In light of the large amount of new information discovered by scholars of numerous disciplines – Anthropology, Biblical History, etc. – from the best universities and museums – a new light is being shed on the origins of Christianity, that tells a radically new and different story about Jesus Christ and his teachings. This revision of history takes us from a learning based on tradition to historical facts and from literal to metaphorical interpretation. In short, there’s more good news and we should study it.
According to a recent survey by the Pew Charitable Trust, Pew Forum on Religion: “More than one-quarter of American adults (28%) have left the faith in which they were raised” and “the number of people who say they are unaffiliated with any particular faith today (16.1%).” Moreover, one in four Americans under 30 say they are not affiliated with any religion. An increasing percentage of those who consider themselves to be Christian do not align themselves with any particular organization or faith and an increasing number of believers reject institutional religion all together and have struck out for independent investigation of Christ’s message. This paper serves to reverently and honestly address those new questions, insights and grievances that concern not only Christianity but civilization at large. These insights affect our understanding of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and our global context of God.
Agree or disagree, believe or not, history is being re-written. My intension is to initiate a public dialog on this subject, and expand our awareness of God’s Word and Christ’s teachings, with the understanding and faith that the truth will set man fee and from a more enlightened awareness we can learn to all live in peace.
A Code of Universal Values
In order to have an intelligent and objective discussion on such a highly sensitive and emotionally charged subject as the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the religions of Christianity, we need to establish some common ground. I purport that we, as humans, hold certain values in each of our societies, and, in fact, these values are universal to mankind. Our ideas, feelings, perspectives and The Petition to Reform Religion 2
beliefs may vary, but we hold certain values collectively. This Code of Universal Values will help us keep objectivity and perspective on the subjects being considered here.
1. Facts are Good. In order to make intelligent and ethical decisions we need to have all the facts, or as many of those facts as we can get. More information is good, we need to be informed to make the best decisions. We need to be able to know those facts are reliable too. We need to check multiple, reliable, sources. We also know from past experience to consider the perspectives and potential biases of those reporting facts for our consideration. We need to distinguish between facts and opinions, and consider more than one perspective to gain greater perspective, and greater perspective makes for better decision makings . Greater perspective is good and essential for making intelligent and ethical decisions.
2. Defining Good. In this paper good will be defined in the sense of a greater good for all, and not just good for an individual or select few. We intrinsically desire for the good of all people, and wish that no people suffer. We value the rights of others, and desire their well being. We would wish all people have adequate food, shelter, clothing, livelihood, family, dignity, belonging, health, happiness, meaning and peace (among others). Conversely, we do not think it is good for a few to have great surplus at the expense of those who go without or are oppressed, manipulated or controlled. We do not value selfishness, greed, dishonesty or corruption.
3. Learning Brings us Closer to the Truth, and Knowing the Truth is Good. Learning, gaining greater insight and understanding is good, and necessary for us to make intelligent and ethical decisions. Moreover, being conscious of what truth is, what is ethical, what is intelligent – brings about a greater good, becoming conscious itself brings about a greater good. Conversely, being or going unconscious leads to missing important information, or diminishes ones ability to make rational, informed, unbiased and objective decisions – which are good. Thus, it behooves us to develop greater conscious awareness. Being conscious is good, going unconscious (not in control of one’s mind or emotions) is not good. We make better decisions when we are more conscious of what we are thinking, saying and doing, than when we are less conscious or less aware. Learning more about ourselves and our world is good. Our Creator created a brain so we could use it, so using our brain and learning is good. Learning the truth is good.
4. Science is Good. While the study of any subject should fall under the ethical and moral scrutiny of the public for the sake of the greater good, science should be valued for its ability to provide greater objectivity and discern the truth in matters of dispute or uncertainty, and discerning the truth is good. Gaining a greater understanding of how our Universe, our Earth, our own body and mind’s work is good. Science is good when it works for the good of all, and it enables us to understand the will of our Creator by observing what’s been created and how what has been created is also being directed and guided. Science helps us know our Creator’s will, by seeing what has been set forth into motion and how we participate in that. Science helps us discern the truth, and knowing the truth is good.
5. Questioning is Good, especially in matters of faith and religious belief. The more we question, the more be learn, and the more we learn the better people we are and better life we live. Questioning brings us greater learning and understanding, we gain greater perspective, more objectivity, greater knowledge and then can thereby make more intelligent and ethical
The Petition to Reform Religion 3

decisions, and this is good. Jesus Christ himself used questioning as a means of teaching, it’s an essential part of the Talmudic tradition (the Oral Torah) which spurred the messianic movement. We have a Biblical precedent – Old and New Testament – that clearly indicates that questioning the meaning of the stories, and words, of the Bible is good and desired. Thus, those who try to keep others from questioning and seeking other perspectives and opinions are not doing good, and being ignorant of, or in denial of, facts, understanding, learning or discerning the truth is not good; neither the individual nor the public are served through ignorance, falsehood, or denial. Thus we must learn to question and think for ourselves to do the greatest good.
6. Questioning Authority is Good. Although we desire to have representation that serves the collective interests of the whole, all too often those in positions of authority, wealth and power, have served the interests of the few, including themselves, at the expense of the whole. Moreover, authority figures -including political and religious leaders – have consistently, and universally, lied and distorted the truth, or kept the truth from the public, and, thus, should not be blindly trusted; after all, this mind control is what provoked the first protestant reformation. The apathy and ignorance of the populous gives the corrupt their power. Individuals are easily swayed through propaganda, manufactured consent, and even mind control , it’s a historical reality since the first World War. Government, commercial and religious indoctrination of the masses is a science, and most people don’t even realize when or how they have been led. According to Edward Bernays, the nephew of psychologist Sigmund Freud and author of Propaganda – which serves as the very foundation of the science of propaganda: “We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of.” And: “It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.” Moreover, the founding fathers of the United States, who serve as role models for all Americans and who’s very life example personifies a value in our society: they all questioned the authority of their government, of religious beliefs, and all ideologies. They were long haired radicals questioning their leaders and leadership, the laws that governed them, who governed them, as well as their individual religious beliefs – they too were reformers. Thus questioning authority, particularly political, commercial and religious authority is not only a value and a right held by Americans, and Civilization at large, but it also defines us as Americans and serves as the ethos of the public body – of Democracy itself – it’s a universal value. We question, we think for ourselves, we value freedom and don’t appreciate others having authority or control over us, and we demand dignity, freedom and respect; thus it is a duty of every citizen to question the authority, the interpretations, the motives and the truth of what they are being told by their governments, religions and commercial venues (including all media). Questioning brings us closer to the truth, and the truth is good.
7. Love, Compassion, Selfless Service and Peace Are Universal Values. Human beings place amongst the highest on their list of values love, compassion ,selfless service and peace. Jesus exemplified and taught these virtues and values, among many others, but these hold a place on top. Conversely, we collectively hold greed, hatred, selfishness, injustice and falsehood (negative traits or lower consciousness) in opposition of what we value and feel these negative traits should not be expressed – they are evil. Thus, we should be conscious enough to express thoughts, words and actions that are in alignment with our values of love, compassion, selfless
The Petition to Reform Religion 4

Read the rest of this entry »