Changes

102:2.2 One of the characteristic peculiarities of [[genuine]] [[religious]] [[assurance]] is that, notwithstanding the [[absoluteness]] of its affirmations and the stanchness of its [[attitude]], the [[spirit]] of its [[expression]] is so [[poised]] and tempered that it never conveys the slightest impression of [[self-assertion]] or [[egoistic]] exaltation. The [[wisdom]] of [[religious]] [[experience]] is something of a [[paradox]] in that it is both humanly [[original]] and [[Adjuster]] [[derivative]]. [[Religious]] [[force]] is not the product of the [[individual]]'s [[personal]] [[prerogatives]] but rather the outworking of that [[sublime]] [[partnership]] of man and the everlasting [[source]] of all [[wisdom]]. Thus do the [[words]] and [[acts]] of true and undefiled [[religion]] become compellingly [[authoritative]] for all [[enlightened]] [[mortals]].

102:2.2 One of the characteristic peculiarities of [[genuine]] [[religious]] [[assurance]] is that, notwithstanding the [[absoluteness]] of its affirmations and the stanchness of its [[attitude]], the [[spirit]] of its [[expression]] is so [[poised]] and tempered that it never conveys the slightest impression of [[self-assertion]] or [[egoistic]] exaltation. The [[wisdom]] of [[religious]] [[experience]] is something of a [[paradox]] in that it is both humanly [[original]] and [[Adjuster]] [[derivative]]. [[Religious]] [[force]] is not the product of the [[individual]]'s [[personal]] [[prerogatives]] but rather the outworking of that [[sublime]] [[partnership]] of man and the everlasting [[source]] of all [[wisdom]]. Thus do the [[words]] and [[acts]] of true and undefiled [[religion]] become compellingly [[authoritative]] for all [[enlightened]] [[mortals]].

102:2.3 It is [[difficult]] to identify and [[analyze]] the [[factors]] of a [[religious]] [[experience]], but it is not [[difficult]] to [[observe]] that such [[religious]] practitioners live and carry on as if already in the [[presence]] of the [[Eternal]]. Believers [[react]] to this [[temporal]] life as if [[immortality]] already were within their grasp. In the lives of such [[mortals]] there is a valid [[originality]] and a [[spontaneity]] of [[expression]] that forever [[segregate]] them from those of their fellows who have imbibed only the [[wisdom]] of the world. [[Religionists]] seem to live in effective [[emancipation]] from harrying haste and the [[painful]] [[stress]] of the [[vicissitudes]] [[inherent]] in the [[temporal]] currents of [[time]]; they exhibit a [[stabilization]] of [[personality]] and a tranquillity of [[character]] not [[explained]] by the [[laws]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physiology physiology], [[psychology]], and [[sociology]].

102:2.3 It is [[difficult]] to identify and [[analyze]] the [[factors]] of a [[religious]] [[experience]], but it is not [[difficult]] to [[observe]] that such [[religious]] practitioners live and carry on as if already in the [[presence]] of the [[Eternal]]. Believers [[react]] to this [[temporal]] life as if [[immortality]] already were within their grasp. In the lives of such [[mortals]] there is a valid [[originality]] and a [[spontaneity]] of [[expression]] that forever [[segregate]] them from those of their fellows who have imbibed only the [[wisdom]] of the world. [[Religionists]] seem to live in effective [[emancipation]] from harrying haste and the [[painful]] [[stress]] of the [[vicissitudes]] [[inherent]] in the [[temporal]] currents of [[time]]; they exhibit a [[stabilization]] of [[personality]] and a tranquillity of [[character]] not [[explained]] by the [[laws]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physiology physiology], [[psychology]], and [[sociology]].

102:2.4 [[Time]] is an invariable element in the [[attainment]] of [[knowledge]]; [[religion]] makes its [[endowments]] immediately available, albeit there is the important [[factor]] of [[growth]] in [[grace]], definite advancement in all [[phases]] of religious [[experience]]. [[Knowledge]] is an [[eternal]] [[quest]]; always are you learning, but never are you able to arrive at the full [[knowledge]] of [[absolute]] [[truth]]. In [[knowledge]] alone there can never be [[absolute]] [[certainty]], only increasing [[probability]] of approximation; but the [[religious]] [[soul]] of [[spiritual]] [[illumination]] knows, and knows now. And yet this [[profound]] and positive [[certitude]] does not lead such a sound-minded [[religionist]] to take any less interest in the ups and downs of the [[progress]] of [[human]] [[wisdom]], which is bound up on its [[material]] end with the [[developments]] of slow-moving [[science]].

