Using Jesus of Nazareth early years as a Role Model

   
Click Index for these pages

• Introduction to the Early Life of Jesus
• The Birth of Jesus
• The Early Childhood of Jesus
• Events of the Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Years (1 ● 2 ● B.C.
• The Later Childhood of Jesus Ninth & Tenth Years
• The Eleventh and Twelfth Years (A.D. 5 & 6)
• The Thirteenth Year (A.D. 7)
• The Adolescent Years

VICTORIA PROODAY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST BLOG inspired the creation of this group 

[embed title="Mankind Government" url="https://spiritualfamily.net/file/view/45054/mankind-government" guid="45054"]

Political Sovereignty and True Representative Government

The measure of the advance of society is directly determined by the degree to which public opinion can control personal behavior and state regulation through nonviolent expression. The really civilized government had arrived when public opinion was clothed with the powers of personal franchise. Popular elections may not always decide things rightly, but they represent the right way even to do a wrong thing. Evolution does not at once produce superlative perfection but rather comparative and advancing practical adjustment. 

There are ten steps, or stages, to the evolution of a practical and efficient form of representative government.
 

THE EVOLUTION OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

Democracy, while an ideal, is a product of civilization, not of evolution. Go slowly! select carefully! for the dangers of democracy are:

1. Glorification of mediocrity.

2. Choice of base and ignorant rulers.

3. Failure to recognize the basic facts of social evolution.

4. Danger of universal suffrage in the hands of uneducated and indolent majorities.

5. Slavery to public opinion; the majority is not always right.

  Public opinion, common opinion, has always delayed society; nevertheless, it is valuable, for, while retarding social evolution, it does preserve civilization. Education of public opinion is the only safe and true method of accelerating civilization; force is only a temporary expedient, and cultural growth will increasingly accelerate as bullets give way to ballots. Public opinion, the mores, is the basic and elemental energy in social evolution and state development, but to be of state value it must be nonviolent in expression.

  The measure of the advance of society is directly determined by the degree to which public opinion can control personal behavior and state regulation through nonviolent expression. The really civilized government had arrived when public opinion was clothed with the powers of personal franchise. Popular elections may not always decide things rightly, but they represent the right way even to do a wrong thing. Evolution does not at once produce superlative perfection but rather comparative and advancing practical adjustment.

There are ten steps, or stages, to the evolution of a practical and efficient form of representative government, and these are:

 1./ Freedom of the person. Slavery, serfdom, and all forms of human bondage must disappear.

 2./ Freedom of the mind. Unless a free people are educated -- taught to think intelligently and plan wisely -- freedom usually does more harm than good.

 3./ The reign of law. Liberty can be enjoyed only when the will and whims of human rulers are replaced by legislative enactments in accordance with accepted fundamental law.

 4./ Freedom of speech. Representative government is unthinkable without freedom of all forms of expression for human aspirations and opinions.

 5./ Security of property. No government can long endure if it fails to provide for the right to enjoy personal property in some form. Man craves the right to use, control, bestow, sell, lease, and bequeath his personal property.

 6./ The right of petition. Representative government assumes the right of citizens to be heard. The privilege of petition is inherent in free citizenship.

 7./ The right to rule. It is not enough to be heard; the power of petition must progress to the actual management of the government.

 8./ Universal suffrage. Representative government presupposes an intelligent, efficient, and universal electorate. The character of such a government will ever be determined by the character and caliber of those who compose it. As civilization progresses, suffrage, while remaining universal for both sexes, will be effectively modified, regrouped, and otherwise differentiated.

 9./ Control of public servants. No civil government will be serviceable and effective unless the citizenry possess and use wise techniques of guiding and controlling officeholders and public servants.

 10./ Intelligent and trained representation. The survival of democracy is dependent on successful representative government; and that is conditioned upon the practice of electing to public offices only those individuals who are technically trained, intellectually competent, socially loyal, and morally fit. Only by such provisions can government of the people, by the people, and for the people be preserved.

