Changes

*1. 92:5.6 ''The Sethite period''. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76#76:3._LIFE_IN_MESOPOTAMIA Sethite] [[priests]], as regenerated under the [[leadership]] of ''Amosad'', became the great post-Adamic [[teachers]]. They [[functioned]] throughout the lands of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andites], and their [[influence]] [[persisted]] longest among the [[Greeks]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumer Sumeria], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hindus]. Among the latter they have continued to the present time as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman Brahmans] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hindu] [[faith]]. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76#76:3._LIFE_IN_MESOPOTAMIA Sethites] and their followers never entirely lost the [[Trinity]] concept revealed by [[Adam]].[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION]  

*1. 92:5.6 ''The Sethite period''. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76#76:3._LIFE_IN_MESOPOTAMIA Sethite] [[priests]], as regenerated under the [[leadership]] of ''Amosad'', became the great post-Adamic [[teachers]]. They [[functioned]] throughout the lands of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andites], and their [[influence]] [[persisted]] longest among the [[Greeks]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumer Sumeria], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hindus]. Among the latter they have continued to the present time as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman Brahmans] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hindu] [[faith]]. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76#76:3._LIFE_IN_MESOPOTAMIA Sethites] and their followers never entirely lost the [[Trinity]] concept revealed by [[Adam]].[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION]  

*2. 92:5.7 ''Era of the Melchizedek missionaries''. [[Urantia]] [[religion]] was in no small measure regenerated by the [[efforts]] of those [[teachers]] who were commissioned by [[Machiventa]] [[Melchizedek]] when he lived and taught at [[Salem]] almost [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_B.C. two thousand years before Christ]. These missionaries proclaimed [[faith]] as the price of [[favor]] with [[God]], and their teachings, though unproductive of any immediately appearing [[religions]], nevertheless formed the [[foundations]] on which later teachers of [[truth]] were to build the [[religions]] of [[Urantia]].  

*2. 92:5.7 ''Era of the Melchizedek missionaries''. [[Urantia]] [[religion]] was in no small measure regenerated by the [[efforts]] of those [[teachers]] who were commissioned by [[Machiventa]] [[Melchizedek]] when he lived and taught at [[Salem]] almost [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_B.C. two thousand years before Christ]. These missionaries proclaimed [[faith]] as the price of [[favor]] with [[God]], and their teachings, though unproductive of any immediately appearing [[religions]], nevertheless formed the [[foundations]] on which later teachers of [[truth]] were to build the [[religions]] of [[Urantia]].  

*3. 92:5.8 ''The post-Melchizedek era''. Though [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenhotep_II Amenemope] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhenaten Ikhnaton] both taught in this period, the outstanding [[religious]] [[genius]] of the post-Melchizedek era was the [[leader]] of a [[group]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levant Levantine] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin Bedouins] and the founder of the [[Hebrew]] [[religion]]—[http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses]. Moses taught [[monotheism]]. Said he: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Deutoronomy#Chapter_.6] "The Lord he is God. There is none beside him."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Deutoronomy#Chapter_.4] He [[persistently]] sought to uproot the remnants of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_87 ghost cult] among his people, even prescribing the [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment death penalty] for its practitioners. The [[monotheism]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] was adulterated by his successors, but in later times they did return to many of his teachings. The greatness of Moses lies in his [[wisdom]] and sagacity. Other men have had greater [[concepts]] of [[God]], but no one man was ever so successful in inducing large [[numbers]] of people to adopt such advanced [[beliefs]].

*3. 92:5.8 ''The post-Melchizedek era''. Though [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_(author) Amenemope] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhenaten Ikhnaton] both taught in this period, the outstanding [[religious]] [[genius]] of the post-Melchizedek era was the [[leader]] of a [[group]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levant Levantine] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin Bedouins] and the founder of the [[Hebrew]] [[religion]]—[http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses]. Moses taught [[monotheism]]. Said he: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Deutoronomy#Chapter_.6] "The Lord he is God. There is none beside him."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Deutoronomy#Chapter_.4] He [[persistently]] sought to uproot the remnants of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_87 ghost cult] among his people, even prescribing the [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment death penalty] for its practitioners. The [[monotheism]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] was adulterated by his successors, but in later times they did return to many of his teachings. The greatness of Moses lies in his [[wisdom]] and sagacity. Other men have had greater [[concepts]] of [[God]], but no one man was ever so successful in inducing large [[numbers]] of people to adopt such advanced [[beliefs]].