102:2.4 [[Time]] is an invariable element in the [[attainment]] of [[knowledge]]; [[religion]] makes its [[endowments]] immediately available, albeit there is the important [[factor]] of [[growth]] in [[grace]], definite advancement in all [[phases]] of religious [[experience]]. [[Knowledge]] is an [[eternal]] [[quest]]; always are you learning, but never are you able to arrive at the full [[knowledge]] of [[absolute]] [[truth]]. In [[knowledge]] alone there can never be [[absolute]] [[certainty]], only increasing [[probability]] of approximation; but the [[religious]] [[soul]] of [[spiritual]] [[illumination]] knows, and knows now. And yet this [[profound]] and positive [[certitude]] does not lead such a sound-minded [[religionist]] to take any less interest in the ups and downs of the [[progress]] of [[human]] [[wisdom]], which is bound up on its [[material]] end with the [[developments]] of slow-moving [[science]].

102:3.12 The pursuit of [[knowledge]] constitutes [[science]]; the search for [[wisdom]] is [[philosophy]]; the [[love]] for [[God]] is [[religion]]; the [[hunger]] for [[truth]] is a [[revelation]]. But it is the indwelling [[Thought Adjuster]] that attaches the [[feeling]] of [[reality]] to man's [[spiritual]] [[insight]] into the [[cosmos]].

102:3.12 The pursuit of [[knowledge]] constitutes [[science]]; the search for [[wisdom]] is [[philosophy]]; the [[love]] for [[God]] is [[religion]]; the [[hunger]] for [[truth]] is a [[revelation]]. But it is the indwelling [[Thought Adjuster]] that attaches the [[feeling]] of [[reality]] to man's [[spiritual]] [[insight]] into the [[cosmos]].

102:3.13 In [[science]], the [[idea]] precedes the [[expression]] of its [[realization]]; in [[religion]], the [[experience]] of [[realization]] precedes the [[expression]] of the [[idea]]. There is a vast [[difference]] between the [[evolutionary]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Will_to_Believe will-to-believe] and the product of [[enlightened]] [[reason]], [[religious]] [[insight]], and [[revelation]]—the will that believes.

102:3.13 In [[science]], the [[idea]] precedes the [[expression]] of its [[realization]]; in [[religion]], the [[experience]] of [[realization]] precedes the [[expression]] of the [[idea]]. There is a vast [[difference]] between the [[evolutionary]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Will_to_Believe will-to-believe] and the product of [[enlightened]] [[reason]], [[religious]] [[insight]], and [[revelation]]—the will that believes.

102:3.14 In [[evolution]], [[religion]] often leads to man's creating his [[concepts]] of [[God]]; [[revelation]] exhibits the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phenomenon_of_Man phenomenon of God's evolving man] himself, while in the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_IV._The_Life_and_Teachings_of_Jesus earth life of Christ Michael] we behold the [[phenomenon]] of [[God]]'s revealing himself to man. [[Evolution]] tends to make [[God]] manlike; [[revelation]] tends to make man Godlike.

102:3.14 In [[evolution]], [[religion]] often leads to man's creating his [[concepts]] of [[God]]; [[revelation]] exhibits the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phenomenon_of_Man phenomenon of God's evolving man] himself, while in the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_IV._The_Life_and_Teachings_of_Jesus earth life of Christ Michael] we behold the [[phenomenon]] of [[God]]'s revealing himself to man. [[Evolution]] tends to make [[God]] manlike; [[revelation]] tends to make man Godlike.

102:3.15 [[Science]] is only [[satisfied]] with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_cause first causes], [[religion]] with [[supreme]] [[personality]], and [[philosophy]] with [[unity]]. [[Revelation]] affirms that these [[three]] are [[one]], and that all are [[good]]. The [[eternal]] real is the [[good]] of the [[universe]] and not the [[time]] [[illusions]] of [[space]] [[evil]]. In the [[spiritual]] [[experience]] of all [[personalities]], always is it true that the real is the [[good]] and the good is the real.

