come into the unity of the faith ("connect").
Yes, there are MANY good reason to argue and fight.... but BLESSED are the peace makers for THEY shall be called the children of GOD.
Currently, one of the greatest challenges to "the unity of the faith" is the issue of homosexuality. Could it be that some communities within the body are legitimately called to embrace people living out the GBL experience while some others are legitimately called to reject it WHILE both being legitimately part of the body?
The interesting thing about the body is that it is comprised of distinctively different parts. Each member of the body is like a distinctive community of cells and tissue that has few if any equals. Every member, though different, has a role to play and something to contribute to the body.
Considering how the human body is composed, how beneficial to the body would it be if each member had the power to judge the other and bully another body part into becoming homogeneous? What happen if the eye could force the heart to look and behave like an eye. Or if an ear had the power to make your nose hear at the expense of the sense of smell. And on, and on... each member declaring the superiority of their function while devaluing the distinctive uniqueness of the other parts.
A body could not survive under these conditions, yet so many who claim to be part of the body of Christ support this practice proudly. This is why Huemanity Unilimited exists, to promote Connectionism, a movement towards unity within the body of Christ (aka the communities of believers). Until we all come into the unity of the faith ("connect").
Yes, there are MANY good reason to argue and fight.... but BLESSED are the peace makers for THEY shall be called the children of GOD.
Currently, one of the greatest challenges to "the unity of the faith" is the issue of homosexuality. Could it be that some communities within the body are legitimately called to embrace people living out the GBL experience while some others are legitimately called to reject it WHILE both being legitimately part of the body?
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Morality vs Humanity
Have recently noticed attacks on the Bible as a "moral" authority and they inspired this thought:
Does the Bible claim that it's purpose is to set standards of "morality" or does it present itself as simply a tool to help us fulfill the purpose of our humanity?
Does the Bible claim that it's purpose is to set standards of "morality" or does it present itself as simply a tool to help us fulfill the purpose of our humanity?
We Fall Down but we Wake Up
The Bible's account of "the Fall" of mankind presents the origin of the innate perspective by which humans judge the legitimacy of our connections. After eating the fruit of the tree of the "knowledge of good and evil" it seems that all human perspective was tainted with an artificial intelligence causing us to make judgments, accept truths and create rules that weren't given by God.
Christ was born with the mindset that God intend for all of humanity and offered his life to share the awakening to our connection to God and one another.
It is easy to FALL into the mindset that we are on our own in life and that we are alone in the world. But if you are reading this, this is your alarm to WAKE you to the truth. Please don't hit the snooze button.
Christ was born with the mindset that God intend for all of humanity and offered his life to share the awakening to our connection to God and one another.
It is easy to FALL into the mindset that we are on our own in life and that we are alone in the world. But if you are reading this, this is your alarm to WAKE you to the truth. Please don't hit the snooze button.
Heart of Connectionism
At the heart of Connectionism is the belief that God is (and has always been) in connection to all mankind and is a part of EVERYthing that exists in our conscious and unconscious experience as well as known and unknown reality.
We also believe that mankind was created for connection with God and to others. Humanity can only reach its greatest potential CONNECTED in COMMUNITY.
The commandment to love God and our neighbor as our self is a commandment of connection. If this is the greatest commandment, isn't connection the point?
We also believe that mankind was created for connection with God and to others. Humanity can only reach its greatest potential CONNECTED in COMMUNITY.
The commandment to love God and our neighbor as our self is a commandment of connection. If this is the greatest commandment, isn't connection the point?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Crazy Idea
If Jesus was God trying to awaken mankind to the Christ Concept (aka "sonship") AND if that message is that what Christ is, we ARE... then what?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Spiritual Research
What have you tried in an effort to tap into the God presence in you and around you?
Why not try? Test and see... seek your own supernatural experience of tapping into the spirit.
How? Try the following, but not as an act to be accepted by people or God but just to experience your own real connection with your spiritual source.
