Monthly Columns

As Above So Below (How the Stars Became Our Hearts)

Christianity: The Great Misunderstanding

 

Now, in the last entries, I’ve aimed a lot of criticism at the Christian faith. Setting aside the purpose of the religion now, and whether or not Jesus was real or divine, let’s examine the lore with a more open mind. Let us assume that Jesus was very real, and his words were truth. Then with that lens, examine Christianity once again from the perspective of the man with whom the religion places it’s namesake. 

Jesus’ message was very much different from what we find in the Old Testament. Which seemed to be a collection of lore stories centered around sin and blood. The tribulations of the Jewish people, and the many laws, and stories of betrayal. Jesus’ message in fact seemed to be the polar opposite. One of love and forgiveness. Not law and intolerance. In fact, Jesus abolishes the law of the old testament. Replacing the commandments with just two. “Love God with all your heart. And love your neighbor as yourself.” It would seem most Christians have overlooked this part, as most of the Christian agenda is based on an ‘us vs them’ kind of theology. 

With the translation issues, and the many missing pieces of the Bible as a whole, it’s difficult to say what important pieces were left out of the message. Important details, such as Jesus’ true relationship to Mary Magdalene, and many scriptures that dealt with angels and otherworldly phenomena were downplayed or omitted entirely. What this suggests is that ultimately, the papacy got to pick and choose what they wanted to be Biblical Canon. But even with what’s left. It’s clear that Jesus was different from the Jews. They knew that ‘eye for an eye leaves the world blind.’ He was strictly the opposite of what was mainstream.

 

 

Anyone who studies religion as a whole is fascinated by the idea of how humans find ways to communicate with gods. Though most human beings believe that they believe what they believe because it is inherently true, the truth is they believe what they believe because it resonates with what they already believe inherently. That is, for example, even if you were brought up Christian, if the idea of Hell doesn’t resonate with you, or the idea of someone who loves you torturing you eternally. Then that will lead you to exploring ideas of God that aren’t so crime and punishment aligned. That is to say however, despite what you learned about God, your ideas already dictate what it is you will believe about that. All of this is to say, like every relationship has some love aspects no matter how wrong they end up being for you. In the same way, every religion has a reverent aspect. The idea of prayer, meditation, contemplation and silence lend a reverent vibe to them. It you saw a man sitting silently in the woods, regardless of his internal motivation, he would seem mystical. Even if he was just experiencing heroin overdose, it would seem that he’s in deep prayer or meditation.

Many elements come together to make a reverent atmosphere. You can create this atmosphere for any occasion. A romantic dinner uses many of the same elements that would be used at a church service, during yoga and meditation, and even a psychedelic trip. Light some candles, turn off the lights. Light some incense, burn some oils. Put on peaceful music. Largely the elements are of a specifically sensory basis, and can be manipulated for desired effect. There is a science to this atmospheric doctoring, and supermarkets use it to make you spend more money. Hospitals use it to make you feel clean. Churches use it to make a person feel god.

Jesus’ life was not well documented in the Bible. Assuming he was still a real person, he no doubt learned a great deal. His early childhood is spoken about briefly in Luke chapter 2. But in the beginning of Luke chapter 3, Jesus, seemingly as an adult, is about to be baptized. So what he learned, how, and who he learned it from during the missing years is largely a matter of speculation, but since he greatly disagreed with the Jews and much of their teachings, it’s safe to assume he learned some of his spirituality from an outside source. Judaism was an eye for an eye, turn the other cheek sounds…… Buddhist?

It would seem the idea of Christianity doesn’t really come from Christ even. It’s just one of the many religious elements compiled to create the faith.

 

 

There are different ways to interpret Jesus and his message though, and one is that he is a Buddha, or an ascended master. This world make sense, as when he uses the many statements to refer to himself, they all make sense when referring to The Self. In the school of self realization, the self is the ultimate identity of the universe and all phenomenal existence called Atman. 

When Jesus speaks using I AM, it may not be referring to the physical human self, but the true, higher self of all incarnate entities. In that way, when he says, I AM the way, the truth and the light. That’s absolutely true. He also comments, what you have done to the least of us, you have done to me. When it comes to the transpersonal self, again, that seems clear. Even the golden rule, one of Jesus ‘biggest teachings is centered on this mirroring respect of one another as each other’s literal self.  Which is an idea born of Buddhist and Vedic theology, not Semitic.

The true message of Jesus and the idea of a relationship with God is being able to hear the spirit of the universe and follow it. No matter what, and that ‘the kingdom of heaven is within you.’ It’s you. You’re the most precious being in existence. You’re the god and the savior, and the whore. Not being homeless of just cosmic luck, so you should show love to the beggar, for he is also me. So you should love your neighbor as yourself, and life in grace and beauty.

The Christian religion couldn’t be what he had in mind.

***

About the Author:

Alexiel Raynes is a shaman, philosopher, and musician from Louisville, Ky. He has studied religion and science for over 20 years. His spiritual path focuses on self realization, the liberation of the constraints of the mind on consciousness. He also studies plant medicines and their use in indigenous cultures world wide. He is fascinated with exploring the world beyond the veil of mainstream western science, and postulates at what lies beyond general consensus reality. He, together with his business partner Hallie Walker are the owners of Saol Bandia, a holistic herbal apothecary based in their hometown. They are also very active in raising pagan awareness in their community, and helping give witches the courage to stand up to a world that has forgotten our ways.

 

You can visit their store at Saolbandia.com

For contact visit Facebook.com/AlexielRaynes2020

Or email [email protected]