*4. 92:5.9 ''The sixth century before Christ''. Many men arose to [[proclaim]] [[truth]] in this, one of the greatest centuries of religious [[awakening]] ever witnessed on [[Urantia]]. Among these should be recorded [[Gautama]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius Confucius], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laozi Lao-tse], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster Zoroaster], and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism Jainist] teachers. The teachings of Gautama have become widespread in Asia, and he is revered as the [[Buddha]] by millions. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius Confucius] was to Chinese [[morality]] what [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato] was to [[Greek]] [[philosophy]], and while there were religious repercussions to the teachings of both, strictly speaking, neither was a religious teacher; [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laozi Lao-tse] envisioned more of [[God]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao Tao] than did [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius Confucius] in [[humanity]] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato] in [[idealism]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster Zoroaster], while much affected by the prevalent [[concept]] of [[dual]] spiritism, the good and the bad, at the same time definitely exalted the [[idea]] of one [[eternal]] [[Deity]] and of the [[ultimate]] victory of [[light]] over [[darkness]]. [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION]

*4. 92:5.9 ''The sixth century before Christ''. Many men arose to [[proclaim]] [[truth]] in this, one of the greatest centuries of religious [[awakening]] ever witnessed on [[Urantia]]. Among these should be recorded [[Gautama]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius Confucius], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laozi Lao-tse], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster Zoroaster], and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism Jainist] teachers. The teachings of Gautama have become widespread in Asia, and he is revered as the [[Buddha]] by millions. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius Confucius] was to Chinese [[morality]] what [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato] was to [[Greek]] [[philosophy]], and while there were religious repercussions to the teachings of both, strictly speaking, neither was a religious teacher; [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laozi Lao-tse] envisioned more of [[God]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao Tao] than did [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius Confucius] in [[humanity]] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato] in [[idealism]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster Zoroaster], while much affected by the prevalent [[concept]] of [[dual]] spiritism, the good and the bad, at the same time definitely exalted the [[idea]] of one [[eternal]] [[Deity]] and of the [[ultimate]] victory of [[light]] over [[darkness]]. [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION]

*5. 92:5.10 ''The first century after Christ''. As a [[religious]] [[teacher]], [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] started out with the [[cult]] which had been [[established]] by [[John the Baptist]] and progressed as far as he could away from fasts and forms. Aside from [[Jesus]], [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul of Tarsus]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Alexandria Philo of Alexandria] were the greatest [[teachers]] of this era. Their [[concepts]] of religion have played a dominant part in the [[evolution]] of that [[faith]] which bears the name of [[Christ]].  

*5. 92:5.10 ''The first century after Christ''. As a [[religious]] [[teacher]], [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] started out with the [[cult]] which had been [[established]] by [[John the Baptist]] and progressed as far as he could away from fasts and forms. Aside from [[Jesus]], [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul of Tarsus]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Alexandria Philo of Alexandria] were the greatest [[teachers]] of this era. Their [[concepts]] of religion have played a dominant part in the [[evolution]] of that [[faith]] which bears the name of [[Christ]].  

==92:6. THE COMPOSITE RELIGIONS==

==92:6. THE COMPOSITE RELIGIONS==

92:6.1 Twentieth-century Urantia religions present an interesting study of the social evolution of man's worship impulse. Many faiths have progressed very little since the days of the ghost cult. The Pygmies of Africa have no religious reactions as a class, although some of them believe slightly in a spirit environment. They are today just where primitive man was when the evolution of religion began. The basic belief of primitive religion was survival after death. The idea of worshiping a personal God indicates advanced evolutionary development, even the first stage of revelation. The Dyaks have evolved only the most primitive religious practices. The comparatively recent Eskimos and Amerinds had very meager concepts of God; they believed in ghosts and had an indefinite idea of survival of some sort after death. Present-day native Australians have only a ghost fear, dread of the dark, and a crude ancestor veneration. The Zulus are just evolving a religion of ghost fear and sacrifice. Many African tribes, except through missionary work of Christians and Mohammedans, are not yet beyond the fetish stage of religious evolution. But some groups have long held to the idea of monotheism, like the onetime Thracians, who also believed in immortality.

