Angels, Their Existence And Purposes
by Donna L.Evans

Angels, Their Existence And Purposes

To know the reality about Angels, their existence, their kinds and their purpose have always been an effort of the humans. Angels are believed to be Celestial beings. All religions are concerned with the relationship of human beings with the supernatural realm. In ancient Greek religion, in Judaism and Christianity, and in Islam this relationship is thought to involve angels. According to a medieval hierarchy there are nine classes of heavenly beings, which are: angels, archangels, principalities, powers, virtues, dominations, thrones, cherubim, and seraphim. Angels can be broadly described as personified powers mediating between the divine and the human.

The Existence of Angels
Nothing in the world grows automatically but some one creates it. No factory, road, car, high riser or any thing else is found instantly on the earth and start operating at its own but some one creates an idea, designs it, and constructs or manufactures and operates it. The same goes true with the universe too. Some one must had designed it and created it and that some one is commonly called God. Any Creator needs to have a link between him and his creations. Like an owner of any industry requires having constant communication with its staff to pass his orders and instructions to run the day-to-day affairs and it is done through medium of managers and supervisors. Likewise the God too requires medium to communicate with His creation whenever He needs to pass His orders and directives for implementation. This medium is called Angels. There is also a need to have some link and medium between one act in the world to another, be it sound, light, vision, communication, or anything else. For maintenance of a garden the owner requires gardeners for various tasks like cutting, pruning, watering, grass cutting et cetera. Likewise to maintain the world, which is like a garden for the creator who, too, has placed some gardeners for various tasks, called Angels. The mankind has known these angels since its creation. The fact is found in every religion's concepts and revelations.

Angels in different religions            Top Next Thesis

Angels in Babylonian Era.
The Babylonians believed in a pantheon consisting of beings, human in form but superhuman in power and immortal, each of which, although invisible to the human eye, ruled a particular component of the cosmos, however small, and controlled it in accordance with well-laid plans and duly prescribed laws. These were the angels and each was in charge of one of the great realms of heaven, earth, sea, and air; or of one of the major astral bodies-the sun, moon, and planets; or, in the realm of the earth, of such natural entities as river, mountain and plain, and of such social entities as city and state. Even tools and implements, such as the pickax, brick mold, and plow, were under the charge of specially appointed angels called Deities.

Christian Concept of Angels.
According to Christian tradition, archangels belong to the eighth of nine choirs of angels. Arranged according to their importance, in descending order, these choirs are seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominations, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and angels. Christian theology had developed an elaborate hierarchy of angels, who were associated with God, and fallen angels, or demons, who were led by Satan. Satan himself was considered the original fallen angel. In most English versions of the Bible, the term demon is translated as devil, and in the New Testament, demon is identified with an evil spirit. (Bible) 1

Hindu Mythology and Angels.
Spirits became an important part of Hinduism, the religion of India. Hindu scriptures called the Vedas, composed between about 1500 BC and about 1000 BC, describe a variety of powerful beings that do good and bad including the asuras and the panis, who harm people and work against the Hindu gods. The word demon originated from an ancient Greek term, daimon, which referred to beings whose special powers placed them between people and the gods. These beings had the ability either to improve people's lives or carry out the punishment of the gods. (Vedas) 2

The Jews Concept of Angels
The plight of the fallen angels and Enoch's journeys to the places of final punishment and reward are described in Jews religion. After the period of Israel's Babylonian exile (597-538 BC), Jewish thought about angels was considerably altered and enriched. Drawing on Mesopotamian iconography, artists and writers began to provide wings even for anthropomorphic angels, and an interest developed in the angels' garments, names, and relative ranks. In addition to the Mesopotamian influence, the Persian dualistic tradition added another dimension to the Jewish conception of angels by positing hostile and destructive angels who are rebellious against God. Developments in both Judaism and Christianity show a remarkable growth of angelic folklore, in part as the result of continuing the ancient practice of absorbing the gods of polytheistic religions by turning them into angels. Although belief in angels is amply attested in both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, many biblical scholars nevertheless suggest that the concept was adopted not only as a literary device to personify the divine presence but also as a means of subordinating the gods of polytheistic religions.

Islamic Concept Of Angels
According to Islamic tradition, angels were created from light. An angel is an immortal being that commits no sins and serves as a guardian, a recorder of deeds, and a link between God and humanity. The angel Gabriel, for example, communicated God's message to the prophet Muhammad. In contrast to humans, angels are incapable of unbelief and, with the exception of Satan who was an angel too, always obey God. According to Islam there are many angels for many tasks like for, air, water, death, life, food, writing goods and sins, rain, etc.
Islam also developed a complex system of demons. Muslim writings describe a group of evil beings, called jinn, who cause destruction and preside over places where evil activities take place. In Islam, it is believed that four archangels guard the throne of Allah. (Quran) 3

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Kinds Of Angels

Archangels
An angel, or heavenly being, of higher rank amongst angels is known to be archangel. These beings are the next step up from Angels. They follow the affairs of lesser angels and groups of men (clans, villages, etc.) The Archangels serve as the leaders in the Army of Heaven. The Arch Angels are: -
Gabriel. Angel of high eminence in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim tradition. He is one of the four most often noted archangels in Judaism and Christianity, the others being Michael, Raphael, and Uriel. Gabriel is the heavenly messenger who appears in order to reveal God's will. In the Old Testament, Gabriel interprets the prophet's vision of the ram and the he-goat (Daniel 8:15-26) and explains the prediction of the 70 weeks of years (or 490 years) for the duration of the exile from Jerusalem (Daniel 9:21-27). In the New Testament, he announces to Zacharias the birth of Zechariah's son (Luke 1:11-20), who is destined to become known as John the Baptist, and to Mary that she is to be the mother of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:26-31). Among Muslims, Gabriel is believed to be the spirit who revealed the sacred writings to the Prophet Muhammad. Gabriel is the prince of fire and the spirit who presides over thunder and the ripening of fruits. He is an accomplished linguist, having taught Joseph the 70 languages spoken at Babel. In art he is generally represented carrying either a lily, Mary's flower, at the annunciation, or the trumpet he will blow to announce the second coming.

Michael. Is called Saint Michael in the Christian churches, one of the seven archangels in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, presumed to be leader of the angels (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1) and guardian angel of Israel. According to the pseudepigraphic Book of Enoch, Michael and his command of faithful troops defeated the rebellious archangel Lucifer and his followers, casting them into Hell. In the Talmud, his relationship to the other angels is compared with that on earth of the high priest to Israel; thus, he is considered the immediate lawgiver to the prophet Moses on Sinai (Acts 7:38).

Raphael. Is one of the seven holy Archangels. Raphael presides over the spirits of men in the afterlife (Enoch 20:3). In the Book of Tobit in the Old Testament apocrypha, Raphael is described as the one who stands in the presence of God and presents the prayers of the saints before Him (Tobit 12:15). In rabbinical literature he is the angel of healing.

Uriel. One of the seven holy angels according to Jewish and Christian tradition. Translated from the Hebrew, Uriel means "God is my light." In the Book of Enoch (chapter 20, verse 2), Uriel "is over the world and over Tartarus (the lowest region of the underworld)." In the same book it is said that God set Uriel over all the luminaries of the heaven (chapter 75, verse 3). In this capacity he served as guide for Enoch in his imaginary journeys through heaven and the underworld.

Azrael. The angel of death in the Jewish and Islamic religions. He watches over the dying, separates the soul from the body, and receives the spirits of the dead. The name Azrael is an adaptation of a Hebrew form meaning "God has helped."

Principalities
These are the "Angels of Nations" they have dominion over the Archangels and Large groups of men (nations, tribes, etc.) The Principalities serve as bureaucrats and generals in the Army of Heaven.

Dominions (Dominations)                    Top   Next Thesis
These angels serve God by monitoring the Powers and Virtues. They maintain a "cosmic" balance that reaches beyond the earth to the entire physical plane.

Seraphim
The uppermost section of the hierarchy, these are the angels closest to the throne of God. It is they who unceasingly chant the Trisagion, "Holy, holy, holy..." and encircle the throne, existing off the love emanated by God. It is said that the light they give off is so intense, that not even other divine beings may look upon them. There is said to be four of these angelic beings. They are listed as the four holy beasts in the book of Revelation and are also described as angels with four faces and six wings.

Cherubim
These angels, despite common belief, are not viewed as portly children with undersized wings, but rather usually as Assyrian Sphinxes in form. In many belief systems Lucifer was of their number. These Angels are "Spirits of the Harmonies. The guardians of the fixed stars, keepers of celestial records, bestowers of knowledge." Winged celestial beings similar to angels. In ancient Hebrew thought, angels themselves are anthropomorphic, or humanlike, while the cherubim have wings and are zoomorphic, or animal-like. In the developed system of Hebrew angelology, however, the cherubim form one of the nine classes of angels. God placed cherubim at the east side of Eden to prevent human beings from reentering the garden and gaining access to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). Cherubim also support or function as God's throne or chariot (Psalms 80:1; 18:10). Ezekiel's fantastic and detailed descriptions of the cherubim (Ezekiel 1:4-28; 10:3-22), however idiosyncratic, are largely responsible for their entry into the history of art. Seraphim, mentioned only in Isaiah 6, are similar creatures.

Thrones
These are also known as the Ophanim, these angels serve the primary function of being God's chariot. But besides this, they are also noted as being the dispensers of God's judgment; acting with impartialness and humility to bring about the desires of the Lord. Having the most bizarre physical appearance of the celestial host, they are described a great wheels, covered with a great many eyes and glowing with light. One explanation given for this (besides them acting as God's chariot), is that they mark the end of the first Choir, where the emanations of God begin to take on more material forms and as such exist in a state of transition.

Powers
These angels serve as the celestial "Border Guard" between heaven and Hell. They have power over demons and sometimes are controlled by them. The majority of "Fallen" angels seem to come from this group due to their treacherous duties on the borderlands. Their duties include ensuring that the souls of men reach their appropriate reward (Heaven or Hell) and serving as the main force of defense in case of a demonic attack of heaven.

