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160:5 The Religion of the Ideal (view source)
Revision as of 22:44, 11 July 2011
, 22:44, 11 July 2011Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame 160:5.1 You have told me that your Master regards genuine human religion as the [[indivi...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:The_eye_of_all_ur60.jpg|right|frame]]
160:5.1 You have told me that your [[the Master|Master]] regards genuine human [[religion]] as the [[individual]]'s [[experience]] with [[spiritual]] [[realities]]. I have regarded [[religion]] as man's [[experience]] of reacting to something which he regards as being [[worthy]] of the [[homage]] and [[devotion]] of all [[mankind]]. In this sense, religion symbolizes our [[supreme]] [[devotion]] to that which [[represents]] our highest [[concept]] of the [[ideals]] of [[reality]] and the farthest reach of our [[minds]] toward eternal [[possibilities]] of [[spiritual]] [[attainment]].
160:5.2 When men [[react]] to [[religion]] in the [[tribal]], [[national]], or [[racial]] sense, it is because they look upon those without their [[group]] as not being truly [[human]]. We always look upon the object of our [[religious]] [[loyalty]] as being [[worthy]] of the [[reverence]] of all men. [[Religion]] can never be a matter of mere [[intellectual]] [[belief]] or philosophic reasoning; [[religion]] is always and forever a mode of reacting to the situations of life; it is a species of [[conduct]]. [[Religion]] [[embraces]] [[thinking]], [[feeling]], and acting [[reverently]] toward some [[reality]] which we deem [[worthy]] of [[universal]] [[adoration]].
160:5.3 If something has become a [[religion]] in your [[experience]], it is [[self]]-[[evident]] that you already have become an active [[evangel]] of that [[religion]] since you deem the [[supreme]] [[concept]] of your [[religion]] as being [[worthy]] of the [[worship]] of all [[mankind]], all [[universe]] [[intelligences]]. If you are not a [[positive]] and [[mission]]ary evangel of your [[religion]], you are [[self]]-[[deceived]] in that what you call a [[religion]] is only a [[traditional]] [[belief]] or a mere [[system]] of [[intellectual]] [[philosophy]]. If your [[religion]] is a spiritual [[experience]], your object of [[worship]] must be the [[universal]] spirit [[reality]] and [[ideal]] of all your spiritualized [[concepts]]. All religions based on [[fear]], [[emotion]], [[tradition]], and [[philosophy]] I term the [[intellectual]] religions, while those based on true [[spirit]] [[experience]] I would term the true religions. The object of religious [[devotion]] may be [[material]] or [[spiritual]], true or false, real or unreal, [[human]] or [[divine]]. Religions can therefore be either [[good]] or [[evil]].
160:5.4 [[Morality]] and [[religion]] are not necessarily the same. A [[system]] of [[morals]], by grasping an object of [[worship]], may become a [[religion]]. A religion, by losing its [[universal]] [[appeal]] to [[loyalty]] and [[supreme]] [[devotion]], may evolve into a [[system]] of philosophy or a code of [[morals]]. This thing, being, [[state]], or order of [[existence]], or possibility of [[attainment]] which [[constitutes]] the [[supreme]] [[ideal]] of religious [[loyalty]], and which is the recipient of the religious [[devotion]] of those who [[worship]], is [[God]]. Regardless of the name applied to this [[ideal]] of spirit [[reality]], it is [[God]].
160:5.5 The [[social]] characteristics of a true [[religion]] consist in the [[fact]] that it invariably seeks to [[convert]] the [[individual]] and to [[transform]] the world. [[Religion]] implies the [[existence]] of undiscovered [[ideals]] which far [[transcend]] the known [[standards]] of [[ethics]] and [[morality]] embodied in even the highest [[social]] usages of the most [[mature]] [[institutions]] of [[civilization]]. [[Religion]] reaches out for undiscovered [[ideals]], unexplored [[realities]], [[superhuman]] [[values]], divine [[wisdom]], and true spirit [[attainment]]. True [[religion]] does all of this; all other [[beliefs]] are not [[worthy]] of the name. You cannot have a genuine [[spiritual]] [[religion]] without the [[supreme]] and [[supernal]] [[ideal]] of an eternal [[God]]. A [[religion]] without this [[God]] is an [[invention]] of man, a [[human]] [[institution]] of lifeless [[intellectual]] [[beliefs]] and meaningless [[emotional]] [[ceremonies]]. A [[religion]] might claim as the object of its [[devotion]] a great [[ideal]]. But such [[ideals]] of unreality are not [[attainable]]; such a [[concept]] is [[illusionary]]. The only [[ideals]] susceptible of human [[attainment]] are the [[divine]] [[realities]] of the [[infinite]] [[values]] resident in the [[spiritual]] [[fact]] of the [[eternal]] [[God]].
