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103:2 Religion and the Individual (view source)
Revision as of 11:01, 18 July 2011
, 11:01, 18 July 2011Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame 103:2.1 Religion is functional in the human mind and has been realized in [[experience]...'
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103:2.1 [[Religion]] is [[functional]] in the [[human]] [[mind]] and has been [[realized]] in [[experience]] prior to its [[appearance]] in [[human]] [[consciousness]]. A [[child]] has been in [[existence]] about nine months before it [[experiences]] [[birth]]. But the "birth" of [[religion]] is not sudden; it is rather a [[gradual]] [[emergence]]. Nevertheless, sooner or later there is a "birth day." You do not enter the [[kingdom of heaven]] unless you have been "born again"[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_3]—born of the Spirit. Many [[spiritual]] [[births]] are accompanied by much [[anguish]] of spirit and marked [[psychological]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perturbation_(biology) perturbations], as many [[physical]] [[births]] are characterized by a "stormy labor" and other [[abnormalities]] of "delivery." Other [[spiritual]] [[births]] are a [[natural]] and [[normal]] [[growth]] of the [[recognition]] of [[supreme]] [[values]] with an enhancement of spiritual [[experience]], albeit no [[religious]] [[development]] occurs without [[conscious]] [[effort]] and [[positive]] and [[individual]] [[determinations]]. [[Religion]] is never a [[passive]] [[experience]], a [[negative]] [[attitude]]. What is termed the "birth of religion" is not directly [[associated]] with so-called [[conversion]] [[experiences]] which usually characterize religious [[episodes]] occurring later in life as a result of [[mental]] [[conflict]], [[emotional]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_repression repression], and [[temperamental]] upheavals.
103:2.2 But those [[persons]] who were so reared by their [[parents]] that they grew up in the [[consciousness]] of being [[children]] of a loving [[heavenly Father]], should not look askance at their fellow [[mortals]] who could only [[attain]] such [[consciousness]] of fellowship with [[God]] through a [[psychological]] [[crisis]], an [[emotional]] [[upheaval]].
103:2.3 The [[evolutionary]] [[soil]] in the [[mind]] of man in which the seed of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revealed religion] germinates is the [[moral]] [[nature]] that so early gives [[origin]] to a [[social]] [[consciousness]]. The first promptings of a child's [[moral]] [[nature]] have not to do with [[sex]], [[guilt]], or personal [[pride]], but rather with [[impulses]] of [[justice]], [[fairness]], and urges to [[kindness]]—helpful [[ministry]] to one's fellows. And when such early [[moral]] [[awakenings]] are nurtured, there occurs a [[gradual]] [[development]] of the religious life which is comparatively free from [[conflicts]], upheavals, and [[crises]].
103:2.4 Every [[human being]] very early [[experiences]] something of a [[conflict]] between his [[self]]-seeking and his [[altruistic]] [[impulses]], and many times the first [[experience]] of [[God-consciousness]] may be [[attained]] as the result of seeking for [[superhuman]] help in the task of resolving such [[moral]] [[conflicts]].
103:2.5 The [[psychology]] of a child is [[naturally]] [[positive]], not [[negative]]. So many [[mortals]] are negative because they were so [[trained]]. When it is said that the child is [[positive]], [[reference]] is made to his [[moral]] [[impulses]], those [[powers]] of [[mind]] whose [[emergence]] signals the arrival of the [[Thought Adjuster]].
103:2.6 In the [[absence]] of wrong teaching, the [[mind]] of the [[normal]] [[child]] moves [[positively]], in the [[emergence]] of religious [[consciousness]], toward [[moral]] [[righteousness]] and [[social]] [[ministry]], rather than [[negatively]], away from [[sin]] and [[guilt]]. There may or may not be [[conflict]] in the [[development]] of [[religious]] [[experience]], but there are always present the [[inevitable]] [[decisions]], [[effort]], and [[function]] of the human [[Free will|will]].
103:2.7 [[Moral]] [[choosing]] is usually accompanied by more or less moral [[conflict]]. And this very first [[conflict]] in the [[child]] mind is between the urges of [[egoism]] and the [[impulses]] of [[altruism]]. The [[Thought Adjuster]] does not disregard the [[personality]] values of the [[egoistic]] [[motive]] but does operate to place a slight [[preference]] upon the [[altruistic]] [[impulse]] as leading to the goal of [[human]] [[happiness]] and to the [[joys]] of the [[kingdom of heaven]].
