Religion As Language

Religions are spiritual languages. If someone were to say, "English is the only language capable of effective communication. Everyone who speaks any other language is led astray and only imagines that they're communicating," their foolishness would be apparent to everyone. Yet how many people say, "Christianity is the only true path to God. All who practice other religions are deceived and only think they are in communion with God," and how many more will suppose their words contain, or may contain, some sense? Really, there is no difference between the two.

Religions are languages, comprised, like all languages, of symbols, intended to convey objects, states, processes, themes, and impressions not otherwise apparent. Because religious language is highly poetical, the speaker must be granted some amount, great or small, of poetic license. In Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, he says "I speak with tongues," and though many believe that speaking in tongues means uttering words inspired by God yet unintelligible to mortals, I myself believe that speaking in tongues means speaking in religious language; with symbols provided by a specific religious tradition. So, when Paul says, "With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord," (14:21) I believe he means that he will speak in the language -- that is, with the symbols -- of a religion which is not the religion of the people to whom he is speaking. And since these people are not bi-religious, -- which is to say, spiritually bi-lingual -- they will not "hear", will not understand, him, "except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying" (14:5). He says that the ability to interpret is essential, otherwise the language will not be understood by those outside the Church.

"If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?" (14:23) This is our present state of affairs. When we haven't the ability to interpret, and to make clear the meaning of religious terminology, then those outside the Church will think that we speak nonsense. Indeed, the confusion aroused by such a misunderstanding has reached the point where many within the Church do not even understand their own symbols. They speak in tongues, but have no one to interpret. So, while they may imagine that they understand, really, the meanings have been lost, and the religion has ceased to be a true language of the spirit for them. While the words may still make sense, to one who can interpret, they nonetheless remain nonsense for the majority of people who speak them.

What is needed now are people who can understand and speak of spiritual matters without recourse to religious language. But, perhaps even more than these, we need people who are capable of speaking and interpreting religious language. The Christian philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, understood that there is nothing more difficult than teaching something (in this case, Christianity) to one who mistakenly believes that he already understands it. Interpreting religious symbols for one who has no concept of their meaning, or whose "cup is empty", can be difficult enough; but the task of reinterpreting symbols which a person has misunderstood is like walking on a slippery slope, or trying to fill a cup with wine which is already full of water. That your words will be buried in projected preconceptions, and taken in a context not intended by you, at least, in the beginning, is almost inevitable. Nevertheless, it is a task which all who understand the teaching feel called to perform. Moreover, elucidating the proper interpretations of religious language, though difficult, may be the easiest, and perhaps the only, way to reach many of the people who use -- or, rather, misuse -- that language, and remain deaf to all others.

Jesus, Siddhartha, and The Higher Self

Jesus embraced the Holy Spirit and became Jesus Christ. In the same way, -- or, rather, in his own way, -- Siddhartha embraced it, and became Siddhartha Christ; the Buddha. Christ is The Higher Self, and when you grow into your higher self, no matter what your first name may be, your last name (and the last name by which you will ever be known) will always be Christ; the Anointed.

Jesus may be your teacher, but Christ is within you. Regardless of who your teacher may be, or what spiritual tradition you may follow, the peak at which all souls arrive, and from which they regard the whole of Creation, is the same. Though our teachers may be men, and our paths may be man-made, the wisdom is from God, and it is God within us who comprehends it.

FAITH, The Supernatural Law

Supernatural laws are not unnatural laws. They are not outside of Nature, and they do not contradict Nature. On the contrary, they are the most natural laws of all. They are that part of Nature which we refer to as Higher Nature, or Supernature. They are the part which can be seen most clearly, not in history, but in prophesy; not in the past so much as in the future. So, in order to master supernatural laws, and manifest supernatural powers, we need to be visionaries. Visionaries look with the eyes of Faith, not to past mistakes, but to future victories.

God has overcome the world, and overcome history. He is that perfect manifestation which exists at the end of time, and which draws all things nearer to Himself, and to their own perfection. The method by which He pulls us forward is Grace, and the method by which we go to meet Him is Faith. Grace is the hand God extends to us, from out of eternity into time, and Faith is the hand we extend to Him, from out of time into eternity. When we respond with Faith to the Grace of God, we successfully bridge the chasm between Finite and Infinite.

So, what is Faith?

The mind thinks, the heart feels, but the soul believes; the mind has thoughts, the heart has feelings, but the soul has Faith. Faith is an affirmation of the unseen, and the visions of the faithful are those things which are not yet, but which will be. The slave who has Faith does not dwell on his chains, but on the freedom promised by God to all who believe. In this way, he becomes free.

By Faith, we claim our birthright. Peace is claimed when we say, "Glory to God, His Peace is upon us!" Love is claimed when we say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord, whose Love enfolds and keeps us!" You are a child of God, who anoints, initiates, and protects you. Your success is even now being prepared, -- and is now. Praise the Lord!

The reason we do not see God is that we do not look with the eyes of Faith. God has overcome the world, and we must look beyond the world, if we are to see Him. He is perfect, so our Faith must also be perfect, in order to see Him clearly.

It is our choice, whether to reason in favor of Faith, or against it. And if we choose to reason against it, it will not stand. With just a word, the dream is cut, and all who dream it die. Faith is subtle, and if we choose not to sustain it, it will not insist. It will vanish like a vision when the eyes are closed. But if we reason in Faith's favor, we reason in Faith. We have it already. We have it without question.

There is the seed of a dream in your heart, and Faith is the only thing needed to nurture that dream into fruition. Believe you can do it, and behold -- you are doing it! Believe in His authority, and you will serve Him. Believe in yourself, and He will promote you. Bring your gifts into the light of day, and your Faith will nurture them. And they will multiply, according to the promise of His Word.

I speak in the language of the Christian tradition, making use of symbols resonant for myself. But the message is universal. All traditions carry a strain, or a stream, of this message; some more thin, and some more broad. My intention is to enter this stream, which merges with the great river of Spirit, that both stream and river may become broader still, as they carry all souls into the vast ocean of God that is Eternity. For the salvation of all souls, whatever path they follow, and by whatever name they call The One.

This Peace Be Upon You.

Glory to God and All Souls Everywhere.

Amen