160:5.6 The [[word]] [[God]], the [[idea]] of [[God]] as [[contrast]]ed with the [[ideal]] of [[God]], can become a part of any [[religion]], no matter how puerile or [[false]] that [[religion]] may [[chance]] to be. And this [[idea]] of [[God]] can become anything which those who entertain it may [[choose]] to make it. The lower religions shape their [[ideas]] of [[God]] to meet the [[natural]] state of the [[human]] [[heart]]; the higher religions demand that the [[human]] [[heart]] shall be changed to meet the demands of the [[ideals]] of true [[religion]].
160:5.7 The [[religion]] of [[Jesus]] [[transcends]] all our former [[concepts]] of the [[idea]] of [[worship]] in that he not only portrays his [[the Father|Father]] as the [[ideal]] of infinite reality but positively [[declares]] that this [[divine]] [[source]] of values and the eternal [[center]] of the [[universe]] is truly and personally [[attainable]] by every [[mortal]] [[creature]] who chooses to enter [[the kingdom]] of heaven on [[earth]], thereby acknowledging the [[acceptance]] of sonship with [[God]] and brotherhood with man. That, I submit, is the highest [[concept]] of [[religion]] the world has ever known, and I pronounce that there can never be a higher since this [[gospel]] embraces the [[infinity]] of [[realities]], the [[divinity]] of [[values]], and the [[eternity]] of [[universal]] attainments. Such a [[concept]] constitutes the achievement of the [[experience]] of the [[idealism]] of the [[supreme]] and the [[ultimate]].
160:5.8 I am not only [[intrigued]] by the consummate [[ideals]] of this [[religion]] of your [[the Master|Master]], but I am mightily moved to profess my [[belief]] in his announcement that these [[ideals]] of spirit [[realities]] are attainable; that you and I can enter upon this long and [[eternal]] [[adventure]] with his [[assurance]] of the certainty of our [[ultimate]] arrival at the [[portals]] of [[Paradise]]. My brethren, I am a believer, I have embarked; I am on my way with you in this [[eternal]] venture. [[The Master]] says he came from [[the Father]], and that he will show us the way. I am fully persuaded he speaks the [[truth]]. I am finally convinced that there are no attainable [[ideals]] of [[reality]] or [[values]] of [[perfection]] apart from the [[eternal]] and [[Universal Father]].
160:5.9 I come, then, to [[worship]], not merely the [[God]] of [[existences]], but the God of the [[possibility]] of all [[future]] [[existences]]. Therefore must your [[devotion]] to a [[supreme]] [[ideal]], if that ideal is real, be [[devotion]] to this [[God]] of [[past]], [[present]], and [[future]] universes of [[things]] and [[beings]]. And there is no other [[God]], for there cannot possibly be any other God. All other gods are figments of the [[imagination]], [[illusions]] of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_110#110:1._INDWELLING_THE_MORTAL_MIND mortal mind], distortions of [[false]] [[logic]], and the self-[[deceptive]] [[idols]] of those who create them. Yes, you can have a [[religion]] without this [[God]], but it does not mean anything. And if you seek to substitute the [[word]] [[God]] for the [[reality]] of this [[ideal]] of the living God, you have only deluded yourself by putting an [[idea]] in the place of an [[ideal]], a [[divine]] [[reality]]. Such [[beliefs]] are merely religions of [[wish]]ful fancy.
160:5.10 I see in the teachings of [[Jesus]], [[religion]] at its best. This [[gospel]] enables us to seek for the true [[God]] and to find him. But are we willing to pay the price of this entrance into [[the kingdom]] of heaven? Are we willing to be born again? to be remade? Are we willing to be subject to this terrible and testing [[process]] of self-destruction and [[soul]] reconstruction? Has not [[the Master]] said: " Whoso would save his life must lose it. Think not that I have come to bring peace but rather a soul struggle "?[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_9] True, after we pay the price of [[dedication]] to [[the Father]]'s will, we do [[experience]] great [[peace]] provided we continue to walk in these spiritual paths of [[consecrated]] living.