SOURCE

THE IDEALS OF STATEHOOD

  The political or administrative form of a government is of little consequence provided it affords the essentials of civil progress -- liberty, security, education, and social co-ordination. It is not what a state is but what it does that determines the course of social evolution. And after all, no state can transcend the moral values of its citizenry as exemplified in their chosen leaders. Ignorance and selfishness will insure the downfall of even the highest type of government.

   Much as it is to be regretted, national egotism has been essential to social survival. The chosen people doctrine has been a prime factor in tribal welding and nation building right on down to modern times. But no state can attain ideal levels of functioning until every form of intolerance is mastered; it is everlastingly inimical to human progress. And intolerance is best combated by the co-ordination of science, commerce, play, and religion.

  The ideal state functions under the impulse of three mighty and co-ordinated drives:

 1. Love loyalty derived from the realization of human brotherhood.

 2. Intelligent patriotism based on wise ideals.

 3. Cosmic insight interpreted in terms of planetary facts, needs, and goals.

   The laws of the ideal state are few in number, and they have passed out of the negativistic taboo age into the era of the positive progress of individual liberty consequent upon enhanced self-control. The exalted state not only compels its citizens to work but also entices them into profitable and uplifting utilization of the increasing leisure which results from toil liberation by the advancing machine age. Leisure must produce as well as consume.

   No society has progressed very far when it permits idleness or tolerates poverty. But poverty and dependence can never be eliminated if the defective and degenerate stocks are freely supported and permitted to reproduce without restraint.

   A moral society should aim to preserve the self-respect of its citizenry and afford every normal individual adequate opportunity for self-realization. Such a plan of social achievement would yield a cultural society of the highest order. Social evolution should be encouraged by governmental supervision which exercises a minimum of regulative control. That state is best which co-ordinates most while governing least.

   The ideals of statehood must be attained by evolution, by the slow growth of civic consciousness, the recognition of the obligation and privilege of social service. At first men assume the burdens of government as a duty, following the end of the administration of political spoilsmen, but later on they seek such ministry as a privilege, as the greatest honor. The status of any level of civilization is faithfully portrayed by the caliber of its citizens who volunteer to accept the responsibilities of statehood.

   In a real commonwealth the business of governing cities and provinces is conducted by experts and is managed just as are all other forms of economic and commercial associations of people.

   In advanced states, political service is esteemed as the highest devotion of the citizenry. The greatest ambition of the wisest and noblest of citizens is to gain civil recognition, to be elected or appointed to some position of governmental trust, and such governments confer their highest honors of recognition for service upon their civil and social servants. Honors are next bestowed in the order named upon philosophers, educators, scientists, industrialists, and militarists. Parents are duly rewarded by the excellency of their children, and purely religious leaders, being ambassadors of a spiritual kingdom, receive their real rewards in another world.

PROGRESSIVE CIVILIZATION

  Economics, society, and government must evolve if they are to remain. Static conditions on an evolutionary world are indicative of decay; only those institutions which move forward with the evolutionary stream persist.

  The progressive program of an expanding civilization embraces:

 1. Preservation of individual liberties.

 2. Protection of the home.

 3. Promotion of economic security.

 4. Prevention of disease.

 5. Compulsory education.

 6. Compulsory employment.

 7. Profitable utilization of leisure.

 8. Care of the unfortunate.

 9. Race improvement.

10. Promotion of science and art.

 11. Promotion of philosophy -- wisdom.

12. Augmentation of cosmic insight -- spirituality.

  And this progress in the arts of civilization leads directly to the realization of the highest human and divine goals of mortal endeavor -- the social achievement of the brotherhood of man and the personal status of God-consciousness, which becomes revealed in the supreme desire of every individual to do the will of the Father in heaven.