Virtues
These angels serve God by providing the mechanism for miracles. They actually control the "Song of Life" of the world and dole out the required blessings/punishments demanded by the divinity.

Purposes of Angels
Angels are divided into definite ranks, each with separate duties and honors. One of the most common listings of hierarchy used is the Pseudo-Dionysius The listing comprises nine distinct orders of angels within three major headings known as choirs. Despite the many listings available, most contain the same ranks and differ only in the order presented. The commonly known tasks of the Angels found in various holy books of various religion are :-

• Angels function as a protective guardian, as a heavenly warrior, and even as a cosmic power.
• Act as messengers, or intermediary, between God, or the gods, and humankind divine messengers sent to humans to instruct, inform, or command them.
• Monitor the powers and virtues
• Present miracles on the orders of God.
• Maintain hell and heaven.
• Carry out day-to-day functions to run the affairs of universe.

Endnotes
1. Bible. Old and New testament
2. Vedas .Hindus Holy Book
3. Quran .Muslims Holy Book

by Donna Evans

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The Church Exoteric, The Church Esoteric
by Sir Mikaiel Alu

The sky grew dark as an unseen wind swept across the region.  A cloudless sky suddenly gave way to the darkest sky the city had ever known.  A large crowd gathered in a frenzy.  Shouts of violence rang throughout the city as a group psychosis moved over the souls who had gathered.  It was a day the city known as Jerusalem would not soon forget.  Was this a trial of a mass murderer?  Perhaps a coup in which the Jews would now free themselves from Roman oppression?  No.  This day, a simple carpenter was sentenced to die.  His crime?  Healing the sick and preaching deliverance to the oppressed.

From a modest life in Nazareth, the man Yeshua would rise to be the single most influential mystic of all time.  This man, known as the Messiah or Christ, would forever mark the annals of time with his example and message.

His establishment came to be known as the Christian Church, yet, the church claiming his name scantily resembles that which his early message sought to promulgate.  The toll of history has left its mark upon his work, and as 2000 years now separate the shepherd and his flock, the church writhes in the agony of schism.

There is now a modern movement.  One that seeks to uncover the teachings of this Jewish Mystic and remove the layers of veils that have been placed upon it by the wiles of men.  This movement presents a sword.  The division of the master's teachings and the devices of man must be cut asunder.  The church exoteric must now give way to the church esoteric.

Any message will become distorted through the passing along to latter generation.  Man seems to unable to resist the temptation to add his own perspective to anything he writes or copies.  A fine example of this lies in the game many of us played as children.  A message is whispered to a person who then passes the message along via a whisper to another.  The receiver then repeats the message to another and so on and so forth.  Upon reaching the last person in the line, the message is repeated.  Everyone laughs as the latter message has retained none of its original structure or subject matter.

In the history of the Christian church, this is not a laughing matter.  The evil and treacherous nature of man, as opposed to being changed by the message, was fueled by it.  Men history took the doctrine and molded it to meet their own desires and antics.  The result was the death of millions.  A doctrine which preaches new life, became the way of death.

This writing shall examine several doctrines of the church, their stated origin and the manner in which each has deviated from what many believe to be the true message of the sage and master Yeshua.  This work is dedicated to a Jewish carpenter, who was actually an anointed one of God.  May his true message be honored both now and forever, AMEN!

A fundamental doctrine of the Church is that of the immaculate conception of Mary, the mother of Jesus.  This doctrine, which was instituted by the Church as late as 1854 when Pope PiousXI declared it to be divinely revealed knowledge, is one that cannot be even remotely tied to the sayings of Yeshua.  The doctrine itself serves as a demonstration of how the Church has taken upon itself the absolute authority to determine what is fact and what is heresy.  The church goes further to define Mary as ever virgin, when it is a historical fact that Jesus had brothers and sisters.  An even more controversial belief is that some of these siblings may not have been younger than him, thus presenting a great challenge to the doctrine of the virgin birth.

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An interesting fact can be discovered in the genealogy of Jesus found in the book of Matthew.  Many wonder why this information was even presented there.  Scholars argue that it is included to show that the man Yeshua was of the proper lineage of the Kings of Israel and was therefore entitled to his title of King of the Jews.  This fact is widely accepted by esotericists, but the mystic seeks to dig deeper here.

It is noted that only four women are mentioned in this genealogy. The first is Rahab, who was a harlot.  The second is Ruth, a righteous woman.  The third is Bathsheeba, not mentioned by name, but mentioned as the wife of Uriah, who conceived in an adulterous relationship with King David.  And lastly we come to Mary.  What could be an inner meaning of the mention of these four over the mention of any of the other women who were part of this heritage?

To the esotericist, the message is clear that the true mercy of God is revealed in that even a harlot and an adulteress might be included in the lineage of a King. It can be further stated that their inclusion demonstrates that the spirit of Christ Consciousness chose to manifest from humble and lowly roots in order to tear down man's reasoning concerning the establishment of casts of classes.

In relation to Mary, these passages may give credence to the belief that Mary was not indeed a virgin, but that she had conceived out of wedlock. Were the church to accept this thought, many of its legalisms and condemnations might crumble before our very eyes.  This would in turn, shed a greater understanding on the human sexuality the church has sought to control.

A common teaching labeled by the church as heresy is the belief that the Christ was himself both married and sexually active.  The church has taught that Christ was abstinent in all respects concerning sexual union.  This doctrine eventually led to the adoption of celibacy for all priests and bishops, which was also a doctrine adopted much later in Church history.  In the early church, both episkopi and presbyteri married.

The esoteric church give strong consideration to the woman Mary Magdalene as being the wife of Jesus.  Her mention is scripture cannot be coincidental, as all inspired scripture contains esoteric significance underlying the exoteric or prima facie reading.

Mary Magdalene appears as one who follows Jesus throughout his entire ministry even to his crucifixion.  She is placed with Mary the mother of Jesus at the site of the crucifixion.  Her closeness to Mary the mother resembles that of a daughter-in-law.  Her closeness to Jesus during his ministry is similar to that of a wife.

The esoteric faith teaches that Jesus was an Essene as opposed to a Nazarene.  If the former is correct, it is noted that the Essenes did indeed marry. Would the Christ, a highly initiated member of this order, take a different path?

One of the most controversial issues in the Christian faith is that of the lost years of Jesus.  The canon gives us a period of over twenty years of life that are unaccounted for in the life of the master.  Where was he during these years and what was he doing?  Why did the early council that formed the canon of scripture choose to not include documents about these early life of Christ?  The esoteric Christian may have the answer.

It is noted in the canon that the child Jesus was taken several places in his early years.  The scriptures tell us that an angel warned Joseph to take the child to Egypt to escape the persecution of Herod, who sought the death of any who would threaten his rule.  What significance does Egypt have to the life of the Christ?

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It was in Egypt that Jesus was initiated into the Temple mysteries of the Egyptian religion.  In very elaborate detail, Christ was subjected to rituals that portrayed all that he was destined to complete through his ministry.

Another interesting fact about the childhood of Jesus lies in the fact that he was visited by the magi, which has been translated to read "wise men" in most modern translation.  These men were certainly more than wise men, they were magicians of the Persian religion.  These men were the ones assigned with the early training of the Christ child and train him they did.  Here Christ was initiated into Zoroastrian mysteries.

We later read of Yeshua's return to Israel. Here in the land of great mystery and heritage, he was introduced to Jewish mysticism.  As a Nazarene and later an Essene, Jesus was introduced to the mystery religion of his native people.  It is known in esoteric circles that he moved rapidly through the initiations of these sects and became both adept and mage.  The desert experience we read of in the gospels was a ritual of the Essene way.

Another very interesting fact about Jesus that is not found in the canon was his uncle, Joseph of Aramithea.  A merchant by trade, it was certain that he was required to travel much abroad, seeking goods from other lands.  Is it not feasible that the nephew, known to be the anointed one, should be permitted to join his uncle upon certain journeys so as to broaden his experience of the world he came to save?

There are several accounts of the appearance of a man described as Jesus in several surrounding countries.  Everywhere he traveled he was hailed as an anointed one.  It is very possible that during these travels, the Christ participated in the religions of the places he visited.  This would shed greater light upon the universal tone of his message.  Perhaps Jesus was the world's first Universalist?

It is believed by those of occult science that Christ did indeed not only study, but did also master the mystery practices of the lands to which he journeyed.  He was believed to have mastered Yoga in India, meditation in Tibet and magick in Egypt.  He is also reputed to have set foot upon the European lands to include Britain.  This study in itself could yield not only an additional thesis or a book, but volumes of text.

Much of what is believed remains yet unproven in light of the scientific method, but reason can surely give credence to the hypothesis surrounding the lost years of Christ.  The point here might very well be stated as such:  it may not be so very important where or what Christ studied.  The most important fact is that somehow, this Jewish carpenter came to mastery of time and space.  He displayed the powers and abilities of the adepti of every mystery school.  He was surely a master.  

If he received this knowledge and anointing from on high as a spontaneous gift, or if it was developed over a period of time through various schools, the fact remains that he was a Christ, an anointed one.

One may wonder how these things can be true, if they are not currently offered by the established Church?  Why are these things not written for all to see? Why are they revealed to only those of mystery traditions?

The answer to these questions is certainly the main point of this thesis.  There exists two Christian Churches.  There is that body which presents an exoteric religion and then there is that body which offers the esoteric faith.  Religion is the institution of man, faith is the institution of God.

It must be remembered that the Christian religion is a continuation of the Jewish faith.  The Hebrew religion distinguishes itself from all other religions of its time in that it is considered a revealed religion. While other religions of the period speak of what men thought, the religion of Israel presents a god who reached out to a people.  A god who revealed himself an YHVH, I AM.

Man must choose between the acceptance ot that which is decided upon by man, or that which is revealed from on high.  This draws the line between religion and faith.