103:2.8 When a [[moral]] [[being]] [[chooses]] to be [[unselfish]] when confronted by the urge to be [[selfish]], that is [[primitive]] [[religious]] [[experience]]. No [[animal]] can make such a [[choice]]; such a decision is both [[human]] and [[religious]]. It [[embraces]] the [[fact]] of [[God-consciousness]] and exhibits the [[impulse]] of [[social]] [[service]], the basis of the brotherhood of man. When [[mind]] chooses a right [[moral]] [[judgment]] by an [[act]] of the [[free will]], such a [[decision]] [[constitutes]] a [[religious]] [[experience]].
103:2.9 But before a [[child]] has [[developed]] sufficiently to acquire [[moral]] [[capacity]] and therefore to be able to choose [[altruistic]] [[service]], he has already [[developed]] a strong and well-unified [[egoistic]] [[nature]]. And it is this [[factual]] situation that gives rise to the [[theory]] of the [[struggle]] between the "higher" and the "lower" natures, between the "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Ephesians#The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Ephesians.2C_IV old man of sin" and the "new nature]" of [[grace]]. Very early in life the [[normal]] child begins to learn that it is "more blessed to give than to receive."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Acts_of_the_Apostles#Acts.20]
103:2.10 Man tends to identify the urge to be [[self]]-serving with his [[ego]]—himself. In [[contrast]] he is inclined to identify the will to be [[altruistic]] with some [[influence]] outside himself—[[God]]. And indeed is such a [[judgment]] right, for all such nonself [[desires]] do actually have their [[origin]] in the leadings of the indwelling [[Thought Adjuster]], and this Adjuster is a [[fragment]] of [[God]]. The [[impulse]] of the spirit Monitor is [[realized]] in human [[consciousness]] as the urge to be [[altruistic]], fellow-creature minded. At least this is the early and [[fundamental]] [[experience]] of the child mind. When the growing child fails of [[personality]] [[unification]], the [[altruistic]] drive may become so overdeveloped as to work serious [[injury]] to the [[welfare]] of the [[self]]. A misguided [[conscience]] can become [[responsible]] for much [[conflict]], [[worry]], [[sorrow]], and no end of human unhappiness.
<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]]
103:2.1 [[Religion]] is [[functional]] in the [[human]] [[mind]] and has been [[realized]] in [[experience]] prior to its [[appearance]] in [[human]] [[consciousness]]. A [[child]] has been in [[existence]] about nine months before it [[experiences]] [[birth]]. But the "birth" of [[religion]] is not sudden; it is rather a [[gradual]] [[emergence]]. Nevertheless, sooner or later there is a "birth day." You do not enter the [[kingdom of heaven]] unless you have been "born again"[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_3]—born of the Spirit. Many [[spiritual]] [[births]] are accompanied by much [[anguish]] of spirit and marked [[psychological]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perturbation_(biology) perturbations], as many [[physical]] [[births]] are characterized by a "stormy labor" and other [[abnormalities]] of "delivery." Other [[spiritual]] [[births]] are a [[natural]] and [[normal]] [[growth]] of the [[recognition]] of [[supreme]] [[values]] with an enhancement of spiritual [[experience]], albeit no [[religious]] [[development]] occurs without [[conscious]] [[effort]] and [[positive]] and [[individual]] [[determinations]]. [[Religion]] is never a [[passive]] [[experience]], a [[negative]] [[attitude]]. What is termed the "birth of religion" is not directly [[associated]] with so-called [[conversion]] [[experiences]] which usually characterize religious [[episodes]] occurring later in life as a result of [[mental]] [[conflict]], [[emotional]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_repression repression], and [[temperamental]] upheavals.
103:2.2 But those [[persons]] who were so reared by their [[parents]] that they grew up in the [[consciousness]] of being [[children]] of a loving [[heavenly Father]], should not look askance at their fellow [[mortals]] who could only [[attain]] such [[consciousness]] of fellowship with [[God]] through a [[psychological]] [[crisis]], an [[emotional]] [[upheaval]].
