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Hades Cloth

Dios Hades *Shun* - Fusion Myth Cloth

The Petition to Reform Religion

In light of the large amount of new information discovered by scholars of numerous disciplines - Anthropology, Biblical History, etc. - from the best universities and museums - a new light is being shed on the origins of Christianity, that tells a radically new and different story about Jesus Christ and his teachings. This revision of history takes us from a learning based on tradition to historical facts and from literal to metaphorical interpretation. In short, there's more good news and we should study it.

According to a recent survey by the Pew Charitable Trust, Pew Forum on Religion: "More than one-quarter of American adults (28%) have left the faith in which they were raised" and "the number of people who say they are unaffiliated with any particular faith today (16.1%)." Moreover, one in four Americans under 30 say they are not affiliated with any religion. An increasing percentage of those who consider themselves to be Christian do not align themselves with any particular organization or faith and an increasing number of believers reject institutional religion all together and have struck out for independent investigation of Christ's message. This paper serves to reverently and honestly address those new questions, insights and grievances that concern not only Christianity but civilization at large. These insights affect our understanding of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and our global context of God.

Agree or disagree, believe or not, history is being re-written. My intension is to initiate a public dialog on this subject, and expand our awareness of God's Word and Christ's teachings, with the understanding and faith that the truth will set man fee and from a more enlightened awareness we can learn to all live in peace.

A Code of Universal Values

In order to have an intelligent and objective discussion on such a highly sensitive and emotionally charged subject as the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the religions of Christianity, we need to establish some common ground. I purport that we, as humans, hold certain values in each of our societies, and, in fact, these values are universal to mankind. Our ideas, feelings, perspectives and The Petition to Reform Religion 2

beliefs may vary, but we hold certain values collectively. This Code of Universal Values will help us keep objectivity and perspective on the subjects being considered here.

1. Facts are Good. In order to make intelligent and ethical decisions we need to have all the facts, or as many of those facts as we can get. More information is good, we need to be informed to make the best decisions. We need to be able to know those facts are reliable too. We need to check multiple, reliable, sources. We also know from past experience to consider the perspectives and potential biases of those reporting facts for our consideration. We need to distinguish between facts and opinions, and consider more than one perspective to gain greater perspective, and greater perspective makes for better decision makings . Greater perspective is good and essential for making intelligent and ethical decisions.

2. Defining Good. In this paper good will be defined in the sense of a greater good for all, and not just good for an individual or select few. We intrinsically desire for the good of all people, and wish that no people suffer. We value the rights of others, and desire their well being. We would wish all people have adequate food, shelter, clothing, livelihood, family, dignity, belonging, health, happiness, meaning and peace (among others). Conversely, we do not think it is good for a few to have great surplus at the expense of those who go without or are oppressed, manipulated or controlled. We do not value selfishness, greed, dishonesty or corruption.

3. Learning Brings us Closer to the Truth, and Knowing the Truth is Good. Learning, gaining greater insight and understanding is good, and necessary for us to make intelligent and ethical decisions. Moreover, being conscious of what truth is, what is ethical, what is intelligent - brings about a greater good, becoming conscious itself brings about a greater good. Conversely, being or going unconscious leads to missing important information, or diminishes ones ability to make rational, informed, unbiased and objective decisions - which are good. Thus, it behooves us to develop greater conscious awareness. Being conscious is good, going unconscious (not in control of one's mind or emotions) is not good. We make better decisions when we are more conscious of what we are thinking, saying and doing, than when we are less conscious or less aware. Learning more about ourselves and our world is good. Our Creator created a brain so we could use it, so using our brain and learning is good. Learning the truth is good.

4. Science is Good. While the study of any subject should fall under the ethical and moral scrutiny of the public for the sake of the greater good, science should be valued for its ability to provide greater objectivity and discern the truth in matters of dispute or uncertainty, and discerning the truth is good. Gaining a greater understanding of how our Universe, our Earth, our own body and mind's work is good. Science is good when it works for the good of all, and it enables us to understand the will of our Creator by observing what's been created and how what has been created is also being directed and guided. Science helps us know our Creator's will, by seeing what has been set forth into motion and how we participate in that. Science helps us discern the truth, and knowing the truth is good.

5. Questioning is Good, especially in matters of faith and religious belief. The more we question, the more be learn, and the more we learn the better people we are and better life we live. Questioning brings us greater learning and understanding, we gain greater perspective, more objectivity, greater knowledge and then can thereby make more intelligent and ethical

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decisions, and this is good. Jesus Christ himself used questioning as a means of teaching, it's an essential part of the Talmudic tradition (the Oral Torah) which spurred the messianic movement. We have a Biblical precedent - Old and New Testament - that clearly indicates that questioning the meaning of the stories, and words, of the Bible is good and desired. Thus, those who try to keep others from questioning and seeking other perspectives and opinions are not doing good, and being ignorant of, or in denial of, facts, understanding, learning or discerning the truth is not good; neither the individual nor the public are served through ignorance, falsehood, or denial. Thus we must learn to question and think for ourselves to do the greatest good.

