A Modest Proposal by Fred Harris
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A Modest Proposal by Fred Harris
Before enlightenment: chop wood, carry water The Urantia Book encourages us to spread the “good news.” How that is accomplished has been a debate over the years. Some have been proponents of reader groups and slow growth. Others have wanted to publicize it to advise the world of this epochal revelation. More recently social media has been employed, and also The Urantia Book is now available for free, in multiple languages, over the internet. But people crave community as well. There has been some talk about starting a Urantia church and creating Urantia housing enclaves. But there is a substantial upfront capital cost as well as a history of failure to accomplish these goals. Currently, in most communities, there are far too few Urantia Book readers to support a church or separate housing development. Even in the places where there are more Urantia Book readers, such as Boulder, Colorado, or San Francisco, California, the logistics of such efforts are difficult and expensive. At the same time, the membership in most mainstream Christian churches is shrinking. My proposal is simple, effective, and low cost. Join a Christian church (actually, any church or spiritual community will work, but for this proposal, I’m suggesting a Christian church). I joined one and the following is informed by my experiences with the Presbyterian Church of Quincy, Florida, of which I am a member and a deacon. First, go to several Christian churches in your area to see which one has a preacher whose message is most consistent with The Urantia Book. Then, attend that church as a visitor. You will be noticed and approached by people in the congregation, as they want to welcome visitors and encourage them to join the church. After a few weeks of visiting, if you are interested in joining, go to the minister and tell him that you are interested, but let the minister know that you are a Urantia Book reader so that you won’t be joining under false pretenses. If the elders of the church (who will be told about your beliefs) vote to admit you, then the chance that you will be asked to leave as a result of your Urantia Book beliefs will be diminished significantly. Once you become a member, be friendly and get to know the people who are members of the church. Volunteer for service projects. We build ramps for the elderly, have a food bank, and have a clothes closet. Go to Sunday school, which is a good place to discuss Urantia Book concepts. If possible don’t mention that The Urantia Book is where you are getting your ideas. If pushed, by all means, fess up, but don’t become overbearing about your Urantia Book beliefs. It is best to demonstrate them. Once you show yourself to be friendly and a part of that church community, your ability to influence people will be expanded. Plus, you will find yourself in a spiritual community. This proposal does not require a large capital investment (although you will be expected to financially support your church, just as you would if it was a Urantia Book church). All parties are benefited. The Christian churches add members. Urantia Book readers get to join a spiritual community and are able to assist in adding Urantia Book concepts to the theology of the church. The “good news” can be spread. The Urantia Book basically tells us that this will work when it says: This [Christian] church is only the larval stage of the thwarted spiritual kingdom, which will carry it through this material age and over into a more spiritual dispensation where the Master’s teachings may enjoy a fuller opportunity for development. Thus does the so-called Christian church become the cocoon in which the kingdom of Jesus’ concept now slumbers (170:5.21 [1866.4]). Hold high the mission! Lighten life!
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