Planet Urantia

Eternal Life Views of Some Religions and Belief Systems

Buddhism, Confucianism, Judaism, and others

During the time of Jesus, there existed an educated young man by the name of Ganid, who sought to make a permanent record of some of the belief systems of known world religions.  The Melchizedek Missionaries(celestial beings) were largely responsible for the shift of humanity toward monotheism, a result of their mission to spread the message of one God to the ends of the earth.  Following is a snapshot of Ganid's work as it relates specifically to the topic of eternal life according to some of the religious views of some of the known religions that existed at the time of Jesus. 

Cynicism - so named, one might gather, because of the cynical view it seems to take toward religions who profess a belief in a God who is vengeful and full of wrath toward creation.  Cynics believe God to be both Creator, Ruler, and Comforter.  Faith in the most high frees us from all fear.  In God alone is salvation found.  Man seeks a blending of his soul with the spirit of the Supreme, and a reward in this world or the next. 

Judaism - Jews believe in one God, and that those who love God supremely, and love their neighbors as themselves; will receive the fulfillment of God's promise to ransom them from the grave and redeem them from death, calling them to become like God and dwell with him forever in Paradise. 

Buddhism - In addition to the immediate earthly rewards of righteous living, Buddhists believe that sincerity of living is the key to immortality, while thoughtless living ends only in death.  Unselfish souls go on after physical death where they continue their journey, while also enjoying all the delights of heaven. 

Hinduism - The most ancient religion in existence (according to Ganid's conclusions and many other scholars as well).  Hindu's believe that without God, the soul is a prisoner; to know God releases the soul.  Knowing God releases us from the clutches of death and delivers us into immortality and Paradise.  God desires that we know him as truth and the eternal sustainer of the universe.  Evil is left behind while virtue and righteous living follows us to heaven. 

Zoroastrianism - God promises immortality to the righteous.  Sounding a bit like 'the secret' of recent fame, Zoroastrians believe we shall be that which we supremely desire.  Through continued righteous living, past sins are removed from our thinking.  The evil are punished and those who follow truth receive the bliss of eternal salvation.  Zoroastrians aspire to be like God by seeking to gain perfection attainment. 

Suduanism (Jainism) - Early followers of Suduanism were appropriately called Suduanists.  Today, they are known as Jainists, or followers of Jainism.  Jainists believe that sinners will not survive death, but that those who live righteously will find a place in heaven.  Man ascends to heaven to attain perfection.  We are our own worst enemy, victory over self is our greatest challenge.  Anger, pride, deceit, and greed are passions that we should seek to become master over. 

Shinto - The Prince of Heaven reveals himself through the beauty of nature and the virtues of men.  The Prince of Heaven, the Great and Supreme, hears any creature who would worship him.  Immortality is achieved when we forsake the world and seek the Lord. 

Taoism - The God of heaven is the mother and ancestor of all things, is spiritual, stands alone, and is unchanging.  Ignorance is evil and can cause us to sin.  God guides progression, but does not force anything, nor does he compel anyone or anything to conform or to worship him.  God forgives repentant sinners and rewards man for what he is, not what he does.  Do not regard yourself when doing good for others.  Ignorance causes misery and disaster.  The soul survives into spirit service when you come to know God.  The Supreme enlightens us and we learn how insignificant we are.  When we die, our spirit begins its journey toward home. 

Confucianism - The Confucians recognize God as our Creator Mother and Father, and believe that we are servants of our divine ancestors.  The spirit of the noble man ascends to the glorious light of final brightness. 

Ganid's view on religion and eternal salvation based on the teachings of Jesus - Anyone who seeks God and longs to be like him shall never be lost.  Knowing God enables us to forsake sin.  We will see our heavenly Father one day, and by seeking him we will become more and more like him.  Since all who call upon the name of God shall be saved, then all are our brothers and sisters.  God is the God of eternal salvation. 

According to the Urantia Papers (92 - 5:9), a great religious awakening occurred during the 6th century BC, in which many of the religions mentioned here took root - such as Gautama (revered as the Buddha), Confucianism and Jainism.   

Side Notes / Conclusion - The main theme running through all these religions, which were in fact impacted by the Melchizedek Missionaries, seems to be that the one who seeks God first and foremost, and who earnestly attempts to produce the fruits of the spirit - namely, righteous and compassionate living - shall receive eternal salvation and someday achieve near perfection attainment, if not dare we say total and complete perfection.

In the 6th century AD - Mohammed founded a religion which might be considered superior to certain other creeds of his time.  One of the things he sought to do was to outlaw some of the 'social demands' of the faiths of foreigners.  In other words, those who held different religious beliefs would not be able to practice those beliefs.  Contrast this with today, where Muslims are seeking special religious accommodations be put in place by foreign cultures where they have chosen to take up residence. 

