We all learn in public school, acquire new knowledge and progress through many grades. This same learning, change and progress should be true for religion. But alas, it seems that most religious institutions today offer only one class. A recent article in the Washington Post reads The Protestant Reformation was 500 years ago. What needs reform in American religion today?
I believe reform means changing institutions for the growth of individuals and society. Most religious organization became fixated on one view point and people who want more will create new ones. This explains why there are 358 distinct denominations from 8 major branches of Christianity.
Even Cardinal Blase Cupich, Catholic archbishop of Chicago quoted in the above article said, “Ecclesia semper reformanda est” “The church must always be reformed.”
The public school system recognizes the need for students to learn in one grade before moving to the next. This does not seem to occur in spiritual education. Jesus recognized this difference in the stages of learning for people, and this is why he said to his disciples, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them [the public] it is not given. (Matthew 13:11).
However this presents a major problem in American religion today.
The doctrine that we are all equal is not related to reality. Economically, politically, physically, and socially we are not all equal. And so because of this widely held belief, people get angry at Jesus that he did not tell everyone the mysteries. One should not expect a child to understand brain surgery.
Jesus came on earth to help evolve human consciousness into divine consciousness. But he also knew the reality of different stages of religious understanding. Jesus was very practical in religion and gave different instructions for diverse followers.
Here are three types of viewpoints in religious followers. Chapter 10 in my book explains these in greater detail. These short examples show how each of the groups explains the same concept. How strongly you resonate with a group indicates which one you operate from.
The greatest number of Christian denominations, declare that the Bible is the “word of God.” This is necessary for beginning religious education. This belief is needed to maintain freedom from fear, be moral and give hope. But this mind-set encourages followers to ignore inconsistencies in their dogma.
Far smaller in number of denominations (what I call middle school education), this group expands its education so that the “word of God” becomes any religious scripture, including the Bible that promotes self worth, social justice, and spiritual reverence. This involves gathering new information and comparing, but unfortunately this mind-set imagines any obvious discrepancies as insignificant.
The fewest number of denominations explain that the phrase, “God said let there be light” is the “word of God.” This word (vibratory sound) caused the creation, not the written words in the Bible. This word is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient. God’s creation sound is called the “Amen” in the Bible (“the beginning of the creation of God”) Rev. 3:14. This information is the “college education” of religion that originates from the Masters. This mind-set values meditative experiences to expand our knowledge, love and integrate actions.
Does the understanding of one group seem incomplete or incorrect? If so, please do not ridicule these believers. You will find out that as your understanding expands, you did not need to destroy their beliefs. Let them live in peace. A problem may arise if they will not let you live in peace.
Remember, you may have started in their class. Let your interactions inspire you to encourage them to keep seeking better answers to life. We can still love them even if they do not enter the next class. I know, because my parents stayed in one class all their life, as I moved on. I learned to retain the useful lessons as I entered the next one. “While we teach, we learn,” said the Roman philosopher Seneca.
Saint Paul in 1Corinthians 13: 11said, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” We grow up religiously when we put away our fanciful beliefs by testing them with the science of yoga of the Masters –Jesus, Yogananda, Yogiraj, Sadhguru, Krishna, Yogi Satyam, Buddha, etc.
Why are tens of millions of people rejecting the Bible, the Church, and all religion? Because they have outgrown the classes they are in, but do not yet know that there are other classes on the scriptures, as pointed out above.
If you are dissatisfied with the quality of your current religious dogma, learn the Master’s religious metaphysics and experiment with meditation. It is vast. I chose the metaphysics of Jesus, the meditation of Jesus, and the message of Jesus. Master Yogis continually help me understand the mysteries of life and expand my peace of mind. I suggest you keep listening until you heard your music. I encourage you and can suggest some choices. I do appreciate your comments, questions and suggestions.
“Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others.” Confucius
Good post, papa. Interesting to consider that growth in certain “subjects” is mandated (advancing in math, writing, reading comprehension), while others (our spiritual development) are not. Self-study and reflection helps us advance.