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, 11:12, 18 July 2011Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame 103:9.1 Theology deals with the intellectual content of religion, metaphysics ([[revela...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:The_eye_of_all_ur60.jpg|right|frame]]
103:9.1 [[Theology]] deals with the [[intellectual]] [[content]] of [[religion]], [[metaphysics]] ([[revelation]]) with the philosophic aspects. Religious [[experience]] is the spiritual [[content]] of [[religion]]. Notwithstanding the [[mythologic]] vagaries and the [[psychologic]] [[illusions]] of the [[intellectual]] [[content]] of [[religion]], the [[metaphysical]] [[assumptions]] of [[error]] and the ''techniques'' of [[self]]-[[deception]], the [[political]] [[distortions]] and the socioeconomic [[perversions]] of the philosophic [[content]] of [[religion]], the [[spiritual]] [[experience]] of [[personal]] religion remains [[genuine]] and valid.
103:9.2 [[Religion]] has to do with [[feeling]], [[acting]], and living, not merely with [[thinking]]. [[Thinking]] is more closely related to the [[material]] life and should be in the main, but not altogether, [[dominated]] by [[reason]] and the [[facts]] of [[science]] and, in its nonmaterial reaches toward the [[spirit]] realms, by [[truth]]. No matter how [[illusory]] and [[erroneous]] one's [[theology]], one's [[religion]] may be wholly genuine and everlastingly true.
103:9.3 [[Buddhism]] in its [[original]] form is one of the best religions without a [[God]] which has arisen throughout all the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_III._The_History_of_Urantia evolutionary history of Urantia], although, as this [[faith]] developed, it did not remain godless. [[Religion]] without [[faith]] is a [[contradiction]]; without [[God]], a philosophic inconsistency and an [[intellectual]] [[absurdity]].
103:9.4 The [[magical]] and [[mythological]] parentage of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_86#86:7._THE_FUNCTION_OF_PRIMITIVE_RELIGION natural religion] does not invalidate the [[reality]] and [[truth]] of the later [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revelational religions] and the consummate saving [[gospel]] of the religion of [[Jesus]]. [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_IV._The_Life_and_Teachings_of_Jesus Jesus' life and teachings] finally divested [[religion]] of the [[superstitions]] of [[magic]], the [[illusions]] of [[mythology]], and the bondage of [[traditional]] [[dogmatism]]. But this early [[magic]] and [[mythology]] very effectively [[prepared]] the way for later and superior [[religion]] by assuming the [[existence]] and [[reality]] of supermaterial [[values]] and [[beings]].
103:9.5 Although [[religious]] [[experience]] is a [[purely]] [[spiritual]] [[subjective]] [[phenomenon]], such an [[experience]] [[embraces]] a [[positive]] and living [[faith]] [[attitude]] toward the highest realms of [[universe]] [[objective]] [[reality]]. The [[ideal]] of [[religious]] [[philosophy]] is such a [[faith]]-[[trust]] as would lead man unqualifiedly to depend upon the [[absolute]] [[love]] of the [[Universal Father|infinite Father]] of the [[universe of universes]]. Such a genuine [[religious]] [[experience]] far [[transcends]] the philosophic objectification of idealistic [[desire]]; it [[actually]] takes [[salvation]] for granted and concerns itself only with learning and [[doing the will of the Father]] in [[Paradise]]. The earmarks of such a [[religion]] are: [[faith]] in a [[supreme]] [[Deity]], [[hope]] of [[eternal]] [[survival]], and [[love]], especially of one's fellows.
