A Course in Miracles

[Angie_Baskin]

I just have to chime in here and say I Agree. It’s virtually impossible to convince anyone who is taking New Age seriously, that there is a problem with it. Now I see it’s a type of drug.

Now understand demoniac as applicable here. If anyone wants to check out what is regarded by readers of it as the best channeling in English browse a copy of the magazine The Sedona Journal of Emergence.

Many offerings presume to channel such beings as St.Michael, Mary, Jesus, etc. It is not so easy to do that as the number of people who do it evidently think it is. Where the material comes from is a level where many things and beings exist; the best demoniac elements are extremely deceptive. That’s the basis of their success. Their goal is to convince people they are god, which makes a fertile field for all kinds of acting out of all kinds of desires. I’ve learned that doing that simply isn’t productive of good, so I conclude that anything other than a humble attitude in the face of … everything ? - has elements of the demoniac.

Perhaps I’m oversimplifying but. . . . ! I don’t think you are over simplifying at all. I agree completely. I think an arrogance in ANY faith is of the flesh. If ACIM is teaching that WE are God, then I also agree that it is demonic. But here in lies our problem. My interpretation so far is a humbling experience. It doesn’t say “we are God”, it says we are in nature eternal, created by God in His likness. This likeness I interpret as: eternal, whole, prefect (before the fall) created of Love by Love, able to be in relationship with God the father, able to be seen by the Father as the body of Christ through Jesus, being able to experience God’s love & direction through the Holy Spirit. Where is the falsehood in this??

This type of reading matter used to be comforting to me in a way, as I was exiting from Hare Krishna, which in fact has a lot in common with the New Age. Now it is anathema, basically, except for the good material I have found on gemstones and flowers, as well as herbs, available through Pegasus Products, which came out in the 1980’s and which was so technical and astonishing that I gave Harvard’s biology department copies because the work they were doing there could benefit from the information, I felt.

Vis a vis the New Age, sinister elements are the most important, though. I agree all the stuff in The Course in Miracles is very appealing but add that if you are lucky, there will come a time when you will understand the harm in it. Much later, when you are in a different mental and emotional space, perhaps I could say?

The upshot of it all is a continuation of relativity in all doings and on all levels here on earth. The ultimate goal of it is that each human is equal to God, The carrot is dangled in front of people and they never reach it, because it is simply impossible to become God.

We had ONE incarnation. Many saints and martyrs, many miracles. The New Age cannot hold a candle to any of it.

Let those with eyes to see, see.

Blessed Sunday to all.

Nan.

 

[Victorious]

You are absolutly right!! Over my time of progressing through ACIM I am finding that the Catholic interpretation of scripture is most true. By this I mean that as arguements present, I research what EXACTLY the Church says on a particular subject by usually theologns like St.Thomas Aquinus etc, and find that their isn’t any difference in what the two say. I have found get comfort in knowing that what the Church REALLY says on particular subjects is in complete align with what Jesus is saying in ACIM. Of course this would have to be. What I am also finding is what the Church theologns are saying is in some instances different to what average Catholics believe. I found it interesting that Thomas Aquinus pointed out a text in the bible ( in James I think. I’ll post it when I find it again) where the 12 apostles were complaining to Jesus about other persons “not of their group” preaching about Jesus. They wanted to stop them. But Jesus said to let them be. That those who are for Him are not against Him. The words Jesus actually used were more forceful. This would diffinately put a different slant of Pauls words of “do not listen to those who preach a different Jesus”. But I have always said, the ACIM is not doing so. What is becoming more & more apparent is it is approching the subject of ‘man’ from a heavenly eternal point of view NOT an earthly finite point of view which has alway been the past approach accept when Jesus was on earth. I will tell you now, that I approach this course with considerable caution. I make sure that Jesus is foremost in my mind and that my trust in HIM will keep me safe from wrong interpretation. This is the same promise to all those who seek the truth. This is why I NOW do believe in papal falibility in matters of moral etc. This was always something that I believed but wanted to know HOW & WHY! and what made this so EXACTLY. Through ACIM now I know.

