This is copy and pasted from the second half of here Festival of Pisces Talk (Lucis Trust)
which is from there full moon festival March 2014.
I think it demonstrates what we know is wrong with the parts of the modern church but is becoming more wide spread and mainstream. Please note before reading these are the words of occultists who are under obvious spiritual deception.
Many also associate the Church with the numerous negative issues that dominate the press; such as, the sexual misconduct of priests, abuses of power, sexual inequality, misuse of funds, as well as, what are considered by many as out-of-date doctrine, on homosexuality, abortion and contraception. It appears that the Church is out of synch with modern society. However, many of these issues are being addressed and there is significant optimism that the new Pope, Pope Francis, who has been noted for his humility and his concern for the poor, will be a catalyst for change. He has stated that Catholics have concentrated excessively on condemning abortion, contraception, and homosexual acts and have neglect the greater need for tenderness, mercy and compassion.
Christianity started out as a champion of the poor, the needy and the marginalised of society, and evolved into powerful institutions that legitimised the authority of the ruling classes. Nowadays, however, in an increasingly secular world, Christianity has had to find a different role. One of those roles is in being the voice of dissent. The problems and conflicts of the world have created a practical as well as critical role for Christianity, and Christian groups are increasingly involved in areas, such as, the environmental debate, inequality issues and social problems. This is a role, perhaps, more in harmony with the ways of Christ.
Christianity is however, growing exponentially in countries such as Africa and Latin America, particularly in the Charismatic and Pentecostal churches. By 2011, Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians exceeded 500m, which is a quarter of the 2 billion Christians worldwide and the second largest group behind Roman Catholics. Although they accept the authority of the Bible, Charismatic and Pentecostal churches encourage a direct and personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Instead of relying on scripture and the priesthood to inform and guide, worshippers are encouraged to engage directly with Spirit. What is learnt through this direct contact is considered more relevant and meaningful than scripture. It would seem, from an esoteric perspective, that individuals are making direct contact with the soul, and therefore the group, through worship, which translates to the enormous sense of community that is evident within charismatic and Pentacostal Churches. Their commitment to serving each other, their support of the poor and needy, and their dedication to praying for humanity, are all definite soul qualities.
Perhaps the most promising developments within Christianity are evident in the Emergent Church, of which the Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians are a part. The Emergent Church originated in the late 20th century and embraces a wide range of Christian communities that include Protestant, Post-Protestant, Evangelical, Post-Evangelical, Adventist, Reformed, Conservative, Neocharismatic and so on. Emergents can be found throughout the globe, predominantly in North America, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. Some attend local independent churches or house churches, while others worship in traditional Christian denominations. As such, there are a vast range of standpoints in the Emergent community and the key to their approach, is a commitment to dialogue. They call their movement a “conversation” which emphasises its developing and decentralised nature.
The core of their agreement is the general disillusionment with the teachings of the established church. The increased communication between those of different religious observances in Christianity, has led to a mixing and blending of ideas. Through this network of ideas has come the realisation ‘that no one of the member parts or connecting networks has the whole or entire “truth” of anything’.2 This has led to some in the Emerging Church to move the emphasis away from eternal salvation to the importance of what they do in the ‘here and now’ on earth. The incarnated Christ came and worked in the world and, therefore, adherents feel the responsibility to do this also. They aim to influence, transform and be involved in the local environment to bring about change and betterment. They attempt to transform through social activism, hospitality and acts of kindness.
Emerging church leaders see interfaith dialogue as a vital way of sharing their narratives as well as an opportunity to learn from the narratives of others. There has been a major shift away from the idea of ‘Christian exclusivity’ which is the belief that there is no salvation for those who do not believe in Jesus - a dogma that held sway in the early and mid-1900s. There is general recognition that there are many paths to God.
Interfaith dialogue is not just the preserve of the Emergent and Protestant Churches. Pope John Paul II was a major advocate of interfaith dialogue. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, visited Pope John Paul II eight times, more than any other dignitary. Today, Pope Francis has written about his commitment to open and respectful interfaith dialogue as a way for all parties engaged in that dialogue to learn from one another.