6. Questioning Authority is Good. Although we desire to have representation that serves the collective interests of the whole, all too often those in positions of authority, wealth and power, have served the interests of the few, including themselves, at the expense of the whole. Moreover, authority figures -including political and religious leaders - have consistently, and universally, lied and distorted the truth, or kept the truth from the public, and, thus, should not be blindly trusted; after all, this mind control is what provoked the first protestant reformation. The apathy and ignorance of the populous gives the corrupt their power. Individuals are easily swayed through propaganda, manufactured consent, and even mind control , it's a historical reality since the first World War. Government, commercial and religious indoctrination of the masses is a science, and most people don't even realize when or how they have been led. According to Edward Bernays, the nephew of psychologist Sigmund Freud and author of Propaganda - which serves as the very foundation of the science of propaganda: "We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." And: "It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind." Moreover, the founding fathers of the United States, who serve as role models for all Americans and who's very life example personifies a value in our society: they all questioned the authority of their government, of religious beliefs, and all ideologies. They were long haired radicals questioning their leaders and leadership, the laws that governed them, who governed them, as well as their individual religious beliefs - they too were reformers. Thus questioning authority, particularly political, commercial and religious authority is not only a value and a right held by Americans, and Civilization at large, but it also defines us as Americans and serves as the ethos of the public body - of Democracy itself - it's a universal value. We question, we think for ourselves, we value freedom and don't appreciate others having authority or control over us, and we demand dignity, freedom and respect; thus it is a duty of every citizen to question the authority, the interpretations, the motives and the truth of what they are being told by their governments, religions and commercial venues (including all media). Questioning brings us closer to the truth, and the truth is good.

7. Love, Compassion, Selfless Service and Peace Are Universal Values. Human beings place amongst the highest on their list of values love, compassion ,selfless service and peace. Jesus exemplified and taught these virtues and values, among many others, but these hold a place on top. Conversely, we collectively hold greed, hatred, selfishness, injustice and falsehood (negative traits or lower consciousness) in opposition of what we value and feel these negative traits should not be expressed - they are evil. Thus, we should be conscious enough to express thoughts, words and actions that are in alignment with our values of love, compassion, selfless

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service and peace and be conscious not to think, speak and act from a place of greed, hatred, selfishness, injustice or falsehood.

8. Living United. We innately want to do good, we'd like everyone to be provided for and happy. We wish well for all people, we would all like to live in peace. Differences in opinion as to how to attain that peace are what conflicts are over, thus, the faculty of creating such opinions and beliefs appear to be the very cause of our suffering. The ideas, beliefs and opinions of man divide us, whereas the inner desires and natural values of mankind unite us. We are united in what we want, and divided in what we think. Ultimately what we think, to a large degree, is whatever we were told to think by others. Thus we need to be aware of what we think and how it divides us. The vanity of man thinking he knows creates suffering, love brings healing. We value love over the ideas, beliefs and the opinions created by man. We see God as good, and those who use the name of God for greed, hatred, selfishness, injustice or to promote falsehood are not good. We are united in desiring to bring about the greater good, and living together in peace.

Definitions

9. Defining God. Something appears to have created the Universe, and continues to be directing and guiding it, and we call this God's creation; by any other name whatever made the Big Bang boom, and is directing and guiding the universe and everything within it, is our God. Most of the world recognizes something indescribably powerful that created and sustains the universe, and I submit that we all recognize this same one Creator by various names and worship the same God through various customs created by man. We are all children of the same Creator, we all have the same God.

10. Knowing God is Good. There is something seen, and something unseen, something about the universe is known but much more is unknown and we don't know how much we don't know. God is more than we can know, yet we can get closer to God by observing, studying creation - the Universe, the Earth and ourselves. Thus we should continue to study, learn and grow in knowledge of our God, our Universe and our Self.

11. Defining Spirit. Something is animating all existence, I am calling this spirit. Creation is ongoing and alive within us through what we call Spirit, it runs through everyone and everything throughout existence. It is unseen, but it enables you to see, it is unheard but enables you to hear, it cannot be understood yet it enables us to think, and reflect, and be conscious. The same thing that makes my heart beat makes your heart beat, we all draw our life from the same source, this source of life force within us and around us, in everything, and in everyone, causing life I am calling spirit, and I think it is time people learned more about this part of themselves. Knowing your own spirit is good.

