Online Seminary

Q.1. ) If your faith taught you that you were to “keep separate” from the secular world (assuming that it doesn’t), what would you do if the government ordered you to participate at threat of jail time? What if the consequences included potential death (as it did for Jehovah’s Witnesses in World War II Germany)?

A.1. ) I would do time in jail! As an example I recently wrote a piece about Gay Marriage and drawing a line in the sand. My conclusion was that I, would do time in prison or even except death if I, as a minister would be legislated to perform a Marriage between Gay couples. I believe that if such a law were enforced upon religions that did not agree with the new policy that many religious leaders would be faced with this very moral dilemma. Thus, having to make a choice them selves.

However, to me it is a play on words that could be negated if the parties involved were to consider the options. Ether exempt religious faiths that took a stand against this mandate and only require the local Justice of the Peace to perform these duties, or for them (the Gay Community), to consider not using the word marriage so as not to imply the union that is held sacred by many religious faiths as being between a man and a woman. Rather, calling it a union or even common law, or even a civil union, these are considered by many states as a common and legal solution already in place by local and state governments and would hold up in a court of law at any supreme court level. There is “NO need” to change or amend the constitutions on the federal or state levels if an agreement is the final consensus.

Q.2. ) If your faith taught you that it was your religious duty to “get involved” in the secular world (assuming that it doesn’t) to ensure that the secular world conforms to the teachings of God (as they understand them), what would you do when a different religious group complained that their religious freedom was being denied as a result? Would you exempt them? Would you punish them for not acquiescing? Would you decide that any negative consequences for them were brought about by their refusal to comply with the Will of God?

A.2. ) Again, I would do the time in prison if forced to do something that went against my beliefs, Although, I might consider an common solution for other parties but only after much discourse on the matter. Punishment is not what I was taught as a solution to the problems that come by secular means. Diplomacy and Compromise if rendered fair between all parties seems to be a more preferred way of coming to a conclusion to any situation.

However, if those negotiations break down as a result of one party not being willing to compromise, than as in many cases the majority rule is imposed by the other parties and made to happen, even if by force. Granted that with this option it would be a travesty for many involved or even indirectly involved not to mention that a great deal of unnecessary sufferings would be imposed on both parties. In the Christian Holy Bible Christ says, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.
(Luke ch.20. ver.25).

The implantation here is the separation of Church and State but also that we are to do as the law requires unless it is against our beliefs, then we are to take a stand and get involved. In doing so we risk the suffering of many for the common good of all. There is only a problem if there is opposition to what ever cause be the issue of contention. We by faith and by direct communication are taught that we should, in prayer leave our request to the Lord God and have the faith that in doing so, it shall be granted by that measure of faith.

So sitting back and doing nothing is to me not relevant but sitting back knowing that I could do something about what ever situation was at hand and then still choosing to do nothing would constitute a mortal sin for not complying an effort to render the situation to a conclusion that complied to the belief that Christ taught us and commanded us, which is to love thy neighbor as thy self.

So in other words, if I don’t want it to happen to me, then why would I want it to happen to someone else. In this case it is not an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. It is rather about Christian Love.  Fight when backed into a corner but only as a last result, justifying it to those same principles.

Rev.Fr. Andrew R. M. Manley

Some say that because the Buddha found it necessary to leave home and seek enlightenment, his message is that it is only possible to be enlightened if your are a monk.  I disagree!  I see everyone’s journey to enlightenment as a personal and autonomous endeavor.  Buddhism is far from external forms.  You don’t have to study long and involved scriptures, eat only special kind of food, wear any special clothes, attend a church, chant or even meditate. 

 The lost scriptures.

 Not being a theologian it is hard for me to get into huge detail about this lesson.
 Several years ago I picked up a copy of the Apocrypha which is the old testament books that were left out for whatever reason.

 Probably due to lack of proof it was scripture.

 What I noticed about the common denominators between the Old Testament and the New Testament is that they both share promises of Christs first and second coming
 and both sides of the Bible are invitations for lost man to return to God.

 However when I read this lesson I was kind of annoyed. It is no different than the media censoring what news we do and do not see.

 The biblical scholars and theologians in all of their wisdom have decided for us what is and is not worthy of cannonizing as scripture.

 I believe the scriptures that are not included in the bible should be readily available in book stores and churches so we can make our own informed decisions on
 what God has to say to us.

 I am however confident that God has the ability to protect and preserve his word. It is after all what many prophets have lived and died for and even one book in the
 bible is enough information by itself for a church to thrive on.

 I have heard it said in some countries where the church is persecuted that the members have a bible with all the books pulled apart and each home takes a turn with one or two of the books. So Gods word is powerful and efficient in even small doses if we pray for Gods wisdom.

 The Trinity.

  This is a huge subject and I am glad this lesson covered it.
  I have noticed a lot of churches are scared off by this topic and even a lot of my friends think it is off limits to debate.

  The thing is that the word trinity does not exist in the bible and if the issue of the 3 aspects of God described in the Bible must be addressed then this is how I see it. “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one,” found in Deuteronomy 6:4.

  We are dealing with one God with 3 aspects he has revealed to us. He is a Father to us and his holy spirit would be his driving force or his will.

  In the bible such as in Judges when it says the spirit of God stirred in Samson the very will of God came on him to do Gods work.

  When Mary conceived of the Spirit of God she conceived of the will/the purpose/the driving force of God. A part of God came into this world to take away from men what we could not do through the law (as good as it was it was imperfect in our hands) and God took over the sacrifice through  Jesus which is Gods word made flesh.

  How many parts or dimensions of God are there? I believe there is much more to God than we have been shown, but God has shown us enough to love him and  to come to him. Anything beyond that would probably not be conducive to producing the salvation God desires.

  But this lesson was still good in showing the history of the trinity and how it got started. This is one of the lessons I plan on going into further.
 
  As for the other lessons I will have to continue on them later.

 Thank you. Colin Burgess.

It truly has been a wonderful experience to take this course. I have always found Philosophy interesting in all aspects of the word, but this course is different in several ways. One being, that it is dedicated to the religions and personal beliefs of our planet past, present, and to some degree the future.

I know I’m a lot more informed now than I was, even though I have studied many different religions both secular and non secular in respects before. One of the more interesting though was the Hare Krishna’s. Back in the early 1980’s I actually joined the priesthood of a temple in San Diego, California and became known as a Bakta in the Hindu faith. Just so I could try and understand who these people were and what they believed. It was an experience that has aided me many times in my life to deal with individuals from India that were Hindu. It’s strange to them to see how much I know about their religion and it becomes a common starting point of respect between us.

This course is much like that experience in my life, it has opened my eyes and my heart to other types of briefs that not many people are willing to try to understand. Granted it is only a beginning point of study, but it has tripped my intuitive side and I am sure I will not stop with just this course. No matter what, it is a great course to start with, when trying to understand what faith is and what others hold true to their knowledge and hearts. The fact is that this course takes you to the beginning of mankind and speaks about the archeological findings that support the prehistoric cultures and their beliefs. And then takes you to a discussion of what the future of religion will look like, if it survives humanity.

I hope whoever reads this, will take seriously the intention behind it, it is my pleasure to be able to help you to decide to take this wonderful course. It will offer you an insight on the world and peoples in your neighborhood and give you the opportunities to break through barriers that have stood the test of time. So don’t hesitate to sign up today for this course. It is a rare opportunity that you have today to learn something new, different, and exciting.

Rev.Fr. Andrew R. M. Manley