Angie, with all due respect, I do not believe you have really researched the teachings of the Church, because I am not noticing any signs that you are particularly knowledgeable about the Catholic faith. In fact, if you really had a strong Catholic faith, you would know better than to go to ACIM to find out the authenticity of Catholic teaching. Plus, I fear that ACIM is taking its toll on you in ways you don’t even suspect: a lot of what you say frankly makes no sense. May I respectfully suggest that you visit with a priest about this.

Protestants are attacked a lot for having differing views about many small things in Christianity and having Denominations, etc. What I see in the Catholic Church, as stated above and in many examples in this board is that there are people who have just as varying if not more varying beliefs within the Catholic Church as there are in Protestant denominations.

Actually, F.M., what you are seeing is not confusion and contradictions in Catholic doctrine itself, but the consequences of not being well-formed in the faith.

A Course in Miracles is satanic. I don’t have to read the whole thing to know this, any more than I have to drink the entire gallon of milk to find out if it’s sour.

 

[Liraco]

Angie Baskin:

I don’t see any reason why He would not speak today as He did then

You’re right, and He continues to do that through scripture and His Church.
Angie Baskin:

I still can’t see a difference in Jesus actual teachings and what He says in ACIM.

Not distinguishing between the God’s written word and man’s written word is precisely why I worry about you as you’ll see below.

“Love one another as I have loved you”. and "Judge not! "

It’s because of love that I don’t want you to be led astray by false teaching. Saying something is wrong is not judging, making presumptions of the state of a person’s soul IS judgment which I don’t do. I don’t presume you’re lost or anyone who reads ACIM but worry that it may lead many to be lost just like Sharon Lee at one point (which is why she now speaks against it among other false new age teachings).
Angie Baskin:

and what IS really taught?? I repeat: JUDGE NOT! was a command by Jesus Himself.

Saying “judge not” is not a shield against arguments. I make no judgments as I explained before. Remember that Jesus never worried about hurting people’s feelings or calling a spade a spade when He taught because the Truth is more important than mere feelings. Feelings pass, they can lead us astray, or even dominate us, but Truth is not fleeting or changing. Sometimes those feelings need to be hurt to get someone to react, but it matters not if what’s done is in love and not selfishness.

As for what is really taught, I’d recommend reading the Catechism for that if you don’t know.
Angie Baskin:

God’s fundamental truths are not contested by Protestant faiths only how we practice our faith.

You make it seem like the Church doesn’t teach the Truth but rather just a different way of seeing things. This is relativistic and a dangerous train of thought. Some protestants deny that the Eucharist is true flesh and only a symbol despite Jesus himself reaffirming the fact that it really is His flesh. That’s beyond mere “practice” unless you deny the reality of the Eucharist and reduce it to a mere symbol.
Angie Baskin:

most of the lessons by Jesus in the Gospels were in parables, making them OPEN to all sorts of interpretation.

Which is why our protestant brothers are open to all sorts of error. We have the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and the Holy Spirit to help guide us and not go around contradicting each other because of our own flawed interpretation and misunderstanding (because not all of us have the proper knowledge of history, other related texts outside of the bible, etc to give passages their proper context.)

You say I know nothing about the book and yet I need only read a small portion to be ever more worried about the lies you’re fed. The book is freely available online so you can ask me about any part of it if you want to know why it’s wrong. To quote your book of ACIM:

Chapter 22 - II.Your brother’s sinlessness
Heaven is the home of perfect purity, and God created it for you. Look on your holy brother, sinless as yourself, and let him lead you there.

To which I reply with the Word of God and not of men:

1 John 1:5-10*
5. Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
6. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth.
7. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
8. If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
10.** If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar***, and his word is not in us.