103:9.6 When [[theology]] masters [[religion]], religion dies; it becomes a [[doctrine]] instead of a life. The mission of [[theology]] is merely to [[facilitate]] the [[self-consciousness]] of [[personal]] [[spiritual]] [[experience]]. [[Theology]] [[constitutes]] the [[religious]] [[effort]] to define, [[clarify]], expound, and justify the [[experiential]] claims of [[religion]], which, in the last [[analysis]], can be validated only by living [[faith]]. In the higher [[philosophy]] of the [[universe]], [[wisdom]], like [[reason]], becomes allied to [[faith]]. [[Reason]], [[wisdom]], and [[faith]] are man's highest human [[attainments]]. [[Reason]] introduces man to the world of [[facts]], to [[things]]; [[wisdom]] introduces him to a world of [[truth]], to [[relationships]]; [[faith]] initiates him into a world of [[divinity]], [[spiritual]] [[experience]].
103:9.7 [[Faith]] most willingly carries [[reason]] along as far as reason can go and then goes on with [[wisdom]] to the full philosophic [[limit]]; and then it dares to launch out upon the [[limitless]] and never-ending [[universe]] [[journey]] in the sole company of [[TRUTH]].
103:9.8 [[Science]] ([[knowledge]]) is founded on the [[inherent]] ([[Adjutant Mind Spirits|adjutant spirit]]) [[assumption]] that [[reason]] is valid, that the [[universe]] can be [[comprehended]]. [[Philosophy]] ([[co-ordinate]] comprehension) is founded on the [[inherent]] ([[Adjutant Mind Spirits|spirit of wisdom]]) [[assumption]] that [[wisdom]] is valid, that the [[material]] [[universe]] can be [[co-ordinated]] with the [[spiritual]]. [[Religion]] (the [[truth]] of [[personal]] [[spiritual]] [[experience]]) is founded on the [[inherent]] ([[Thought Adjuster]]) assumption that [[faith]] is valid, that [[God]] can be known and [[attained]].
103:9.9 The full [[realization]] of the [[reality]] of [[mortal]] life consists in a [[progressive]] willingness to believe these [[assumptions]] of [[reason]], [[wisdom]], and [[faith]]. Such a life is one [[motivated]] by [[truth]] and [[dominated]] by [[love]]; and these are the [[ideals]] of [[objective]] [[cosmic]] [[reality]] whose [[existence]] cannot be [[materially]] [[demonstrated]].
103:9.10 When [[reason]] once [[recognizes]] right and wrong, it exhibits [[wisdom]]; when wisdom [[chooses]] between right and wrong, [[truth]] and [[error]], it [[demonstrates]] [[spirit]] [[leading]]. And thus are the [[functions]] of [[mind]], [[soul]], and [[spirit]] ever closely [[united]] and [[functionally]] interassociated. [[Reason]] deals with [[factual]] [[knowledge]]; [[wisdom]], with [[philosophy]] and [[revelation]]; [[faith]], with living [[spiritual]] [[experience]]. Through [[truth]] man [[attains]] [[beauty]] and by [[spiritual]] [[love]] [[ascends]] to [[goodness]].
103:9.11 [[Faith]] leads to knowing [[God]], not merely to a [[mystical]] [[feeling]] of the [[divine]] [[presence]]. [[Faith]] must not be overmuch [[influenced]] by its [[emotional]] [[consequences]]. True [[religion]] is an [[experience]] of believing and [[knowing]] as well as a [[satisfaction]] of [[feeling]].
103:9.12 There is a [[reality]] in [[religious]] [[experience]] that is [[proportional]] to the [[spiritual]] [[content]], and such a [[reality]] is [[transcendent]] to [[reason]], [[science]], [[philosophy]], [[wisdom]], and all other human achievements. The [[convictions]] of such an experience are unassailable; the [[logic]] of [[religious]] living is incontrovertible; the [[certainty]] of such [[knowledge]] is [[superhuman]]; the [[satisfactions]] are superbly [[divine]], the [[courage]] indomitable, the [[devotions]] unquestioning, the [[loyalties]] [[supreme]], and the [[destinies]] final—[[eternal]], [[ultimate]], and [[universal]].
103:9.13 Presented by a [[Melchizedek]] of [[Nebadon]].