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12. Our Spirit. There is something within everyone and in everything animating it, providing for its existence, and guiding it, and we call this expression of the Divine spirit. When it is expressed through us, our body and mind, we relate to it as being our spirit. That which causes life within us, is us. Without it we'd be dead. Thus, connecting with spirit and learning about sprit, our spirit, is good. May this spirit be our guide.

The New Facts

The background information, and all the references and materials to support the following positions, are provided in my dissertation published as a trade paperback under the title Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled and my first book Looking for God, a Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World.

13. Evidence. There is an abundance of reliable archeological evidence, obtained and studied by the best scholars from the best universities around the world over the past few decades now, that depicts Jesus Christ in a light not fully developed in the New Testament; this new information is re-writing Christian History and theology and should be studied by everyone as a significant event in world history, and is essential reading for everyone who considers themselves to be Christian. Massive evidence, from multiple sources, that have been peer reviewed and scrutinized by the best in their fields, is all pointing to the same conclusions, and yet, most of the world still does not know this New Christianity. It's time for everyone to know.

14. A New Christian Paradigm. The depiction given by accounts of the Aramaic speaking Semitic or Jewish-Christians from Israel and the Holy Land - largely Essene, and including those called Nazarene and Ebonite, and as we learn from the following sited ancient codex's and the epistles of the early Church Fathers - clearly focuses on how to find God's Kingdom by looking within; it was clearly a path of introspection, contemplation and meditation. Jesus was showing the way to God Realization. Moreover, this information was deliberately concealed by religious authorities for hundreds of years and the story and facts about this case have only recently come to light and should be studied by all true believers. Any information that can create greater clarity and help us understand Jesus Christ's message better should be studied; like other parts of the Bible, Old Testament and New, we may differ in how we interpret the meaning of these new stories and lessons, but it is incumbent upon us to study these teachings if, in fact, they are the True teachings of Jesus. Scholars tell us those Christians who actually knew Jesus, and their children, were the ones who passed down these stories recounted in these Lost Teachings. This makes it incumbent upon us all to study this version of the Word.

15. Source Documents. Hundreds of pieces of history, from all over the Holy Land and Egypt, have recently been revealed, presenting to us the closest look at Jesus Christ and his first disciples that we've ever had, a story that has literally been buried for over 2,000 years has only recently

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come to light. This is a sign. Anyone who has not studied the following documents does not have sufficient background information to understand Christ's Teachings. The following serves as an independent study syllabus for the New Teachings of Jesus Christ (Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled serves as a study guide with a more complete list of resources and citations for each major point made):

The Dead Sea Scrolls and the historian's account of the Essenes

The Nag Hammadi Library (the 1st & 2nd Century dated codex's)

History on how the Bible was made (Teaching Company, etc.)

1st -4th Century Papyrus translations (outside Nag Hammadi)

The Peshitta - The Aramaic Bible and scholars commentaries

The Apologists, Apostolic & Church Fathers (1st - 4th Centuries)

1st Century History: Jewish & Greco-Roman & Mithran Cults

The Kabbalah, including the Zohar and Apocryphal scriptures

Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled

16. Timing of Events & World History. Jesus Christ's Word has come a second time, as revealed through these papyrus codex's. More information from Jesus has come from reliable sources recently than exists in the entire New Testament, and it's teaching us how to enlighten during a time when suddenly millions of people are seeking enlightenment. Moreover, God's covenant with the prophet Abraham is being fulfilled, Jews propagate and prosper in the new State of Israel. As most of the religions of the world point to the dawning of a new age and creating heaven on earth, all these prophesies coincide with our current age. Astronomically, the Earth's wobble of 26,000 years on its axis - the precession of the equinoxes - moves the polar pointing stick of the Earth from the constellation of Pieces to that of Aquarius, indicating, at least symbolically, the dawning of a new age. As our Founding Fathers had ushered in an Age of Enlightenment, so again we are entering a new age of enlightenment where now, millions of people are seeking enlightenment - and this second coming of Christ's Word is leading the way. Those who have ears, let them hear. It's time to reform the church and bring it up to speed with history and science along with every other aspect of human existence. We are, believers or not, evolving to a higher level of consciousness - collectively. I am calling for here in, a collective review of Christianity, and world religion, in light of our understanding of this new information coming out about Jesus and Christianity, and to make the necessary clarifications and corrections in our understanding and presentation of Christ's teachings. It's time for a reform of the church, and religion as a whole, for the sake of peace on earth, and this is my petition.

