A Metaphysical Perspective of Christianity

        Let’s be honest. What does Jesus really represent to Christians? He represents the perfect human expression of God, with God being the unknown cause and power directing all of life and reality. The ideal interaction between mankind and God is demonstrated through Jesus’ life and teachings. Resurrection myths were written by early Christian followers after Jesus' death to express the belief that Truth and Love can never be destroyed by anger, oppression, or death. As Christians of today grow in our understanding of Jesus’ life and teachings and demonstrate his principles of love in our lives, we move closer to experiencing the full reality of a God inspired and co-created life of good. 

     Life is an individual spiritual journey for each of us, but even as we grow and learn separately, we find ourselves drawn together, as love is expressed, into an ever-expanding community of spiritual unity. This awareness breaches even religious boundaries. This is Christianity as I have always felt it to be. The only miracle I ever need to prove the authority of the Christian message of Love is that when I seek it out and rely upon it, it works. It is also true that the same message of Love forms the foundation of virtually every other major religion. The expression and acceptance of Reality, or God as the source of Love, is not and should not ever be viewed as a competition. 

A Rational Superstition For Christians

I am Christian because I became aware of my own sense of spirituality through the study of Christian lessons in the Methodist churches I attended. As a kid I always wondered about the miraculous events as told in the Bible and whether or not they were literally true or were inspired spiritual metaphors.  However, unlike those children surrounded by Christian fundamentalists, as I grew up I was given the leeway to ponder these questions along with my family, friends, and Sunday school companions. When I became an adult I set aside any notion that my Christian beliefs had to depend upon superstitions that were irrational.  The practical Christian lessons I learned have helped me deal faithfully with all the events I have experienced in life.

When you are allowed to develop your own awareness of the spiritual realities of life, then life itself can become its own ever-evolving miracle and fundamentalist dogma fades into the nothingness from which it was imagined.

Do we humans have a sense that there is a perfect relationship possible between ourselves, and the ultimate truth and power of the universe? Yes, of course we do. Our intelligence is part of that reality and we are capable of observations, rational thought, communication, recalling memories, and considering the unknown through imagination. These traits are what made our human evolution possible and so successful.

Do we also have instinctive, self-centered drives for sex, self-preservation, dominance, and survival?  Of course we do. We are human animals and these foundational traits are embedded in our DNA. This fact is what gives the idea of original sin a sense of validity, but it, in fact, has nothing to do with the Adam and Eve story found in Genesis. That’s an imaginative story of explanation, not a history of human events. When we humans try to explain something beyond our current state of knowledge, we tend to create fantasy explanations and superstitions.

Ancient civilizations were impacted by natural disasters and warring conflicts among the various tribes, clans, towns, or nations. Always sensing there was a higher order into which everyone’s lives fit, they created stories suggesting that this higher order was one or more gods who were unhappy with imperfect humans so they punished or rewarded us as they deemed appropriate, based on our behavior. Our ancestors' desires to influence this higher power created the superstitions that have been handed down for generations. The logic seemed to be, if humans sacrificed something of personal value to the gods or performed this or that ritual, that would appease the anger of the appropriate god's and the drought, or volcano, or plague, or attacks by neighboring tribes would end. When the crises did end, whatever was done prior to that, our ancestors felt was the effective rite and they’d be prompted to do the same things again, when necessary. 

       Superstitious behavior is simply part of what we are and we need to learn how to deal with that.  My solution is simple. Let’s be superstitious about what naturally occurs in the world and not about what we imagine to be unnatural forces that intervene in our world events from some outside, other-worldly location. The human mind and soul has a spark of the divine in it, however you wish to describe it, and we are neither hapless nor helpless. How we consciously view anything determines its impact on our lives. 

      If you view yourself as an unworthy, perpetual sinner, that kind of thinking will draw your attention toward more and more opportunities to sin, whatever that means to you. After all, if that is what you are, shouldn't you sometimes act that way? However, if you view yourself as one in tune with all that is good, natural, and perfect in the universe, that will draw your attention toward new and more wondrous spiritual discoveries, day by day. Whatever is the focus of your mind and heart becomes the outward expressions of your life. 