<center>[http://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>
[[Category:Paper 103 - The Reality of Religious Experience]]
103:9.1 [[Theology]] deals with the [[intellectual]] [[content]] of [[religion]], [[metaphysics]] ([[revelation]]) with the philosophic aspects. Religious [[experience]] is the spiritual [[content]] of [[religion]]. Notwithstanding the [[mythologic]] vagaries and the [[psychologic]] [[illusions]] of the [[intellectual]] [[content]] of [[religion]], the [[metaphysical]] [[assumptions]] of [[error]] and the ''techniques'' of [[self]]-[[deception]], the [[political]] [[distortions]] and the socioeconomic [[perversions]] of the philosophic [[content]] of [[religion]], the [[spiritual]] [[experience]] of [[personal]] religion remains [[genuine]] and valid.
103:9.2 [[Religion]] has to do with [[feeling]], [[acting]], and living, not merely with [[thinking]]. [[Thinking]] is more closely related to the [[material]] life and should be in the main, but not altogether, [[dominated]] by [[reason]] and the [[facts]] of [[science]] and, in its nonmaterial reaches toward the [[spirit]] realms, by [[truth]]. No matter how [[illusory]] and [[erroneous]] one's [[theology]], one's [[religion]] may be wholly genuine and everlastingly true.
103:9.3 [[Buddhism]] in its [[original]] form is one of the best religions without a [[God]] which has arisen throughout all the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_III._The_History_of_Urantia evolutionary history of Urantia], although, as this [[faith]] developed, it did not remain godless. [[Religion]] without [[faith]] is a [[contradiction]]; without [[God]], a philosophic inconsistency and an [[intellectual]] [[absurdity]].
103:9.4 The [[magical]] and [[mythological]] parentage of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_86#86:7._THE_FUNCTION_OF_PRIMITIVE_RELIGION natural religion] does not invalidate the [[reality]] and [[truth]] of the later [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revelational religions] and the consummate saving [[gospel]] of the religion of [[Jesus]]. [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_IV._The_Life_and_Teachings_of_Jesus Jesus' life and teachings] finally divested [[religion]] of the [[superstitions]] of [[magic]], the [[illusions]] of [[mythology]], and the bondage of [[traditional]] [[dogmatism]]. But this early [[magic]] and [[mythology]] very effectively [[prepared]] the way for later and superior [[religion]] by assuming the [[existence]] and [[reality]] of supermaterial [[values]] and [[beings]].
103:9.5 Although [[religious]] [[experience]] is a [[purely]] [[spiritual]] [[subjective]] [[phenomenon]], such an [[experience]] [[embraces]] a [[positive]] and living [[faith]] [[attitude]] toward the highest realms of [[universe]] [[objective]] [[reality]]. The [[ideal]] of [[religious]] [[philosophy]] is such a [[faith]]-[[trust]] as would lead man unqualifiedly to depend upon the [[absolute]] [[love]] of the [[Universal Father|infinite Father]] of the [[universe of universes]]. Such a genuine [[religious]] [[experience]] far [[transcends]] the philosophic objectification of idealistic [[desire]]; it [[actually]] takes [[salvation]] for granted and concerns itself only with learning and [[doing the will of the Father]] in [[Paradise]]. The earmarks of such a [[religion]] are: [[faith]] in a [[supreme]] [[Deity]], [[hope]] of [[eternal]] [[survival]], and [[love]], especially of one's fellows.
103:9.6 When [[theology]] masters [[religion]], religion dies; it becomes a [[doctrine]] instead of a life. The mission of [[theology]] is merely to [[facilitate]] the [[self-consciousness]] of [[personal]] [[spiritual]] [[experience]]. [[Theology]] [[constitutes]] the [[religious]] [[effort]] to define, [[clarify]], expound, and justify the [[experiential]] claims of [[religion]], which, in the last [[analysis]], can be validated only by living [[faith]]. In the higher [[philosophy]] of the [[universe]], [[wisdom]], like [[reason]], becomes allied to [[faith]]. [[Reason]], [[wisdom]], and [[faith]] are man's highest human [[attainments]]. [[Reason]] introduces man to the world of [[facts]], to [[things]]; [[wisdom]] introduces him to a world of [[truth]], to [[relationships]]; [[faith]] initiates him into a world of [[divinity]], [[spiritual]] [[experience]].