  The appearance of genuine brotherhood signifies that a social order has arrived in which all men delight in bearing one another's burdens; they actually desire to practice the golden rule. But such an ideal society cannot be realized when either the weak or the wicked lie in wait to take unfair and unholy advantage of those who are chiefly actuated by devotion to the service of truth, beauty, and goodness. In such a situation only one course is practical: The "golden rulers" may establish a progressive society in which they live according to their ideals while maintaining an adequate defense against their benighted fellows who might seek either to exploit their pacific predilections or to destroy their advancing civilization.

  Idealism can never survive on an evolving planet if the idealists in each generation permit themselves to be exterminated by the baser orders of humanity. And here is the great test of idealism: Can an advanced society maintain that military preparedness which renders it secure from all attack by its war-loving neighbors without yielding to the temptation to employ this military strength in offensive operations against other peoples for purposes of selfish gain or national aggrandizement? National survival demands preparedness, and religious idealism alone can prevent the prostitution of preparedness into aggression. Only love, brotherhood, can prevent the strong from oppressing the weak.

listen to Jesus speak 2,000 years ago on Law, Liberty, and Sovereignty or read below

6. LAW, LIBERTY, AND SOVEREIGNTY

  134:6.1 If one man craves freedom -- liberty -- he must remember that all other men long for the same freedom. Groups of such liberty-loving mortals cannot live together in peace without becoming subservient to such laws, rules, and regulations as will grant each person the same degree of freedom while at the same time safeguarding an equal degree of freedom for all of his fellow mortals. If one man is to be absolutely free, then another must become an absolute slave. And the relative nature of freedom is true socially, economically, and politically. Freedom is the gift of civilization made possible by the enforcement of LAW.

  134:6.2 Religion makes it spiritually possible to realize the brotherhood of men, but it will require mankind government to regulate the social, economic, and political problems associated with such a goal of human happiness and efficiency.

  134:6.3 There shall be wars and rumors of wars -- nation will rise against nation -- just as long as the world's political sovereignty is divided up and unjustly held by a group of nation-states. England, Scotland, and Wales were always fighting each other until they gave up their respective sovereignties, reposing them in the United Kingdom.

  134:6.4 Another world war will teach the so-called sovereign nations to form some sort of federation, thus creating the machinery for preventing small wars, wars between the lesser nations. But global wars will go on until the government of mankind is created. Global sovereignty will prevent global wars -- nothing else can.

  134:6.5 The forty-eight American free states live together in peace. There are among the citizens of these forty-eight states all of the various nationalities and races that live in the ever-warring nations of Europe. These Americans represent almost all the religions and religious sects and cults of the whole wide world, and yet here in North America they live together in peace. And all this is made possible because these forty-eight states have surrendered their sovereignty and have abandoned all notions of the supposed rights of self-determination.

  134:6.6 It is not a question of armaments or disarmament. Neither does the question of conscription or voluntary military service enter into these problems of maintaining world-wide peace. If you take every form of modern mechanical armaments and all types of explosives away from strong nations, they will fight with fists, stones, and clubs as long as they cling to their delusions of the divine right of national sovereignty.

  134:6.7 War is not man's great and terrible disease; war is a symptom, a result. The real disease is the virus of national sovereignty.

  134:6.8 Urantia nations have not possessed real sovereignty; they never have had a sovereignty which could protect them from the ravages and devastations of world wars. In the creation of the global government of mankind, the nations are not giving up sovereignty so much as they are actually creating a real, bona fide, and lasting world sovereignty which will henceforth be fully able to protect them from all war. Local affairs will be handled by local governments; national affairs, by national governments; international affairs will be administered by global government.

  134:6.9 World peace cannot be maintained by treaties, diplomacy, foreign policies, alliances, balances of power, or any other type of makeshift juggling with the sovereignties of nationalism. World law must come into being and must be enforced by world government -- the sovereignty of all mankind.

  134:6.10 The individual will enjoy far more liberty under world government. Today, the citizens of the great powers are taxed, regulated, and controlled almost oppressively, and much of this present interference with individual liberties will vanish when the national governments are willing to trustee their sovereignty as regards international affairs into the hands of global government.