If it is religion one seeks, one may find a steady diet of doctrine which has been formed over the centuries of the established Christian Church.  These doctrines have been formulated, reformulated and again reformulated in light of the attained level of knowledge of those in power. Man has once again eaten of that forbidden fruit and has, in his own eyes attained the level of God.  Man now chooses what is true and what is false about the Creator and these views change with time.

A person of faith does not operate merely upon the soulical principle of reason.  Although reason is a factor, there is a higher law that appplies. This higher law cannot be accepted by the masses who follow the scientific method for it transcends this man made doctrine.  That which cannot be explained is discounted.

The esotericist believes that man is limited in his methods, and that there must be something beyond his reach to which he must aspire.  This represents the mind of God and can be found in that which is revealed as opposed to that which is developed by the clever reasoning process of man.

In relation to the Christian Church, the metaphysicist chooses to remove the veil created by those things developed in the minds of men to reveal the original revealed teaching of the master.  The tradition of revealed teaching is not interrupted and a higher truth is preserved until the day when all men might accept it.  This is the mission of the esoteric church.

When the Christ taught, he was fond of saying "he that hath ear, let him hear".  What did this phrase mean? Was it a clever way of saying "take heed" or "you better listen"?

The meaning of the words lies in the fact that the Christ recognized that man had formulated a duality between revelation and man's own reasoned doctrine.  Only a few were able to transcend this tendency and hear the true message Jesus sought to communicate.  The disciples were chosen based upon this merit.  Men who appeared to be simple in the ways of the world were more likely to have been less indoctrinated by the ways of the world.  Fishermen were very good for this, as they spent much of their time working directly with nature as opposed to working with society.  Their ears would be less biased and more likely to receive of revealed teaching.

The reverse of these men were those who had taken a firm stand upon what they believed to be true.  These men were they whom Christ confronted daily in his ministry.  A paraphrased version of Christ's message to these men might read; "Wake up! Yo men follow a way because it has been told to you by other men.  I bring you a message from the God you claim you serve and you will not listen!"

Chirst found the open hearts in men who had not hardened their heads.

It is my hope that I have communicated clearly the fact that a duality exists which can lead only to continued chaos.  The church exoteric should seeek to return to its esoteric roots.  I do not propose a complete tearing down of the establishment.  I speak of reform.  But that which will not reform, may have to be abandoned.  Many esotericists still remain within the walls of the exoteric church.  Secretly, they work indrectly to bring about a new consciousness.  Some have abandoned the Church believing that it has hardened its heart long enough.

One way or another, the message that has survived and thrived for thousands of years shall prevail.  Buildings may crumble and heretics may be burned as the two dualities struggle for victory, but the message of a Jewish mystic of divine incarnation will not perish.  Perhaps the true victory will be realized when the two return to one?
by Sir Mikaiel Alu

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The Nazarites and Seers of Ancient Israel;
The Origins of Christianity
by Reuben Dutch
Part I

This is a summary of a research into the origins of Christianity that I and another colleague were asked to participate in by two professors at Hebrew Union College while they worked on the Dead Sea Scrolls. This occurred in the early 1990's when the Dominican Order in Jerusalem and their associates called the Ecole had their Monopoly on the scrolls broken. We were given the work of researching the history of the Possible sects that may have written these Ancient Manuscripts. We were told to find any credibility or validity in the hypothesis of a Professor Eisenman at California State University. He theorized that the Qumran Scrolls were written by ancient Jewish Gnostic and Kabbalistic Sects like the Elkasites, Ossaeans, Ebionites, and the Nazareans that dwelled in the Jordan River Valley area. He also theorized that there may have been a relationship between the Qumran Origins and the Jerusalem Church of James the Just, who was the Leader and the Successor of Jesus over the Jerusalem Church. Thus His theory implied that Christianity had its origins in the Jewish Esoteric and Gnostic Community of ancient Judea.

We found that this theory has substantial credibility, We found this credibility in the studies of E. S. Drower, "The Secret Adam, Study of the Nazoraean Gnosis" and of S. F. Dunlap, "God, The Son Of Man; Study of the Codex Nazaraeaus and the Origins of Christianity" and in the ancient manuscript of the Codex Nazareus. In the Rabbinical Schools, it is well known that two currents of traditions were passed down from Moses. A written Exoteric tradition of the Torah that was passed down among the Levitical Priesthood. And also an Oral Esoteric tradition that was passed down among the Prophets and Nazirites in Ancient Israel. Thus our investigation lead us to the Schools of the Sons of the Prophets and Nazirites that were set up by the Nazirite Prophet Samuel that were in Bethel and in Jericho. The Nazirite Prophet Elijah was of this School. As was Elisha. And many of the Prophets of Ancient Israel who wrote a number of the Old Testament Prophecies were of these Schools of Nazirite Prophets (Seers). From these schools of Nazirite Prophets came the Ancient Kabbalistic and Jewish Gnostic Sects that dwelled in the Jordan River Valley, Who passed down the Oral Esoteric tradition of Israel. And who were the Authors of the Qumran Scrolls.
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Thus we come to the Nazirite Prophet John the Baptist, The Prophet of the Nazarenes who Baptized Jesus Christ the Nazarene. We find that Jesus was numbered among the members of this Gnostic and Kabbalistic Sect who followed a Oral and Esoteric Tradition. They constantly opposed the fundamentalism of the Priesthood and the Pharisees and Scribes who followed the written and Exoteric Tradition of the Torah and Orthodox Judaism.

The Codex Nazareus state," John having been born at Jerusalem in this Age and afterwards keeping close to the Jordan and baptizing, Jesus will come...to be Baptized with John's baptism and through John's wisdom to be Wise. But He will Change John's doctrine and change the baptism of the Jordan"--Codex Nazareus II 109.

What we find now in this investigation is very, very intriguing! The Disciples of the Nazirite Prophet John the Baptist, who formed his Nazarene Sect have become known to this Day as the Mandeans (Gnostics). It is a known Fact, that Jesus had to separate from the Nazarenes of the Jordan Valley because of the changes he made in the Doctrine of John. And He Started HIS OWN NAZARENE SECT! This Nazarene Sect of Jesus became the Jerusalem Church! The Nazarene Sect of Jesus the Nazarene was a Gnostic and Kabbalistic Sect that had its origins in the Oral, Esoteric Tradition of Judaism. In ACTS 24:5, We find The Apostle Paul being Called "A Leader of the Sect of the Nazarenes". Thus the Evidence is Compelling that the sect that Jesus Christ Started was His own Nazarene sect that emerged from the Mysteries of the Nazarene Kabbalah and Jewish Gnosticism of the Esoteric tradition of Israel. We find also that the Doctrine of the Nazarene Sect of Jesus opposes the Fundamentalism, Legalism and Exoterica of Orthodox Christianity today. The evidence is there that the James the Just, the successor of Jesus over the Jerusalem Church and his Brother is described as a Jewish Nazirite--Mackay, "Rise and Progress of Christianity". Thus we have found that Professor Eisenman's theory has gain some considerable Validity in Scholastic Circles.

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Now we come to progress of the Nazarene Sect of Jesus after AD 70, The time of The Fall of Jerusalem to Titus, The Roman General. The Jerusalem Church fled to Pella and this was the time when the Nazirite sects of the Jordan Valley hid their writings and Scrolls in the Caves of Qumran as the Roman Legions invaded Jerusalem and burned the Temple. By this time many of the apostles had been Martyred, except John. AD 90, John wrote the book of Revelations on the Isles of Patmos. After John's death during the 2nd Century, A silence descended on the movements of the Nazarene sect of Jesus and its adherents. One thing is known that Two dichotomous movements emerge from the ranks of the Sect of Jesus. This is very important to note if one wishes to understand the state of Christianity today. One is the Esoteric Movement in which is those who remain true to the Gnostic and Kabbalistic Doctrine of Jesus that emerged from the Mysteries of the Nazarene Kabbalah, These became known as the Johannine Gnostics. The Other is the Exoteric Movement in which is those who strayed from the Gnostic Doctrine of Jesus and followed a more fundamentalist and legalistic Ecclesiastical Authoritarian Doctrine that became the Roman Catholic Church. This Ecclesiastical Authoritarianism rose to Power in the Roman Empire through the Decree of Constantine and became the State Religion. This Ecclesiastical Power ruled over the Holy Roman Empires of Justinian, Charlemagne, Otto the Great, Charles V, Napoleon, and had a Concordat with Mussolini's Roman Government. During this time, This Ecclesiastical Authority splintered into many denominations and sects, who revolted against its Authority, and became known as the Protestants.

This Ecclesiastical Authoritarianism vehemently persecuted and warred against the esoteric movement of the Johannine Gnostics who remained Faithful to the Gnostic Doctrine of Jesus that originated in the Mysteries of the Nazarene Gnosis. We follow their line down through the Middle age from the Johannine Gnostics under PolyCarp. To the Valentinian Gnostics, to the Paulicians in Armenia, to the Bogomils under Basil of the Balkans, and then to the Albigensians and the Cathars of Southern France. It should be noted here that there were many lines of Gnostics in the Gnostic Movement of this time and among these were some that strayed from the Gnostic Doctrine of Jesus to another Gnostic doctrine like that of the Ophites. However This Roman Ecclesiastical Authority declared these Gnostics as "Heretics" and warred against them vehemently. In AD 1200, the Genocide of the Cathars occurred and the triumph of this Roman Ecclesiastical Power was established over the Gnostic Movement in so much as the Gnostic movement was extinct. Or so did it appear.