If you delve into volume 2 and the workbook section, that’s when things get MUCH worse. It seems the text part is meant to get your defenses down to accept the garbage of the workbook. “Gold nuggets” of ACIM include:

• The world you see has nothing to do with reality. It is of your own making, and it does not exist. - Lesson 14 (end of 1st paragraph)
• My holy brother, think of this awhile: The world you see does nothing. 2 It has no effects at all. 3 It merely represents your thoughts. - Lesson 190.6

So Angie, how is it that such a clearly wrong teaching somehow brings you “truth”? Two wrongs don’t make a right, and this one seems to make so many turns you spin around and don’t even know where you’re facing when you’re done.

In love I would just ask you two simple things if you would, please:
1- Pray the Rosary (one set of mysteries)
2- Go to Eucharistic adoration and speak directly with the Lord.

Only He can guide you to truth, I can only point out the way. I hope you see I’m not attacking you but am trying to point out why this book is full of lies and I want you to walk in the light and not the dark you’ll continue walking into if you continue with this book. If you want to know of someone that lived through ACIM to finally see the Truth then visit Sharon Lee Giganti’s site or just see this document

I’ll continue praying for you. May God bless and enlighten you, Angie.

 

[Angie_Baskin]

As for what is really taught, I’d recommend reading the Catechism for that if you don’t know.
I was rote taught the Catechism when I was young
You make it seem like the Church doesn’t teach the Truth
I don’t mean to imply this as I trully don’t believe this. What I am saying is there seems to be a great difference in interpretation between different Catholic bodies. Example: between the everyday committed Christian and the pre vatican devotees. Between the experiences of Charismatic Catholics and those who still think it a sin to handle communion. (just 2 examples of many). The ‘Truth’ seems to be in the eye of the beholder??
Which is why our protestant brothers are open to all sorts of error.
I have no problems with this statement, as long as you also acknowledge the Catholic interpretation in some cases was also in error. eg. The witch trials, The proclaimation that the son obited the earth and that it was sin to think otherwise. The Holy Spirit is for All mankind not just Catholics. I do believe though that the Catholic Way is the ‘safe’ way. But without our protestant brothers, we (catholics) would not have come to understand that the Chrisims could be experienced STILL as they were in the days of the apostles.
You say I know nothing about the book and yet I need only read a small portion
Firstly, I have not read the entire book yet. Also, by picking out sections that sound controvercial, you are really taking things out of context. This can also be done with anything to make it sound ridiculas. I am not opposed to you doing this for me though as I know your motives are true. I will honestly reply how I think about each comment, if you can see also, that my motives are only to follow the Lord. (no matter where it takes me). At this stage, may I ask you to pray for me as I need prayer support to reach the truth in all this. I hope you understand that as long as I believe that this course comes from Jesus, I am compelled to continue. Your prayer will help , I hope, to reveal the light, banishing any darkness. Please bare with me…
Lesson 14
Why is this concept a problem??. Jesus talks about the “Kingdom of God” and the “the Kingdom of this world”. He also implys many times that the Kingdom of God can be experienced WHILE in this world. Be IN the world but not OFF the world. There is a difference here. If the Kingdom of God is Light then the kingdom of THIS world must be darkness. Natural law & moral law says: Usher in the light & darkness has to vacate. The bible states that this battlefield is in the mind. Anyone who has had first hand knowledge of the mentally ill (I have a family member as such) knows that THEIR world is not the world in which WE live. They SEE something totally different. Have you ever listened to an angry persons view of the world?? Not the same world WE see. Reality is GOD’S Kingdom. And our lement “Let thy Kingdom come oh Lord” means we are looking for the Kingdom of the Lord to be established on this earth. Is not this TRUE REALITY? God made a perfect world for us where lions lay down with lambs and there was no want. It was US through choosing to sin that perverted our world into what we now see. So, in a matter of speaking, “it”(as we see it) " is of our own making". This world WE see (we made) is NOT the world God created for us. In fact He sent His Son to SAVE us from THIS world. It is to only US that sees this world as real. The difficulty for fallen man, perceiving the Light. And It is for THIS that Jesus came. so that who ever believed in Him would live in the light and have eternal life.