Petition & Reform

17. A Paradigm Shift. The principal theological difference between the aggregate of new information that appears to have come from those who lived in Israel and spoke Christ's native

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language of Aramaic and walked with Jesus - call them Semitic Christians - is that they were not seeking salvation by just accepting Jesus as their savior but in actually looking within themselves to find the Kingdom of the Father, or the Kingdom of God; this author's perspective gleamed from what the scholars have shared, is that the emphasis of Christ's teachings are that: the Kingdom of Heaven lies within and Jesus is teaching us how to go within ourselves to realize God. In our modern language, Christ was teaching the way to enlightenment. This theology appears in the Gospel of Thomas, The Book of Thomas, The Gospel of Philip, The Gospel of James, The Gospel of Mary, The Dialog with the Savior, The Thunder Perfect Mind and others that date to the first and second centuries - and have oral traditions to the Apostles themselves. This information comes from reliable sources, objectively studied by the world's leading experts, from the best universities, and have been subject to peer review and public scrutiny. We can be sure that these books represent the Semitic Christians ideology, which represents the most accurate account of what Jesus Christ actually said and taught. The reasons and justifications for ignoring, denying or marginalizing these "Lost Teachings" are weak, ungrounded and more often than not downright deceptive and misleading. We may have differences of opinion as to what these new scriptures tell us, but they are worth studying and it is worth considering these other perspectives (including those that are not mine). Christianity, and the world, would benefit from studying this subject.

18. Leadership. All too often it was the leadership of the Church that, historically, has tried to keep the laymen from the facts and the truth, and many continue to do so even today. Those with little factual knowledge dissuade other Christians from doing their own independent research, as if one couldn't think for oneself, or some evil would come from studying. Such mind control is evil. Thinking and questioning is good. Questioning brings us closer to the Truth, and the Truth is good and good for all. There has been deliberate deception by Church leadership in conveying these new findings, distorting and ignoring key points and choosing not to look at salient points and historical facts. They are using fear to control people's minds and even deliberately deceiving people about the facts. This ignoring, is ignorance, and that is evil. Denying information from reliable sources that could help you better understand and make responsible decisions is evil. Greater understanding and awareness is good. Thus, we should learn all we can about Jesus Christ and what he taught, and encourage independent investigation, discussion and open and friendly debate on the subject. The truth brings us closer to God, the truth is good. Controlling people through intimidation is evil.

19. Pedophilia. The way the Church, as a whole, has dealt with pedophilia and other abuses of children and adults is evil and unacceptable, those who abuse children in the church should be kept apart from children and watched by the church and these matters should not be swept under the carpet; and it is not only a matter for the church but also for our entire civilization that all faiths must respect. Moreover, parents of children should be informed and matters dealt with openly and honestly for the benefit of all, the truth should come to light to be clearly dealt with. We need to learn from past mistakes and make the necessary changes, we need to be good.

20. The Reed Sea not the Red Sea. A point of clarification on the Old Testament, our best and most reliable sources indicate that, in fact, Moses crossed the Sea of Reeds, or Reed Sea (which exists

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to this day) which was directly along Moses' path to Canaan where he was leading the Israelites, not the Red Sea which is hundreds of miles in a direction away from where he was headed. The mistake was a translation error that has been known for years but not corrected in modern liturgies or Biblical accounts because the story is so popular as told by tradition. Moses was clearly being guided, and a natural act of God precluded the Egyptians from catching them (heavy rain swelled the waterways, tidal action blocked the path?) but he did not cut a 600 foot deep chasm through an entire ocean and walk all the way to Iraq, he came up to and waited outside Canaan, and later Joshua lead them across, therefore, Mount Sinai is likely closer to the border with Israel. Thus, it is important to read the Bible as stories with messages meant to teach us spiritual precepts and not to take these stories so literally, the Bible is full of metaphors and should be read and studied in this context.

21. There is No Physical Hell . The Greek scribes translating from Hebrew to Greek picked up the Greek archetype of the underworld from their Greek mythology, and Hades rules the underworld; it is Hades with his horns and hellish underworld that serve as a role model for evil or the devil. But Biblically Hell is not a physical place, but rather is a metaphor that describes mans lack of knowing God. The Jews didn't have such a Hell as most Christians have believed, the Bible describes quite a different afterlife in Leviticus and Job. Moreover, no less of an authority as Pope John Paul himself clarifies in a public address that is available on line (1999): "Rather than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy." Hell is not knowing God, hell is in your head. Thus, we must learn to know God and learn more about ourselves and how our own mind works - so we don't go to hell.

