 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 "The Light" Newsletter June 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Church is pleased to report that this Church continues to grow in membership, in services, and the Seminary continues to add new quality courses of study. Thus The Church Of Seven Planes is a healthy organization of dedicated servants that exists to serve A God of Many Names and with your support, this Church of the 21st Century shall live on into the 22nd Century. Thank you for your support, your time, your prayers, and your interest. ***** For new readers of the newsletter, the following comment is repeated as an introduction to The Church Of Seven Planes. ***** If you spend some time researching the Church Of Seven Planes you will learn that the Church has been around for more than three decades. In that amount of time the Church has grown in wisdom, scope, and size. One of the accomplishments of the Church over the many years is that people of all faiths now form the body of the Church. The statement "One God-Many Names" is not just a casual statement but it is a philosophy that is at the very core of the Church structure. If you look at the Seminary division of the Church you will see that the study of many faiths and beliefs is part of the curriculum of the Seminary and those that teach or present the studies there come from a broad spectrum of beliefs and experiences. Thus within the ranks of the church and its members, you will find active ministers, priests, priestess, chaplains, and lay persons of all faiths. The Church has a network of bishops whose backgrounds encompass all major religions or beliefs and the bishops and the instructors found at the Seminary are eager to assist you on your life's journey. There is a chaplain division within the Church to welcome those that want to be chaplains and an Order of Knights with a code of honor who are a network of servants. There is an Order of Monks who converse and study religion and philosophy in fine detail and a store with practical supplies, books, and inspirational items to help ministers and lay persons alike. The Church offers all of these things and more to all people of all faiths and this newsletter is but a small part of what this mature Church has to offer. Thus within this Interfaith Church there is someone qualified and with experience to address questions in either a public forum or in a private e-mail communication if so requested. As editors of an interfaith newsletter it is our intent to keep this newsletter interfaith and not let the newsletter take on a bias or have any one belief or religion dominate the contents of the newsletter. Therefore we invite readers of any and all faiths or beliefs to send questions to the editor on any proper subject to include questions about a belief that you perhaps do not understand. Here in this newsletter we will answer questions and in doing so, all readers will benefit from those who have questions then seek answers to those important questions. If you have a question, suggestion, or a topic you would like to see presented here then know that: Thank You For Reading. editor@sevenplanes.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Church of Seven Planes Interfaith Ministers Basic Training Course "ONE GOD -- MANY NAMES" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Read The Church of Seven Plane Doctrine. Learn about the beliefs of many religions. Read about being a minister and some of the responsibility. Test your new gained knowledge. Get a certificate of completion if you what one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Click Here To Read An Excellent Article On "Interfaith". |
| Rev. Bruce D. Campbell | Th.D. | Rev. Robert de Lorraine | Th.D., Met.D. |
| Mark A. Harries | Met.D | Kathleen Harries | Met.D |
| Patrick M. Harries | Met.D | Adam P. Harries | Met.D |
| Lauren Harries | Met.D | Marcellius Smith | Met.D |
| Lorraine Varese | Met.D | Rev. Susan Douglas | Ph.D. |
| Rev. William E. Conner | Ph.D. | Mike Hines | Ph.D. |
| Rev. Peter J. Franks | M.A., Ph.D. | S. Mentz | Ph.D. |
| Rev. Stefan Flacke | Ph.D. (hon.) | Rev. George M. Hines | M.A. |
| Rev. Aaron Matthew Joy | M.A. | Rev. M.F. Newberry | M.A. |
| Michael Edward Chesbro | Th.D. | Jann Graetz | Ph.D |
| Harry S. Davoust | D.Min | Stuart Morgan-Ayrs | Ph.D |
| Denise Morgan-Ayres | Ph.D | Robert Loring | Ph.D |
| Joel Readman | Met. D. |
These are only a few of our graduates to date.
Graduates posted here have given their permission for us to post their name.
NOTICE:
The material, comments, and topics presented here in this newsletter should not be considered to be the official position or doctrine of The Church of Seven Planes but only the opinion and thoughts of the editors and those that contribute to this newsletter.
Perhaps Nicolaus Copernicus was correct!
Gary O'Connor
It seems clear to me as the dialogue continues regarding the validity of religious faiths other than Christianity that there is an unspoken assumption on the part of most folks: religion equals spirituality.
Although not mutually exclusive, the two are not the same. One of the most important teachings of Jesus is that religion can actually be an impediment as we humans seek God. It is all too easy, as a Zen master pointed out centuries ago, to mistake the finger pointing at the moon for the moon itself. Religion, and religious dogma, whether Christian or any other tradition, is the finger pointing towards God; it is a roadmap for a limited and imperfect understanding of God. Humans have a tendency to want simple answers to complex questions, whether religious or political, but folks, there are very few simple answers.