102:3.15 [[Science]] is only [[satisfied]] with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_cause first causes], [[religion]] with [[supreme]] [[personality]], and [[philosophy]] with [[unity]]. [[Revelation]] affirms that these [[three]] are [[one]], and that all are [[good]]. The [[eternal]] real is the [[good]] of the [[universe]] and not the [[time]] [[illusions]] of [[space]] [[evil]]. In the [[spiritual]] [[experience]] of all [[personalities]], always is it true that the real is the [[good]] and the good is the real.

==102:4. THE FACT OF EXPERIENCE==

==102:4. THE FACT OF EXPERIENCE==

102:7.3 Those who would [[invent]] a [[religion]] without [[God]] are like those who would gather fruit without trees, have [[children]] without [[parents]]. You cannot have [[effects]] without [[causes]]; only the [[I AM]] is causeless. The [[fact]] of [[religious]] [[experience]] implies [[God]], and such a [[God]] of [[personal]] [[experience]] must be a [[personal]] [[Deity]]. You cannot [[pray]] to a [[chemical]] [[formula]], supplicate a [[mathematical]] [[equation]], [[worship]] a [[hypothesis]], confide in a postulate, [[commune]] with a [[process]], serve an [[abstraction]], or hold loving fellowship with a [[law]].

102:7.3 Those who would [[invent]] a [[religion]] without [[God]] are like those who would gather fruit without trees, have [[children]] without [[parents]]. You cannot have [[effects]] without [[causes]]; only the [[I AM]] is causeless. The [[fact]] of [[religious]] [[experience]] implies [[God]], and such a [[God]] of [[personal]] [[experience]] must be a [[personal]] [[Deity]]. You cannot [[pray]] to a [[chemical]] [[formula]], supplicate a [[mathematical]] [[equation]], [[worship]] a [[hypothesis]], confide in a postulate, [[commune]] with a [[process]], serve an [[abstraction]], or hold loving fellowship with a [[law]].

102:7.4 True, many [[apparently]] [[religious]] [[traits]] can grow out of nonreligious [[roots]]. Man can, [[intellectually]], deny [[God]] and yet be [[morally]] [[good]], [[loyal]], filial, [[honest]], and even [[idealistic]]. Man may graft many purely [[humanistic]] branches onto his basic [[spiritual]] [[nature]] and thus [[apparently]] [[prove]] his contentions in behalf of a [[Atheism|godless religion]], but such an [[experience]] is devoid of [[survival]] [[values]], God-knowingness and God-[[ascension]]. In such a [[mortal]] [[experience]] only [[social]] fruits are forthcoming, not [[spiritual]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafting graft] determines the [[nature]] of the fruit, notwithstanding that the living sustenance is drawn from the [[roots]] of [[original]] [[divine]] [[endowment]] of both [[mind]] and [[spirit]].

102:7.4 True, many [[apparently]] [[religious]] [[traits]] can grow out of nonreligious [[roots]]. Man can, [[intellectually]], deny [[God]] and yet be [[morally]] [[good]], [[loyal]], filial, [[honest]], and even [[idealistic]]. Man may graft many purely [[humanistic]] branches onto his basic [[spiritual]] [[nature]] and thus [[apparently]] [[prove]] his contentions in behalf of a [[Atheism|godless religion]], but such an [[experience]] is devoid of [[survival]] [[values]], God-knowingness and God-[[ascension]]. In such a [[mortal]] [[experience]] only [[social]] fruits are forthcoming, not [[spiritual]]. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafting graft] determines the [[nature]] of the fruit, notwithstanding that the living sustenance is drawn from the [[roots]] of [[original]] [[divine]] [[endowment]] of both [[mind]] and [[spirit]].

102:7.5 The [[intellectual]] earmark of [[religion]] is [[certainty]]; the [[philosophical]] characteristic is [[consistency]]; the social fruits are [[love]] and [[service]].

102:7.5 The [[intellectual]] earmark of [[religion]] is [[certainty]]; the [[philosophical]] characteristic is [[consistency]]; the social fruits are [[love]] and [[service]].