The assumption that Christian Gnosticism was extinct was a fallacious assumption. For it is apparent that the Christian Gnostics went underground and met in and formed Secret Societies in order to Practice their faith and remain hidden from the Inquisition of the Dominant Ecclesiastical Authoritarianism. These Christian Gnostics formed Secret Societies among the Paper-making Guilds and the Freemasonry Lodges. They later formed the Societies of the Rosicrucians, Knights Templars and Martinism. These groups and others worked in the Enlightenment movements in the 1700's and the 1800's that brought about many of the Liberties in the west and brought about the decline of the Power of the Ecclesiastical Authoritarianism that dominated so much of the Dark Ages. Thus we Come to the Modern Age with Its Explosion In Knowledge and Information.                     Top

In AD 1888, a man named Jules Doinel had recurring Visions and Dreams of the Shekinah and he came to believe that it was his destiny to reestablish the fallen Church of the Sophia. He was instructed in a number of Visions to reconstitute the Gnostic Doctrine by establishing a Gnostic Church, The Assembly of the Sophia. Then In 1890, He proclaimed the beginning of the Era of the Restoration of the Gnosis. Thus we see the Gnostic Movement rising from the Dust and Ashes as a Rising Phoenix. Then some years afterward came the Discoveries of the Nag Hammadi Library and the Dead Sea Scrolls that exposed the false Propaganda of the Ecclesiastical Authoritarianism in Rome against the Christian Gnostics. Thus we see today the revival of that Ancient Christian Gnostic Movement that started with the Gnostic Nazarene Sect of Jesus. But was Usurped by the True Heretical Movement of the Ecclesiastical Authoritarianism of Rome. Those Students of biblical Prophecy will understand the Prophecy in the Book of Daniel regarding The Little Horn. This Horn of Power is this Ecclesiastical Authoritarianism in Rome and The Saints, The Kadoshim, are the Christian Gnostics and Esoterics who remained Faithful to the Gnostic Doctrine of Jesus that had it origins in the Mysteries of Nazarene Kabbalah. Thus the Prophecy of Daniel says;

Daniel 7:21," As I looked, This Horn made war with the Saints and Prevailed over them. Until the Ancient Of Days Come and Judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High and the time came when the Saints receive the Kingdom."

Daniel 7:25-27,"(The Horn) shall speak words against the Most High and shall wear out the Saints of the Most High and shall think to change the times and the Law. And (the Saints)shall be given into his hand for 3 1/2 times. But the Divine Court shall sit in Judgement and the Dominion of the Little Horn shall be taken away to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the Kingdom and the Dominion and the Greatness of the Kingdoms under the whole Heaven shall be given to the Assembly of the Saints of the Most High; Their Kingdom shall be an everlasting Kingdom and All dominions shall serve and obey them.

Thus we see the destiny that is promised to those who remain faithful to the Gnostic and Esoteric Doctrine of Jesus which he established in his Nazarene Sect. A Destiny and a Promise fulfilled in the third Millennium of Christianism.
We see in History two opposing Churches in Christendom, symbolized by the Two Women of Revelations:

"A Woman Clothed with the Sun, With the Moon under her Feet and On Her head a Crown of 12 Stars."

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This is The Sophia, The Shekinah, The Jerusalem Above, The Virgin, The Mother of the Saints who keep the Commandments of Jesus and Bear the Witness of Jesus. She is the Spirit of God. An the Witness of Jesus is the Gnosis of Jesus, by which a person comes to see and know him by personal experience of the Divine.

The Other Woman..." Behold A Woman sitting on a Scarlet Beast...On her forehead the Name of Mystery, Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots and the Abominations of the Earth."

This is the Lilith, the Jezebel, The Babylon Below, The Whore, The Mother of the Defiled who transgress the Commandments of Jesus and reject the Witness of Jesus. She is the Spirit of the Dragon. We in the not too distant future shall see this titanic struggle in Christendom between these two Women come to a Awesome Climax; with Sophia, the Virgin Mother who is opposed by the Great Dragon, and those who are Her offspring emerging Victorious.

Let the Seeker Understand today that Esoteric Christianity is closer to the True Doctrine and Practice of the Nazarene Sect of Jesus, The Jerusalem Church, than the Doctrine and Practice of today Fundamentalist and Orthodox Christianity. Truly the Church was built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets, Jesus Christ being the Chief Cornerstone.... The Apostles and the Prophets were all Initiates of the Nazarene Gnosis and Kabbalah as taught by Jesus The Nazarene.

Peace in the Gnosis of Christ
Rev. Reuben L. Dutch
Pastor of the Jerusalem Sabbatarian Gnostic Church

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The Theology and Divinity Behind the Charismatic Movement
in the Roman Catholic Church
by Pilar Minaca

"All of you are Christ's body and each one is a part of it. In the Church God has put all in place. In the first place apostles, in the second place prophets, and in the third place teachers: then those who perform miracles followed by those who are given the power to heal or to help others or to direct them to speak in strange tongues. They are not all apostles or prophets or teachers. Not everyone has the power to work miracles or to heal disease or to speak in strange tongues or to explain what is said. Set your hearts then on the more important gifts." - 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

"So the one who came down is the same one who went up. above and beyond the heavens, to fill the whole universe with his presence. It was he who "gave gifts to mankind", he appointed some to be apostles, others to be evangelists, other to be pastors and teachers. He die this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ. And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge in the son of God: we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature. Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful men, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love." - Ephesians 4: 10-17

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With these two preceding passages I hope to introduce my intent to bridge my insight into the Theological beliefs of the traditional Roman Catholic Church and the Divinity behind the emerging charismatic movement within the church. I would like to Theologically provide a basis of the traditional Roman Catholic system of belief's and then attempt to explain why more and more Roman Catholics throughout the world are turning to the more Divinity-based Charismatic movement.

The Roman Catholic system of beliefs are in essence based on the love of three entities of God. They are God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Another part of the foundation is allowing the Holy Spirit to move freely through us to "love our neighbor as ourselves." It also teaches us to take responsibility for our actions: to not make the same mistake twice. The whole truth is the salt for our emotional wounds. Fasting is a physiological way of cleansing the body and its is more importantly a time to renounce the way of the world.

Then there are the seven sacraments, the hundreds of canonized saints and what they represent, the dozens of clergical orders, the Doctrines, symbolisms, Rights and Acts which would take dozens of pages to even begin to attempt to explain. For that reason I will insert some of my favorite passages and thoughts that I found in some of my Catholic printings. I chose these because they are a part of Catholic Theology and they all have touched my life.

"Our Highest happiness consists in the feeling that another's good is purchased by our sacrifice." - Fulton J. Sheen

"I will instruct you and teach you the ways you should go: I will counsel you with my eye upon you." - Psalm 32:8

"Your hands to work and your hearts to God and a blessing will attend you." - Mother Ann Lee

"Give me all that is thine, and I will give you all that is mine." - Mechthild of Magdeburg

"Anyone who is not with Me is against Me and anyone who does not gather Me scatters." - Matthew 12:30

"It is handed to you but only if you look for it. You search, you break your heart, back, your brain, and then -- only then it is handed to you." - Annie Dillard

"By renouncing the world we conquer the world, rise above its multiplicity, and recapitulate it in the simplicity of love which finds all things in God." - Thomas Merton

"To ask someone to pray for us-a friend-means that we confess to them our needs sometimes we confess not only our needs but our failings. Our confessions can also be private-to God alone. We confess because we want to be known, and to share what we ordinarily keep hidden... To confess is also to make a request. We ask God for help in correcting our mistakes. We ask God to inspire us to change and to forgive us.' - Kathleen Norris

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"The externals are simply so many props; everything we need is within us." - Etty Hillesum

"It is a perverse mistake to identify the religious need solely with intuition and emotion, science solely with the logical and rational Prophets and discoverers, painters and poets all share this amphibial quality of living both on the contoured dry land and in the boundless ocean." - Arthur Koestler

"I find a heaven in the midst of saucepans and brooms." - St.Stanislaus Kostka

"Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for God has said "I will never leave you or forsake you." - Hebrews 13:5

"I pray when I play. Giving thanks to God can come in any form. You don't have to get on your Knees to give thanks. When I am truly grateful for something, I pray, and I pray when I don' t have anything." - Wynton Marsalis, trumpeteer

"God does not love us because we are valuable . We are valuable because God loves us." - Fulton Sheen

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." - John 6:35

"If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the spirit, you will reap eternal life from the spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we reap at harvest time, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:8-9                       Top

"Another intriguing story is when the Corinthians asked Paul, in effect, what were the most important or lasting attributes of life, and he responded 'Those you cannot see' This somewhat mysterious answer derogates the ambitions we have for wealth, prestige, security...and reminds us that the simple things needed for success are available to anyone; commitments to peace, justice, humility, service, forgiveness, compassion, love." - Jimmy Carter

"You go to pray: to become a bonfire, a living flame, giving heat and light." - Blessed Jose Escriva de Balaguer

"I swore never to be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." - Elie Wiesel

"A pilgrimage is not a vacation, it is a transformational journey during which significant changes take place. New insights are giving deeper understanding is attained. New and old places in the heart are visited. Blessings are received. Healing takes place. On return from the pilgrimage, life is seen with different eyes." - Sister Macrina Wiederkehr O.S.B.