In the Orient, during the 15th century AD, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism were combined to form the religion known as Sikhism - thus making it one of the most advanced and most recent unrevealed religions in all of Asia.

Unity or New Revelation?

It is not necessarily unity of all religion that is needed, but rather a progression toward the truth of the New Revelation, the increase of the brotherhood (fellowship/relationship) of man, true worship of God as Father of all, unity of thought and revelation comprehension.  So many of us get stuck when new truth is revealed because it makes us feel like a fraud, that our life has been a lie.  our faiths have developed gradually over time, and frankly, they will continue to do so, short of another revelation. 

Many religions are good if they bring man to God, especially the Father idea of a loving God.

Urantia Papers - References

• Paper 131 - Sections 0-10
• Paper 92 - 5

Comparing Other Scriptures with the Urantia Papers

Comparing Biblical, Islamic, and Mormon Scriptures with the Urantia Papers
	Urantia Papers	Bible Scriptures	Islamic Scriptures	Mormon Scriptures
Creation	God created the Universe through an intelligently designed process of gradual development.	God created all things in six days 6000 years ago.	Allah created all things - number of days is contradictory.	Jesus Christ created the Earth under God's direction in six time periods.
Adam & Eve	Intelligent man developed gradually as a result of an intelligently designed process guided by Life Carriers and eventually by a visit from Adam & Eve, who came to Urantia (Earth) as part of a mission to upstep the early humans.	God created Adam out of the dust of the Earth on the 6th day and later created Eve out of Adam.  Contradictory creation account tells of God creating man, male and female, on the 6th day.	Adam & Eve were created in Paradise (not on Planet Earth) and were then banished to the Earth after the fall into sin.  Believes women were created to serve men. Believes only Eve was tempted and not Adam.	Adam is an exalted man and our Father, and Eve is the heavenly mother.  Adam & Eve were placed here from another sphere.  They were the first humans on earth and are common ancestors of all humanity.
Jesus	Jesus is God incarnate and man all at once.  He came to Earth to reveal the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man (fellowship/relationship).  Jesus was the Creator, builder and administrator of our universe.  This power was given to Jesus by God.  Jesus chose Joseph & Mary to be his earthly father and mother and was born in the same manner as all humans are born.  Jesus died because of our sin - not for it.  He was resurrected on the third day and walked on the earth after his resurrection in his new Morontia form.  Through faith in Jesus, all receive salvation as a free gift.  Jesus was successful in his mission on earth and in heaven.  The sovereignty over both the earth and his universe was established by submitting to the will of the Universal Father - God.	Jesus is the only So of God and Son of the Virgin Mary.  He came to die for our sins as an atonement.  Jesus is God, Son & Holy Spirit all in one.  Salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ and his work on the cross.	Jesus was a prophet among 124,000 prophets.  Born of a virgin, but is not the Son of God.   He was sinless, was not crucified, ascended into heaven without dying.  He will return again to live and die. salvation by works, but not guaranteed.	Jesus was created by Adam & Eve, his father and mother, in heaven.  Jesus is our elder brother.  Born on earth as Jesus through a sexual union between Elohim and Mary.  Jesus was married.  His death does not provide for full atonement of sin, but does provide for resurrection.  Jesus is one among many gods.  Salvation is a combination of faith and works.  Jesus was resurrected by grace and exalted by his works.
Life After Death	Free will intelligent human beings who seek God receive the free gift of salvation.  See additional details below.	Man will live forever either in heaven or hell.	Heaven for Muslims, but not guaranteed, hell for infidels (those who reject Islam).	Almost everyone goes to 1 of 3 heavens. Apostates and murderers go to 'outer darkness'.

   

The Urantia Papers teach that Havona and Paradise are the desired destination of all free will, intelligent, thinking human beings who seek God.  There are seven levels, each one a step in a gradual process designed to guide us to Havona and Paradise where God makes his universe home and where we can expect to share with him the joy of all the ages.   

Those who reject God will have their way, as God does not force or compel anyone to believe in him.  There is no hell in the physical sense, other than the knowledge of separation from God.  Rejection of God results in spirit dissolution - a snuffing out of the light within you.  It seems that any good you might have done is absorbed into the spirit of the Universal Father, but your unique personality is no more.  It's as if you never were. 

Our destiny is an adventurous journey for all eternity to which God invites all who will to come. 

Religion - Science - Philosophy can be harmonized!