For me, this, itself, is a superstitious belief, but a superstitious belief in which I have complete faith. Time and again I have witnessed angry discussions that were tamed immediately by words of empathy and love. I have witnessed the moods of people racked with fear, doubt, or personal loss uplifted by someone else who simply cared about them.  I am fully rooted in the superstition that the best outcomes will result from the presence of unconditional love in any situation. Even in the midst of those who reject love and remain angry or cruel, I believe it is my role and an opportunity for everyone else facing such individuals to offer them a chance to see and feel differently, even in the face of one's own physical peril. Everything in the teachings and the life of Jesus points in this same direction.

So, you might ask, if I am like St. Paul and believe that Jesus was “…born of a woman, born under the law…” (Galatians 4:4)  like all devout Jews, and not by a virgin birth, then how can religious celebrations such as Christmas be meaningful?   Well, Christmas is meaningful to me for two main reasons.

One, Christmas stories do not have to be actual history to be effective and spiritually inspiring. I have no problem realizing that Jesus led such an exemplary life that his followers wanted to glorify his birth, life, and death. Let’s remember that 90% of the population at the time was pagan and all empires had their sacred gods, so appeasing the gods was not only important, but also part of all legal systems. There were numerous religious/political leaders who claimed to be divine and born of virgins or gods, so we should not be surprised that the writings about Jesus sound similar the writings of other leaders of his time.

Two, since it was through the stories and lessons of Christianity that I became aware of my own sense of spirituality, the Christmas stories were a big part of what moved me.  The Christ child will always symbolize to me the birth of divine thoughts in my own mind and heart for which I must provide protection and a place to grow. The Christmas star is the light of the teachings that lead me to love, peace, knowledge, and wisdom.  The wise men indicate those of other cultures and faiths who are also seeking the same birth of love in their hearts. Mary and Joseph provided loving, protective care to the Christ child and children hearing these stories, today, will feel the same security and warmth when they are loved by their parents and family. Jesus became an eternal living expression of light and love and every Christmas is another chance to rededicate my life to this same purpose.

The question I have is why do so many feel that Christian, or any religious superstitions must be linked to irrational beliefs? Why is it so important that Jesus be born of a virgin, or that he be the genetic son of God, or that he arise physically alive after dying from crucifixion? Why are irrational miracles more important than the rational miracles we experience every day in life?  Life itself is a miracle because we cannot scientifically explain it or create it ourselves. Happiness, joy, and trust also perform miraculous feats in the lives of those who bring them into their way of being. 

Changing our attitudes can completely alter our world-views, change our lives, and move us toward a unity of love and acceptance. Most homilies you’ve ever heard in church point to the importance of the practical demonstration of your spiritual beliefs within the life you live. Why is this not considered divine intervention into the everyday affairs of mankind? Every time I witness loving righteousness in the actions of those around me, I’m in awe and no other proof seems necessary or even important. Let’s honor the perfection we each strive to express and not debate the various religious stories and religious paths that inspired our individual journeys. God is great enough to hold all things, all thoughts, and all actions within the boundaries of eternal truth. 

A personal statement of faith that summarizes the metaphysical teachings across all religions could be stated as follows:

To the extent I rely upon the spiritual reality of my experiences and understanding of God to develop loving insights to guide my life, I will be led toward fulfillment of that desire and often in ways that are beyond my immediate level of understanding.

A Metaphysical Perspective Of The 2016 Presidential Election

The spirit of truth and love is within each one of us. It is the purest reality of our being and it is our life journey to discover how to express and use this unending source of knowledge, wisdom, and peace. Even though one’s spiritual journey is a singular, inner experience, it fits so perfectly with the spiritual enlightenment evolving within others, that when together, regardless of our diverse spiritual or religious backgrounds, we feel joined in a collective unity of mind and action.