"We were born to make manifest the Glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others." - Nelson Mandela

"Christianity is a very simple thing; love other persons as you love God. Be as perfect as your father in heaven. Live in the Spirit of God, making the best of things, in the best possible way, for the best purposes. Even a child can understand these ideas yet a great mind cannot improve upon them." - Theodore Parker

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"This morning I received the sacrament that I still believe in, at seven-fifteen, the priest elevated the host, then the chalice, and spoke the word of ritual, and the bread became the flesh, the wine became blood, and minutes later I placed on my tongue the taste of forgiveness and of love that affirmed, perhaps celebrated, my being alive, my being mortal." - Andre Dubus

"Jesus saw the crowds and went up a hill, where he sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them: Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor, the kingdom of Heaven belongs to them! Happy are those who are humble, they will receive what God has promised! Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires, God will satisfy them fully! Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them! Happy are those who are pure in heart; they will see God! Happy are those who work for peace, God will call them his children! Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the kingdom of heaven belongs to them! Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers; be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets before you were persecuted." - Luke 6:20-23

"The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees are the authorized interpreters of Moses' Law. So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don't practice what they preach. They tie onto people's backs loads that are heavy and hard to carry yet they aren't willing to even lift a finger to help them carry their loads. They do everything so that people will see them. Look at the straps with scriptures verses on them which they wear on their forehead and their arms and notice how large the are! Notice also how long are the tassels on their cloak! They love the best places at feasts and the reserved seats at the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have people call them 'Teachers'. You must not be called 'Teacher' because you are all brothers of one another and have only one Teacher. And you must not call anyone here on earth 'Father' because you have only the one Father in Heaven. Nor should you be called 'Leader' because your one and only Leader is the Messiah. The greatest one among you must be your servant. Whoever makes yourself great will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be made great." - Matthew 23:2-12                      Top

Today more and more people are looking towards naturopathic to cure what is ailing them many of which are recorded in the Bible or recorded as visions. This is a subject that I definitely wish that I knew more about. Sister Hildegard of Bingen was a twelfth century German nun with no medical training. She based her healthcare program on her visions and it is still used today and growing in popularity. She emphasized preventing disease, eating a proper diet and living with the knowledge that a body cannot be healthy without an equally healthy mind and spirit. She has written a few medical books, three of which are named De Operatione Dei ( on the Activity of God), Causac et Curae (Causes and Cures) and Physica ( Natural Things) She describes illnesses such as cancer and heart disease among others. Amazingly, she was about 800 years ahead of her time. According to Wighard Strehlow who is co-author of the book Hildegarde of Bingen's Medicine, several hundred German naturopaths borrow some or all of her treatments and about a dozen medical doctors in Germany an Switzerland integrate her remedies with traditional medicine. Hildegarde's key health concepts can be boiled down to the following:

1. Fertile beginnings -- Salvation and healing are powerful antidotes to the drying up of one's essential life force. With that in mind, good health, vitality and procreation are possible.

2. Moderation -- Moderation encourages balance.

3. Healing the mind -- Certain behavior and thorough patterns influence health. One must change the negativity and address any spiritual problems.

4. Wonder foods -- she considered Spelt to be a wonder food and recommended that it be consumed three times a day along with a healthy, balanced diet. It is a nutty flavored grain that is high in protein, B vitamins and iron.

5. Cupboard cures -- Some are very simple such as taking psyllium for constipation and some are more complicated. Some call for gems and other stones, placing them directly on the skin or dropping them in water overnight then drinking the water.                      Top

6. Taking out the trash -- she also suggested cleaning and detoxifying the body by means of fasting, saunas, hot and cold showers and bloodletting.

"Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles:

First, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John; the son of Zebedee, Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphacus, and Thaddacus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus."
These twelve men were sent out by Jesus with the following instructions: "Do not go to any Gentile territory or Samaritan towns. Instead you are to go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Go and preach the Kingdom of Heaven is near! Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, heal those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases, and drive out demons. You have received without paying, so give without being paid. Do not carry any gold, silver or copper money in your pockets; do not carry a beggar's bag for the trip or an extra shirt or shoes or walking stick. A worker should be given what he needs."

Matthew 10:1-10

"As a result of what the Apostles were doing, sick people were being carried out into the streets and placed on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow would fall on them as he passed. And crowds of people came in from the from the town around Jerusalem, bringing those who were sick or who had evil spirits in them; they all were healed."

Acts 5: 15-1

The actual definition of a disciple is what the Charismatic movement in the Roman Catholic Church is based upon. A disciple is a person who follows and learns from someone else." Based on the preceding passages, one could conclude that almost any devout, sincere Christian has the potential to heal, speak in tongues or to be visionaries.

DIVINITY

On October 1,1973 (coincidentally this writer's birthday), Pope Paul VI gave his blessing to church leaders gathered in Rome at the International Leaders Conference for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It was then official. Pope Paul VI said that the charismatic movement fostered:

*A deepening desire for personal and communal prayer.

* A desire for total commitment to Christ.

* A greater openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

* An accent on the Praising of God.

* Diligent study of the Scriptures.

* Increased community and willingness to be of service to the Church.          Top

Pope John Paul had made a few official statements on March 14, 1992 to church leaders regarding the Charismatic Renewal. He said "The emergence of the Renewal following the second Vatican Council was a particular gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church... Certainly one of the most important results of the Spiritual Awakening has been that increased thirst for holiness which is seen in the lives of individuals and in the whole Church."

Cardinal Suenens described the renewal as a "moving of the Holy Spirit " and as a High Voltage of Grace which is coursing through Church."

International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services is based in Rome and acts as the center of communications within the whole wide Charismatic Renewal. It also serves as liaison between the Charismatic Renewal and the Vatican. Catholic Charismatic Renewal is active in 130 countries and is fully supported and encouraged by the Bishops of the Church. It supports the philosophies that we are all disciples of God and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we all have the potential to heal, be visionaries and speak tongues.

There are many forms of " faith Healing" and it is still being debated as to what constitutes "Faith Healing". There are many working practitioners that could possibly be considered just that, such as, medical intuitives, message therapists, hands on healers who specialize in chakras, gemologists, aura readers, aroma therapists, spiritualists, acupuncture specialists, herbalists and naturopaths to name a few. Concerning the power of prayer, there has not yet been discovered a definite link between belief and revenge. There is evidence however, that supports the notion the spirituality has a positive effect on the patient-- that has proven to be true for me on a few occasions. In 1996 there was a survey of 296 physicians from the American Academy of Family Physicians that indicated that 99% of those physicians surveyed were convinced that religious beliefs can heal. In another attempt to scientifically back this belief, a doctor by the name of Dr. Randolph Byrd from San Francisco General Medical Center took another survey. He studied 393 coronary-care patients. They were randomly selected to receive daily prayers from strangers. Both groups received the same medical care but the patients who were prayed for had fewer complications then those in the non-prayer group.

Researchers in Israel examined a group of people over a sixteen-year period and found that the most religious ones had a 40% lower risk of cancer and heart disease. In 1995, a study at Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center concluded that one of the best predictions of survival among 232 heart patients studied was the amount of comfort and strength the patients received from their faith.

Critics argue that religious people lead healthier and more stable lives because they tend to smoke less, drink less and avoid risky behavior making them health for their lifestyle. So which came first then? The faith, the lifestyle, or the health? Others argue that faith's role in improved health is merely a placebo effect.

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In whichever case, there is a growing scientific evidence that a strong link between the two. Cancer patients obviously have had similar outcomes. Approximately 1 in 80,000 patients have experienced S R C, Spontaneous regression of cancer. It is also called St. Peregrine Tumors. In the 176 cases studied, every patient attributed their remission to a religious ecstasy that they felt shortly beforehand. St. Peregrine was the first to experience this and he was a canonized saint.

Energy healers have made some references to Judeo-Christian terminology. I will briefly discuss some of them.

It is believed that the human body has seven energy centers, or chakras. There are also seven Christian sacraments and the Kabbalah has seven corresponding teachings. All three instruct us in how to direct the life force that runs through our system. In effect, this would imply that we hold these seven teachings in our "power systems." To continue on a bit further, it is written in the book of Genesis that Adam's body was created "in the image of God."

Taken literally and symbolically, this could mean that people are energy duplicates from our Divine one-God. In many cultures of the world, for example, Greek mythology, Hindu teachings, Chinese and Mayan teachings, there is belief in what Jews and Christians call the Annunciation. There is a belief that God and goddesses send messages to be born amongst human beings or mortals.

Saint John of the Cross was a pioneer for this way of thinking He also brought it to public attention that the word Catholic means " universality" (of thought). This also proves that the Roman Catholic Church is the original Christian Church.

He began the union between Eastern and Western beliefs. To touch on the Roman Catholic Charismatic belief in visionaries, the Bible lists over thirty-six.. I believe that there are over one hundred Biblical prophets. Modern day prophets are intuitive, receive messages directly from God perhaps in the form of stigmata, receive messages in dreams or in meditation. Other means are more controversial for the Catholic church like psychics and Tarot cards . Unfortunately I was unable to find much more information on Catholic visionaries although several are mentioned in the Bible.

As for the third basis for the Charismatic Renewal, speaking in tongues, there is not much need for that anymore. Not in the traditional sense. Today there are translators and interpreters, there is the internet, jet airplanes and pocket translators. In very few circumstances is it necessary and I have not come across any recent documentation of actual "speaking in tongues." Many, many people claim to be able to speak in tongues (I have seen a few) but it is not considered to be legitimate unless the foreign language is comprehensible and unless there is an immediate need.

Could this mean that the people who have this gift from the Holy Spirit are the authentic translators and interpreters? That is the topic worth more investigation.

In closing, I hope that I was able to compare and explain the purpose and basis of the Charismatic movement within the Roman Catholic Church. Hopefully I was able to provide insight backed by accurate information and moreover, food for thought.

You are like salt for all mankind. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless so it is thrown out and people trample over it. You are like the light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and put it under a bowl: instead he puts it on the lamp stand where it give light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they see the good things you do and praise your father in heaven.

Matthew 5: 13-16

by Pilar Minaca

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Palestinian Israeli Conflict
by Larry Ross

I. Introduction:

History and different perceptions of history are the most important issues in the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict. There are several varying accounts of history and depending on the religions or religious beliefs; interpreting history is used to justify claims and negate claims and to give credence to your own analysis. My research has shown that a balanced overview does not exist and most articles that I reviewed are intended to convince rather than to inform. In the Middle East, the results of this process have been a dramatic weakening in the power and influence of precisely those democratic, progressive and secular forces in the region that have been most committed to a just and peaceful solution to the Israel/Palestine crisis. My opinion for which this paper is intended is regardless of the cause, even if both sides are at fault, the terrorists serve to destroy the process based on a inflexible religious belief supposedly derived from the Koran. It has been said that the Israel-Palestine conflict in the Middle East is essentially a struggle over land, that religious differences are not the cause of the conflict. While in the strictest sense of the conflict this may be true, we should not discount the strong religious overtones or underpinnings that are also at the core of the conflict. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the biblical and historical elements of the current conflict.

