Researchers, at the University of British Columbia in Canada, published the conclusions of their 30 year study of the effect of religion on society in the October issue of their Science Research Journal. In a nutshell, the research revealed that religion can stimulate goodness.

 

This paper reviewed data from anthropology, sociology, psychology and economics. The researchers found irrefutable evidence that religion contributed to the rise of large, stable societies of unrelated individuals.

 

According to one of the researchers, a doctoral student, religiously motivated ‘Virtuous’ behaviour has more than likely played a pivotal social role throughout our history. Perhaps, one reason we now have large, cooperative societies, may be that in the past, societies worked cooperatively together by relying on the inexpensive social policing duties of all-powerful ‘gods’.

 

Down through the ages, these researchers observed, that the idea of an omnipotent, concerned “god” usually spawned large-scale stable societies that eventually passed on their cultural beliefs to the rest of our civilisation.

 

Today, religion does not have a monopoly on kindness or generosity. Today, even non-believers act just as helpfully, and sincerely, as believers, and some of the most cooperative modern societies are also the most secular. People have found other ways of cooperating with each other – without the need to believe in God. But, without the foundations laid by religion, in the past, who knows what sort of barbaric society we would be living in.

 

Yes, religion has certainly helped form our civilisation, let’s not allow recent happenings involving some misguided religious individuals cloud our realisation of the vital role religion has played in our overall development.  Let’s not play into the hands of the ‘dark forces’ and slam the door on our spiritual heritage because of some half baked, self proclaimed spiritual leader’s sexual or financial monkey business.

 

Religion may still have a lot to offer. It may well be, that the key that opens the doors to The Father’s Mansions, can only be found in religion. Until we know better, let’s not throw that key away.

 

Each year, more and more experts conduct studies on the effect of prayer on healing; and each year, more and more doctors are realising the consequence of prayer on their patients. Research shows that prayer is the most common complement to mainstream medicine, far outpacing acupuncture, herbs and other alternative remedies – it is free and has no physical side effects to boot.

 

A well known oncologist once observed that one of the biggest stumbling blocks to healing, a person encounters is fear, and whatever a person uses to appease that fear or anxiety is certainly worth trying – prayer tops the list here.

 

Prayer and faith permits you to place your life into the hands of someone who is far more powerful, more able than you are; and because of that, that sense of fear and anxiety is reduced, says a well known pastor of a Christian church in Orlando.

 

Therefore, for peace of mind, and the accompanying healthy mentality - faith, spirituality and prayer are an indispensable part of society. As in all matters of faith, “Proof” of the efficacy of prayer does not even come into the equation. Prayer is of the psyche, and things of that realm transcend the need for physical proof. 

 

 

 

RELIGION & THE COSMOS

 

Often it is insinuated that when one starts talking about extraterrestrials and human life on other planets, the authority of the Bible is automatically undermined, and shades of atheism creep in. In fact nothing can be further than the truth. Rather than yours truly trying to lecture on the subject, let our friends from the stars do the talking…

 

Taylanz, from the Koldas group of planets has this to say…“It seems strange that you should have so many religions ….., believe in and acknowledge the Devine One (our Heavenly Father?). In this Confederation we have only one religion ….; although the planets differ in their methods of worship. On my planet Byronne, we sing our praises out loud, yet on Koldas they meditate and worship in silence. Other planets vary again in their attitude to prayer. On Grandor, they kneel and pray. Though outward forms of worship may differ, we all believe in the same Divine One.”

 

All civilised planets believe in One Supreme Creator / Divine One. Isn’t that what WE, even Christians are supposed to believe? There should be no conflict of interest. In fact, the more we learn about this great creation of Our Father, His many mansions, and His most wonderful celestial family – the more we learn of all this; the closer it should draw us to Him. If it doesn’t there must be something seriously wrong with our mind-set.

 

The strange looking being from the Planet Iarga was speaking with Stefan Denaerde, a wealthy Dutch engineer. He could not quite understand how someone with so much property can seriously call himself Christian. “We are intrigued.” Said this cosmic guest. (You can read this remarkable story in CONTACT FROM PLANET IARGA by Stefen Denaerde & Wendelle Stevens).

 

The visitor from space continued… telling Stefan that they were familiar with the work of Christ and the Bible. And describing one’s self as Christian should simplify the explanation of the two basic cosmic selection laws.

 

The first confirms Christ’s condemnation of social discrimination. Social discrimination leads to social chaos. Each social group strives to have more than its neighbour. Weapons are developed to ensure their ‘safety’. More powerful weapons are developed, to instil fear into any transgressing group. Eventually someone develops a weapon that is capable of destroying all mankind. How long can civilisation last where science does not know its responsibilities?

 

The second cosmic selection law compels the correct understanding of human relationships. It stresses ‘Christian love’, as a condition for cosmic integration. Only unselfish behaviour that restores the original efficiency of natural order can give an intelligent race the certainty of survival.

 

The word ‘unselfish’ sounds out of place in today’s world.

 

 

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