Theologian John R. W. Stott points out that "Our God is often too small because He is too religious. We imagine that God is chiefly interested in religion - in religious buildings, religious activities and religious books. Of course God is concerned about these things, but only if they are related to the whole of life. According to the Old Testament prophets and the teaching of Jesus, God is very critical of `religion' if by that is meant religious services divorced from real life, loving service and the moral obedience of the heart."
We often forget that Jesus was an observant Jew. Many believe he was a teacher (Rabbi) of the Jewish mystical wisdom tradition. The first Christians were Jewish Christians, and it was not until St. Paul expanded the boundaries of the nascent movement we now call Christianity that anyone other than observant Jews could be included. Whether or not one agrees with the shift of emphasis attributable to Paul, what resulted was less emphasis on what Jesus taught as essential for right relationship with God and more on believing in Jesus. Christianity became less the religion or religious beliefs of Jesus and more the religion about Jesus.
Pastor Jim Millsap correctly points out that Christianity is "the story of deity becoming humanity so that humanity can become like deity," or as St. Athanasius put it, "God became man so that we might be made God." This belief, however, is not limited to Christianity; it is part of the mystical traditions and much of the theology of most of the world's faiths. Muslim mystic Al-Hallaj was tortured and crucified in 922 AD because he claimed "I am the Truth" (Ana al-Haqq). Since this is one of the 99 names of God in Islam it was considered heresy. Incidentally, he maintained a calm demeanor in the face of torture and also forgave his executioners.
Muslim mystic Rabia said "So precious is a person's faith in God; so precious; never should we harm that. Because He gave birth to all religions."
Ghandi wrote, "Religions are different roads converging on the same point. What does it matter that we take different roads as long as we reach the same goal? I believe that all the religions of the world are true, more or less. I say `more or less' because I believe that everything the human hand touches, by reason of the very fact that human beings are imperfect, becomes imperfect."
Any serious study of the history of religions reveals that human kind's understanding of the nature of God has evolved. The earliest religions tended to be based on some form of mother goddess and considered all of nature to be sacred. As civilizations became more complex and competitive with each other, warrior gods or "sky gods" became dominant and God became distant. Some of this progression can be seen in the Old Testament as the early Jewish concept of God became less tribal, less vengeful, less anthropomorphic and more universal and compassionate. Most early religions were polytheistic, and the gods were often limited to a specific place or a specific power, influence or ability. Monotheism first appeared in early Egypt and very likely influenced the Israelites when they were held in captivity. Zoroastrianism, the "religion of light," which developed in early Persia about 1500 BC, was also monotheistic and also likely influenced early Judaism. Through all of this, God remained the same; only human kind's perception of God changed.
My point is not in any way to diminish Christianity. Because it is a very important part of the warp and woof of our society's fabric, it is familiar, comforting and valid for our society. However, because at least in part due to the antics of some extremists who call themselves Christian, the fastest growing segment in the U.S. population is "spiritual but not religious." Our society now includes millions of people of other faiths, and I believe it is critical that Christians be open and accepting of these other faiths and actually practice the attributes of peace, love and compassion as taught by Jesus. I do not believe that He who taught inclusiveness, "love your enemies" and "turn the other cheek" would be pleased with the exclusivity promoted by many of today's Christians.
I want to close with a Hindu salutation, Namaste, which is translated into English as, "I honor the place within you where the universe resides. I honor the place within you of love and light, of peace and truth. I honor the place within you, where, when you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us."
We are all one; just as the ocean appears to be made up of millions of individual waves, underneath there is unity. I pray that we all look for the unity behind the diversity and focus on what unites us rather than what separates us.
Gary O'Connor is a Lamar County resident and an occasional contributor to The Paris News.
It seems clear to me as the dialogue continues regarding the validity of religious faiths other than Christianity that there is an unspoken assumption on the part of most folks: religion equals spirituality.
Although not mutually exclusive, the two are not the same. One of the most important teachings of Jesus is that religion can actually be an impediment as we humans seek God. It is all too easy, as a Zen master pointed out centuries ago, to mistake the finger pointing at the moon for the moon itself. Religion, and religious dogma, whether Christian or any other tradition, is the finger pointing towards God; it is a roadmap for a limited and imperfect understanding of God. Humans have a tendency to want simple answers to complex questions, whether religious or political, but folks, there are very few simple answers.
Theologian John R. W. Stott points out that "Our God is often too small because He is too religious. We imagine that God is chiefly interested in religion - in religious buildings, religious activities and religious books. Of course God is concerned about these things, but only if they are related to the whole of life. According to the Old Testament prophets and the teaching of Jesus, God is very critical of `religion' if by that is meant religious services divorced from real life, loving service and the moral obedience of the heart."