160:5.11 Now are we truly forsaking the lures of the known order of [[existence]] while we unreservedly [[dedicate]] our [[quest]] to the lures of the [[unknown]] and unexplored order of the [[existence]] of a [[future]] life of [[adventure]] in the spirit worlds of the higher [[idealism]] of [[divine]] [[reality]]. And we seek for those [[symbols]] of [[meaning]] wherewith to convey to our fellow men these [[concepts]] of the [[reality]] of the idealism of the [[religion]] of [[Jesus]], and we will not cease to pray for that day when all [[mankind]] shall be thrilled by the communal [[vision]] of this [[supreme]] [[truth]]. Just now, our focalized [[concept]] of [[the Father]], as held in our [[hearts]], is that God is spirit; as conveyed to our fellows, that [[God]] is [[love]].
160:5.12 The [[religion]] of [[Jesus]] demands living and [[spiritual]] [[experience]]. Other [[religions]] may consist in [[traditional]] [[beliefs]], [[emotional]] feelings, philosophic [[consciousness]], and all of that, but the teaching of [[the Master]] requires the [[attainment]] of [[actual]] levels of real [[spirit]] [[progression]].
160:5.13 The [[consciousness]] of the [[impulse]] to be like [[God]] is not true [[religion]]. The [[feelings]] of the [[emotion]] to [[worship]] God are not true religion. The [[knowledge]] of the [[conviction]] to forsake self and serve God is not true religion. The [[wisdom]] of the [[reasoning]] that this religion is the best of all is not religion as a [[personal]] and spiritual [[experience]]. True religion has [[reference]] to [[destiny]] and reality of [[attainment]] as well as to the [[reality]] and [[idealism]] of that which is wholeheartedly [[faith]]-[[accepted]]. And all of this must be made [[personal]] to us by the [[revelation]] of the [[Spirit of Truth]].
160:5.14 And thus ended the [[dissertation]]s of the [[Greek]] philosopher, one of the greatest of his [[race]], who had become a believer in the [[gospel]] of [[Jesus]].
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_160 Go to Paper 160]</center>
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>
[[Category:Paper 160 - Rodan of Alexandria]]
160:5.1 You have told me that your [[the Master|Master]] regards genuine human [[religion]] as the [[individual]]'s [[experience]] with [[spiritual]] [[realities]]. I have regarded [[religion]] as man's [[experience]] of reacting to something which he regards as being [[worthy]] of the [[homage]] and [[devotion]] of all [[mankind]]. In this sense, religion symbolizes our [[supreme]] [[devotion]] to that which [[represents]] our highest [[concept]] of the [[ideals]] of [[reality]] and the farthest reach of our [[minds]] toward eternal [[possibilities]] of [[spiritual]] [[attainment]].
160:5.2 When men [[react]] to [[religion]] in the [[tribal]], [[national]], or [[racial]] sense, it is because they look upon those without their [[group]] as not being truly [[human]]. We always look upon the object of our [[religious]] [[loyalty]] as being [[worthy]] of the [[reverence]] of all men. [[Religion]] can never be a matter of mere [[intellectual]] [[belief]] or philosophic reasoning; [[religion]] is always and forever a mode of reacting to the situations of life; it is a species of [[conduct]]. [[Religion]] [[embraces]] [[thinking]], [[feeling]], and acting [[reverently]] toward some [[reality]] which we deem [[worthy]] of [[universal]] [[adoration]].
160:5.3 If something has become a [[religion]] in your [[experience]], it is [[self]]-[[evident]] that you already have become an active [[evangel]] of that [[religion]] since you deem the [[supreme]] [[concept]] of your [[religion]] as being [[worthy]] of the [[worship]] of all [[mankind]], all [[universe]] [[intelligences]]. If you are not a [[positive]] and [[mission]]ary evangel of your [[religion]], you are [[self]]-[[deceived]] in that what you call a [[religion]] is only a [[traditional]] [[belief]] or a mere [[system]] of [[intellectual]] [[philosophy]]. If your [[religion]] is a spiritual [[experience]], your object of [[worship]] must be the [[universal]] spirit [[reality]] and [[ideal]] of all your spiritualized [[concepts]]. All religions based on [[fear]], [[emotion]], [[tradition]], and [[philosophy]] I term the [[intellectual]] religions, while those based on true [[spirit]] [[experience]] I would term the true religions. The object of religious [[devotion]] may be [[material]] or [[spiritual]], true or false, real or unreal, [[human]] or [[divine]]. Religions can therefore be either [[good]] or [[evil]].