Try praying. Simply acknowledge God during some quiet time alone and speak your heart. If you are a little to jaded from all the misrepresentations of God to be sincere in praying to "God" (the old white haired guy in the sky), then verbally call out to know the unknown God or your ETERNAL SOURCE.
Try fasting. Simply set some healthy constraints on your eating with a focus of experiencing a supernatural expression of love, peace and joy.
Try open and honest conversation. Don't be afraid to talk to people about your God experience or spiritual life. HOWEVER also be BOLD enough to end the conversation when it seem to take an unhealthy or negative turn. Don't waste time with arguing or debates.
Try anonymous acts of kindness.
Try giving sacrificially. Give up something you enjoy or value to contribute to the well being of someone else (EVEN IF IT SEEMS THAT PERSON IS BETTER OFF THAN YOU).
Just try any or all of these 5 things and observe, note and share your experience with us.
Why not try? Test and see... seek your own supernatural experience of tapping into the spirit.
How? Try the following, but not as an act to be accepted by people or God but just to experience your own real connection with your spiritual source.
Try praying. Simply acknowledge God during some quiet time alone and speak your heart. If you are a little to jaded from all the misrepresentations of God to be sincere in praying to "God" (the old white haired guy in the sky), then verbally call out to know the unknown God or your ETERNAL SOURCE.
Try fasting. Simply set some healthy constraints on your eating with a focus of experiencing a supernatural expression of love, peace and joy.
Try open and honest conversation. Don't be afraid to talk to people about your God experience or spiritual life. HOWEVER also be BOLD enough to end the conversation when it seem to take an unhealthy or negative turn. Don't waste time with arguing or debates.
Try anonymous acts of kindness.
Try giving sacrificially. Give up something you enjoy or value to contribute to the well being of someone else (EVEN IF IT SEEMS THAT PERSON IS BETTER OFF THAN YOU).
Just try any or all of these 5 things and observe, note and share your experience with us.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
PERFECT religion?
What would be the PERFECT religion?
If you were God and mankind was your offspring what rules would you set as a divine parent?
If you were God and mankind was your offspring what rules would you set as a divine parent?
Friday, February 11, 2011
Who needs another religion?
The first definition of "religion" as listed by Dictionary.com:
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
Does the world need another religion... Do we need another reason to debate, to judge or to hate. In uncertain times with economic instability, political mayhem, social unrest, widespread disease and pandemic apathy what do we need; more to believe in or more to doubt?
Honestly, "religion" may have earned a bad rap but practically speaking doing things "religiously" is important to the integrity of human society. Imagine an employee that only shows up to work sporadically and not religiously. Or a relationship without the ritual of religiously communicating (both verbally and sexually).
Yes its true,... There are so many annoying if not dangerous attributes of religion that it's masses of devoted slaves seem to happily endure at the expense of humanity. But before we through this baby out with the dirty diaper... is there any aspect of having a standard that has value. Is there any redeemable value in the concept that there is something more to us than us. Ok, for the intellectual it may be hard to swallow that the force that is the canvas of all reality has a personality...but wouldn't it be cool if it did? And if it did, making nice with it wouldn't be a bad thing.
Whether we call it "religion", "faith", "belief system", "opinion" or "mantra"; Human beings are gonna have them until we evolve to the point where we no longer have butt holes. So why not find a way to live with them in a way that doesn't make the world (or media airways) a cesspool.
For all those that hate the intolerance of religion... how 'bout a little tolerance. We'd love to have your intellect help us explore the positive potential of faith.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
Does the world need another religion... Do we need another reason to debate, to judge or to hate. In uncertain times with economic instability, political mayhem, social unrest, widespread disease and pandemic apathy what do we need; more to believe in or more to doubt?
Honestly, "religion" may have earned a bad rap but practically speaking doing things "religiously" is important to the integrity of human society. Imagine an employee that only shows up to work sporadically and not religiously. Or a relationship without the ritual of religiously communicating (both verbally and sexually).