We often forget that Jesus was an observant Jew. Many believe he was a teacher (Rabbi) of the Jewish mystical wisdom tradition. The first Christians were Jewish Christians, and it was not until St. Paul expanded the boundaries of the nascent movement we now call Christianity that anyone other than observant Jews could be included. Whether or not one agrees with the shift of emphasis attributable to Paul, what resulted was less emphasis on what Jesus taught as essential for right relationship with God and more on believing in Jesus. Christianity became less the religion or religious beliefs of Jesus and more the religion about Jesus.
Pastor Jim Millsap correctly points out that Christianity is "the story of deity becoming humanity so that humanity can become like deity," or as St. Athanasius put it, "God became man so that we might be made God." This belief, however, is not limited to Christianity; it is part of the mystical traditions and much of the theology of most of the world's faiths. Muslim mystic Al-Hallaj was tortured and crucified in 922 AD because he claimed "I am the Truth" (Ana al-Haqq). Since this is one of the 99 names of God in Islam it was considered heresy. Incidentally, he maintained a calm demeanor in the face of torture and also forgave his executioners.
Muslim mystic Rabia said "So precious is a person's faith in God; so precious; never should we harm that. Because He gave birth to all religions."
Ghandi wrote, "Religions are different roads converging on the same point. What does it matter that we take different roads as long as we reach the same goal? I believe that all the religions of the world are true, more or less. I say `more or less' because I believe that everything the human hand touches, by reason of the very fact that human beings are imperfect, becomes imperfect."
Any serious study of the history of religions reveals that human kind's understanding of the nature of God has evolved. The earliest religions tended to be based on some form of mother goddess and considered all of nature to be sacred. As civilizations became more complex and competitive with each other, warrior gods or "sky gods" became dominant and God became distant. Some of this progression can be seen in the Old Testament as the early Jewish concept of God became less tribal, less vengeful, less anthropomorphic and more universal and compassionate. Most early religions were polytheistic, and the gods were often limited to a specific place or a specific power, influence or ability. Monotheism first appeared in early Egypt and very likely influenced the Israelites when they were held in captivity. Zoroastrianism, the "religion of light," which developed in early Persia about 1500 BC, was also monotheistic and also likely influenced early Judaism. Through all of this, God remained the same; only human kind's perception of God changed.
My point is not in any way to diminish Christianity. Because it is a very important part of the warp and woof of our society's fabric, it is familiar, comforting and valid for our society. However, because at least in part due to the antics of some extremists who call themselves Christian, the fastest growing segment in the U.S. population is "spiritual but not religious." Our society now includes millions of people of other faiths, and I believe it is critical that Christians be open and accepting of these other faiths and actually practice the attributes of peace, love and compassion as taught by Jesus. I do not believe that He who taught inclusiveness, "love your enemies" and "turn the other cheek" would be pleased with the exclusivity promoted by many of today's Christians.
I want to close with a Hindu salutation, Namaste, which is translated into English as, "I honor the place within you where the universe resides. I honor the place within you of love and light, of peace and truth. I honor the place within you, where, when you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us."
We are all one; just as the ocean appears to be made up of millions of individual waves, underneath there is unity. I pray that we all look for the unity behind the diversity and focus on what unites us rather than what separates us.
Gary O'Connor is a Lamar County resident and an occasional contributor to The Paris News.
Merry Meet Folks,
My name is Rev. Brian E.W. Layng, HP. I am a Witch and have been a practicing pagan for over 20 + years. I was approached a while ago to do a column for this wonderful newsletter a few months ago, with an idea to have a question and answer editorial about The Craft. This editorial is so that the members of the CSP, who are not of the Craft, nor are Wiccan, can ask a question and receive an answer from someone that is actually practicing the art known as Witchcraft. It gives you the readers a chance to learn first-hand about the nature and reality of what we are about, rather then taking and gathering information from outside sources, such as other religious or spiritual clergy, news, internet, movies and such, where the information may be less then credible. Now I understand that all Witches/Wiccans are different and that we all have our own thoughts and philosophies, so my answers here in no way reflect the overall opinion of the entire community, minus anything that may be relevant to the historical nature of the Craft and Wicca.