On another note, there are also signs that the ancient wisdom teachings are beginning to resonate within the Christian community. For example, books linking Christianity with reincarnation, mindfulness, devotional meditation and karma are increasingly available. It was in the 1960’s when Buddhist teachings became widely available in the West, and given the nontheistic nature of some of its branches, it sat quite innocently within or alongside other religions. As such, the Buddhist tools to enter and encourage the subjective experience have filtered into Christianity providing the worshipper with a deeper, personal experience.
These are all very encouraging signs and suggest that the unity and fellowship of spirit, that is the basis of all religions, is emerging in human consciousness. The Tibetan tells us that it is through the workers in the field of religion that the universal platform for the new world religion will be formulated. This, he tells us, will lead to great struggle within the churches themselves as the enlightened elements fight to spread their understanding of unity to others. This will lead to a backlash from the fundamentalists, the narrow-minded and the theologians in all the world religions who refuse to let go of the old interpretations and methods. 3 This is clearly evidenced today in religion in general, not just in Christianity.
The Tibetan tells us that ‘what the Great Ones seek to break is not the form of Christianity but the grip of the churches on the minds of the masses’.4 It is, perhaps, within the Catholic Church that the greatest battle will be fought, however, according to Alice Bailey the battle will be the Church’s ‘greatest opportunity and also her greatest crisis’. She says that ‘If the Catholic Church can change her techniques, can relinquish authority over the souls of men (which she has never truly had) and can really follow the way of the Saviour, of the humble Carpenter of Nazareth, she can render a world service and set an example which will serve to enlighten the followers of every faith and of every branch of Christianity. ’5
This is indeed a wonderful vision, a vision that we can hope is coming into play now as the new Pope, Pope Francis, brings his influence to bear. Perhaps, Christianity is indeed, rising above itself. There is clear evidence that the subjective influences encased within the form of Christianity are beginning to emerge. It is hoped that during the Age of Aquarius, with the aid of the 7th Ray of Ceremony, that Christianity will approach the perfection that is at its core.
Let us now work with the Pisces energy so that we can play a mediating role in aiding humanity in turning back to the Father, and in this process act as Christ did, as a world saviour. The seed thought for reflection is again:
I leave the Fathers Home and turning back I save.
which is from there full moon festival March 2014.
I think it demonstrates what we know is wrong with the parts of the modern church but is becoming more wide spread and mainstream. Please note before reading these are the words of occultists who are under obvious spiritual deception.
Many also associate the Church with the numerous negative issues that dominate the press; such as, the sexual misconduct of priests, abuses of power, sexual inequality, misuse of funds, as well as, what are considered by many as out-of-date doctrine, on homosexuality, abortion and contraception. It appears that the Church is out of synch with modern society. However, many of these issues are being addressed and there is significant optimism that the new Pope, Pope Francis, who has been noted for his humility and his concern for the poor, will be a catalyst for change. He has stated that Catholics have concentrated excessively on condemning abortion, contraception, and homosexual acts and have neglect the greater need for tenderness, mercy and compassion.
Christianity started out as a champion of the poor, the needy and the marginalised of society, and evolved into powerful institutions that legitimised the authority of the ruling classes. Nowadays, however, in an increasingly secular world, Christianity has had to find a different role. One of those roles is in being the voice of dissent. The problems and conflicts of the world have created a practical as well as critical role for Christianity, and Christian groups are increasingly involved in areas, such as, the environmental debate, inequality issues and social problems. This is a role, perhaps, more in harmony with the ways of Christ.
Christianity is however, growing exponentially in countries such as Africa and Latin America, particularly in the Charismatic and Pentecostal churches. By 2011, Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians exceeded 500m, which is a quarter of the 2 billion Christians worldwide and the second largest group behind Roman Catholics. Although they accept the authority of the Bible, Charismatic and Pentecostal churches encourage a direct and personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Instead of relying on scripture and the priesthood to inform and guide, worshippers are encouraged to engage directly with Spirit. What is learnt through this direct contact is considered more relevant and meaningful than scripture. It would seem, from an esoteric perspective, that individuals are making direct contact with the soul, and therefore the group, through worship, which translates to the enormous sense of community that is evident within charismatic and Pentacostal Churches. Their commitment to serving each other, their support of the poor and needy, and their dedication to praying for humanity, are all definite soul qualities.
