The Challenge

Modern man is confronted with the task of making more readjustments of human values in one generation than have been made in 2000 years. And this all influences the social attitude toward religion, for religion is a way of living as well as a technique of thinking. Source: UB 92:7.14

The Urantia Community can provide a required bridge for making the necessary religious readjustments.

Lucifer eschewed personal responsibility in favor of unbridled self-liberty.

This is our challenge — to reverse this trend.

Many are coming from the 4^th Epochal Revelation and have not yet embraced the 5^th. There are 2 billion Christians and 1.6 billion Muslims that come from a place in 4^th Epochal Religion. The Jews are coming from 3^rd Epochal Religion.

They all require a redefinition in order to embrace the new way. Each must be viewed as unique, but it can be said that the "God of Abraham" unifies all of them. They all need a bridge into the 5^th Epochal Revelation. This bridge must provide for 7 primary readjustments.

This bridge must provide two types of transition tools. One toolset to assist with the transition out of the old static belief system. One toolset to assist with the transition into the new dynamic belief system. These toolsets must be grounded in the reality that religious experience is not pious. It is not morbid. It is not mystical or sacred. It is characterized by joy and the freedom attained through personal responsibility toward God and man as made possible by the methods of personal, prayerful, and practical application.

The 5^th Epochal Revelation provides the uplift — we must provide the transition tools. It is in this transition phase that lies our greatest challenge and creative opportunities! The religion of personal responsibility for attaining survival value is a path to actualizing the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man.

The essence of this religion is Spirit Value Capture — its new church is the Direct Ascension School. The front door of the Direct Ascension School is the Truth Beauty and Goodness Commission. Like minded organisations can provide additional doors by building suitable transition tools.

There is UNITY in these new concepts that overwrite the old ways of division. The stale, abusive, cult-like religion of old divisions must be moved forward in mind to become the dynamic, engaging, enjoyable Spirit Value capture of new unity and Brotherhood.

The old requires a re-conceptualization to show what it was always intended to be. The dead ways of rituals must be replaced by the living way of personal relationship with Father. We cannot separate the living example of Jesus from the hunger for Religion.

Until now — and even now — mankind perceives itself as isolated, unworthy, and fearful of assumed divinity, of the warning of blasphemy. Because of this, mankind has tended to content itself with the verbal proclamation. Just as no recipe is worthwhile without the dish being cooked, the good news sits idle without its servants actively being its content.

It takes courage to work together to create yet better mechanisms for the promotion of Truth, Beauty and Goodness. There are many exciting challenges ahead in the pursuit of such service adventures together. As some of you have already experienced, these will not always be easy, yet the hard-won cooperation yields fruits of great sweetness and effectiveness. Such joint efforts are worth all effort.

Our world doesn't need a new religion...but...we do need to reboot the religion that Jesus inaugurated nearly 2000 years ago, and became buried under centuries of evolutionary dogma, obfuscation, and brick and mortar temples.

The term Spirit Value Capture summarizes what this religion is about with only 3 words. This effectively leaves the personality cult "about Jesus" dead in its tracks.

The name Direct Ascension School levels the playing field. It highlights the direct connection between man and God which leaves no room for middle men.

On this level playing field all players are both students and teachers.