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In
the copy of the Science of Mind that I am reading there is a caption at
the top of page 427 which reads: FROM THE TEACHING OF JESUS ...
then there is a statement in parenthesis that reads "It is
intentional that the pronoun referring to the man Jesus is not
capitalized in this book." Now, I am certain that the editor
and perhaps even the author wanted to differentiate Jesus from the
traditional teaching that He was the "only son of God" ... He
never said He was nor did any of the Gospel writers state that He was
... so in my opinion, capitalizing "He" when referring to
Jesus is giving Him all the respect that He is due. Jesus was a
Master Mind and probably the most highly enlightened person that has
ever walked on this planet. Now there may be another like Him or
perhaps even more highly enlightened than Him in this infinite Universe
that we live in ... but for us, He is it. Our world has not
produced another like Him, and until it does, He must receive our
greatest respect, admiration and love. The very fact that we
celebrate Christmas at all, is because of Him. And what a glorious
season it is ... a time of giving and sharing ... both of which He did
to the maximum.
On the "Jesus
page" of this website, you will find seven (7) different pictures
of Jesus ... none of which have any real similarity. This is not
unusual since He is the most misunderstood of all the Great Mystics.
There are those who ignore Him ... there are those who embrace Him and
there are those who say they love and embrace Him as their savior ...
yet, they twist His teachings into some of the most hateful man-made
concepts that we hold as a culture.
Recently I was reading an article in the
LA Times Newspaper about the next to the last Billy Graham crusade in
Los Angeles. Billy Graham stated that although we try to be moral
and try to live good lives, God sees through all that and sees our sins
... sees our defects. It was truly sad to realize that after
50-some years in the ministry that Billy Graham held that opinion of
people ... and of God. In the scriptures we can read of Jesus'
healing work and not once can we read that He saw anyone as
"defective in the eyes of God" ... His ability to heal
was based on His ability to know that He was always seeing the
"Reflection of the Divine" in everyone ... no matter how they
appeared before Him. Billy Graham has been credited with bringing
thousands of people to believe in Jesus Christ ... but what Jesus is he
asking them to believe in? In the scriptures we can read, "He
knows no iniquities" ... in other words God does not see
defects ... He is too pure for that. The Grahams, both father and
son have a very different viewpoint on the Teachings of Jesus than the
United Church of Christ and Religious Science.
In an additional article regarding
Billy Graham's "Heir" to his ministry, his son, Franklin
Graham, I was surprised to read that Franklin publicly stated that he
voted for George Bush for President. "I think this thing in
Iraq is going to pass," he said. "We've got George Bush
for another four years. He's not going to back up and he's not
going to run." Asked specifically if he still thought Islam
was "an evil and wicked religion," he said he hadn't changed
his mind. Asked about gay marriage, he said it was contrary to
God's Law. He said he believed many gay or lesbian couples
believed that their relationships were genuine love. "But
there were people who for centuries swore up and down the Earth was flat
too," he said. And yes, Franklin ... those who thought the
world was flat had the same opinion as you regarding God's Law ... but
they were wrong about that too ... and so are you! I believe
Franklin is correct in that there is an "evil and wicked
religion" ... and that evil and wicked religion is the belief that
we can ever do or be anything that would cause God to cease loving us
... "I have Loved you with an ever-lasting Love" ... to
separate us from each other rather than to call us to "love one
another" as Jesus taught is an abomination. Now, I don't have
a problem with people doing that ... as everyone is free to do what he
or she chooses ... but
KEEP
JESUS OUT OF YOUR SMALL MINDED RELIGIONS!!
Jesus taught the pure essence of
Love ... the Love of the Father ...
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they
which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be
filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed
are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are
they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for
great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets
which were before you."
And
So It Is!
Maximum Love,
Rev.
Hank Bates
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