Dear Abraxas --
Hope everything is well with you.
I have been a Christian (Roman Catholic) all my life and feel i have had the fortunate experience of having had good teachers at a formative age. So -- this "upbringing," plus the obligatory tour through "new agey" type thought in the 70's, combined with some charismatic/pentecostal theology thrown in for good measure (!) as well as basic study of eastern (Buddhist, Taoist) philosophy -- these comprise the main threads of my religious education.
for some reason i felt like i should put the following statement in that context : my main problem with "orthodox" Christian theology is the
concept of "substitutionary atonement." i DO believe that
Jesus' life-death-resurrection is a
pivotal event in human history, and an understanding of its significance has been pivotal in my spiritual growth and development. Yet, i could NEVER feel comfortable with the idea of God the Father demanding a "perfect blood sacrifice," in his Son's death.....to compensate for all human beings' failings throughout eternity. (Thankfully, there have been
other ways for me to interpret the significance of Jesus' crucifixion in my life!) So anyway, perhaps you can imagine my delight in coming across these passages in one of the readings listed on your website. I thought maybe you could comment on these thoughts for us. Thank so much, AA.
"Below is the unedited dictations of Yeshua, channneled to Helen
Shucman and in cooperation with William Thetford. These channelings,
of course, made up A Course in Miracles."
"If the Crucifixion is seen from an upside down point of view, it
certainly does appear AS IF God permitted, and even encouraged, one of
his Sons to suffer BECAUSE he was good. Many very devoted ministers
preach this every day. This particularly unfortunate interpretation,
which actually arose out of the combined misprojection of a large
number of my own would-be followers, has led many people to be
bitterly afraid of God.
"This particularly anti-religious concept happens to enter into many
religions, and this is neither by chance nor coincidence .....
The real Christian would have to pause and ask "how could this be?" Is
it likely that God Himself would be capable of the kind of thinking
which His own Words have clearly stated is unworthy of man? .....
"Sacrifice is a notion totally unknown to God. It arises solely from
fear of the Records. This is particularly unfortunate, because
frightened people are apt to be vicious. Sacrificing others in any way
is a clear-cut violation of God's own injunction that man should be
merciful even as His Father in heaven is merciful."
hippihillbobbi