92:6.1 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century Twentieth-century] [[Urantia]] [[religions]] present an interesting [[study]] of the [[social]] [[evolution]] of man's [[worship]] impulse. Many [[faiths]] have [[progressed]] very little since the days of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_87 ghost cult]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmies Pygmies] of Africa have no [[religious]] [[reactions]] as a class, although some of them believe slightly in a [[spirit]] [[environment]]. They are today just where [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_52#52:1._PRIMITIVE_MAN primitive man] was when the [[evolution]] of [[religion]] began. The basic [[belief]] of [[primitive]] [[religion]] was [[survival]] after [[death]]. The [[idea]] of [[worshiping]] a [[personal]] [[God]] indicates advanced [[evolutionary]] [[development]], even the first [[stage]] of [[revelation]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyaks Dyaks] have evolved only the most [[primitive]] religious [[practices]]. The comparatively recent [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eskimos Eskimos] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States Amerinds] had very meager [[concepts]] of [[God]]; they believed in [[ghosts]] and had an indefinite [[idea]] of [[survival]] of some sort after [[death]]. Present-day [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Aborigines native Australians] have only a [[ghost]] [[fear]], dread of the [[dark]], and a crude [[ancestor]] [[veneration]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zulus Zulus] are just evolving a [[religion]] of [[ghost]] [[fear]] and [[sacrifice]]. Many African [[tribes]], except through missionary work of [[Christians]] and [[Muslim|Mohammedans]], are not yet beyond the [[fetish]] stage of religious [[evolution]]. But some [[groups]] have long held to the [[idea]] of [[monotheism]], like the onetime [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thracians Thracians], who also believed in [[immortality]].

92:6.2 On Urantia, evolutionary and revelatory religion are progressing side by side while they blend and coalesce into the diversified theologic systems found in the world in the times of the inditement of these papers. These religions, the religions of twentieth-century Urantia, may be enumerated as follows:

92:6.2 On [[Urantia]], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary] and [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revelatory religion] are progressing side by side while they blend and coalesce into the [[diversified]] [[theologic]] [[systems]] found in the world in the times of the inditement of these papers. These [[religions]], the religions of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century twentieth-century] [[Urantia]], may be enumerated as follows:

*1.  Hinduism—the most ancient.

*1.  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hinduism]—the most [[ancient]].

*2.  The Hebrew religion.

*2.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism Hebrew religion].

*3.  Buddhism.

*3.  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism Buddhism].

*4.  The Confucian teachings.

*4.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism Confucian] teachings.

*5.  The Taoist beliefs.

*5.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism Taoist] beliefs.

*6.  Zoroastrianism.

*6.  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism].

*7.  Shinto.

*7.  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto Shinto].

*8.  Jainism.

*8.  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism Jainism].

*9.  Christianity.

*9.  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity Christianity].

*10. Islam.

*10. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam Islam].

*11. Sikhism—the most recent.

*11. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism Sikhism]—the most recent.

92:6.3 The most advanced religions of ancient times were Hinduism and Judaism, and each respectively has greatly influenced the course of religious development in Orient and Occident. Both Hindus and Hebrews believed that their religions were inspired and revealed, and they believed all others to be decadent forms of the one true faith.

92:6.3 The most advanced [[religions]] of [[ancient]] times were [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hinduism] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism Judaism], and each respectively has greatly [[influenced]] the [[course]] of religious [[development]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient Orient] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occident]. Both [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindusim Hindus] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism Hebrews] believed that their [[religions]] were [[inspired]] and [[revealed]], and they believed all others to be [[decadent]] forms of the one true [[faith]].