Lesson 190.6
Let’s look at this as I see it. The world YOU see : ( man made since the fall & NOT the world God created pre fall) does nothing: (goes around in circles & cycles. Same events, different names/years/centuries ). It has no effects at all: (From God’s eternal view point. There IS no time. Yesterday/Today/& tomorrow are the SAME instant. Compared with eternity, It has no effects at all to our REAL existance which is spirit & eternal) It merely represents you thoughts: ( in the mind is the free will to choose God’s Kingdom or Man’s Kingdom. To choose Light over Darkness. What you choose you see)

So Angie, how is it that such a clearly wrong teaching somehow brings you “truth”?
Show me the falsehood in my above thinking???

In love I would just ask you two simple things if you would, please:
1- Pray the Rosary (one set of mysteries)
I have done so ALL of my life & continue to do so every night before I close my eyes. I was “anointed by the Spirit” at the age of 10yrs while on my knees during our nightly family Rosary.
2- Go to Eucharistic adoration and speak directly with the Lord.
This I also do 2 days a week apart from Sunday. I am not trying to be arrogantly here, only trying to show you that I am not “weakly grounded in my faith”.

Only He can guide you to truth,
In this truth I have my faith

I will look this up those web sites. In the past, suggested Giganti’s sites were all interview style and I need to read more then hear as I have no speakers on my computer. very primative.

I’ll continue praying for you. May God bless and enlighten you, Angie.
Again, Thankyou. Regardless of where I’m at, I think you know where my heart is and now I know where yours is. This IS a struggle but I know that Jesus is victorious in all situations and have faith that ALL things will work for good. Blessing Returned

 

[Liraco]

What I am saying is there seems to be a great difference in interpretation between different Catholic bodies. Example: between the everyday committed Christian and the pre vatican devotees. Between the experiences of Charismatic Catholics and those who still think it a sin to handle communion. (just 2 examples of many). The ‘Truth’ seems to be in the eye of the beholder??

Church disciplines can change but the Truth cannot. Otherwise you fall into relativism and that leads to no ultimate good. Those who think it a sin to handle communion, are you referring to extraordinary ministers or to laymen receiving in the hand? Those who commit abuses or those who fail to understand proper church teaching (which is what happened after Vatican II) are in error, not the Church and some “variable Truth”. Experiences and practices don’t change the Truth.

I have no problems with this statement, as long as you also acknowledge the Catholic interpretation in some cases was also in error.

If every person in the Church were in fact infallible, there would be no protestants because they wouldn’t have made the mistake of becoming apostate. Mistakes are made, there’s no denial of that but there’s a lot of myths going around. Geocentrism was held by scientists at the time and so the Church followed what science believed BUT it never infallibly taught it as a truth, it was only the “science of the day”.

Where the Church DOESN’T make a mistake is in matters pertaining to moral teaching. Example: The Church has and will NEVER say that abortion is acceptable because its always taught about the sanctity of life.

You speak of Charisms as if they were forgotten or ignored by the Church. Don’t confuse the recent charismatic movements with the charisms. A charism is: any good gift that flows from God’s benevolent love (charis) unto man - Read more. They have always and continue to be in the Church (go look at some saints).

Also, by picking out sections that sound controvercial, you are really taking things out of context.

You’re right that things can be taken out of context BUT, an error is an error and teaching about thinking of another as “sinless” as the book suggests is wrong no matter how one tries to justify it. I can see the intention of seeing others as good people (to show you I do understand the context), certainly you want to love all despite their errors, but saying they’re sinless is crossing the line. Just read the following from the Catechism:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
827… All members of the Church, including her ministers, must acknowledge that they are sinners. In everyone, the weeds of sin will still be mixed with the good wheat of the Gospel until the end of time.