22. The New Testament Book of Revelation is a Metaphor describing man's estrangement from God, quoting Pope John Paul again: "The Book of Revelation also figuratively portrays in a 'pool of fire' those who exclude themselves from the book of life." We need to teach this understanding, too many preachers are teaching that hell is a literal physical place, and it is not, it's what's in our head when our awareness of God isn't. Evil occurs when we don't watch what's going on in our head, and lose control of what we think, say and do; thus, we need to be conscious of our thoughts, words, and actions least they seduce us into unconscious actions we call sin. We must learn to consciously direct our mind to always act for the good, as Jesus has taught. So the battle over the forces of good and evil are in our head, and Jesus shows us the way to conquer evil by being present to God's presence here on earth - this revelation brings us to heaven on earth.

23. Stop Scaring Children. Scaring children with images of eternal damnation in a pit of fire and a red horned creature from Greek mythology tormenting those who don't believe, think or do as they are told - is not good. Using fear to control people is evil, showing the goodness through Christ's teachings is a more correct teaching. Controlling mind's through fear and intimidation is evil and should be stopped. The truth is a more powerful teaching that will help children and our civilization. These horrific images and fear based ideas used in some churches Pope John Paul states are "an improper use of Biblical images." We need to differentiate between metaphoric interpretation and literal, tradition verses history, and fiction from fact. Not believing what other people tell you to believe is not going to send you to a place in the center of the earth for

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eternity, but not knowing God can be Hell for anyone on Earth. It's that estrangement from God that causes suffering, Jesus is showing us the way back to God and that is what saves us from hell - we have to have the awareness of those divine and evil inclinations and make the right choices. All these images of ghoulish demons and creatures with wings are metaphoric that come from ancient pagan iconography.

24. What Heaven Is. Heaven is not a place outside of Pluto or the Big Bang, Jesus makes it clear that it lies within us and is spread out upon the Earth already; in other words, it is a state of consciousness, a state of knowing God or realizing God's living presence on Earth. Heaven is the state of God Realization or the enlightenment of the consciousness to the realization of God's living presence within us and around us, in everything, everywhere, all the time. This theme is repeated throughout the Lost Gospels, clarified in the Jewish Kabbalah, and is also described in every major spiritual teaching and by spiritual masters universally. Thinking Heaven is a physical place somewhere else is pagan.

25. God is Not a Man. There are still Christians that conceive of God as having a physical body in size and stature of a human being, presumably with genetics and gender, and this serves as another example of a how misunderstanding the original Jewish meaning and context of God (El or YHWH) creates error and ignorance and keeps us from truth and the good. The beautiful painting of God by Michelangelo on the Sistine Chapel is Zeus not Yahweh. God itself, or Himself when reflected upon as the Father, is beyond form yet within it. We recognize the Creator as a father of Creation but not a physical man or humanoid being. We are in the image of God in spirit not a physical form, to think of God as having a human likeness is explicitly breaking a commandment of God - no graven images. God does not have a face a human can see, yet we can see God in every face. God's with human faces are pagan, beautiful but not Biblical.

26. Spirit is Universal. There is a feeling of bliss or God intoxication that comes as you feel the presence of spirit, within yourself or in a congregation, and this can be felt when connecting with the Word, reflecting on God, praying, meditating, serving selflessly and many other ways. All people of faith should find this presence within themselves, to look within and receive the grace...regardless of ideology. God is love and free to all, and within each human lies a spirit regardless of faith, culture, gender or belief - this is what unites us, this is what we've come to realize and bring into the world. Spirit unites us, the desire to control others thinking divides us.

27. No One Denomination or Faith has a Monopoly on God. No one denomination of any faith has a monopoly on God, or has the right to claim complete and total, or exclusive, knowledge of God, Christ or the Bible; we need to recognize the underlying truth taught in each other's religious culture, the differences men fight over are only based on ideas created in the minds of men, designed to control the mind's of other men. We need to be leery of those who claim to be the only ones to know or have all the answers, or who try to keep you for learning and seeing for yourself. Religions compete for the minds of people like corporations competing for customers, and the techniques used to persuade people are not always ethical, honest or true, just look at all the cults in the world. We need to question what we have been told and what we believe, such questioning should strengthen one's faith and create greater understanding and clarity of meaning, which is good. You should question everything I am presenting too.

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28. War Mongering. Jesus was a peace activist. We should be leery of religious and other leaders who rally people for war in the name of God, or who claim God's favor and condemn others, or pretentiously purport some exclusive directive from God. We should find leaders who really study Christ's teachings, history, and not just the dogma of an organization or blind faith in an organization, ideology or belief. Those that think and speak with anger and contempt are not reflecting the values we see as being among the most important of Christ's teachings. A true Christian should actively protest war, corruption and subjugation by religious authority or dogma. Christ was against the dry vessels of dogmatic ideology, those who make lots of money and those who wage war. Jesus taught love and peace, and so should our clergy.