160:5.4 [[Morality]] and [[religion]] are not necessarily the same. A [[system]] of [[morals]], by grasping an object of [[worship]], may become a [[religion]]. A religion, by losing its [[universal]] [[appeal]] to [[loyalty]] and [[supreme]] [[devotion]], may evolve into a [[system]] of philosophy or a code of [[morals]]. This thing, being, [[state]], or order of [[existence]], or possibility of [[attainment]] which [[constitutes]] the [[supreme]] [[ideal]] of religious [[loyalty]], and which is the recipient of the religious [[devotion]] of those who [[worship]], is [[God]]. Regardless of the name applied to this [[ideal]] of spirit [[reality]], it is [[God]].
160:5.5 The [[social]] characteristics of a true [[religion]] consist in the [[fact]] that it invariably seeks to [[convert]] the [[individual]] and to [[transform]] the world. [[Religion]] implies the [[existence]] of undiscovered [[ideals]] which far [[transcend]] the known [[standards]] of [[ethics]] and [[morality]] embodied in even the highest [[social]] usages of the most [[mature]] [[institutions]] of [[civilization]]. [[Religion]] reaches out for undiscovered [[ideals]], unexplored [[realities]], [[superhuman]] [[values]], divine [[wisdom]], and true spirit [[attainment]]. True [[religion]] does all of this; all other [[beliefs]] are not [[worthy]] of the name. You cannot have a genuine [[spiritual]] [[religion]] without the [[supreme]] and [[supernal]] [[ideal]] of an eternal [[God]]. A [[religion]] without this [[God]] is an [[invention]] of man, a [[human]] [[institution]] of lifeless [[intellectual]] [[beliefs]] and meaningless [[emotional]] [[ceremonies]]. A [[religion]] might claim as the object of its [[devotion]] a great [[ideal]]. But such [[ideals]] of unreality are not [[attainable]]; such a [[concept]] is [[illusionary]]. The only [[ideals]] susceptible of human [[attainment]] are the [[divine]] [[realities]] of the [[infinite]] [[values]] resident in the [[spiritual]] [[fact]] of the [[eternal]] [[God]].
160:5.6 The [[word]] [[God]], the [[idea]] of [[God]] as [[contrast]]ed with the [[ideal]] of [[God]], can become a part of any [[religion]], no matter how puerile or [[false]] that [[religion]] may [[chance]] to be. And this [[idea]] of [[God]] can become anything which those who entertain it may [[choose]] to make it. The lower religions shape their [[ideas]] of [[God]] to meet the [[natural]] state of the [[human]] [[heart]]; the higher religions demand that the [[human]] [[heart]] shall be changed to meet the demands of the [[ideals]] of true [[religion]].
160:5.7 The [[religion]] of [[Jesus]] [[transcends]] all our former [[concepts]] of the [[idea]] of [[worship]] in that he not only portrays his [[the Father|Father]] as the [[ideal]] of infinite reality but positively [[declares]] that this [[divine]] [[source]] of values and the eternal [[center]] of the [[universe]] is truly and personally [[attainable]] by every [[mortal]] [[creature]] who chooses to enter [[the kingdom]] of heaven on [[earth]], thereby acknowledging the [[acceptance]] of sonship with [[God]] and brotherhood with man. That, I submit, is the highest [[concept]] of [[religion]] the world has ever known, and I pronounce that there can never be a higher since this [[gospel]] embraces the [[infinity]] of [[realities]], the [[divinity]] of [[values]], and the [[eternity]] of [[universal]] attainments. Such a [[concept]] constitutes the achievement of the [[experience]] of the [[idealism]] of the [[supreme]] and the [[ultimate]].