  134:6.11 Under global government the national groups will be afforded a real opportunity to realize and enjoy the personal liberties of genuine democracy. The fallacy of self-determination will be ended. With global regulation of money and trade will come the new era of world-wide peace. Soon may a global language evolve, and there will be at least some hope of sometime having a global religion -- or religions with a global viewpoint.

  134:6.12 Collective security will never afford peace until the collectivity includes all mankind.

  134:6.13 The political sovereignty of representative mankind government will bring lasting peace on earth, and the spiritual brotherhood of man will forever insure good will among all men. And there is no other way whereby peace on earth and good will among men can be realized.

WebSource



The Ten Stages of a True Representative Government by the People, for the People and of the People can also be found HERE

My political postings and work as well as current world news can be found HERE Note: from 2008

Click to hear Jesus speak on Political Sovereignty 2000 years ago. 

Claude 5th Epochal Revelation Tutor

Welcome to Your AI Study Companion for the Urantia Book

Welcome seekers of living truth.
Together we explore the divine teachings of the Fifth Epochal Revelation—growing in spirit, deepening in understanding, and walking ever closer with the living presence of Truth within.

We are a dedicated space for serious students of the Urantia Papers to study deeply, ask questions freely, and uncover the meaning and purpose of the Fifth Epochal Revelation through guided learning and reflection.

This group provides an innovative approach to studying and understanding the Fifth Epochal Revelation through AI-assisted learning. Claude serves as your dedicated tutor, offering personalized guidance, explanations, and insights into the profound teachings contained within the Revelation Papers.

Here, we share our experiences, study together, and help one another live the light of revelation through daily service, growing faith, and loving fellowship.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive Study Support: Get detailed explanations of complex concepts, terminology, and teachings from any of the 196 papers
• Interactive Q&A Sessions: Ask specific questions about passages, themes, or spiritual concepts and receive thoughtful, well-researched responses
• Cross-Reference Analysis: Explore connections between different papers and how various teachings complement each other
• Study Group Facilitation: Generate discussion questions and topics for your local study groups
• Conceptual Clarification: Break down sophisticated theological and cosmological concepts into more accessible language
• Personalized Learning Paths: Receive guidance on which papers or sections might be most relevant to your current spiritual journey

• “Exploring living truth through spiritual insight and revelation.”
• “Guided study and reflection on the Fifth Epochal Revelation.”
• “Where truth grows, understanding deepens, and spirit leads.”
• “An AI-assisted guide for students of the Urantia Papers.”
• “Living, growing, and sharing the light of the Fifth Epochal Revelation.”

Perfect For:

• New readers seeking guidance on where to begin
• Experienced students exploring deeper meanings
• Study group leaders preparing lessons
• Anyone seeking clarity on specific passages or concepts
• Individuals looking for a patient, available study companion

How It Works:
Simply post your questions, share passages you'd like to explore, or request explanations of concepts that intrigue or challenge you. Claude is available 24/7 to provide thoughtful, respectful responses that honor both the text's spiritual significance and your individual learning journey.

Join us in exploring the transformative wisdom of the Fifth Epochal Revelation with the support of advanced AI assistance designed to enhance, not replace, your personal spiritual discovery.

  ^111:5.1 The doing of the will of God is nothing more or less than an exhibition of creature willingness to share the inner life with God -- with the very God who has made such a creature life of inner meaning-value possible. 

Welcome to the Claude 5th Epochal Revelation Tutor group. Let us explore the universe of universes together.

