People with deep investment in their belief systems, especially those that see themselves and humanity as separate from God, in the face of discovering that these beliefs are based in and on myth or untruths, tend to fear. As a result, fear rushes in more myths to replace the ones that have been invalidated. The Course of Miracles lesson 13: 2-3 states:
2 Recognition of meaninglessness arouses intense anxiety in all the separated ones. It represents a situation in which God and the ego “challenge” each other as to whose meaning is to be written in the empty space that meaninglessness provides. The ego rushes in frantically to establish its own ideas there, fearful that the void may otherwise be used to demonstrate its own impotence and unreality. And on this alone it is correct.
3 It is essential, therefore, that you learn to recognize the meaningless, and accept it without fear. If you are fearful, it is certain that you will endow the world with attributes that it does not possess, and crowd it with images that do not exist. To the ego illusions are safety devices, as they must also be to you who equate yourself with the ego.
To me, this is the state that Modern Christianity is in and needs to be changed or it will continue to die a slow and lingering death. For most of my adult life I have served in the Ministry as an insider, Ordained Baptist and Charismatic Minister, for over twenty five years. It has occurred to me after about five or so years of intense study and deep reflection that Modern Christianity has and is based on mythology. A Religion built that has been spawned on by fear, Biblical literalism, legalism and just plain old story telling from the Virgin Birth to the Resurrection.
To my Christian brethren and fellow Pastors, this would be considered as blasphemous and an attack on the faith itself. This has placed me and those of us who hold this view as Bishop John Shelby Spong labels as, a “Christian in Exile.” To which I must say, I’m very proud, free and without reservation.
I still consider myself very much a Christian, only I no longer believe in the myth that Christianity is based on. Rather, I see that the writers of the books of the Bible, more specifically, the New Testament (NT), as pointers to an experience to the man called Jesus. This Man had such an impact on these writers that in most cases it was almost impossible to put into words; but, must be experienced to truly know and understand. I believe that we must save Christianity from itself, from the myth, drama, fundamentalism, magic, and in some cases the lie. It has been my experience that most Pastors and Christian leaders have become unwilling participants in the great “Con” to the point where it has become easier to fight those who do not believe what they believe than to take the time to research and seek out a greater truth. Rather, they have become great story tellers themselves in a misguided effort to control and keep the sheep that they feel are their responsibility in line – under control and blind.
So, I challenge Christians to wake up and see the truth for what it is, to cast off the burden and the yoke of bondage and embrace whom God has made you to be, for you are all divine.
The Purpose of Awaken Life is not one of conversion or religious turmoil, but to enlighten.
Peace
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