So, how does all this change when our nation elects a president based on a campaign of extreme negativity, vulgarity, and violence focused towards those who appear different?  The beauty of eternal truth is that it doesn’t change, because it can’t change, because it is always present in potential.

We cannot force others to seek that inner inspiration of truth and love to guide their own lives. And, certainly, there are times when human, fear-induced thinking results in the rejection of love and empathy as necessary components to the solutions of human problems. The results of the 2016 presidential election appear to speak to this very point.

Yet, nothing is really changed. Love still counts. Love still wins. In fact, it is only love that wins in ways that will lift everyone. We are not required to fight back in anger or aggression towards those who feel anxious or fearful of a perceived loss of power or privilege. It is our responsibility to simply live life open to the spirit of truth and love, and to realize by so doing we make real in every moment of eternity that we touch, the presence and power of God.

When it is your time to speak or act, be vulnerable, dare greatly to be your highest self, and any fear or hatred in your midst, will be diminished by your love. This holds true no matter your human political viewpoint.

Knowing God

I've known God since I was a young kid. But what I knew and continue to know about God has nothing to do with experiencing God as a human-like personality with supernatural powers who alters the universe or history as a reward or punishment for human behavior. My communication with God does not result in mystical words spoken to me or by me, visions, or the witnessing of mysterious, unexplained phenomena. These sorts of things reflect a desire for irrational superstition, and I have no such desire. I accept life exactly as it presents itself.

To me, God has been an inner personal companion, always available to nudge me toward truth and understanding whenever I need and seek it out. God is Truth, manifesting all that is and can be at our individual levels of understanding.  I am part of that Truth and can communicate freely with it, because everything I am and everything I could and will become emerges only from what has always been possible.

What I have come to understand about God is that God is not about religion. God is most clearly experienced in the miracle of life itself, and through expressions of love. Religions may be about human concepts of God, but the reverse is simply not true.

So, does this mean religions are useless or wrong? I do think religions are wrong if they seek to strictly define God through traditions, myths, creeds, rituals, or dogma. However, any religion that helps you learn how to experience and participate in God's presence is certainly not useless. Religions and centers of worship provide excellent opportunities for personal spiritual growth. Supportive spiritual communities can help you discover ways to face whatever is unknown to you with confidence in the presence of God. You'll never know all the answers, but  you will always have faith that what you do know and believe, as you keep yourself open to learning, fits perfectly with whatever the final answers actually are.

God is experienced on a personal level and cannot be captured within the creeds of corporate religions. That does not mean that individuals cannot be moved to a God experience of their own through devotion to creeds or by participating in rituals of organized religions, because many are. What it does mean, however, is that the personal experience of God's presence and Truth is the real journey and is more important than surrendering to external pressures to conform to church teachings and dogma.

Be true to what feels right to you and the way you experience life. Always seek guidance from a higher perspective than your immediate personal cares and you will be led toward better, more loving, and more practical answers. Creeds, religions, and spiritual leaders, all can help, but the final decisions need to be what makes sense to you based on your accumulated experiences and knowledge at that point in your life. Religious institutions are best viewed as stepping stones along your path of spiritual growth, not as end-points of your journey.

God is ultimate Truth, so more can always be learned that will draw you closer to God, your personal companion, forever.

God, Faith, And Reality

When we talk about God we are giving a name to our awareness of the great unknown that underlies the creation and progression of all of reality. Being aware that there must be some kind of ultimate truth prompts humans to create religious systems that attempt to describe in detail the nature, actions, and requirements of God. However, most of what the word “God” must represent lies beyond our human capacity to understand, much less describe. This means that religions must be recognized as human institutions created by human minds in efforts to help guide and influence human behavior. 

However, just because humans attempt to do an impossible task does not mean that the task is not worth the effort. Whatever we learn through our scientific, philosophic, and religious efforts must, inevitably, bend toward the truth of ultimate reality or none of our conclusions would ever lead to meaningful outcomes. Gradually, humans have come to many accurate conclusions about life and the nature of our universe, and have made significant progress over the ages.