The Urantia Book is a spiritual and philosophical book that
discusses God, science, religion, history, philosophy, and
destiny.  Is is also referred to as The Urantia Papers, the
Fifth Epochal Revelation, or by its initials - UB or TUB
(The Urantia Book). The book originated in Chicago, IL
between 1924 and 1955, first published in 1955.  Its
authorship is considered to be a mystery, but beyond the
powers of human invention.  Decide for yourself.  The
Urantia Papers have the power to change your life.   

Religion - Science - Philosophy can be harmonized!   
---------------------------------------------------------
Urantia Paper 1 - Section 6:
"God is to science a cause, to philosophy an idea, to
religion a person, even the loving heavenly Father.  God is
to the scientist a primal force, to the philosopher a
hypothesis of unity, to the religionist a living spiritual
experience.  Man's inadequate concept of the personality of
the Universal Father can be improved only by man's
spiritual progress in the universe and will become truly
adequate only when the pilgrims of time and space finally
attain the divine embrace of the living God on Paradise."
---------------------------------------------------------

Each new generation receives a revelation of sorts through
the bestowal of advancing science, new philosophies, and
the reality of spiritual experience.  Living as though the
only revelation worthy of worship is that of our ancestors
takes away from the present indwelling spirit of God that
lives within the true God seeker, and the Spirit of Truth
which is in the world.  As we update our science and our
philosophy, we also need to update our religion.  We know
God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow - but that's
because God is omnipresent (present everywhere
simultaneously) - God is omniscient (having total
knowledge).  We, on the other hand, are neither omnipresent
nor omniscient.  You might say we are omni-dependent, but
that's about as close to omni-anything we're going to get
in this lifetime.   

As religionists and philosophers seek to update their
understanding of science, the science minded need to update
their concept of the divine.  God as a first cause and
guiding force with the help of chosen administrators,
counselors, and upholders, should teach scientists that
there is dependable order in the universe, that we are not
yet settled in our cradle, a condition otherwise known as
'settled in light and life' in the Urantia Book, therefore
there are still many changes to be revealed awaiting our
discovery and interpretation.  The planet is still settling
down from long periods of creation activity.  Climate
change, natural disasters, cosmic changes, and more gradual
changes in planetary life are yet to be experienced.   

The living God favors intelligent worship, not fearful
compliance.   The living God is refreshingly trustworthy. 
Fellowship with God is possible through the acceptance of
indwelling spirit of God and through the free will choice of
living according to the Spirit of Truth in the world.  God
is perfect, omnipresent, changeless in an ever-changing
universe, and all-powerful.  We can know this truth through
our own personal experience - in spite of the constantly
changing environment we find ourselves in.   

The Supreme Purpose of Life is to develop a Majestic and
Well-balanced Personality.
The Urantia Papers - 195 - 10:17

Planet Urantia was created for all people, male and
female, people of all faiths, all mindsets - from spiritual
to philosophical to scientific, personalities from all
walks of life - intellectuals, professionals, religious
leaders, and people of every political persuasion.

Sorrows and Trials - Into Each Life A Little Rain Must Fall

Why do sorrows and trials have to happen?  Why do bad things happen to good people and vice versa?  Well, you know how the saying goes, don't you? 

Into each life a litle rain must fall.

Well, is rain always bad?  Of course not.  Rain has a purpose, just like we have a purpose.  Just like the fields need the rain to grow food for Earth's inhabitants, so do the sorrows and trials we experience have a purpose.

While many of the sorrows and trials we experience come about as a result of our own action or inaction, the confusion and turmoil we live in is not always entirely of our own doing.  Accidents happen, both natural and man-caused.  The weather can cause terrible destruction and wreak havoc in our lives.  We could be the victim of a freak motor vehicle accident, why even the very bridges we drive across to get to and from our destinations could give way and come crashing to the ground.  We could be the victim of a terrorist attack or we could become seriously wounded, or worse, while defending our country.

All sorts of things can and will go wrong.  Weather related incidents occur because our planet is not yet settled in its cradle.  Accidents happen because time does not stand still, or because of faulty judgment or building materials.  Evil happens because people desire power and control over others.  Put another way, evil happens when personal evaluations are elevated to absolutes.  The road to evil is sometimes paved with even the best of intentions.  The love of truth and a spiritual rebirth is necessary for victory and deliverance over evil. 

Evil is the darkness which follows the rejection of the light.  Evil originates in imperfection, and suggests a deficiency of wisdom.  The existence of evil was not created by God, but the consequences are his.  The potential for sin and rebellion, evil, is directly related to the conflicting presence of opposites - truth and untruth, fact and falsehood.    Deliberately choosing evil is sin, rejecting truth is wisdom deficiency.  We need to give credit where credit is due. 

Our civilization is in the early stages of a progressive eternal journey.  Our lives are but a grain of sand when compared to eternity.  Remember.....