This editorial column will also allow me to delve deeper into the history and such of my own practice and rekindle some of the love that I have for my faith, as we all know that over time, we come to slow down in our studies and research of why we believe what we believe. It will answer questions for you and give you the information, as well as allow me to look at things that I may have overlooked in the course of my studies, or give me a fresh perspective on those questions, as my age and maturity grow. So if you have a question, please feel free to email me at:
My name is Rev. Brian E.W. Layng, HP. I am a Witch and have been a practicing pagan for over 20 + years. I was approached a while ago to do a column for this wonderful newsletter a few months ago, with an idea to have a question and answer editorial about The Craft. This editorial is so that the members of the CSP, who are not of the Craft, nor are Wiccan, can ask a question and receive an answer from someone that is actually practicing the art known as Witchcraft. It gives you the readers a chance to learn first-hand about the nature and reality of what we are about, rather then taking and gathering information from outside sources, such as other religious or spiritual clergy, news, internet, movies and such, where the information may be less then credible. Now I understand that all Witches/Wiccans are different and that we all have our own thoughts and philosophies, so my answers here in no way reflect the overall opinion of the entire community, minus anything that may be relevant to the historical nature of the Craft and Wicca.
This editorial column will also allow me to delve deeper into the history and such of my own practice and rekindle some of the love that I have for my faith, as we all know that over time, we come to slow down in our studies and research of why we believe what we believe. It will answer questions for you and give you the information, as well as allow me to look at things that I may have overlooked in the course of my studies, or give me a fresh perspective on those questions, as my age and maturity grow. So if you have a question, please feel free to email me at:
cfspclergy@yahoo.ca
and I will do my best to answer your questions as promptly as I can.
May the Lord and Lady bless you and yours!
Merry Part and Merry Meet Again!
Rev. Brian E.W. Layng, HP
and I will do my best to answer your questions as promptly as I can.
May the Lord and Lady bless you and yours!
Merry Part and Merry Meet Again!
Rev. Brian E.W. Layng, HP
What is the meaning of the OSM shield?
The cross in the center stands for the original four members who came from four different beliefs.
The cross in the upper right stands for the four corners of the earth from which our members come.
The lion stands for courage and the strength of the order.
The clam stands for the tight knight community we have as an order and as a church.
The leaf stands for growth, the growth of the order as well as the church of which we are a part of.
The white or silver in the background stands for the purity of our beliefs and of our actions.
The red stands for the blood that has been shed over the eons so that we can have freedom of religion and expression.
The cross in the upper right stands for the four corners of the earth from which our members come.
The lion stands for courage and the strength of the order.
The clam stands for the tight knight community we have as an order and as a church.
The leaf stands for growth, the growth of the order as well as the church of which we are a part of.
The white or silver in the background stands for the purity of our beliefs and of our actions.
The red stands for the blood that has been shed over the eons so that we can have freedom of religion and expression.
Taken as a whole, the shield represents an order of Knights who though they may have different beliefs they can come together under one banner.
In previous editions of this newsletter the editor's thought it was important to use an "Interfaith Calendar" and mention spiritual or religious days the month before that event. This gave a period of time before the event for the readers of the newsletter to research for themselves and then prepare to participate in that event if they were interested in the event. Also a brief description of the significance of the day was included so as to try to at least explain the concept of that day or event. It is the opinion of the editor's that this calendar served a useful and important function but the complexity and length of all the descriptions caused the newsletter to lose format and because of that, email delivery of the newsletter became confused. Therefore the practice of providing a description will be eliminated. However, it remains the editor's belief that understanding the significance of religions days or events is important not only to an Interfaith Church but to all people everywhere that must live together in a global community. Therefore the editors strongly and passionately suggests that you investigate the importance of the interfaith calendar.
June 2011 Calendar Of Important Religious Days
***** June 2011*****
June 1st Yom Yerushalayim (Jewish )
June 2nd Ascension Day (Christian )
June 5th Ascension Day (Catholic Church in England and Wales) (Christian )
June 8th Shavuot (1st day) (Jewish )
June 12th Pentecost - Whitsun (Christian )
June 16th Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh )
June 19th Trinity Sunday (Christian ) and All Saints' Day (Orthodox) (Christian )
June 21st Summer Solstice - Litha (Pagan )
June 23rd Corpus Christi (Christian )
June 26th Corpus Christi (Catholic Church in England and Wales) (Christian )
June 29th St Peter's Day (Christian )
June 2nd Ascension Day (Christian )
June 5th Ascension Day (Catholic Church in England and Wales) (Christian )
June 8th Shavuot (1st day) (Jewish )
June 12th Pentecost - Whitsun (Christian )
June 16th Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh )
June 19th Trinity Sunday (Christian ) and All Saints' Day (Orthodox) (Christian )
June 21st Summer Solstice - Litha (Pagan )
June 23rd Corpus Christi (Christian )
June 26th Corpus Christi (Catholic Church in England and Wales) (Christian )
June 29th St Peter's Day (Christian )
**** June 2011 ****
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.