103:9.7 [[Faith]] most willingly carries [[reason]] along as far as reason can go and then goes on with [[wisdom]] to the full philosophic [[limit]]; and then it dares to launch out upon the [[limitless]] and never-ending [[universe]] [[journey]] in the sole company of [[TRUTH]].
103:9.8 [[Science]] ([[knowledge]]) is founded on the [[inherent]] ([[Adjutant Mind Spirits|adjutant spirit]]) [[assumption]] that [[reason]] is valid, that the [[universe]] can be [[comprehended]]. [[Philosophy]] ([[co-ordinate]] comprehension) is founded on the [[inherent]] ([[Adjutant Mind Spirits|spirit of wisdom]]) [[assumption]] that [[wisdom]] is valid, that the [[material]] [[universe]] can be [[co-ordinated]] with the [[spiritual]]. [[Religion]] (the [[truth]] of [[personal]] [[spiritual]] [[experience]]) is founded on the [[inherent]] ([[Thought Adjuster]]) assumption that [[faith]] is valid, that [[God]] can be known and [[attained]].
103:9.9 The full [[realization]] of the [[reality]] of [[mortal]] life consists in a [[progressive]] willingness to believe these [[assumptions]] of [[reason]], [[wisdom]], and [[faith]]. Such a life is one [[motivated]] by [[truth]] and [[dominated]] by [[love]]; and these are the [[ideals]] of [[objective]] [[cosmic]] [[reality]] whose [[existence]] cannot be [[materially]] [[demonstrated]].
103:9.10 When [[reason]] once [[recognizes]] right and wrong, it exhibits [[wisdom]]; when wisdom [[chooses]] between right and wrong, [[truth]] and [[error]], it [[demonstrates]] [[spirit]] [[leading]]. And thus are the [[functions]] of [[mind]], [[soul]], and [[spirit]] ever closely [[united]] and [[functionally]] interassociated. [[Reason]] deals with [[factual]] [[knowledge]]; [[wisdom]], with [[philosophy]] and [[revelation]]; [[faith]], with living [[spiritual]] [[experience]]. Through [[truth]] man [[attains]] [[beauty]] and by [[spiritual]] [[love]] [[ascends]] to [[goodness]].
103:9.11 [[Faith]] leads to knowing [[God]], not merely to a [[mystical]] [[feeling]] of the [[divine]] [[presence]]. [[Faith]] must not be overmuch [[influenced]] by its [[emotional]] [[consequences]]. True [[religion]] is an [[experience]] of believing and [[knowing]] as well as a [[satisfaction]] of [[feeling]].
103:9.12 There is a [[reality]] in [[religious]] [[experience]] that is [[proportional]] to the [[spiritual]] [[content]], and such a [[reality]] is [[transcendent]] to [[reason]], [[science]], [[philosophy]], [[wisdom]], and all other human achievements. The [[convictions]] of such an experience are unassailable; the [[logic]] of [[religious]] living is incontrovertible; the [[certainty]] of such [[knowledge]] is [[superhuman]]; the [[satisfactions]] are superbly [[divine]], the [[courage]] indomitable, the [[devotions]] unquestioning, the [[loyalties]] [[supreme]], and the [[destinies]] final—[[eternal]], [[ultimate]], and [[universal]].
103:9.13 Presented by a [[Melchizedek]] of [[Nebadon]].
<center>[http://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>
[[Category:Paper 103 - The Reality of Religious Experience]]
