Quiz question of the day - Are people punished for their sins?

 According to Jesus, are people punished for their sins?

1. True

2. False

3. Maybe

4. Don’t know

The correct answer is B. False

Punishment is the work of the ego not of God.

No one is punished for sins, and the Sons of God are not sinners. Any concept of punishment involves the projection of blame, and reinforces the idea that blame is justified. The result is a lesson in blame, for all behavior teaches the beliefs that motivate it. The crucifixion was the result of clearly opposed thought systems; the perfect symbol of the “conflict” between the ego and the Son of God. This conflict seems just as real now, and its lessons must be learned now as well as then. T-6.I.16:4-8

A Course in Miracles . Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

The idea that no one is punished for sins seems so foreign to the ego that it is almost unbelievable. And yet Jesus tells us that in the Kingdom of God there is no punishment.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In the world of inherent worth and dignity punishment does not exist.

Today it is suggested that we reflect on our innate innocence and come to understand that punishment is the work of the ego not of God.

We need more conservatives in UU

 

Against Illiberalism by David Cycleback

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In her 2017 essay “Where Are We Headed?”, UU minister Rev. Kate Braestrup wrote that UU would have to become more conservative and welcoming to a broader range of political views to attract many minorities, who are generally more conservative than UU. (Braestrup 2017)

Quiz question of the day - What do most religions teach?

 What do most religions teach?

1. Love

2. Punishment

3. Who God is?

4. Fear

The answer is D. Fear

Kindness abounds all around

 

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I do not call for martyrs but for teachers.

As you read the teachings of the Apostles, remember that I told them myself that there was much they would understand later, because they were not wholly ready to follow me at the time. I do not want you to allow any fear to enter into the thought system toward which I am guiding you. I do not call for martyrs but for teachers. T-6.I.16:1-3

A Course in Miracles . Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

Most religions teach fear. That’s how the clergy controls people. Jesus tells us that his teaching is quite different. He is not teaching religion but spirituality. Religion is for people who are afraid of hell. Spirituality is for people who are there, or have been there.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to engage in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. This truth and meaning appears differently at different stages of our development. People at lower stages are not ready yet for the higher stages. Development to higher stages of consciousness will be realized if we can overcome our fears and seek it.

Today, it is suggested that we take a few minutes and consider our level of spiritual development. The stages of spiritual development can be conceptualized as a ladder. Which rung are you standing on most of the time: lower, middle, higher? What would it take for you to make the next step?

The point of the crucifixion is to teach that the response to attack should be love.

These are some of the examples of upside-down thinking in the New Testament, although its gospel is really only the message of love. If the Apostles had not felt guilty, they never could have quoted me as saying, “I come not to bring peace but a sword.” This is clearly the opposite of everything I taught. Nor could they have described my reactions to Judas as they did, if they had really understood me. I could not have said, “Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” unless I believed in betrayal. The whole message of the crucifixion was simply that I did not. The “punishment” I was said to have called forth upon Judas was a similar mistake. Judas was my brother and a Son of God, as much a part of the Sonship as myself. Was it likely that I would condemn him when I was ready to demonstrate that condemnation is impossible? T-6.I.15:1-9

A Course in Miracles . Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

The teachings of Jesus are often distorted by people who don’t understand them. A Course In Miracles offers a correction of the distortions and misinterpretations. In this passage Jesus tells us that the drama of the crucifixion is intended to demonstrate the power of love in the most extreme of circumstances and yet human beings project their fears and belief in retribution and vengeance onto the circumstances of the situation.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us covenant together to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in our human relations which is something that Jesus not only taught but demonstrated in the stories about his ministry.

Today it is suggested that when we are inclined to retribution and vengeance we ask ourselves “What would love have me do?”