92:6.4 India is divided among Hindu, Sikh, Mohammedan, and Jain, each picturing God, man, and the universe as these are variously conceived. China follows the Taoist and the Confucian teachings; Shinto is revered in Japan.

92:6.4 India is divided among Hindu, Sikh, Mohammedan, and Jain, each picturing God, man, and the universe as these are variously conceived. China follows the Taoist and the Confucian teachings; Shinto is revered in Japan.

92:6.5 The great international, interracial faiths are the Hebraic, Buddhist, Christian, and Islamic. Buddhism stretches from Ceylon and Burma through Tibet and China to Japan. It has shown an adaptability to the mores of many peoples that has been equaled only by Christianity.

92:6.5 The great [[international]], interracial faiths are the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism Hebraic], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism Buddhist], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christitanity Christian], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam Islamic]. [[Buddhism]] stretches from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceylon Ceylon] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma Burma] through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet Tibet] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China China] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan Japan]. It has shown an [[adaptability]] to the [[mores]] of many peoples that has been equaled only by [[Christianity]].

92:6.6 The Hebrew religion encompasses the philosophic transition from polytheism to monotheism; it is an evolutionary link between the religions of evolution and the religions of revelation. The Hebrews were the only western people to follow their early evolutionary gods straight through to the God of revelation. But this truth never became widely accepted until the days of Isaiah, who once again taught the blended idea of a racial deity combined with a Universal Creator: " O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, you are God, even you alone; you have made heaven and earth. " At one time the hope of the survival of Occidental civilization lay in the sublime Hebraic concepts of goodness and the advanced Hellenic concepts of beauty.

92:6.6 The [[Hebrew]] [[religion]] [[encompasses]] the philosophic [[transition]] from [[polytheism]] to [[monotheism]]; it is an [[evolutionary]] link between the [[religions]] of [[evolution]] and the religions of [[revelation]]. The [[Hebrews]] were the only western people to follow their early evolutionary gods straight through to the [[God]] of [[revelation]]. But this [[truth]] never became widely accepted until the days of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah Isaiah], who once again taught the blended [[idea]] of a [[racial]] [[deity]] combined with a [[Universal]] [[Creator]]: "O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, you are God, even you alone; you have made heaven and earth."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Isaiah#Chapter_.37] At one time the [[hope]] of the [[survival]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occidental] civilization lay in the [[sublime]] [[Hebraic]] [[concepts]] of [[goodness]] and the advanced [[Greek|Hellenic]] concepts of [[beauty]].

92:6.7 The Christian religion is the religion about the life and teachings of Christ based upon the theology of Judaism, modified further through the assimilation of certain Zoroastrian teachings and Greek philosophy, and formulated primarily by three individuals: Philo, Peter, and Paul. It has passed through many phases of evolution since the time of Paul and has become so thoroughly Occidentalized that many non-European peoples very naturally look upon Christianity as a strange revelation of a strange God and for strangers.

92:6.7 The [[Christian]] religion is the religion about the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_IV._The_Life_and_Teachings_of_Jesus life and teachings of Christ] based upon the [[theology]] of [[Judaism]], modified further through the assimilation of certain [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism Zoroastrian] teachings and [[Greek]] [[philosophy]], and formulated primarily by three [[individuals]]: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo Philo], [[Peter]], and [[Paul]]. It has passed through many [[phases]] of [[evolution]] since the time of [[Paul]] and has become so thoroughly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occidentalized] that many non-European peoples very naturally look upon [[Christianity]] as a strange [[revelation]] of a strange God and for strangers.

92:6.8 Islam is the religio-cultural connective of North Africa, the Levant, and southeastern Asia. It was Jewish theology in connection with the later Christian teachings that made Islam monotheistic. The followers of Mohammed stumbled at the advanced teachings of the Trinity; they could not comprehend the doctrine of three divine personalities and one Deity. It is always difficult to induce evolutionary minds suddenly to accept advanced revealed truth. Man is an evolutionary creature and in the main must get his religion by evolutionary techniques.