The territory called Israel and Palestine is approximately 10,000 square miles of land at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. During its long history, the area, population, and ownership have varied greatly. Today, Israel formally occupies all the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, bounded by Egypt in the south, Lebanon in the north, and Jordan in the East. The recognized borders of Israel constitute about 78% of the land. The remainder is divided between land occupied by Israel since the 1967 six-day war and the autonomous regions under the control of the Palestinian autonomy. The Gaza strip occupies an additional 141 square miles south of Israel along the sea coast, and is as of today's writing under the control of Hamas with all Israeli settlements totally removed.

II. Background:

The origin is recorded for us is in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Sarah, Abraham's wife, had not born Abraham any children and was very concerned, so she offered to Abraham a maid servant of hers named Hagar. Abraham slept with Hagar and as a result a male child was born, Ishmael. Abraham asked of the Lord that his son Ishmael might enjoy God's blessings. It is said that God heard Abraham's request and said fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.(Genesis 17:20). But soon Sarah would become pregnant herself and bear a male child of Abraham also, whom they would name Isaac. God would tell Abraham Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever
Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned (Genesis 21:12). Isaac would be the linage that would become the Jewish nation and people of Israel, while Ishmael would be the linage of the Palestinian people; both historically tied to Abraham and both tied to the land of their forefather. With this foundation both nations were birthed with the same heritage. The Jews would face persecutions in many of the places they lived and would always long for their own home land again. The Jewish claim to the land that now includes present day Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are based upon the biblical promise to Abraham and his descendants and on the fact that this was the historical Jewish kingdom of Israel. Beginning in 1882, the first wave of European Jewish immigration to Palestine began. The problem was the Palestinian Arabs had lived on the land continuously for hundreds of years, and they too, as descendants of Abraham, had a legitimate claim to the land. God's promise, they believed, included them also. It was possible that they may have felt sorry for the Jews plight in Europe, but they did not believe that they should forfeit their land for the Jews.

From the 16th century to the end of World War I, the Middle East was a part of Ottoman Empire. During World War I Great Britain captured part of the Middle East, including the area known as Palestine, from the Ottoman Empire. In 1917 the British had promised the Jewish People a national home in the Balfour Declaration, and on this basis they later were assigned a mandate over Palestine from the League of Nations. Jewish immigration and land purchases met with increasing resistance from the Arab inhabitants of this land, who started several violent insurrections against the Jews and against British rule in the 1920s and 1930s. In response the Jewish People established self-defense organizations like the Haganah. After World War I, Britain and France dominated the region, and started playing various national and ethnic groups against one another. The territory, which was under British rule, Jewish immigration was welcomed and Jews were pitted against Arabs in a bid to maintain English control. It is here where the current day problems began. Before 1948, this land, that both the Jews and the Palestinians claim, was known as Palestine. However, following the war of 1948-49 the land was divided into three parts: the state of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. The drawing of the lines and the division of the land was a decision of the United Nations (U.N.). Originally it was to be divided into two states, one Jewish and the other Arab. But the Palestinian Arabs and surrounding Arab states rejected the plan. War broke out, and in 1949,
Israeli forces gained significant control of lands and an armistice was signed which established the borders in accordance with the UN decision. Peace has never settled long on the lands and there have been constant disputes over who governs and controls what parts. Israel annexed much of the lands of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, via armed conflict, but also returned many portions. For many years the city of Jerusalem was divided, with the most holy Jewish sights in what was Arab controlled territory. Since 1967 Jerusalem has been under Israeli control. Israel has used its control over much of the land to build settlements and encourage its citizens to move into and occupy the territory. Since the 1949 solution never designated much of these lands as part of any sovereign state, Israel feels they are the legal administrators of the territory. After World War II, the United States became the dominant power in the region, balancing support between the Arab countries and the state of Israel based on Cold War considerations and the desire to guarantee continuing access to oil reserves. At the end of World War II the issue of the future of Palestine was placed before the United Nations. Two options were debated: creating a single, bi-national state of Arabs and Jews, or the partition of the area into two separate states. In the end, the decision was made to create two states according to a plan acceptable to neither side. The result was a war between the newly created Israel and the surrounding Arab's. From it, Israel emerged triumphant over the poorly trained and coordinated Arab armies, while the Palestinian state was divided between Israel and Jordan. The outcome of the war was an historic failure with long term consequences for the region.

The Arab-Israeli conflict persisted as Arab countries refused to accept the existence of Israel and instigated a boycott of Israel, while they continued to threaten with a war of destruction. In May of 1967, the conflict escalated as Egypt closed the Straits of Tiran for
Israeli shipping sent home the UN peace keeping force stationed in the Sinai, and issued bellicose statements against Israel. It formed a defense union with Syria, Jordan and Iraq and stationed a large number of troops along the Israeli border. After diplomatic efforts to solve the crisis failed, Israel attacked in June 1967 and conquered the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Desert from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria and the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan. Initially Israel was willing to return most of these territories in exchange for peace, but the Arab countries refused to negotiate peace and repeated their goal of destroying Israel at the Khartoum conference. After 1967 the focus of the Palestinian resistance shifted to liberating the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as a first step to the liberation of entire Palestine. The Arab Palestinians started to manifest themselves as a people and to demand an independent state. East Jerusalem, reunited with West Jerusalem and proclaimed Israel's indivisible capital in 1980, but also claimed by the
Palestinians as their capital became a core issue for both sides in the conflict. The division of Jerusalem with its holy places is the second large obstacle for a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

To understand the Israeli point of view, the term "Zionism" must be understood. Zionism is the desire of Jews for a country of their own. Zionism arose in the 1890s as a response to a real crisis in the life of European Jewry: the growth of modern anti-Semitism and the increasing inability of many European societies to accept Jews as citizens with equal rights. The current Israel/Palestine conflict had its origins in the 1948 war that followed the UN's decision to create two states in Palestine, and the failure of the post-war settlement to adequately address the needs of either people. From its origins, Israel's existence has required continuous massive economic and military support from abroad, principally from the United States. The 1967 war and the Israeli conquest and retention of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem dramatically altered the political dynamics of the region. The 1967 war brought the Palestinian masses under Israeli domination.

There is a historical fact that must be understood. There has never been a civilization or a nation referred to as "Palestine" and the very notion of a "Palestinian Arab nation" having ancient attachments to the Holy Land going back to time immemorial is one of the biggest hoaxes ever perpetrated upon the world! There is not, nor has there ever been, a distinct "Palestinian" culture or language. Further, there has never been a Palestinian state governed by Palestinians until the Arab-Palestinian national movement until 1964. Yasser Arafat is Egyptian! Israel first became a nation in 1312 B.C.E., two thousand years before the rise of Islam. Thus the claim that Jews suddenly appeared fifty years ago right after the Holocaust and drove out the Arabs is preposterous!

The Palestinian national movement has been characterized by efforts to forge its own national identity to create viable institutions, and to develop a stable base of popular support. Devastated by the 1948 war, it was revitalized by the emergence of armed terrorists groups in the late 1950s, and the subsequent creation of the PLO. The movement's influence expanded dramatically after the 1967 war, and beginning with the first intifada in 1987, the Palestinian struggle has became nothing less than a mass uprising of the entire population of the occupied territories.

III. Peace:

The demand for a Palestinian state is accepted by most people, including most Israelis, as a reasonable one. There is, however, a serious question-is their objective a Palestinian state alongside Israel or to push Israel into the sea. In other words is the issue the size of Israel, or the existence of Israel? There has been since the creation of the State of Israel a strong Arab movement for the elimination of Israel entirely. The United States, Israel, and Palestine must deal with this issue. There must be a way to assure the Israel State that a move to the creation of a Palestinian State is not just one step closer to a move of eliminating Israel completely. The former Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati, now a top advisor to Iran's supreme leader as recent as November 10, 2003 stated, "The mere existence of Israel is contrary to Tehran's national interest.

The primary cause for the Arab-Israeli conflict lies in the claim of two national movements on the same land, and particularly the Arab refusal to accept Jewish self-determination in a part of that land. Furthermore fundamentalist religious concepts regarding the right of either side to the entire land have played an increasing role, on the Jewish side particularly in the religious settler movement, on the Palestinian side in the Hamas and similar groups.

The Arab-Israeli conflict is further complicated by preconceptions and demonizing of the other by both sides. The Israelis see around them mostly undemocratic Arab states with underdeveloped economies, backward cultural and social standards and an aggressive religion inciting to hatred and terrorism. The Arabs consider the Israelis colonial invaders and conquerors, who are aiming to control the entire Middle East. There is resentment concerning Israeli success and Arab failure, and Israel is viewed as a beachhead for Western interference in the Middle East. In Arab media, schools and mosques anti-Semitic stereotypes are promoted based on a mixture of anti-Jewish passages in the Koran and European anti-Semitism.

Since the Oslo peace process however, a broad consensus has been formed that an independent Palestinian Arab state should be established within the areas occupied in 1967. Polls on both sides show that majorities among Israelis and Palestinians accept a two state solution, but Palestinians almost unanimously stick to right of return of the refugees to Israel, and most Israelis oppose a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. The main obstacle is the agreement on the right of Israel to exist from the radical Muslims.

In 2003 Israel started the construction of a separation barrier along the Green Line and partly on Palestinian land. These measures led to a strong decline of Palestinian suicide attacks in Israel, but also to international condemnations. Especially the dismissal of Palestinian workers in Israel led to increasing poverty in the territories. Although both parties accepted the 'Road Map to Peace', launched by the Quartet of US, UN, EU and Russia in 2003, no serious peace negotiations have taken place in recent years between Israel and the Palestinians. Israeli did take unilateral measures such as the disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but he demanded an end to Palestinian terrorism before they would engage in negotiations with Arafat's successor Abbas concerning final status issues. Plans for further unilateral withdrawals from the West Bank were stopped after Hamas won the elections in early 2006, thousands of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, and border attacks took place from both the Gaza Strip and south Lebanon.

Therefore, I feel the current state of the conflict between the Jewish nation of Israel and the Palestinians is over land within the region, but the roots of such conflict go back centuries and are at the very core of a strong religious background.