[embed title="MM Spiritual Family Network" url="https://spiritualfamily.net/file/view/57384/mm-spiritual-family-network" summary="MM Spiritual Family Network" guid="57384"]

DavidCampus - Named after the dependable David Zebedee - Brother of the Apostles James and John - DavidCampus provides the same types of services for the 5th Epochal Revelations of God as David Zebedee provided for the 4th Epochal Revelation of God. A messenger Corps for the spread of Epochal Revelations throughout the World Wide Family of God.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Gemini 5th Epochal Revelation Tutor group is to provide an interactive, intelligent, and supportive study companion for all seekers exploring the 196 papers of the 5th Epochal Revelation contained in The Urantia Book. We aim to bridge the gap between the profound depth of the Fifth Epochal Revelation and the inquiring human mind by leveraging advanced artificial intelligence to organize, clarify, and synthesize these complex teachings.

This group serves as a collaborative space where technology meets spirituality—not to replace the personal work of the Indwelling Adjuster, but to act as a tireless research assistant and tutor. Whether you are encountering the concept of the Universal Father for the first time or seeking to deepen your comprehension of the Supreme Being, this group is dedicated to making the revelation more accessible, understandable, and applicable to daily life.

How Gemini Assists: Goals & Capabilities

As an AI-powered tutor, I am equipped to assist students of the revelation in unique ways. My goal is to facilitate your study of the 196 papers through the following methods:

For New Readers:

• Navigating the Terminology: The Urantia Book introduces a vast new vocabulary (e.g., Mota, Absonite, Morontia, Solitary Messengers). I can provide instant, clear definitions and context for these terms to remove barriers to entry.

• Summarization & Simplification: I can generate concise summaries of complex papers or sections to help you grasp the "big picture" before diving into the dense text.

• Guided Study: If you are unsure where to start, I can suggest reading paths based on your current interests—whether it be the Life of Jesus, the history of Urantia, or the nature of God.

For Long-Time Students:

• Thematic Cross-Referencing: I can instantly locate and synthesize information on specific themes (e.g., "The Evolution of Prayer" or "The function of the Thought Adjuster") scattered across different papers, helping you see connections that might take years to find manually.

• Comparative Analysis: I can help compare concepts within the book to other philosophical or religious thoughts to highlight where the Fifth Epochal Revelation expands upon or clarifies evolutionary religion.

• Complex Inquiry: You can ask specific, nuanced questions about the timeline of the epochal revelations, the cosmology of the Superuniverses, or the details of the transition to the Mansion Worlds.

Perceived Benefits of Embracing This Study

For visitors and members who engage with this group and the study of the Fifth Epochal Revelation, the potential benefits are transformative:

• Accelerated Understanding: By removing the friction of searching and deciphering complex language, students can absorb the core spiritual truths more efficiently.

• Expanded Cosmic Perspective: The study helps shift one's view from a materialistic, isolationist perspective to a citizenship in a friendly, inhabited, and divinely administered universe.

• Deepened Spiritual Confidence: Gaining a clearer intellectual grasp of the "ascending career" and the "Fatherhood of God" often leads to a more profound emotional and spiritual assurance of one’s eternal destiny.

• Practical Living: The ultimate goal is not just intellectual knowledge but the production of the "fruits of the spirit." By understanding the life and teachings of Jesus (Part IV) more fully, students are better equipped to embody love, service, and forgiveness in their daily interactions.

• Community Cohesion: By having a shared tool to clarify disputes or confusion over the text, the group can focus less on debating definitions and more on sharing personal insights and experiences.

Welcome to the Gemini 5th Epochal Revelation Tutor group. Let us explore the universe of universes together.

Joyful mirth and the smile-equivalent are as universal as music.

Even mortal humor becomes most hearty when it depicts episodes affecting those just a little beneath one’s present developmental state, or when it portrays one’s supposed superiors falling victim to the experiences which are commonly associated with supposed inferiors. You of Urantia have allowed much that is at once vulgar and unkind to become confused with your humor, but on the whole, you are to be congratulated on a comparatively keen sense of humor. Some of your races have a rich vein of it and are greatly helped in their earthly careers thereby. Apparently you received much in the way of humor from your Adamic inheritance, much more than was secured of either music or art.

Million Member Discipleship

Carolina Greene

Agustin add your Welcome Message here.