I hope you understand that as long as I believe that this course comes from Jesus, I am compelled to continue. Your prayer will help , I hope, to reveal the light, banishing any darkness. Please bare with me…

If you feel the book comes from Jesus, may I recommend you also read (little by little or by subject from the glossary) the Catechism of the Catholic Church? It sheds light on what the Church really teaches and it’s good for ALL Catholics to read (I’m going through it little by little each day but also searching on specific subjects when a question arises).

I’ll certainly bare with you all you need even if right now you don’t agree with me on the book or its nature. Be assured of my prayers.

This world WE see (we made) is NOT the world God created for us.

Your heart is certainly in the right place. The book “Jesus of Nazareth” by Pope Benedict has a great section on what Jesus meant by the Kingdom of God which I think you’d enjoy reading.

You ask what is wrong though, and it’s the view that the world we’re in is an “illusion” which WE create (so suffering is our own fault, etc.) I’m pretty sure no person would create their own reality where they suffer horrible debilitating illnesses.

God made this *physical *world and saw that it was good, the fact that we then chose “the world” over Him doesn’t make it false or illusory. If God didn’t like material things then why do we have so many sacraments that use physical things to reflect a higher reality? Like baptism for example. If God didn’t like material things, then why will we be resurrected and live in a new Earth as *physical *beings instead of merely spiritual beings? We’re made body AND soul, we shouldn’t separate our very nature which He gave us. Denying this reality is also denying Him and what He gave us.

-----continued below-----

 

[Liraco]

-----continued-----

Lesson 190.6
Let’s look at this as I see it. The world YOU see : ( man made since the fall & NOT the world God created pre fall) does nothing: (goes around in circles & cycles. Same events, different names/years/centuries ). It has no effects at all: (From God’s eternal view point. There IS no time. Yesterday/Today/& tomorrow are the SAME instant. Compared with eternity, It has no effects at all to our REAL existance which is spirit & eternal) It merely represents you thoughts: ( in the mind is the free will to choose God’s Kingdom or Man’s Kingdom. To choose Light over Darkness. What you choose you see)

Here it is again, the misunderstanding that we are only meant to be spiritual beings (this is wrong). That would be angels, but we were gifted by God to have a spirit AND a body which is why we’ll be united to it again as that is our nature. If you separate us into only spirit and this body being something bad then we’re despising something good that God gave us, just like this world.

The world itself isn’t bad, the problem of the kingdom of “this world” is when we worship it instead of God (worrying about money, putting the life of animals and lesser things above human life, worrying about this life as if we could take anything from it to the next). We cannot serve two masters, but being good stewards of what He gives us in the world is to glorify Him and not this world.

Thinking that the world also has no effect on us is dangerous because then we don’t care to discern things which are not of God that CAN lead us astray. We are told to be vigilant in scripture, so pretending that nothing can harm us is foolish. The Lord will guide us but we must not test Him by our recklessness.

---

I’m glad you do pray the Rosary and go to mass, that’s certainly some peace of mind.

I hope you are able to read the documents that Sharon Lee has on her site (if you cannot view the documents you can either download “Open Office” which is free or use a Google account and use “Google docs”. Feel free to ask me for any tech help if you’re having trouble.

God bless you, Angie.

 

[Liraco]

Quick add-on (because I can’t edit my previous posts anymore).

Angie, you say you were taught the Catechism since you were young, but it’s always good to have a refresher course. Besides, the book of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” is relatively recent so I’m sure it’s not yet memorized. Just like it’s good to always read more of the Bible even if you’ve done it before because sometimes new things jump out at you that didn’t before, I think it’d be good to read the Catechism again (this goes not just for you but to everyone reading this). If you don’t know the Bible, you don’t know Jesus, and the Catechism is a nice supplement (but not a replacement).

I hope all is well with you.