Endnotes

1 Joel Beinin and Lisa Hajjar, "Palestine, Israel and the Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Primer," 01 March 2000; available from the Middle East Research and Information Project,
http://www.merip.org/palestine-israel_primer/intro-pal-primer.html;

Robert J Lieber, "U.S.-Israeli Relations Since 1948," Middle East Review of International Affairs, Volume 2, No.3 - September 1998, available from
http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/1998/issue3/jv2n3a2.html;
.
Shirl McArthur, "Conservative Total for U.S. Aid to Israel: 91 Billion-and Counting,"
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, January\February 2001, Pg 16; available from
http://www.wmea.com/archives/Jan_Feb_2001/0101015.html

The Origin of the Palestine-Israel Conflict, Third Edition, Published by Jews for Justice in the Middle East

"We Are All Star Stuff:

The Interconnection of Man and His Spirituality With the rest of the Universe

- A Thesis in Two Parts by Nikki J Delaney

Part I:

"Use the Force Luke" - The Desire and Striving for Connection with the Divine

George Lucas, through his characters Obiwan Kanobi, Yoda, and Luke Skywalker presented to the baby-boomer generation a visible possibility of how they might tap into the inner core of themselves, and, with practice and dedication, into something deeper, that essential spark of "knowing", a connection with the divine.

For many centuries, progress, growth and technology have served to separate us from our connection with the oneness of all things in the Universe. This separation has reached the point where the connection has become the side-plot of science fiction movies in modern culture rather than it being a part of everyday life. There are very few cultures that exist today which have the deep connection to their environment that man's pre-industrial age forefathers did. Modern man has much to learn from those few cultures that are still intimately connected to their physical environment. Cultures in places such as the Nepal and Bhutan mountain regions where they live in the high, remote areas with a daily understand of what it feels like to be outside in the forest, at night, in the dark, knowing that there truly are man-eating animals about. Few today live in an environment where one simple mistake can cost you your life. In the modern world it is difficult to conceptualize such an experience, much less survive one should it happen to them. Those that do have such an experience are forever changed by it. Modern western man experiences a less intense form of this connectivity at various random points in his life. Those little hairs standing up on the back of the head; thinking of a friend and the phone ringing with them on the line; the knowing when something has happened to a loved one far away - what some call synchronicity. After the experience it is normal to only be able to recall just a "feeling." These, however, are mere vestiges of the information available compared to what one truly connected to "the force" or divine is theoretically capable of.

Through practice and training the human spirit can accomplish miraculous things. The meditative states of eastern mystics are said to transcend the physical. The trance induced stamina of those who endure ritual piercing and suspensions from skin hooks are indicative of what the human mind can do. The piercing appears to cause little pain, and there is little to no bleeding, yet tremendous decorations, structures, and weights are hung from the piercing rods prior to, or sometimes as, the participants walk the procession route. This is a process of what is commonly referred to as "mind over matter."

Yuri Geller and other charlatans of his ilk have done considerable damage to the potential growth of the human spirit. Fakers and con artists have chosen "special skills and psychic powers" as a way to increase their finances by attempting to dupe a willing public. When the "special or psychic skill" is put to the test, it dissipates under the light of scientific scrutiny. However, we seldom hear of the admittedly small number of individuals who have withstood the rigors of scientific testing and authentication.

Granted, man as a race is a far cry from achieving his full potential in this arena. Due to the intolerance of fear, bigotry, and ignorance, there are few that would even dare attempt "mind over matter." Even though in the mid-1970s the theory met with mainstream medicine and psychology in a practice called biofeedback. Biofeedback is a process wherein a patient focuses (normally a form of meditation) and influences an autonomic bodily function such as heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure.                        Top

This medical "breakthrough" used in the physical or recuperative therapy of surgery patients, treatment of migraine sufferers, heart patients, psychiatric patients and many others is but a dipping of the big toe into the pool of potential available to mankind. But, as when entering a hot tub of water, one must go slowly and carefully, not rushing into the steaming water. If one rushes entering the tub the experience will be burning and unpleasant. If one enters the tub slowly, allowing time for the body and nerves to adjust to the sting of the water, one is rewarded with a soothing, pleasant experience. Thus, man's re-entry into that connection with the divine that allows him to become part of the essential oneness must be taken with small steps and infinite care, less he be burned. The human species is still solidly set, poised above the steaming pool as the hot water stings its collective big toe. The species as a whole must enter the pool slowly, in stages, allowing time for the body and mind to adjust, for man has long been away from the waters of the pool of the divine.

Mind over matter and the power of positive thinking are but different manifestations of the same type of connection with the divine. Where mind over matter seeks to have a control and affect on the physical, the power of positive thinking is focused more on the intangible, although it does often produce tangible results. For example, in the mind over matter theory, Joe actually changes his body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure during meditation using standardized techniques. Thus he creates tangible, direct, physical reactions that are recordable on scientific equipment, and repeatable and reproducible in execution. There is a direct correlation between Joe's actions of thought and the tangible affects recorded. Conversely, with the power of positive thinking Joe has no proof one way or the other if his positive thinking had any affect on the actual outcome. For example: Joe mentally pumps himself up for an important job interview. During the whole process from the time he first found out about the job until the final notification Joe has intentionally maintained a positive mindset about getting the position. To even hedge his bet he chants "I know I am the best candidate for this position" and other positive affirmations. Two weeks after he first heard about the job and interviewed for it he is offered the position at a much higher salary and better benefits package than he had hoped for. Did Joe's tapping into the connection with the divine through the power of positive thinking influence the outcome of the endeavor? Would he have gotten the job if he had been negative? Would he have been offered as much money for the position? There are no definitive ways to measure what, if any, influence Joe's positive thinking had on the situation, but Joe knows in the depths of his soul that the positive thinking did have an affect and no one can shake his complete conviction of that positive influence. Joe's experience has proven to him that there truly is power in positive thinking, but there is no measurable affect of his positive thought meditations on the outcome. However, as Joe well knows, just because it is not measurable does not mean it doesn't exist. How does one measure love? Yet few would argue that love does not exist.

The search for religion and/or spirituality is a way to reconnect with that elemental primordial part of us that is always in contact with the "one" or, for lack of a better term, the "force". In losing that connection mankind has lost an essential and integral part of itself. In our modern culture the average person cannot tell you the current phase of the moon. Whether it is waxing, full, or waning. When at the time of the birth of Christ, the phases of the moon and stars were common knowledge. Today light pollution prevents the unobstructed view of the stars and moon that modern man's forefathers experienced, especially in the major population centers. Through technology man has essentially separated himself from something of which he is an integral part, and, in return that which is an integral part of him.

With his controlled and constructed environments man has lost the capability of feeling the cycles and rhythms of life around him as an autonomous response. Now he must make a conscious effort to connect with that indescribable force. Although comforted physically and lives' burdens eased by modern conveniences, the species of man lost a very integral part of itself when it lost that automatic and intimate connection with the Divine.               Top

Statistics from the United States National Parks Service indicate a continued increase in the use of wilderness park areas to overflowing levels in the 1999 camping season. (The last season for which complete figures are available.) There has been a revival in the last thirty years to a return to getting out into nature to reconnect with the elemental self. Sprouting out of the ecological movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, there has been a steadily growing respect for other living things that share the earth, and the environment they share with us.

Eco-tourism, unheard of just a few years ago, has become a booming industry in and of itself. No longer does the family vacation consist exclusively of a trip to a theme park. In today's eco-tourism industry, a family can take a vacation with National Geographic and help track the penguins on the tip of South America. White water rafting trips combine with ecological scientists to create a vacation rafting a river while completing a survey of the flora and fauna. Not only is mankind beginning to consider the way in which he treats his environment, he is becoming willing to "put his money where his mouth is" both financially and physically in regard to nurturing it.

Urban sprawl is becoming an ecological nightmare with the destruction of literally square miles of natural habitat each week. Urban/forest interface is forcing residents to return to an awareness of their environment. Every year the evening news has features of a few more stories of meetings between man and bear, moose in swimming pools, mountain lions bedding down in backyards and other peaceful and not so peaceful encounters. Remote communities in bear habitat areas are enacting ordinances requiring bear proof trash cans for outdoor trash containers. The essential call from within to reconnect with that which has been lost in embracing the comforts and lifestyles of the modern age manifests itself in myriad forms and in doing so creates its own set of problems.

The trappings of civilization have prevented man from remaining in close concert to his truly natural place. For this lack of attention to his essence he has paid the price of becoming disconnected from the spark of the divine that resides within all members of the species. Through advancements and material interests man has set aside the natural order for the species' comfort and material growth. Now he must focus on his spirituality in order to continue to evolve.

Before man can continue on that natural growth pattern as a species he must first relearn what he has forgotten. He must relearn how to live his life with his connection to the divine intact, strengthening it by continued use. He must be true to that essential force in all living things from which he has lost much of his connection. This will be a slow process as the disconnect though never total, has been growing over the eons. It will take time to regain what has been lost as each individual will have to enter into that pool of hot water at their own speed. The process has started although it is still a trickle within the potential flood stream of humanity's more than six billion souls.              Top

Native American hunting traditions included the thanking of the animal for giving it's spirit so that the hunter may provide for his tribe and a prayer was said to honor the spirit of the dead animal. Waste was kept to an absolute minimum if there were any waste at all, so that the sacrifice of the animal would not be dishonored. Wastefulness was not only impractical it was an insult to the spirit of the animal from whom it had come, and, by extension, all life in general. In the modern disposable culture tons of meat, poultry and produce are thrown away each day with no thought of where it came from. The saying of grace at table before eating has become blasé and a thing of the past in many families, so in effect the sacrifice is no longer honored and waste is rampant. In order to establish his connection with the divine man must relearn to appreciate how well he lives and the bounty of his existence. In the softness of his modern lifestyle he must continually fight the potential to loose track of his elemental self. There are many applications of the oft-turned phrase "waste not-want not".

