While looking for recommendations for religious texts online to read, I found this book. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Urantia_Book I can't help feeling drawn to the book as it is a blend of philosophy and science. The aim seems to be to reconcile religion with science. Some of the science is disputable though. But I fear it would be a very daunting read because it's 2000 pages long! The author/authors of the book are anonymous. I don't know... would you recommend reading this book?
I'll probably get to this book eventually after reading other religious texts I'm more interested in. I wonder if the people who put this book out are a UFO religion. I cannot say because I have not read the book yet.
It was recommended to me by a friend.... I started it but like you.... the fact it is so huge was kind of daunting but I was impressed by what I did read. I have a better book in mind that in my opinion is more clear and answers just about any questions you could think of. http://www.allaboutchristian.com/spirituality/
Upon further research, It seem that the Urantia foundation is not running any specific religion. It just distributes the book and runs discussion groups for the book. Curious how the book claims to be revelations from God. Perhaps it's a method to grab the attention of the readers and audience.
I'm still curious as to the motivations behind this book. There is no religion built from or around the people who wrote and/or published it. The book took many years to compile and it has meticulous details in it so I do not think it was an attempt at a cash grab. The book in that sense really is a work of art. My guess is that it was written by true believers who's only intent was to share their beliefs with others and not impose them on others. It seems that the writers are saying 'Read this book and draw your own conclusions' and not 'We have the absolute truth, and only we know how to interpret it. Do as we say'. If all the holy book based religions used this approach, organized religions would disperse into billions of free thinkers. I wonder; could I be a traditional Christian and find value in this book at the same time?
I could be wrong..... I often am but I will be shocked if there is not considerable connection with....... http://www.near-death.com/experiences/notable/george-ritchie.html#a05e These beings are major, major, major league..... but have something of a Cyrus mentality...... read Isaiah 45:1-5 for more info on this...... ...... https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/isa/45/1/s_724001 “Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: ..... Isa 45:4 For Jacob My servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.
Here is a writing that I believe is from a similar source to the Urantia Book: http://www.politicalforum.com/index.php?threads/war-in-heaven-by-spiritual-revolutionary.452014/
I just learned that the Urantia Book's version of who Jesus is is very unchristian. But that's OK because I'm not Christian.
Here it is off Wikipedia: Comparison to Christianity[edit] More than one third of the content of The Urantia Book is devoted to a narrative of the life and teachings of Jesus, and the Judeo-Christian tradition is given an importance exceeding any other.[78][79][80] The book's teachings claim to be a clarification and expansion of Christian belief.[81] However, numerous differences are noted between its teachings and commonly accepted Christian doctrines.[79][82] Jesus is held in high regard by The Urantia Book, as he is in the New Testament of the Bible.[78] The following are attributed to him in both texts: He was both human and divine,[83] the Son of God incarnate who was born to Mary, whose husband was Joseph.[84] He performed many of the miracles described in the Bible, such as the resurrection of Lazarus, the turning of water into wine, the feeding of the five thousand, and numerous healings of the blind, diseased, and infirm.[85] He taught twelve apostles, most of whom went on to spread his teachings. He was crucified, and on the third day after his death, rose from the dead. He will return to the world again some day. Some differences with Christianity include: Jesus' crucifixion is not considered an atonement for the sins of humanity.[68] The crucifixion is taught to be an outcome of the fears of religious leaders of the day, who regarded his teachings as a threat to their positions of authority. Jesus is considered the human incarnation of "Michael of Nebadon," one of more than 700,000 "Paradise Sons" of God, or "Creator Sons." Jesus is not considered the second person of the Trinity as he is in Christianity. The book refers to the Eternal Son as the second person of the Trinity.[86] Jesus was born on earth through natural means of conception instead of a virgin birth.[87] Jesus did not walk on water or perform some of the miracles that are attributed to him in the Bible.[88]
After a chain of bad luck, I have finally gotten a copy of this book. Wow it's heavy! Since it's 196 "papers" long with the forward making it 197, I'll read one paper a day. I heard their is some racist passages in it. Well, no "holy" book is perfect. The Bible is homophobic and tolerates slavery.
https://reluctant-messenger.com/aquarian_gospel.htm The Aquarian Age Gospel of Jesus, the Christ of the Piscean Age Transcribed by Levi H. Dowling If the Urantia book is like the Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ...... the Rabbi Yeshua - Jesus in it might remind you of....... well....... www.ThomasTwin.com/
After research and reading of the book, I have decided that if I had to choose a religion or what religion I think is the best and an example to all other religions, it would be belief in the Urantia book. Mostly because of what it is not than what it is. It offers something to believe in and a spiritual experience without any abusive organization. Here is why I like this belief system: No homophobia, no belief in a planet wide flood, no hellfire, belief in evolution, no one true religion (all have some truth), no institution to tithe to or be a registered member to, no human authorities to submit to, no correct way to worship or ritual and ceremony (just reading and study groups). The god of the Urantia book is not a god of blood sacrifice like the god of the Bible. And despite his views on eugenics, the "founder" of the religion Dr. William Sadler was a very intelligent and admirable man unlike some founders of other religions. THIS would be the religion for me if not for the following flaws (other than the simple fact that it's not true): The racist and eugenics teachings and the dated science.
From now on if ANY Christian proposes a Bible study or preaches to me in the street, I'll counter it with preaching from the Urantia Book.