160:5.8 I am not only [[intrigued]] by the consummate [[ideals]] of this [[religion]] of your [[the Master|Master]], but I am mightily moved to profess my [[belief]] in his announcement that these [[ideals]] of spirit [[realities]] are attainable; that you and I can enter upon this long and [[eternal]] [[adventure]] with his [[assurance]] of the certainty of our [[ultimate]] arrival at the [[portals]] of [[Paradise]]. My brethren, I am a believer, I have embarked; I am on my way with you in this [[eternal]] venture. [[The Master]] says he came from [[the Father]], and that he will show us the way. I am fully persuaded he speaks the [[truth]]. I am finally convinced that there are no attainable [[ideals]] of [[reality]] or [[values]] of [[perfection]] apart from the [[eternal]] and [[Universal Father]].
160:5.9 I come, then, to [[worship]], not merely the [[God]] of [[existences]], but the God of the [[possibility]] of all [[future]] [[existences]]. Therefore must your [[devotion]] to a [[supreme]] [[ideal]], if that ideal is real, be [[devotion]] to this [[God]] of [[past]], [[present]], and [[future]] universes of [[things]] and [[beings]]. And there is no other [[God]], for there cannot possibly be any other God. All other gods are figments of the [[imagination]], [[illusions]] of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_110#110:1._INDWELLING_THE_MORTAL_MIND mortal mind], distortions of [[false]] [[logic]], and the self-[[deceptive]] [[idols]] of those who create them. Yes, you can have a [[religion]] without this [[God]], but it does not mean anything. And if you seek to substitute the [[word]] [[God]] for the [[reality]] of this [[ideal]] of the living God, you have only deluded yourself by putting an [[idea]] in the place of an [[ideal]], a [[divine]] [[reality]]. Such [[beliefs]] are merely religions of [[wish]]ful fancy.
160:5.10 I see in the teachings of [[Jesus]], [[religion]] at its best. This [[gospel]] enables us to seek for the true [[God]] and to find him. But are we willing to pay the price of this entrance into [[the kingdom]] of heaven? Are we willing to be born again? to be remade? Are we willing to be subject to this terrible and testing [[process]] of self-destruction and [[soul]] reconstruction? Has not [[the Master]] said: " Whoso would save his life must lose it. Think not that I have come to bring peace but rather a soul struggle "?[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_9] True, after we pay the price of [[dedication]] to [[the Father]]'s will, we do [[experience]] great [[peace]] provided we continue to walk in these spiritual paths of [[consecrated]] living.
160:5.11 Now are we truly forsaking the lures of the known order of [[existence]] while we unreservedly [[dedicate]] our [[quest]] to the lures of the [[unknown]] and unexplored order of the [[existence]] of a [[future]] life of [[adventure]] in the spirit worlds of the higher [[idealism]] of [[divine]] [[reality]]. And we seek for those [[symbols]] of [[meaning]] wherewith to convey to our fellow men these [[concepts]] of the [[reality]] of the idealism of the [[religion]] of [[Jesus]], and we will not cease to pray for that day when all [[mankind]] shall be thrilled by the communal [[vision]] of this [[supreme]] [[truth]]. Just now, our focalized [[concept]] of [[the Father]], as held in our [[hearts]], is that God is spirit; as conveyed to our fellows, that [[God]] is [[love]].
160:5.12 The [[religion]] of [[Jesus]] demands living and [[spiritual]] [[experience]]. Other [[religions]] may consist in [[traditional]] [[beliefs]], [[emotional]] feelings, philosophic [[consciousness]], and all of that, but the teaching of [[the Master]] requires the [[attainment]] of [[actual]] levels of real [[spirit]] [[progression]].
160:5.13 The [[consciousness]] of the [[impulse]] to be like [[God]] is not true [[religion]]. The [[feelings]] of the [[emotion]] to [[worship]] God are not true religion. The [[knowledge]] of the [[conviction]] to forsake self and serve God is not true religion. The [[wisdom]] of the [[reasoning]] that this religion is the best of all is not religion as a [[personal]] and spiritual [[experience]]. True religion has [[reference]] to [[destiny]] and reality of [[attainment]] as well as to the [[reality]] and [[idealism]] of that which is wholeheartedly [[faith]]-[[accepted]]. And all of this must be made [[personal]] to us by the [[revelation]] of the [[Spirit of Truth]].
160:5.14 And thus ended the [[dissertation]]s of the [[Greek]] philosopher, one of the greatest of his [[race]], who had become a believer in the [[gospel]] of [[Jesus]].
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_160 Go to Paper 160]</center>
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>
[[Category:Paper 160 - Rodan of Alexandria]]