However, it is important to remember that what we know of what is true, whether scientific or spiritual, is gradually discovered from a common sharing of personal experiences. Even scientific knowledge, for example, comes from shared results of independent investigations, carefully protected from personal bias.  This is true even though scientists’ personal biases (hypotheses) might be the catalyst for initiating specific scientific investigations. However, competent and capable scientists will always accept the final objective conclusions of their studies even if those results do not support their initial expectations. They accept the premise that truth will always be what it demonstrates itself to be.

Likewise, spiritual knowledge and faith come from an honest and open personal searching unrestricted by religious doctrine. Still, that does not mean that religious dogma cannot be instructive and useful in facilitating personal spirituality. However, developing an inner, private sense of the spiritual is always more important than surrendering to institutional pressures to profess beliefs in specific religious doctrines.  Those who seek truth from the depths of their own being and understanding tend to be in greater harmony with others than those committed to believing proscribed religious teachings. Even Jesus taught that life itself is more important than religious law.

So, if sacred books and religious institutions are man-made and thereby limited and biased, how can we most directly and naturally experience God, the Infinite to which they all refer? One possibility is through a basic understanding of the statement, “God is love.” Similar to the word “God,” the word “love” is nearly impossible to define. Yet, when love is in our midst we are usually aware of it and recognize it as it touches our hearts and minds.  The statement, “God is love” seems to make obvious sense and when thought or spoken it affects our attitude, even in the face of evil, or persecution.

Perhaps within the deepest meanings of God and love, brought together, we are provided a doorway whereby we can experience pure spiritual truth while still fully aware of our immediate physical reality. This seems true to me based on experiences I have had. So, until I understand God and love with even greater clarity, I will assume that whenever anyone brings an attitude of love into any human encounter that, that creates a moment for everyone there to experience God’s presence and influence.  If the statement, “God is love,” means anything, it means that; when God, faith, and reality merge into full human awareness.

True Family Values

One of the most important family values there is, is not interfering with the private and legal lives of others. If you believe that abortion before the third trimester of pregnancy, or that same-sex marriage at any time, are both sinful acts, then that should be the standard for the decisions you make for yourself. Each of us is responsible for both the decisions we make and the consequences. I cannot think of a religious organization that would suggest otherwise.

If a woman believes it is her responsibility to decide on the necessity of an abortion before the third trimester of her pregnancy, then she is legally allowed to accept that responsibility. If you believe it is your responsibility to decide whether or not to enter into a same-sex marriage, then you are legally allowed to make that decision. As already stated, each of us is responsible for both the decisions we make and the consequences. 

What if civil law allows others to act contrary to your religious beliefs? In your civic interactions with others, respect the rights and privacy of others by respecting the law.  In your private life and decisions, follow your beliefs. The U.S. Constitution protects your personal right to do just that, but guarantees the exact same right of privacy for your neighbor, as well. Living peacefully with both yourself and those who are different, demonstrates the highest of family values, unconditional love and respect.

         Jesus taught that when we have love in our hearts we experience God in our lives and all is well.

In Support Of Natural Christianity

Popular Christian orthodoxy states that Jesus Christ was crucified as a sacrifice to God, his heavenly and earthly father, to redeem humanity from sin for all time. Despite his death on the cross he arose from the dead in three days, appeared to his followers, then ascended into heaven until he is to return to conquer evil on earth forever. Those who believe this about Jesus will live with him forever in heaven and those who do not believe this will be condemned to hell for all eternity.

I have known this narrative most of my life, but never for a moment, have I considered it to be truth, nor based on factual history.  It has always struck me as strangely sadistic and barbaric. Frankly, I don’t think most Christians believe these ideas literally, either, but there is no public perspective other than this supernatural narrative from which to discuss Christianity. This needs to change because natural Christianity is far more meaningful in every aspect.

