Category Archives: Perspectives

History, belief systems and more

Terraforming Mars

Education, Environment, Perspectives, Science

Terraforming Mars

There has been quite a bit of discussion about terraforming Mars. While I do think it is possible my guess is that the process could take hundreds of years. Assuming that ET has been visiting us thousands of years (Ancient Astronaut Theory) why have they not already done this? They are far advanced technologically and likely have better and faster methods.

It puzzles me that we think we would do a better job maintaining Mars (after terraforming) than we have our planet. We have successfully overpopulated Earth beyond resource sustainability and are enroute to destroying the environment. Mars is not the solution.

The Truth about Christianity

Belief Systems, Education, Perspectives

The Truth about Christianity

Most people think that Jesus or Paul or perhaps Peter founded the religion called Christianity. This is not true. Yeah, but isn’t Christianity a religion? Yes, it is, but the founders of Christianity were not Jesus, Paul, or Peter. Christianity as a religion wasn’t really born until a very gradual process started in the mid-second century CE ending in the mid-third century CE. This is when the following things took place: (1) hierarchy was slowly introduced, e.g. bishops were appointed in some regions and later priests became recognized (2) more and more Gentile influence came into the community and the faith became patterned after Roman social and political structures, and (3) Christian dogma and specific doctrines were created. As historians Vearnecombe, Scott, and Taussig tell us (in their excellent book, After Jesus Before Christianity), “…in the first two centuries after Jesus, what we think of as ‘Christianity’ did not exist.” Christianity was not part of the original Jesus Movement.an

The above is an excerpt from the Internet. See the complete article at: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thespiritualbrewpub/2023/04/5-facts-about-the-original-jesus-movement-that-debunk-the-origins-of-christianity/

Jesus

Belief Systems, Perspectives

Jesus

While I’m not a religious person I am admirer of the reported teachings and admirable life of Jesus. Most people know of his life through the four gospels. What many people are not aware of is that these were written between 40 and 80 years after his death and by people who did not know him. Their narratives while not duplicates are fairly consistent. They are obviously comprised of oral histories which may or may not be entirely accurate. Regardless they represent a life we can all respect. It is ironic that much of what he aspired to in life is ignored by many of those who call them selves Christians.

Jesus Christ is not the man’s name. It is more a title like saying Jesus the Savior. He likely had a surname. I like Jesus Josephson. His mother was definitely a virgin early on but not after siring his brothers and sisters. While here is little about his siblings in the “Good Book” there are copious details in the Urantia Book. It narrates a detailed biography of Jesus that includes his childhood, teenage years, family life, and public ministry, as well as the events that led to his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Its papers continue with appearances after he rose, Pentecost and, finally, “The Faith of Jesus.”

Another good source on the life of Jesus is contained in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Scriptures. One thing that Jesus displayed was that a “Church” need not be one of bricks and mortar. His was a traveling show that required very little financing. What is most important is his stance on morality and love of his fellow man. How great would the world be if we were all to treat others as we which to be treated.