The Supreme Purpose of Life is to develop a Majestic and Well-balanced Personality.

We are imperfect creatures trying to figure out how it's done, and most of the time we can't seem to agree with one another, so we fight.  This is no doubt primitive, but this is where we are at the present moment, so we need to deal with it.

The Lucifer rebellion notwithstanding, who cannot affect us anyway unless we allow it, we still have much more control over our lives than we dare to acknowledge. 

Your anxieties, disappointments, sorrows and trials will help you to achieve your Majestic Purpose.  God has not sent them or caused them to befall you.  What God has done is given you the capacity to learn from and deal with any situation that comes your way.

This magnificent and universal injunction to strive for the attainment of the perfection of divinity is the first duty, and should be the highest ambition, of all the struggling creature creation of the God of perfection. This possibility of the attainment of divine perfection is the final and certain destiny of all man's eternal spiritual progress.

Urantia Papers - References:

• Paper 23 - 2:5
• Paper 54 - Sec 0
• Paper 19 - 1:4
• Paper 195 - 10:17
• Paper 1 - 1:4   

About Planet Urantia

Mission Statement

Our purpose here at PlanetUrantia.com is to assist you in your efforts to become a majestic and well-balanced personality.  We will do this significant mission by disseminating to you the teachings of the Urantia Papers in simple and easy to understand language.  Although you can perform this task on your own, and we enthusiastically encourage you to do this; disseminating the Urantia Papers is a daunting task indeed.  We hope to inspire you a bit by breaking it down into stimulating bite-size pieces through a variety of media - such as articles, books, ebooks, audio - podcasts, open forums, resources, and information about events designed to enhance your life. 

Who is our audience?  Well you, of course.  PlanetUrantia.com was created for all people, male and  female, people of all faiths, all mindsets - from spiritual to philosophical to scientific, personalities from all walks of life - intellectuals, professionals, religious leaders, and people of every political persuasion.

What are the Urantia Papers?

The Urantia Papers, bound in the Urantia Book, boldly claim to be a revelation of truth to our world from a friendly and well-ordered universe. A new revelation intended to guide humankind into a new era of gradual development and progress. You will develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of God's creation and those beings created for God's own and their own enjoyment and for the purpose of serving and disclosing our place in the universe family of freewill intelligent beings.  A revelation of a beneficent and loving creator.

First published in 1955, The Urantia Book is a literary masterpiece that harmonizes science, religion, and philosophy, while illuminating the origin, history and destiny of mankind.  It is broken down into four parts: 

Part 1:  The Central and Superuniverses

Part 2:  The Local Universe

Part 3:  The History of Urantia (Earth - Urantia is the name of our planet)

Part 4:  The Life and Teachings of Jesus

The last section of the Urantia Book, Part 4, contains an updated, thorough, and beautiful account of Jesus' life and teachings. 

When you have finished reading this great book, more illuminating than the Bible or other sacred texts, you will wonder why you have never heard of it before, and if anyone else knows about it.  Talk about a SECRET! There are probably a great number of reasons why the Urantia Book is not more widely known.  Some of these reasons will be discovered while reading it, there are some very controversial sections in the Urantia Book.  Another reason is due to the fact that the Urantia Foundation and Urantia Fellowship - the two main Urantia organizations - have, up until now, felt that the best way to disseminate this book was by word of mouth.  This was done to protect the integrity of the text by establishing it over time.  It is now pretty much agreed that the field is ready - you are ready - to receive the teachings of the Urantia Book.  If you are reading this, you are a very rare individual, with 6 billion people on the planet, there are probably only 1 percent of us who have come in contact with the knowledge of the Urantia Book. 

As humans, we experience an irresistible urge to symbolize our concepts of God.  When you have finished reading this great book, these symbolizations will no longer be necessary.  You can expect to have a clear picture of who you are, where you came from, where you're going, what your Majestic Purpose is, who God is, who Jesus is, what the Lucifer Rebellion was all about, who were Adam and Eve, and most importantly - that we are part of something more wonderful and awesome than you could ever imagine or dream! 

When you have finished reading this book, there is a community of Urantia Book Readers that would love to meet you.  For more information, please check the Links-Resources category.  Feel free to contact us by leaving a comment if you have any questions  - if we don't know, we'll find out.  To purchase the Urantia Book - just click on one of the book links below, or visit our Book Shop (see book page link in sidebar). 

God the Father loves men; God the Son serves men; God the Spirit inspires the children of the universe to the ever-ascending adventure of finding God the Father by the ways ordained by God the Sons through the ministry of the grace of God the Spirit. 

The Urantia Papers - 3 - 6:8

When all is said and done, the Father idea is still the highest human concept of God. 

The Urantia Papers - 195 3:- 32