92:6.8 [[Islam]] is the religio-cultural connective of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africa North Africa], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levant Levant], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asia southeastern Asia]. It was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism Jewish] [[theology]] in [[connection]] with the later [[Christian]] teachings that made [[Islam]] [[monotheistic]]. The followers of [[Mohammed]] stumbled at the advanced teachings of the [[Trinity]]; they could not [[comprehend]] the [[doctrine]] of [[three]] [[divine]] [[personalities]] and one Deity. It is always [[difficult]] to induce evolutionary [[minds]] suddenly to [[accept]] advanced revealed [[truth]]. Man is an [[evolutionary]] [[creature]] and in the main must get his [[religion]] by evolutionary [[techniques]].

92:6.9 Ancestor worship onetime constituted a decided advance in religious evolution, but it is both amazing and regrettable that this primitive concept persists in China, Japan, and India amidst so much that is relatively more advanced, such as Buddhism and Hinduism. In the Occident, ancestor worship developed into the veneration of national gods and respect for racial heroes. In the twentieth century this hero-venerating nationalistic religion makes its appearance in the various radical and nationalistic secularisms which characterize many races and nations of the Occident. Much of this same attitude is also found in the great universities and the larger industrial communities of the English-speaking peoples. Not very different from these concepts is the idea that religion is but " a shared quest of the good life. " The " national religions " are nothing more than a reversion to the early Roman emperor worship and to Shinto—worship of the state in the imperial family.

92:6.9 [[Ancestor]] [[worship]] onetime constituted a decided advance in [[religious]] [[evolution]], but it is both amazing and regrettable that this [[primitive]] [[concept]] persists in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China China], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan Japan], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India India] amidst so much that is [[relatively]] more advanced, such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism Buddhism] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hinduism]. In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occident], [[ancestor]] [[worship]] [[developed]] into the [[veneration]] of national gods and [[respect]] for racial [[heroes]]. In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century twentieth century] this [[hero]]-venerating nationalistic religion makes its [[appearance]] in the various [[radical]] and nationalistic [[secularism]]s which characterize many [[races]] and [[nations]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occident]. Much of this same [[attitude]] is also found in the great [[universities]] and the larger [[industrial]] communities of the [[English]]-speaking peoples. Not very [[different]] from these [[concepts]] is the idea that [[religion]] is but "a shared quest of the good life." The "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_religion national religions]" are nothing more than a reversion to the early [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_emperors Roman emperor] [[worship]] and to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto Shinto]—[[worship]] of the [[state]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Family_of_Japan imperial family].

==92:7. THE FURTHER EVOLUTION OF RELIGION==

==92:7. THE FURTHER EVOLUTION OF RELIGION==

92:7.1 Religion can never become a scientific fact. Philosophy may, indeed, rest on a scientific basis, but religion will ever remain either evolutionary or revelatory, or a possible combination of both, as it is in the world today.

92:7.1 [[Religion]] can never become a [[scientific]] [[fact]]. [[Philosophy]] may, indeed, rest on a [[scientific]] basis, but [[religion]] will ever remain either [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary] or [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revelatory], or a possible combination of both, as it is in the world today.

92:7.2 New religions cannot be invented; they are either evolved, or else they are suddenly revealed. All new evolutionary religions are merely advancing expressions of the old beliefs, new adaptations and adjustments. The old does not cease to exist; it is merged with the new, even as Sikhism budded and blossomed out of the soil and forms of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and other contemporary cults. Primitive religion was very democratic; the savage was quick to borrow or lend. <u>Only with revealed religion did autocratic and intolerant theologic egotism appear.</u>

92:7.2 New religions cannot be [[invented]]; they are either evolved, or else they are suddenly revealed. All new [[evolutionary]] [[religions]] are merely advancing [[expressions]] of the old [[beliefs]], new adaptations and [[adjustments]]. The old does not cease to exist; it is merged with the new, even as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism Sikhism] budded and blossomed out of the [[soil]] and forms of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hinduism], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism Buddhism], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam Islam], and other contemporary [[cults]]. [[Primitive]] [[religion]] was very [[democratic]]; the [[savage]] was quick to borrow or lend. Only with [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revealed religion] did [[autocratic]] and intolerant theologic [[egotism]] appear.