29. False Preachers. We should be leery of preachers, clergy, and evangelists who make millions of dollars, or preach that God, or Jesus, wants you to be materially rich. This is a corruption of Christ's teachings, he clearly steered his followers away from the materialistic path (It is easier for a Camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, et al.), but there is money to be made preaching prosperity and those who do are false prophets. It's one thing to live as well as those whom you serve, and another to make many millions of dollars, or keep money off shore, or secretly have a yacht, other homes or extravagances, such is clearly not in keeping with Christ's teachings or example.

30. Cults. The use of propaganda, manufactured consent and mind control is growing throughout the United States and the world; cults pose a real threat to our society as a few deliberately try to control the minds of others, primarily through the use of fear. If you can break a person down so they feel unworthy, lost or hopeless, or get them steaming angry, you can easily take control of their mind and activity, and it is done all the time as Jim Jones and Waco Texas clearly demonstrate. What is less known or talked about are the more subtle abuses such as rejection by the family, or by the community, and even acts of hatred. There are millions of Christians that believe Jesus built (or was involved in building) the Pyramids of Central America, and others who keep their children from going to school or discourage higher education to keep control over their mind's, and others who deny receiving medical treatment because of what leaders of their church have told them. Some condone marrying their daughters off before they are adults, or willfully permitting their minister to have sex with their underage daughters, or marrying more than one wife. The best way to keep our population from being subjected to mind control or cultish activity is to teach our children to question, to learn to think for themselves and look at and consider other points of view. Not trying to be right, but trying to make right. This methodology also enables people from different perspectives to gain greater perspective and thereby make better decisions and good choices.

31. Not Born of a Virgin. According to history, Christ's disciples did not believe Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, but rather that he was the physical son of Joseph, in the line of David, and Mary; chosen by God as a messianic figure showing them the deeper spiritual, possibly Kabalistic, perspective of the Bible; his earliest followers include the Essene which had many of the same beliefs and rites as the first Christians, such as Initiatory Baptism, and communal living. The connection between the first century Jewish Essene community needs to be studied within the Christian community, as well as the Bible from the perspective of Judaism in the first century. The virgin birth stories about Jesus were created in the countries that had already had virgin

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birth and immaculate conception stories, particularly those areas where Paul of Tarsus traveled, but not in Israel. There are no virgin births or immaculate conceptions in Judaism, this is not a part of Jewish belief about a messiah. Old Testament translations, such as Isaiah, state their messiah would wed an eligible young woman ripe for children, not a virgin. We need to adjust our understanding. This point is a scholarly consensus, not the author’s opinion.

32. Not a God. According to history, Jesus was not a God, or son of God, but he was the Son of Man, the expected messianic figure that would deliver people from their bondage; he saved them through the enlightenment of their consciousness as is clearly expressed in the Semitic codex's or Lost Teachings. All concepts of a son-of-God are not from Judaism or the Bible, the concept of being "the same as God" (homoousia) were adopted in the pagan cultures that had them. Jesus' human condition and divine inspiration were the point of his teaching, there are no God-men in the Jewish tradition, there are men especially chosen by God to reveal God's will and by doing so show us the way, the messiah shows us salvation by living in God grace, in peace, on Earth. There are no virgin births in the Old Testament, nor son's of God either, the messiah was never supposed to be crucified, have a resurrection or redemption or to be a God Man or come a second time, all this comes from the Greco-Roman cultures that embraced Christianity centuries later.

33. Sin and Redemption. According to history, Jesus did not die "for our sin" there is no "original sin" in Judaism, Jesus died as a martyr teaching us how not to sin by showing us the way to God through enlightenment. Our fall from grace, or sin, was not listening to God, our salvation is listening to God through the Word as Jesus teaches us. The Lost Gospels further clarify this, the Aramaic Bible, The Peshitta, clarifies this, as does the Jewish biblical perspective clarifies this too. This point comes from the interpretation of scholars who best know this subject matter. Original sin is an adaptation and a misinterpretation of Christ's teachings and has been used as a form of mind control and indoctrination for years.