103:2.3 The [[evolutionary]] [[soil]] in the [[mind]] of man in which the seed of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revealed religion] germinates is the [[moral]] [[nature]] that so early gives [[origin]] to a [[social]] [[consciousness]]. The first promptings of a child's [[moral]] [[nature]] have not to do with [[sex]], [[guilt]], or personal [[pride]], but rather with [[impulses]] of [[justice]], [[fairness]], and urges to [[kindness]]—helpful [[ministry]] to one's fellows. And when such early [[moral]] [[awakenings]] are nurtured, there occurs a [[gradual]] [[development]] of the religious life which is comparatively free from [[conflicts]], upheavals, and [[crises]].
103:2.4 Every [[human being]] very early [[experiences]] something of a [[conflict]] between his [[self]]-seeking and his [[altruistic]] [[impulses]], and many times the first [[experience]] of [[God-consciousness]] may be [[attained]] as the result of seeking for [[superhuman]] help in the task of resolving such [[moral]] [[conflicts]].
103:2.5 The [[psychology]] of a child is [[naturally]] [[positive]], not [[negative]]. So many [[mortals]] are negative because they were so [[trained]]. When it is said that the child is [[positive]], [[reference]] is made to his [[moral]] [[impulses]], those [[powers]] of [[mind]] whose [[emergence]] signals the arrival of the [[Thought Adjuster]].
103:2.6 In the [[absence]] of wrong teaching, the [[mind]] of the [[normal]] [[child]] moves [[positively]], in the [[emergence]] of religious [[consciousness]], toward [[moral]] [[righteousness]] and [[social]] [[ministry]], rather than [[negatively]], away from [[sin]] and [[guilt]]. There may or may not be [[conflict]] in the [[development]] of [[religious]] [[experience]], but there are always present the [[inevitable]] [[decisions]], [[effort]], and [[function]] of the human [[Free will|will]].
103:2.7 [[Moral]] [[choosing]] is usually accompanied by more or less moral [[conflict]]. And this very first [[conflict]] in the [[child]] mind is between the urges of [[egoism]] and the [[impulses]] of [[altruism]]. The [[Thought Adjuster]] does not disregard the [[personality]] values of the [[egoistic]] [[motive]] but does operate to place a slight [[preference]] upon the [[altruistic]] [[impulse]] as leading to the goal of [[human]] [[happiness]] and to the [[joys]] of the [[kingdom of heaven]].
103:2.8 When a [[moral]] [[being]] [[chooses]] to be [[unselfish]] when confronted by the urge to be [[selfish]], that is [[primitive]] [[religious]] [[experience]]. No [[animal]] can make such a [[choice]]; such a decision is both [[human]] and [[religious]]. It [[embraces]] the [[fact]] of [[God-consciousness]] and exhibits the [[impulse]] of [[social]] [[service]], the basis of the brotherhood of man. When [[mind]] chooses a right [[moral]] [[judgment]] by an [[act]] of the [[free will]], such a [[decision]] [[constitutes]] a [[religious]] [[experience]].
103:2.9 But before a [[child]] has [[developed]] sufficiently to acquire [[moral]] [[capacity]] and therefore to be able to choose [[altruistic]] [[service]], he has already [[developed]] a strong and well-unified [[egoistic]] [[nature]]. And it is this [[factual]] situation that gives rise to the [[theory]] of the [[struggle]] between the "higher" and the "lower" natures, between the "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Ephesians#The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Ephesians.2C_IV old man of sin" and the "new nature]" of [[grace]]. Very early in life the [[normal]] child begins to learn that it is "more blessed to give than to receive."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Acts_of_the_Apostles#Acts.20]
103:2.10 Man tends to identify the urge to be [[self]]-serving with his [[ego]]—himself. In [[contrast]] he is inclined to identify the will to be [[altruistic]] with some [[influence]] outside himself—[[God]]. And indeed is such a [[judgment]] right, for all such nonself [[desires]] do actually have their [[origin]] in the leadings of the indwelling [[Thought Adjuster]], and this Adjuster is a [[fragment]] of [[God]]. The [[impulse]] of the spirit Monitor is [[realized]] in human [[consciousness]] as the urge to be [[altruistic]], fellow-creature minded. At least this is the early and [[fundamental]] [[experience]] of the child mind. When the growing child fails of [[personality]] [[unification]], the [[altruistic]] drive may become so overdeveloped as to work serious [[injury]] to the [[welfare]] of the [[self]]. A misguided [[conscience]] can become [[responsible]] for much [[conflict]], [[worry]], [[sorrow]], and no end of human unhappiness.
<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]]