92:7.3 The many religions of Urantia are all good to the extent that they bring man to God and bring the realization of the Father to man. It is a fallacy for any group of religionists to conceive of their creed as The Truth; such attitudes bespeak more of theological arrogance than of certainty of faith. There is not a Urantia religion that could not profitably study and assimilate the best of the truths contained in every other faith, for all contain truth. Religionists would do better to borrow the best in their neighbors' living spiritual faith rather than to denounce the worst in their lingering superstitions and outworn rituals.

92:7.3 The many [[religions]] of [[Urantia]] are all [[good]] to the extent that they bring man to [[God]] and bring the [[realization]] of [[the Father]] to man. It is a [[fallacy]] for any [[group]] of religionists to conceive of their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creed creed] as The Truth; such [[attitudes]] bespeak more of [[theological]] arrogance than of certainty of [[faith]]. There is not a [[Urantia]] [[religion]] that could not profitably [[study]] and assimilate the best of the [[truths]] contained in every other [[faith]], for all contain [[truth]]. Religionists would do better to borrow the best in their [[neighbors]]' living spiritual [[faith]] rather than to denounce the worst in their lingering [[superstitions]] and outworn [[rituals]].

92:7.4 All these religions have arisen as a result of man's variable intellectual response to his identical spiritual leading. They can never hope to attain a uniformity of creeds, dogmas, and rituals—these are intellectual; but they can, and some day will, realize a unity in true worship of the Father of all, for this is spiritual, and it is forever true, in the spirit all men are equal.

92:7.4 All these [[religions]] have arisen as a result of man's variable [[intellectual]] [[response]] to his identical [[spiritual]] leading. They can never [[hope]] to [[attain]] a [[uniformity]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creed creeds], [[dogmas]], and [[rituals]]—these are [[intellectual]]; but they can, and some day will, [[realize]] a [[unity]] in true [[worship]] of [[the Father]] of all, for this is [[spiritual]], and it is forever true, in the [[spirit]] all men are [[equal]].

92:7.5 Primitive religion was largely a material-value consciousness, but civilization elevates religious values, for true religion is the devotion of the self to the service of meaningful and supreme values. As religion evolves, ethics becomes the philosophy of morals, and morality becomes the discipline of self by the standards of highest meanings and supreme values—divine and spiritual ideals. And thus religion becomes a spontaneous and exquisite devotion, the living experience of the loyalty of love.

92:7.5 [[Primitive]] [[religion]] was largely a [[material]]-[[value]] [[consciousness]], but [[civilization]] elevates religious [[values]], for true [[religion]] is the [[devotion]] of the [[self]] to the [[service]] of meaningful and [[supreme]] [[values]]. As [[religion]] evolves, [[ethics]] becomes the [[philosophy]] of [[morals]], and [[morality]] becomes the [[discipline]] of [[self]] by the [[standards]] of highest [[meanings]] and supreme [[values]]—[[divine]] and [[spiritual]] [[ideals]]. And thus [[religion]] becomes a [[spontaneous]] and exquisite [[devotion]], the living [[experience]] of the [[loyalty]] of [[love]].

92:7.6 The quality of a religion is indicated by:

92:7.6 The [[quality]] of a [[religion]] is indicated by:

*1. Level of values—loyalties.

*1. Level of [[values]]—loyalties.

*2. Depth of meanings—the sensitization of the individual to the idealistic appreciation of these highest values.

*2. Depth of [[meanings]]—the [[sensitization]] of the [[individual]] to the idealistic [[appreciation]] of these highest values.

*3. Consecration intensity—the degree of devotion to these divine values.

*3. [[Consecration]] [[intensity]]—the [[degree]] of [[devotion]] to these [[divine]] [[values]].

*4. The unfettered progress of the personality in this cosmic path of idealistic spiritual living, realization of sonship with God and never-ending progressive citizenship in the universe.

*4. The unfettered [[progress]] of the [[personality]] in this [[cosmic]] path of idealistic [[spiritual]] living, [[realization]] of sonship with God and never-ending progressive [[citizenship]] in the [[universe]].