 

[Angie_Baskin]

Thankyou Liraco for your blessings and prayer. I have not run away. I have been taking “time off” from ALL things so as to hear more clearly the voice of the Holy Spirit. I agree with everything you have said in the last 2 posts and have availed myself with the discription of the ‘chrisims’ via the Catholic encyclopedea. I found it releaving as I had not read this before but knew it as existing. I have never believed the “Catholic Church” ever made error judgements on ‘truth’ only her well meaning followers. I understand the a lot of the MIS-understandings come from ignorance of our own Catholic Faith. When I was young I would get very frustrated with this “gap”. If ACIM is not from God, I can be assured He is true to His word to work ALL things for good. I have been given a lot of web sites to persue that I didn’t know anything about. My reassurance in my Catholic Faith has been made stronger, none of which would have happened as intensely and as pointedly, if I have been reading Charles Dickens. I DO intend to visit Sharon Lee’s web site when I can connect and I also have my eye open for that little book by Pope Benedict. “Jesus of Nazareth”. As life is getting very busy, I may only return to this post if something drastic occures. May I ask you to continue to pray for me? It is MOST appreciated. Gods Love & Blessing to you. Angie

 

[Liraco]

You’re right that God can bring good out of bad things, just remember it’s in spite of them and not thanks to them.

I say that because some people incorrectly believe that they can do something gravely evil if it means something good will come from it. Sometimes that “good” isn’t even good at all!

Just as an example: embryonic stem cell research (bad, as they’re babies created for the sole purpose of being used for experiments) to try to find cures (good). Of course in the latter example, the worst part is that there is a good means to that end (adult stem cells or pluripotent cells have already proven their worth and take what’s already in our bodies.)

---

I had forgotten to give you this link, in case you were interested:
scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm
It’s the Catechism which I use the most because it has a search function which is VERY handy.

Well, I guess “no news is good news” so I hope all is well and I’ll be praying for you.

God bless you, Angie.

 

[thomas6299]

I’m saddened by much of what I’ve read about this subject." ye shall know them by their fruits" Acim led me to a spiritual experience. I have peace today, but much more importantly, I’ve been able to overcome alcohol and drug addiction, and help others to freedom from addictions. I’ve given my life to God by helping my brothers and sisters to awaken. God reveals himself to each of us in his unique way. I do not push my concept of God on others, I encourage them to go within and have their own experience. I personally found that when I was able to reduce my guilt level by opening my heart and soul to different ideas about God, many obsessive, destructive behaviors began to lose their value, and were soon of no interest to me anymore. This opened up a whole new world of peace and opportunity to help others. I no longer am self-centered, but others-centered. I have also learned that my judgement of others stopped any spiritual growth. I saw that I have no ability to judge others in a good or bad way. I then was able to look at my brothers and sisters with love and compassion, therefore increasing my desire to help them. I love you all

 

[Publisher]

My wife’s friend said that A Course in Miracles can be used as a self help tool for anyone regardless of their religion. I disagreed and sent her these articles

ewtn.com/library/NEWAGE/COURSE.TXT
ewtn.com/library/NEWAGE/BRAINWAS.TXT

I told her a Christian couldn’t really believe what A Course in Miracles says. (based on this article quote)

I’d like to hear your comments on A Course in Miracles. Good and Bad. (regardless of your religion or lack of religion)

Thank you,

Ryan

I know a few Friends who are interested in ACIM. A few of them get together with others who find inspiration in the Text for study. I have a set of the books…from what I have read it is a “re-statement” of many Christian beliefs…but as others have stated…with a "New Age’ flavor. Some of the passages were profound…other passages “not too much” and are somewhat confusing. I found myself often reading the same page several times over and over to try to understand what the writer was trying to relate.

It seems to have things in common with Christian Science and New Thought…which is probably why Unity and Religious Science groups utilize it as a “self help” and religious text.

