Changes

103:4.1 The characteristic [[difference]] between a [[social]] occasion and a [[religious]] gathering is that in [[contrast]] with the [[secular]] the religious is [[pervaded]] by the [[atmosphere]] of [[communion]]. In this way [[human]] [[association]] generates a [[feeling]] of fellowship with the [[divine]], and this is the beginning of [[group]] [[worship]]. Partaking of a common meal was the earliest [[type]] of [[social]] [[communion]], and so did early [[religions]] provide that some portion of the [[ceremonial]] [[sacrifice]] should be eaten by the [[worshipers]]. Even in [[Christianity]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_supper Lord's Supper] retains this [[mode]] of [[communion]]. The [[atmosphere]] of the [[communion]] provides a refreshing and comforting period of truce in the [[conflict]] of the [[self]]-seeking [[ego]] with the [[altruistic]] urge of the [[indwelling spirit]] Monitor. And this is the prelude to true [[worship]]—the [[practice]] of the [[presence]] of [[God]] which [[eventuates]] in the [[emergence]] of the [[brotherhood]] of man.

103:4.1 The characteristic [[difference]] between a [[social]] occasion and a [[religious]] gathering is that in [[contrast]] with the [[secular]] the religious is [[pervaded]] by the [[atmosphere]] of [[communion]]. In this way [[human]] [[association]] generates a [[feeling]] of fellowship with the [[divine]], and this is the beginning of [[group]] [[worship]]. Partaking of a common meal was the earliest [[type]] of [[social]] [[communion]], and so did early [[religions]] provide that some portion of the [[ceremonial]] [[sacrifice]] should be eaten by the [[worshipers]]. Even in [[Christianity]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_supper Lord's Supper] retains this [[mode]] of [[communion]]. The [[atmosphere]] of the [[communion]] provides a refreshing and comforting period of truce in the [[conflict]] of the [[self]]-seeking [[ego]] with the [[altruistic]] urge of the [[indwelling spirit]] Monitor. And this is the prelude to true [[worship]]—the [[practice]] of the [[presence]] of [[God]] which [[eventuates]] in the [[emergence]] of the [[brotherhood]] of man.

103:4.2 When [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_52#52:1._PRIMITIVE_MAN primitive man] felt that his [[communion]] with [[God]] had been interrupted, he resorted to [[sacrifice]] of some kind in an [[effort]] to make [[atonement]], to restore [[friendly]] [[relationship]]. The [[hunger]] and thirst for [[righteousness]] leads to the [[discovery]] of [[truth]], and [[truth]] augments [[ideals]], and this [[creates]] new [[problems]] for the [[individual]] religionists, for our [[ideals]] tend to [[grow]] by [[geometrical]] [[progression]], while our [[ability]] to live up to them is enhanced only by arithmetical [[progression]].

103:4.2 When [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_52#52:1._PRIMITIVE_MAN primitive man] felt that his [[communion]] with [[God]] had been interrupted, he resorted to [[sacrifice]] of some kind in an [[effort]] to make [[atonement]], to restore [[friendly]] [[relationship]]. The [[hunger]] and thirst for [[righteousness]] leads to the [[discovery]] of [[truth]], and [[truth]] augments [[ideals]], and this [[creates]] new [[problems]] for the [[individual]] religionists, for our [[ideals]] tend to [[grow]] by [[geometrical]] [[progression]], while our [[ability]] to live up to them is enhanced only by arithmetical [[progression]].

103:4.3 The sense of [[guilt]] (not the [[consciousness]] of [[sin]]) comes either from interrupted [[spiritual]] [[communion]] or from the lowering of one's [[moral]] [[ideals]]. [[Deliverance]] from such a predicament can only come through the [[realization]] that one's highest [[moral]] [[ideals]] are not necessarily synonymous with the will of God. [[Man]] cannot [[hope]] to live up to his highest [[ideals]], but he can be true to his [[purpose]] of finding God and becoming more and more like him.

103:4.3 The sense of [[guilt]] (not the [[consciousness]] of [[sin]]) comes either from interrupted [[spiritual]] [[communion]] or from the lowering of one's [[moral]] [[ideals]]. [[Deliverance]] from such a predicament can only come through the [[realization]] that one's highest [[moral]] [[ideals]] are not necessarily synonymous with the will of God. [[Man]] cannot [[hope]] to live up to his highest [[ideals]], but he can be true to his [[purpose]] of finding God and becoming more and more like him.

103:4.5 [[God]] [[the Father]] deals with man his child on the basis, not of [[actual]] [[virtue]] or [[worthiness]], but in [[recognition]] of the child's [[motivation]]—the [[creature]] [[purpose]] and [[intent]]. The [[relationship]] is one of [[parent]]-[[child]] [[association]] and is actuated by [[divine]] [[love]].

103:4.5 [[God]] [[the Father]] deals with man his child on the basis, not of [[actual]] [[virtue]] or [[worthiness]], but in [[recognition]] of the child's [[motivation]]—the [[creature]] [[purpose]] and [[intent]]. The [[relationship]] is one of [[parent]]-[[child]] [[association]] and is actuated by [[divine]] [[love]].

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_103 Go to Paper 103]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_103 Go to Paper 103]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

[[Category:Paper 103 - The Reality of Religious Experience]]

[[Category:Paper 103 - The Reality of Religious Experience]]

[[Category: Communion]]

[[Category: Communion]]

[[Category: Faith]]

[[Category: Faith]]