Perhaps the most promising developments within Christianity are evident in the Emergent Church, of which the Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians are a part. The Emergent Church originated in the late 20th century and embraces a wide range of Christian communities that include Protestant, Post-Protestant, Evangelical, Post-Evangelical, Adventist, Reformed, Conservative, Neocharismatic and so on. Emergents can be found throughout the globe, predominantly in North America, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. Some attend local independent churches or house churches, while others worship in traditional Christian denominations. As such, there are a vast range of standpoints in the Emergent community and the key to their approach, is a commitment to dialogue. They call their movement a “conversation” which emphasises its developing and decentralised nature.
The core of their agreement is the general disillusionment with the teachings of the established church. The increased communication between those of different religious observances in Christianity, has led to a mixing and blending of ideas. Through this network of ideas has come the realisation ‘that no one of the member parts or connecting networks has the whole or entire “truth” of anything’.2 This has led to some in the Emerging Church to move the emphasis away from eternal salvation to the importance of what they do in the ‘here and now’ on earth. The incarnated Christ came and worked in the world and, therefore, adherents feel the responsibility to do this also. They aim to influence, transform and be involved in the local environment to bring about change and betterment. They attempt to transform through social activism, hospitality and acts of kindness.
Emerging church leaders see interfaith dialogue as a vital way of sharing their narratives as well as an opportunity to learn from the narratives of others. There has been a major shift away from the idea of ‘Christian exclusivity’ which is the belief that there is no salvation for those who do not believe in Jesus - a dogma that held sway in the early and mid-1900s. There is general recognition that there are many paths to God.
Interfaith dialogue is not just the preserve of the Emergent and Protestant Churches. Pope John Paul II was a major advocate of interfaith dialogue. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, visited Pope John Paul II eight times, more than any other dignitary. Today, Pope Francis has written about his commitment to open and respectful interfaith dialogue as a way for all parties engaged in that dialogue to learn from one another.
On another note, there are also signs that the ancient wisdom teachings are beginning to resonate within the Christian community. For example, books linking Christianity with reincarnation, mindfulness, devotional meditation and karma are increasingly available. It was in the 1960’s when Buddhist teachings became widely available in the West, and given the nontheistic nature of some of its branches, it sat quite innocently within or alongside other religions. As such, the Buddhist tools to enter and encourage the subjective experience have filtered into Christianity providing the worshipper with a deeper, personal experience.
These are all very encouraging signs and suggest that the unity and fellowship of spirit, that is the basis of all religions, is emerging in human consciousness. The Tibetan tells us that it is through the workers in the field of religion that the universal platform for the new world religion will be formulated. This, he tells us, will lead to great struggle within the churches themselves as the enlightened elements fight to spread their understanding of unity to others. This will lead to a backlash from the fundamentalists, the narrow-minded and the theologians in all the world religions who refuse to let go of the old interpretations and methods. 3 This is clearly evidenced today in religion in general, not just in Christianity.
The Tibetan tells us that ‘what the Great Ones seek to break is not the form of Christianity but the grip of the churches on the minds of the masses’.4 It is, perhaps, within the Catholic Church that the greatest battle will be fought, however, according to Alice Bailey the battle will be the Church’s ‘greatest opportunity and also her greatest crisis’. She says that ‘If the Catholic Church can change her techniques, can relinquish authority over the souls of men (which she has never truly had) and can really follow the way of the Saviour, of the humble Carpenter of Nazareth, she can render a world service and set an example which will serve to enlighten the followers of every faith and of every branch of Christianity. ’5
This is indeed a wonderful vision, a vision that we can hope is coming into play now as the new Pope, Pope Francis, brings his influence to bear. Perhaps, Christianity is indeed, rising above itself. There is clear evidence that the subjective influences encased within the form of Christianity are beginning to emerge. It is hoped that during the Age of Aquarius, with the aid of the 7th Ray of Ceremony, that Christianity will approach the perfection that is at its core.
Let us now work with the Pisces energy so that we can play a mediating role in aiding humanity in turning back to the Father, and in this process act as Christ did, as a world saviour. The seed thought for reflection is again:
I leave the Fathers Home and turning back I save.