92:7.7 Religious meanings progress in self-consciousness when the child transfers his ideas of omnipotence from his parents to God. And the entire religious experience of such a child is largely dependent on whether fear or love has dominated the parent-child relationship. Slaves have always experienced great difficulty in transferring their master-fear into concepts of God-love. Civilization, science, and advanced religions must deliver mankind from those fears born of the dread of natural phenomena. And so should greater enlightenment deliver educated mortals from all dependence on intermediaries in communion with Deity.

92:7.7 Religious [[meanings]] [[progress]] in [[self-consciousness]] when the child [[transfers]] his [[ideas]] of [[omnipotence]] from his [[parents]] to [[God]]. And the entire [[religious]] [[experience]] of such a [[child]] is largely dependent on whether [[fear]] or [[love]] has [[dominated]] the [[parent]]-[[child]] [[relationship]]. [[Slaves]] have always [[experienced]] great [[difficulty]] in transferring their master-[[fear]] into [[concepts]] of [[God]]-[[love]]. [[Civilization]], [[science]], and advanced [[religions]] must deliver [[mankind]] from those fears born of the dread of [[natural]] [[phenomena]]. And so should greater [[enlightenment]] deliver educated [[mortals]] from all dependence on intermediaries in [[communion]] with [[Deity]].

92:7.8 These intermediate stages of idolatrous hesitation in the transfer of veneration from the human and the visible to the divine and invisible are inevitable, but they should be shortened by the consciousness of the facilitating ministry of the indwelling divine spirit. Nevertheless, man has been profoundly influenced, not only by his concepts of Deity, but also by the character of the heroes whom he has chosen to honor. It is most unfortunate that those who have come to venerate the divine and risen Christ should have overlooked the man—the valiant and courageous hero—Joshua ben Joseph.

92:7.8 These [[intermediate]] [[stages]] of [[idolatrous]] hesitation in the [[transfer]] of [[veneration]] from the [[human]] and the visible to the [[divine]] and [[invisible]] are [[inevitable]], but they should be shortened by the [[consciousness]] of the facilitating ministry of the [[indwelling divine spirit]]. Nevertheless, man has been [[profoundly]] [[influenced]], not only by his [[concepts]] of [[Deity]], but also by the [[character]] of the [[heroes]] whom he has chosen to [[honor]]. It is most unfortunate that those who have come to [[venerate]] the divine and risen [[Christ]] should have overlooked the man—the valiant and [[courageous]] [[hero]]—[[Jesus|Joshua ben Joseph]].

92:7.9 Modern man is adequately self-conscious of religion, but his worshipful customs are confused and discredited by his accelerated social metamorphosis and unprecedented scientific developments. Thinking men and women want religion redefined, and this demand will compel religion to re-evaluate itself.

92:7.9 [[Modern]] man is adequately [[self-conscious]] of [[religion]], but his [[worshipful]] [[customs]] are [[confused]] and discredited by his [[accelerated]] [[social]] [[metamorphosis]] and unprecedented [[scientific]] [[developments]]. [[Thinking]] men and women want [[religion]] redefined, and this demand will compel religion to re-evaluate itself.

92:7.10 Modern man is confronted with the task of making more readjustments of human values in one generation than have been made in two thousand years. And this all influences the social attitude toward religion, for religion is a way of living as well as a technique of thinking.

92:7.10 [[Modern]] man is confronted with the task of making more readjustments of human [[values]] in one [[generation]] than have been made in two thousand years. And this all [[influences]] the [[social]] [[attitude]] toward [[religion]], for religion is a way of living as well as a [[technique]] of [[thinking]].

92:7.11 True religion must ever be, at one and the same time, the eternal foundation and the guiding star of all enduring civilizations.

92:7.11 True [[religion]] must ever be, at one and the same time, the [[eternal]] [[foundation]] and the guiding [[star]] of all [[Sustainable|enduring]] [[civilizations]].

92:7.12 Presented by a [[Melchizedek]] of [[Nebadon]].

92:7.12 Presented by a [[Melchizedek]] of [[Nebadon]].

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[[Category: PART III: The History of Urantia]]

[[Category: PART III: The History of Urantia]]