What
a couple of weeks of drama it has been in the United States as the
U.S. Supreme Court struck down the state bans on same-sex marriage and
made marriage available to all genders nationwide. Even the
Supreme Court Chief Justice's dissent was far-reaching, if not
out-right ridiculous in its reasoning. Pastors, priests,
preachers and politicians all used this Court decision to unleash
their dissatisfaction with the decision. We had a chance to
witness history and at the same time to witness hysterical ignorance
of the teachings of the great mystics of the Old Testament of the Holy
Bible and the straight-forward teachings of the Master Mind Jesus
found in the Gospels ... and they are not called the "Good
News" for lacking in a major shift in the consciousness of
mankind's realization of our relationship to G-d and to each
other. But too many of the religious folks and the
transparent-panderers of politics will not be stopped in their
steadfast rants about their "Christian beliefs." Have
they forgotten the Christ in Christian? I think perhaps they
have.
Tullian
Tchividjian, Billy Graham's grandson and nephew of Franklin Graham was
forced to resign from his mega-church position for having an
adulterous affair. (Adultery is a choice.) However, this did not stop Franklin Graham,
from becoming livid with the Court for its decision and even angrier
when President Obama allowed the White House to be covered in light
with rainbow colors in celebration. His threat that we are in
the "last days" seemed more than a little obnoxious when if
looked at in the "Light of Love" ... Love triumphed over
religious dogma and political power. I never thought of Franklin
as an "apostle of hate" but the more I read and hear his
outrageous rants the more I think perhaps he is on his way to earning
the title. Franklin made the decision for Billy Graham
Ministries to move its bank accounts from Wells Fargo Bank because
they ran an advertisement that was a little too gay-friendly for him
and then he called for a boycott of all companies that support
same-sex marriage. But, as things will be, Billy Graham
Ministries bank accounts ended up in an even more gay-friendly bank
than Wells Fargo. Don't any of these folks realize that same-sex
marriage has been legal throughout Canada for almost ten years and
they are our neighbors?
Franklin Graham,
however, is mild compared to some of the preachers who said they would
leave the United States if same-sex marriage was affirmed by the
Court. One even went so far as to say he would set himself on
fire! It makes one wonder at just what the qualifications are
for someone to be a preacher ... or a politician! These are the
people who are encouraging us to be good boys and girls so we can end
up in "heaven" with them!
I am reminded of these
mystical words from the Master Mind Jesus: "The
kingdom of heaven is within you, not lo here or lo there."
And we can thank G-d that this is
so. Everything is consciousness ... everything. The Law of
our mind is in our own control and no one else's not even G-d.
It takes little effort to find the essence of G-d Intelligence,
Spirit, Power and Love in the writings given to us in the form of the
Holy Bible; both the Old Testament and the New Testament and
especially the Gospels. Who cannot understand these simple, yet
profound truths of Spirit revealed through the mind of mankind:
“...
For the LORD sees not as mankind sees: mankind looks on the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” —
1 Samuel 16:7
"You
judge according to the flesh; I judge no one."
-
The Master Mind Jesus, John 8:15
There are so many
opportunities for people of faith to work for the good, to make the
world a better place for everyone. There is no good to be gained
by seeing people as inferior or superior. To place a lesser
value on someone based on their race, their gender, their religion,
their nationality, their sexual orientation or their legal status, is
childish and reveals an undeveloped consciousness. When the
Master Mind Jesus stated, "I and the
Father (Spirit) are One" ... he made
this statement for all of us ... no matter what label the world has
given us. It is perhaps his most mystical statement of
Truth. The kingdom that we create within our mind based on our
beliefs, our judgments and our relationship to G-d and others,
determines whether it is a kingdom of heaven or a kingdom of
hell. Seeing someone as inferior is just low-energy hate and no
good thing can come of it.
This past week it was
reported in the news that there were hecklers in Joel Osteen's
audience. They were "shaming" him because they feel
his sermons, which stress the positive, are leading people
astray. These people are but an example of a Christian mentality
that clings to beliefs in both God and a Devil, an actual heaven and a
hell. Joel Osteen has created a worldwide ministry due in part
to his expanded consciousness that shames no one but calls on everyone
to realize that G-d is for everyone. He truly believes that
Jesus' message is for us to develop a consciousness of love for G-d
and for life.
I believe
in the hereafter and the hereafter that. I believe that we all
go back to G-d who gave us life and are transitioned into a new
life. I believe too that we are Spirit having a human experience
and that the Spirit lives within each of us whether we choose to be
conscious of It or not. I believe too that if Franklin Graham
and others like him are going to heaven it must be a most unattractive
one. But, I really don't believe this for I believe in the
deepest part of my soul that we move into the next life with the
consciousness we attain in this one ... that is to the degree of our
conscious union with G-d. As the Master Mind Jesus stated, "in
my Father's house there are many mansions"
... and I believe there is a place for all of us ... just like here on
planet Earth.
For G-d so loved us that the Spirit remains a part of us no matter
where we may be ... on Earth as it is in heaven, the Great Unseen.
AND
SO IT IS!
Keep
the
faith!
Rev.
Henry Bates
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