Yes its true,... There are so many annoying if not dangerous attributes of religion that it's masses of devoted slaves seem to happily endure at the expense of humanity. But before we through this baby out with the dirty diaper... is there any aspect of having a standard that has value. Is there any redeemable value in the concept that there is something more to us than us. Ok, for the intellectual it may be hard to swallow that the force that is the canvas of all reality has a personality...but wouldn't it be cool if it did? And if it did, making nice with it wouldn't be a bad thing.
Whether we call it "religion", "faith", "belief system", "opinion" or "mantra"; Human beings are gonna have them until we evolve to the point where we no longer have butt holes. So why not find a way to live with them in a way that doesn't make the world (or media airways) a cesspool.
For all those that hate the intolerance of religion... how 'bout a little tolerance. We'd love to have your intellect help us explore the positive potential of faith.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Spirituality Basics
The objective of ALL spiritual truth is encapsulated in the greatest commandment or spiritual law referenced by Jesus Christ: Love God, Love your neighbor, as you Love yourself.
Practically speaking, human "spirituality" is system of natural and supernatural principles that govern the 3 primary types of human Connections:
1. the invisible, intangible, yet real connection that we have to God
2. the invisible, intangible community connection we have with others (and the world around us)
3. the invisible, intangible connection we have with our physical bodies and personal identity (self)
Christ's "Law of Love" is the key to mastery of these connections. However, the challenge to fulfilling of this "Law of love" is power of the "sin" concept.
The consideration of the "sin" concept provokes the discussion of right and wrong. This discussion is an important endeavor of loving God, neighbor and self. A healthy discussion should lead to mutual understanding and greater harmony. Unfortunately, the concept of sin is one that isn't naturally easy or comfortable to address. The solution is the Christ Concept. The difficulty is the guilt, shame, offense and the defensiveness that are natural reactions to typical understanding of sin as the indictment of human weakness and frailty. The Christ Concept offers conviction that can lead to change rather than condemnation that only produces shame and separation.
Through the mindset of the Christ Concept "sin" can be considered, addressed and once this concept is understood and believed sin is overcome to produce a consciousness in harmony with God, "neighbors" and self. This consciousness lived out produces righteousness, peace and joy as intend in the design of mankind's purpose: Connection.
Overcoming sin (or overcoming evil with good) is such an important human responsibility because of the true power and detriment of sin is its negative impact on the connection that is inherent with human experience.
Think of sin as this: Anything that causes a perceived or real RIGHT to live as if we are not CONNECTED.
Practically speaking, human "spirituality" is system of natural and supernatural principles that govern the 3 primary types of human Connections:
1. the invisible, intangible, yet real connection that we have to God
2. the invisible, intangible community connection we have with others (and the world around us)
3. the invisible, intangible connection we have with our physical bodies and personal identity (self)
Christ's "Law of Love" is the key to mastery of these connections. However, the challenge to fulfilling of this "Law of love" is power of the "sin" concept.
The consideration of the "sin" concept provokes the discussion of right and wrong. This discussion is an important endeavor of loving God, neighbor and self. A healthy discussion should lead to mutual understanding and greater harmony. Unfortunately, the concept of sin is one that isn't naturally easy or comfortable to address. The solution is the Christ Concept. The difficulty is the guilt, shame, offense and the defensiveness that are natural reactions to typical understanding of sin as the indictment of human weakness and frailty. The Christ Concept offers conviction that can lead to change rather than condemnation that only produces shame and separation.
Through the mindset of the Christ Concept "sin" can be considered, addressed and once this concept is understood and believed sin is overcome to produce a consciousness in harmony with God, "neighbors" and self. This consciousness lived out produces righteousness, peace and joy as intend in the design of mankind's purpose: Connection.
Overcoming sin (or overcoming evil with good) is such an important human responsibility because of the true power and detriment of sin is its negative impact on the connection that is inherent with human experience.
Think of sin as this: Anything that causes a perceived or real RIGHT to live as if we are not CONNECTED.
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