34. Mithra and Mithran Cults. The entire born of a virgin, on December 25th, died for remission of sin, redemption and resurrection after 3 days is all a part of the predominate religion and competing savior of humanity in the first century - Mithra (or Mithras or Mitra), who had a strong center in Tarsus, the home of Saint Paul. Those people Paul spoke to were quite familiar with these paradigms and there they were adopted in the late first and early second centuries within various Christian communities throughout the Greco-Roman world. After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE the influence of the churches in the pagan lands predominated, and the original sects from where Jesus and the Apostles lived became known as Judiazers or Eboinites and were shunned by the orthodox bishops, as recounted in their letters. Much of what Christians believe and practice does not come from the Bible, Jesus or the Apostles, but from Greco-Roman culture, the Cult of Mithra, and other cultures according to exhaustive historical accounts and our best science. The degree to which Christianity adopted pagan beliefs is little known by most Christians and should be. We should know our history and understand how we come to believe whatever we believe.

35. Apostles vs. Paul. Paul never met Jesus personally, and began preaching his understanding of Christ's word without having studied with Jesus or any of the Apostles directly, he meets with the Apostles later, but according to Church Father Irenaeus in the second century in his book

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Adverse Heresies the Jewish disciples in Israel, Ebionites he calls them, rejected Paul and his epistles. Those that followed the Roman line of thinking deified Jesus and likened him to Mithra, they also were anti-Semitic and called those who practiced the original teachings Judaisers. The church was split, and we've only heard one side of the story until now. The lost teachings of Jesus have been discovered and the secret has at last been revealed and is available for anyone now to research for themselves and come to their own conclusions. Part of our reconciliation with this new paradigm of Christianity is to put more weight on what the actual 12 apostles convey from data taken closer to the source, Christ, and to understand the differences in Paul's perspective, the influence of Greco-Roman culture in Christianity, and recognize how much of these teachings actually come from a pagan theology or mythology and are not as accurate a depiction of Christ's teachings as we get from those who actually heard him speak in Israel and practiced as the Apostles did. We still have great value in the New Testament, but there is more. To get a more complete picture and understanding of Christ's Word we need to study these other perspectives. A greater understanding of Christ’s teachings is good.

36. Thinking for Yourself. There is a long tradition of reprisals for those who venture differing opinions within and between denominations and faiths, leaders have historically tried to keep us for learning for ourselves and doing independent investigation of the Word, they have tried to control what and how we think, and have often, sometimes unintentionally, kept us from the truth. From the Church Fathers to today, there have been groups fighting for control of your mind, each sure they are right and another wrong based on whatever they were told to believe and not to question. Each individual needs to think for themselves for the sake of the common good. The first step is to question, and consider other perspectives, as you are doing now.

37. Evolution. Evolution is evidence of God's living presence with us - all around us and within us. Genesis is not meant to be a literal account, the universe is clearly expanding and evolving, as each of God's creatures are, as we are. The Literalists Creation Theory is not in alignment with the Jewish rendering of Creation, Genesis is a metaphorical rendering of Creation not a literal one - ask a Rabbi. This is why you don't see Jews protesting evolution being taught, they understand the meaning of their own book better than many ill guided evangelists who keep misinterpreting the book of Genesis - literally. Evolution is a scientific fact that does not keep us from God or Jesus anymore than learning that the Sun does not rotate around the Earth, but the Earth rotates around the Sun. Science helps us better understand God and Creation, and evolution supports, rather than denies, the existence of a greater living intelligence or God.

38. Treatment of Jews. Christians, broadly speaking and historically as a whole, have treated the Jewish people, and other non-Christians, horribly. The very bloodlines of Jesus' family, community, and those of his first disciples, runs in the blood of the Jews and it's in their genetics, so we should honor that, and give any group and every group and faith more dignity and respect. The entire Christian faith should embrace the Jews as brothers and sisters, as well as those of other faiths. Acting like brothers, we teach the good that Jesus gave us to teach. Christians have been hostile to other faiths and denominations within the faith, sometimes very narrow minded and bigoted, and this isn't Christian (e.g. Crusades, Inquisition, Pogroms, Nazi complicity, KKK, etc.). What an insult to Jesus to treat his own people, our own people, with such disrespect, especially since the incident of pressuring the Romans to put Jesus to death was

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on the account of a relatively small group of political minded priests and not that of the average Jew. There appears a great deal of arrogance and pride, particularly amongst the most wealthy and powerful evangelists, that continue to vent hatred and prejudice towards the Jew. I argue that showing compassion, tolerance and understanding are more aligned with Christ's teachings, and we should love the Jews and embrace them, we could all learn something from each other. A Jew should never fear a Christian ever again.

39. Hate and Evil. Whereas most Christians are amongst the most compassionate and charitable people on earth, there is a harshness in some sects of Christianity, and in most religions, that is very un-Christian. Too many people are yelling, threatening, full of hate, sure they are right and everyone else is wrong; the transmission of fear, guilt and shame, followed by soothing the pain of guilt by paying more money to the church is a device that is evil (it's also part of what started the first reformation). Some ministers are full of hate, and hate is evil. Where's the love? We need to purge Christianity of its ego, and it's greed. Religious extremism is rooted in evil, we are here to bring in the light.