I see nothing “dangerous” in it but it “does not speak to my condition” on most matters. Some of it’s passages that address prayer and reality are very interesting and from what I can figure out reflects some Buddhist thought.

 

[minder_bender]

What Thomas has said, I also find true. It is my assessment, that TRUTH is given to the whole world by God the creator through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, regardless of whether the source is “Christian” or not. Jesus overcame death for ALL mankind including Muslem, Buddist, Hindu, etc, etc, etc. Since studying acim, I have found a deeper appreciation for my Catholic Faith and a deeper understanding for why certain things are taught by the church. But I also have an understanding how God is constantly speaking to ALL WHO HAVE EARS. This is why there is a cross over between faiths and beliefs. It’s not that acim is LESS (or subject to ridicule) because it reflects some concepts of other beliefs but in doing so, reflects the universal teaching of Christ. I too have refound the deep peace I first experienced as a child going to mass, and as a teenager “in love with Jesus” & saying the rosary every night. I know that I know that I know. As far as purgatory & hell go, I believe they are states SELF inflicted. They in no way express the forgiveness and compassion of our Father in Heaven as stated in the parable of the prodical son. Or the parable of the birds of the air that don’t DO anything to receive Gods grace Or where Christ stands at the door & knocks excessently until someone opens the door. Living a true Christian life is more to do with loving, repenting, forgiving and appreciating the grace of our Creator in Heaven who created us in His image and sent Jesus to show us the way. If we remain narrow minded, we will only see the stone wall infront of us along with those facing the same way as us. But if we have the courage to listen to Christ & turn around, we will see the cave has an unrestricted opening and beyond that, a new & bigger world. (plaetos cave)

 

[Victorious]

What Thomas has said, I also find true. It is my assessment, that TRUTH is given to the whole world by God the creator through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, regardless of whether the source is “Christian” or not. Jesus overcame death for ALL mankind including Muslem, Buddist, Hindu, etc, etc, etc. Since studying acim, I have found a deeper appreciation for my Catholic Faith and a deeper understanding for why certain things are taught by the church. But I also have an understanding how God is constantly speaking to ALL WHO HAVE EARS. This is why there is a cross over between faiths and beliefs. It’s not that acim is LESS (or subject to ridicule) because it reflects some concepts of other beliefs but in doing so, reflects the universal teaching of Christ. I too have refound the deep peace I first experienced as a child going to mass, and as a teenager “in love with Jesus” & saying the rosary every night. I know that I know that I know. As far as purgatory & hell go, I believe they are states SELF inflicted. They in no way express the forgiveness and compassion of our Father in Heaven as stated in the parable of the prodical son. Or the parable of the birds of the air that don’t DO anything to receive Gods grace Or where Christ stands at the door & knocks excessently until someone opens the door. Living a true Christian life is more to do with loving, repenting, forgiving and appreciating the grace of our Creator in Heaven who created us in His image and sent Jesus to show us the way. If we remain narrow minded, we will only see the stone wall infront of us along with those facing the same way as us. But if we have the courage to listen to Christ & turn around, we will see the cave has an unrestricted opening and beyond that, a new & bigger world. (plaetos cave)

You have been greatly deceived. A Course in Miracles is contrary to Scripture and Tradition.

 

[minder_bender]

Is it deception to constantly think of the Lord Jesus and listen constantly to His voice giving every night & day to His will? Is it deception to forgive all my trespassers?? Is it deception to believe the Lord walks with me through the valley of death? Is it deception to believe that God is all powerful and all loving?? Is it deception to believe that God created me in His likeness?? Is it deception to believe God directs my life?? Is it deception to believe in the words of Jesus when He spoke about the prodicule son?? or about the birds of the air?? or about He being the vine & we the branches?? Is the God you know exclusive? Is He a limited God who only speaks to man through one avenue?? I don’t believe the Holy Spirit which Jesus sent to comfort & guide me would allow me to be deceived while I continue to put God first in my life. First! above ALL things including tradition. You are as God created you! You are forgiven and released!