        Supernatural elements written in stories of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and future return, always meant more to me than anything requiring physical explanations.   I understood full well the spiritual significance of Jesus’ followers feeling he was still alive even after he was crucified and buried. I understood that heaven represents living with love in your heart and hell occurs when you separate yourself from love. Heaven and hell didn’t have to be places and interpreting miracle stories as literal historical events reminded me more of the adventures of comic book characters such as Superman, or the exploits of Greek and Roman gods, than they did of Jesus, a fellow human being. Let’s keep things real so we don’t need senseless thinking.

The real New Testament messages of Easter, for example, come from understanding why the Gospel writers wrote their resurrection liturgies the way they did. They never pretended to be writing history. What they were doing was interpreting the significance of Jesus’ life on earth and his teachings by creating literary parallels in Jesus’ life story that showed him to be superior to the heroes and events found in ancient Hebrew scripture. Their audiences, followers of The Way, were Jews who believed Jesus was the fulfillment of the Jewish expectations for the next messiah.  They listened to these new gospel messages while worshipping in synagogues on the Jewish Sabbath after hearing readings from the Torah. They would have clearly understood the parallels and grasped the metaphysical implications.

However, their beliefs about Jesus being the expected messiah conflicted with the more conservative Jews. The breaking point occurred somewhere between 80 and 88 CE when the followers of The Way were ejected from synagogue membership. They left and became the Christian movement. But, by the year 150 CE most of the members of the developing Christian religions (yes, there were many) were not Jews, but were pagan converts, who had little knowledge of Jewish scripture or history. They tended to look at the Christian Gospel stories just as they had the stories of the Greek and Roman pantheon, or myths of other gods they had worshiped.  But, with Christianity, there was a real, verifiable human involved within what they interpreted as a documented history of supernatural events. Viewing scriptures as less interpretive and more literal significantly alters the gospel messages.

  Dogma about supernatural events or proofs is a real problem because the word “dogma” itself means you are honor bound not to change your mind no matter what. This is contrary to the human mind’s natural skills at learning by thinking, experimenting, and separating fact from fiction. To prevent this natural searching into religious matters, dogmatic beliefs or statements of faith are frequently required of members in Christian churches. These requirements are meant to restrict the understanding of Jesus, his teachings and mission, to specific ideas, which are granted the title of being “orthodox.” However, there is a great difference between faith developed through personal searching for spiritual understanding and faith based on disciplined obedience to religious doctrine. Jesus taught and demonstrated the former and not the latter.

Jesus’ teachings also show that strict religious tenets tend to become irrelevant when you strive to live each moment of your life open to the love and wisdom of God in your heart along with a commitment to love your neighbor as yourself.  When communities of people live practical, everyday lives with this loving approach it heals souls and spreads God’s influence on earth, as it is in heaven.

    Jesus taught and demonstrated love and justice and he was crucified for it. However, his crucifixion could not stop what he had started because his message had such power it remained in the hearts and minds of those touched by his presence and teachings. Jesus’ spiritual teachings continue to speak to us from the New Testament despite being surrounded by apocalyptic ideas that were popular in the first century.  Even today, a parable such as The Good Samaritan provides incredible and timely spiritual insights, which have nothing to do with substitutionary atonement, heaven, hell, or an impending apocalypse. They involve human realities and circumstances all of us understand.

We need to work past our desire for quick, supernatural answers to what we don’t know and dig into the real, practical, and spiritual lessons of the Bible. When you study it carefully, the Bible tells you a lot about what is in the Bible and why it is there. Very little of it has to do with factual history. Most of it has to do with showing how Judeo-Christian communities and religious traditions have evolved from polytheistic superstitions, to national monotheism, to universal monotheism, and finally to a personal relationship with God that conquers fear, including the human dread of death. 

    The Bible contains powerful spiritual teachings and I want to learn even more. However, to grow in our understanding of ultimate truth as a community and to help facilitate public discussions of Christian teachings, we need to respectfully set aside supernatural Christian dogma and give natural Christianity the full consideration it deserves.

    When we learn we grow, and when we grow we change, so let’s make it expected and acceptable to change our minds as we learn.