40. Role of Woman. The Church, broadly speaking, has subjugated women. A study of the Semitic Gospels indicates an importance in the leadership of Mary Magdalene amongst the Apostles, which was unique in its day and one of the more defining characteristics of the movement. Women were bishops in several early churches, they gave baptisms and lead congregations until the Pagan churches in the Greco-Roman empire ended it centuries later. Patriarchal authoritarianism became the defining characteristic of the Church, which appears to be quite counter to what Jesus was actually teaching his disciples. Jesus honored women, and Christians should know, it's an important aspect of Christian theology that should be studied and a wrong that can be righted. The female leadership in the early days of Christianity, in Israel, should be recognized and studied, and serves as an example for all of us.

41. Christianity has Been Harsh on Minorities. In addition to Jews, people of other faiths and women, many Christian sects are harsh in words and deed to people of color, people who look different (clothing or style) and those who consider themselves to be gay (homosexual). History has shown us that throughout the history of civilization, throughout the world, some percent of our population is attracted to its own gender despite reprisals and other disincentives such as threat of eternal suffering in hell. In focusing only on those particular sections of Leviticus, or other Old Testament scripture, to hinge a conclusion, while ignoring or marginalizing all those other rules and taboo's in the paragraphs preceding or following the parts you are quoting from to make your point, distorts the context, meaning , and relevance of those messages. Moreover, Jesus teaches us to be tolerate and compassionate for those who were different. Discriminating based on any minority is against Christ's teachings, his example teaches universal love for all and that is what we should live and teach. We should show more love to people different than us, Christians should stop hating gays.

42. Beliefs. Beliefs and opinions are simply the way your mind has been programmed and may not have anything to do with the truth or the facts. What we believe often changes in our lives, as we learn more our beliefs change, as Santa Clause and sex clearly illustrate. Most people on Earth believe that they are right and everyone else is wrong and will suffer in hell, we judge the world and act superior based on what we have chosen to believe. What we have been told to

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believe, and typically not to question, was told to us by someone, or people, who simply chose to believe what someone else told them to believe; and those that told them what to believe only believe what they believe because they were told to believe and not question by someone else; often this cycle goes on for generations without anyone questioning. Such questioning is often viewed as inappropriate, uncalled for, and is generally not welcomed. Consensus is sought, and this collective consciousness, this manufactured consent, serves as a means to keep everyone thinking and believing the same thing, and all of it is based on blind faith - in what someone else told us something means. The desire to conform, the desire to find eternal happiness and assurance of eternal suffering if you stray, is a form of mind control that has created suffering throughout humanity for ages and is not based on factual history, Christ's teachings, or the truth. Moreover, emphasizing what you believe as the center of your faith is very self absorptive, what you believe may have absolutely no bearing on the truth, have faith in the truth and the truth will set you free. Jesus teaches this.

43. Don't Believe Me. This thesis is submitted for your consideration in order to inspire you to learn more and realize the truth, and God, for yourself. Don't believe me, I can only convey from my own perspectives and language, and you must develop your own awareness, you must look at many perspectives and consider many opinions and points of view and question what you've been told, including what I am telling you. You may have other perspectives, opinions and ideas, that's good, looking at things from other people's perspectives is important in making intelligent and ethical decisions. For the world to live in peace, we are all going to have to learn to look at things from other peoples perspectives and work for a common good. Our shared values unite us, and we must collectively desire peace enough to create it.

44. Peace. This thesis is presented with the hope and vision of human beings realizing the spirit in each other, and the earth, and learning to live together in happiness and peace. Amen.

The Action Plan

1. Sign this Petition to Reform Religion for World Peace and Add Your Comments

2. Download the free MP3 downloads http://www.christenlightened.com/FreeDownloads.html

3. Purchase Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled

4. YouTube Video Series: http://www.youtube.com/user/EnlightenedChrist?feature=mhum

5. iTunes Podcast Channel: http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/christ-enlightened/id390817683

6. On Line see Website http://www.ChristEnlightened.com

7. Enlightenment Radio (Google it)
About the Author

Steven S. Sadleir is director of the self awareness institute
www.SelfAwareness.com
, host of Enlightenment Radio (Google it), best-selling author, including Looking for God, a Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World, and he recognized as a Master in two lineages from India. He lectures on the history of Christianity and enlightenment, and has students in over 120 countries. His latest book is Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled.

For Free downloads
http://www.christenlightened.com/FreeDownloads.html