If the average urban dweller were dropped in the middle of the bounty of nature with few resources and nothing but their wits and a few other people he or she will have a difficult time almost to a person. The current television hit show "Survivor" is a good example of how inept many of us have become in man's true natural environment. The true "natural" environment is out in nature, living in close proximity to his fellow denizens of this planet. The comfort man enjoys, he has created, and it is not "natural" to his environment. It doesn't mean that the comforts are negative or bad, just that they are not part of nature, or natural. I don't propose that we return to wearing skins and living in caves, that is not the issue. Man can, and will, learn to not only enjoy his creature comforts (where, on the norm, he stands now) but to also learn to reconnect with his most elemental self.

Just the lack of capability to be able to make fire in survival situations is blatantly displayed in "Survivor". Not to mention the fear evident on contestants' faces when they were visited by their first pride of lions. It is interesting to note that after the "Survivors" had been there a while, allowing time for a connection to develop or for the individual to adjust and retune their connection, reactions of the contestant to meeting the local wildlife had changed considerably. For some of the contestants the connection to the divine allowed them to enjoy the experience and look forward to additional encounters. The individual equipped with the mental and physical fortitude displayed by Tom Hank's character in the widely acclaimed movie Castaway is rare indeed. Although fictional, the movie does an excellent job of portraying the strength of spirit and self-knowledge that comes from one's mettle being truly tested. At one time in our species' existence, our mettle was tested on a regular basis. Now it is rare and unusual, definitely the exception to the rule as opposed to being the norm, which at one point in our distant past, it was. Those that are equipped with a strong will to live are on the whole very strong spiritually, and are either already connected to the divine or are willing to do the work to become connected (or some are forced into a situation where one has to). Survival researchers contend that the will to live is the single most determining factor in survival situations. The will to live can sustain an individual to feats of heroic magnitude.

As a species humans are a part of an interlocking interdependent system - that of the biosphere earth, and, in the fullest extension the Universe. Man began separating his connection with that interdependent system when, inside his structures, he was able to not only protect himself from the environment but to also create light in the darkness. By the age of the Industrial Revolution man had long ago lost the primary cords of his connection with the divine? During the Victorian age the spiritualism movement spread across the western world. On the one hand the Victorians strove for a connection to the divine with their spiritualistic escapades - some of which are quite alarming in retrospect. On the other, by virtue of their inventions and progress, they were unwittingly severing some of the final strands of that very same connection for which they strove.                                          Top

Although Islam is the fastest growing organized religion at this time, new age bookstore sales indicate that interest in non-traditional religions continue to be on the rise. A considerable number of those that participate in these non-traditional religions are normally solo-practitioners. (It needs be stated here that this author is making no value judgement on any religious practices.) For centuries, religion has been an institutionalized practice with stated dogma, scripture and law. Organized faiths either dictate or infer that mere mortal man was incapable of establishing a direct connection with the divine presence, or "the force". This intercession, albeit that it may have begun with the best of intentions, has only helped to exacerbate the spiritual disconnect created by separation from our natural environment. Instead of serving the intended purpose of assisting man to reconnect his spirit with the spark of the divine that is within him, many religions unintentionally, and some intentionally, serve as a block in the flow of energy between the spirit of the individual man and the divine.

First, millennium fever, and, more recently, the terrorist strikes on Washington and New York have shaken the American spirit. After fighting flagging attendance and tightening budgets in the later part of the twentieth century, religious institutions in the United States celebrated the highest attendance figures in decades in the year 2000. Book publishing industry sales statistics indicate a steady increase in the sale of religious based books over the last several years. This return to chosen spiritual paths for the safety and security it provides - a mode of conductivity that connects man back to that spark of divine in a nearly tangible way is one of many small steps in the right direction.

As the world turned to a new century there was a resurgence in earth-based religions such as Druids, Shamanism, Celtic Wisdom, and some forms of Wiccan to name a few. Even among practitioners of more traditional judo-Christian belief systems there was a trend towards more respect, care, and concern for the natural world. Though the paths the various religions choose may be widely disparate, they all share in a basic commonality in their search for the divine presence, it is the form that presence may or may not take and how it should be worshipped that is open to much debate.

The recognition of the earth as a biosphere (what affects the one affects us all) by the scientific community, along with ecological crises in recent years have caused an outcry. Man is beginning to slowly work his way into the social conscience of the divine. We, as a species, are being forced to become more aware of our environment and the earth which sustains us. Thus moving us closer as a species to our connection with the spirit within. The increased concern over the environment is an example of man's capability of reconnecting to the divine. Mandatory recycling is becoming commonplace. Government incentives are extended to companies for recycling and alternative energy programs. Even state and federal buildings have recycling stations within the building. We wear clothing made from recycled materials. In the grocery store we are encouraged to buy earth friendly products. The environment has become a part of our social consciousness. This is a great step towards renewing the connection of the species to the divine.

Hence, it is no surprise that with the renewed focus of connecting to the bounty of nature and the concerned efforts for preservation of the same that we are beginning to see a reawakening of that connection to the true spark of the divine great spirit in us all on both an individual and species level. The industrial revolution freed us from physical concerns with the wonders of machinery and mass production that gave the common man the leisure of following pursuits of the mind which bore us into the technological revolution. Now, in an age of technological wonder, we are also witnessing the greatest wonder of them all - the steady increase of the number of individuals who are connecting with the divine inside themselves is on the rise!                             Top

In it interesting to note that there has been a rapid increase in the number of "solo-practitioners" of various faiths, both traditional and non-traditional. In our twenty-four hour a day, seven-day a week, always-connected, plugged-in and receiver-on society, increasing numbers of people are choosing to focus on their personal relationship with their god. In homes across the country small personal alters are being created for the individual celebration of religious practices. Whether it is an Amerindian Medicine Wheel or a simple Buddha with a candle and bowl of rice, man is striving to respect that which is sacred and divine.

Psychics, clairvoyants, wise men and women, gifted, blessed, or charmed, all are names of the same essential truth. Rather than being the norm they are now very much the exception to the rule. They are individuals who are capable of connecting to the spirit of the divine. They are not only capable of "feeling" the force of the divine; they are able to focus its benevolence. Where an "unconnected" person may feel prickles on the back of their neck, someone who is in touch with the divine may receive a mental image warning them of danger ahead, and someone who is strongly rooted in their connection to the divine may just know that there are two teenage thugs with a knife waiting behind a dumpster just ahead to attack unless the intuitive changes his intended course to avoid the confrontation. Like a muscle, the more the connection to the divine is used, the stronger it becomes. There are increased numbers of us who are intentionally concentrating on connecting with this spark and expanding our appreciation and connection with the divine.

This striving for connection to the divine is well articulated by James Redfield in his Celestine Prophecy series of books. His fictionalized account of a spiritual striving to connect with the oneness of the universe was a New York Times bestseller. When one strips the fictionalization from the story, the three volumes are essentially a guidebook on how to heighten one's resonance - another metaphor for strengthening the connection with the divine.

The experience of connection to the divine is not predicated on any one particular religion, spell, belief system, intermediary, or activity. Down through recorded history both the literature and folklore of all but a very few cultures and belief systems have a type of wise woman, spiritual guide, clairvoyant, medicine man, or some other spiritually gifted person. Many Native American Indian tribes treated the insane as touched or gifted by God. Operas, plays, stories, poems and songs all have examples of people who are connected to the one. Not all these references are positive. Who can forget Maleficent in Walt Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" or Darth Vader from Star Wars? As these characters show, the concept of a dark side of the divine exists in the manifestations of the battle of light versus dark, or good versus evil.

Although man has taken eons to get here, the species as a whole, and western society in particular, is reclaiming that which was sacrificed on the alters of progress, money, and science. Man is once again developing and focusing on the desire to strive for and connect with the divine and through this beginning mankind will someday all know how to "use the force Luke."

Part II                                Top

"We Are All Star Stuff" - The Potentials of Man and the Connection With The Divine

"And an old priest said, speak to us of Religion.
And he said:
Have I spoken this day of aught else?
Is not religion all deeds and all reflection,
And that which is neither deed nor reflection, but a wonder and a surprise ever springing in the soul, even while the hands hew the stone or tend the loom?
Who can separate his faith from his actions, or his belief from his occupations?

Who can spread his hours before him, saying "This for God and this for myself; This for my soul, and this other for my body?"

All your hours are wings that beat through space from self to self.
He who wears his morality but as his best garment were better naked.
The wind and the sun will tear no holes in his skin.

And he who defines his conduct by ethics imprisons his song-bird in a cage.
The freest song comes not through bars and wires.
And he to whom worshipping is a window, to open but also to shut, has not yet visited the house of his soul whose windows are from dawn to dawn.
Your daily life is your temple and your religion.
Whenever you enter into it take with you your all.
Take the plough and the forge and the mallet and the lute,
The things you have fashioned in necessity or for delight.
For in revery you cannot rise above your achievements nor fall lower than your failures.

And take with you all men:
For in adoration you cannot fly higher than their hopes nor humble yourself lower than their despair.
And if you would know God be not therefore a solver of riddles.
Rather look about you and you shall see Him playing with your children.
And look into space; you shall see Him walking in the cloud, outstretching His arms in the lightning and descending in rain.
You shall see Him smiling in flowers, then rising and waving His hands in trees."

The Prophet
Chill Gibbon

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During the moralistic upheaval of 1920s America a poet and philosopher by the name of Kahlil Gibran, born in Lebanon published one of his most renowned works, The Prophet. As quoted above from his work Gibran attempts to communicate the totality of oneness of all things through short discussions from the prophet to his audience. The above passage on religion poetically encourages the individual to search for the divine in the mundane, hence encouraging the connection with all living things and the equality of man with the universe.

In the late 1950s a literary hoax was unintentionally perpetrated upon the American public. In an inadvertent mix-up, Desiderata was thought to have been found at Old St. Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland and date back to 1692. In actuality, Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) wrote the Desiderata . At a time when the spiritual journey was again being embraced even if it was primarily by the sub- or counter-culture minority, of pre-WWII America Mr. Ehrmann created a document that was ageless. Desiderata's introduction of "Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence" shows the depth of Ehrmann's innocent understanding of the feeling of the rightness of the existence of man as a spiritual being. Considering the political upheaval, social change and general sen