 

[Victorious]

Is it deception to believe God directs my life??

It is if you are not in fact being directed by God, which you aren’t if you are getting your theology out of New Age sources.

Is the God you know exclusive? Is He a limited God who only speaks to man through one avenue?? I don’t believe the Holy Spirit which Jesus sent to comfort & guide me would allow me to be deceived while I continue to put God first in my life. First! above ALL things including tradition. You are as God created you! You are forgiven and released!

This clinches it. There is no dichotomy between God and His Church. You are not putting God first. You are putting you first and calling it God.

 

[minder_bender]

It is if you are not in fact being directed by God, which you aren’t if you are getting your theology out of New Age sources.

This clinches it. There is no dichotomy between God and His Church. You are not putting God first. You are putting you first and calling it God.

NO! I didn’t say there is a division between God and His Church. God and His Church are one. So is the message HIS Church preaches. That being the message of Love and Forgiveness through Jesus Christ. What I said is that I put God before ALL things. Jesus only had two requisites to fulfulling His way and that was to Love God & Love thy neighbour. He is the one who said to put God above ALL things. “First, love the Lord thy God with your whole heart, soul & mind”. If anything takes the place of God then that is idolatry. Some people make an idol out of a statue, others out of lifestyle or sport… and some out of obeying the law of the Church and the institute of the Church by not putting God/Jesus/Holy Spirit FIRST. There are Catholics who the light of Jesus shines out like a bright beacon. They follow the laws of the Church with humble hearts. They wake with their first thought of God and go to sleep with their last thought of God. Their day is a consistant prayer with the way they love those around them. But the person sitting beside them on the pew, also goes to Mass every Sunday & Feast days, but they hate the guy living next door to them who mows his lawn twice a day or cuts them off in traffic, or doesn’t bless or genuflect when entering a Church, etc.etc,etc,. They condemn and judge what they do not understand because their pioiousness blinds them to their own idolatry. THEIR god is exclusive and only accepts those who obey the written law. They crowd together & point their accusing fingers and cry “new age devil”. What would Jesus say to their accusations? “Judge not, lest you be judged” was a command & warning by Jesus himself. There is only one way to know whether you are on the right track or not… “Ye shall know them by their fruit…”

 

[Pye]

Pure, unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father, is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows in their hardships, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
James - Chapter 1 verse 27
Guess that means EVERYTHING church…a course in miracles…tradition… saints…blessings…everything, all else spoils and contaminates. If I understand the truth via any source then don’t disswade me from the truth be it the church, course in miracles etc.

 

[Victorious]

Pure, unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father, is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows in their hardships, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
James - Chapter 1 verse 27
Guess that means EVERYTHING church…a course in miracles…tradition… saints…blessings…everything, all else spoils and contaminates. If I understand the truth via any source then don’t disswade me from the truth be it the church, course in miracles etc.

Pye, if it wasn’t for the authority of the Catholic Church telling you that Scripture is the inspired Word of God, how would you know that James 1:27 was worth paying attention to?

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

My wife’s friend said that A Course in Miracles can be used as a self help tool for anyone regardless of their religion. I disagreed and sent her these articles

I told her a Christian couldn’t really believe what A Course in Miracles says. (based on this article quote)

Miracles are generally for the unbelievers, for example Thomas who did not believe Jesus rose from the dead unless he touched the miracle from the wounds of the crucified Lord.

Although for the believers we rejoice from our answered prayers according to God’s will, no matter the outcome the believer rejoices in God’s will be done. This does not negate a belief in miracles.

 

[Greg57]

I’d like to hear your comments on A Course in Miracles. Good and Bad. (regardless of your religion or lack of religion)

Thank you,

Ryan

The Course in Miracles is a book that was allegedly transmitted by spirits via automatic writing, an occult practice that is not recognized by the Church.