Cosmic Awareness - 1980 20 - religion christianity god messiah heaven hell savior children jesus gods

Magazine Overview

Title: Revelations of Awareness
Issue: 80-20
Date: 1980
Publisher: Cosmic Awareness Communications
Price: $3.00

This issue of Revelations of Awareness, a New-Age Cosmic Newsletter, delves into the spiritual and psychological implications of fundamental Christian doctrine, particularly concerning its impact on children. It also explores the historical parallels between various 'Saviour-Gods' and critiques the methods employed by fundamentalist religious groups.

Should Children Be Taught the Fundamental Christian Doctrine?

The central question posed on the cover addresses the appropriateness of teaching fundamental Christian doctrine to children. Cosmic Awareness, communicating through trance-interpreter Paul Shockley, suggests that the doctrine is generally suitable for children at their current level of consciousness development. It posits that as children mature, they may gain deeper insight into the mystical and symbolic meanings behind the literal stories and interpretations. The Awareness emphasizes that the entity will move through various phases and attitudes, and parents should not become overly concerned if a child experiments with different behaviors or concepts, as long as they do not enter areas beyond their responsibility or safety.

The Awareness advises parents to maintain an active interest in their child's feelings and actions, offering gentle guidance rather than imposing strict rules. It highlights the importance of clear communication, listening to the child's perspective, and making decisions with personal conviction based on gathered information. The guidance suggests that a vacillating parent can be confusing to a child, but it is equally unhealthy if the child's feelings are not considered. Parents are encouraged to acknowledge their own errors to teach children tolerance and that mistakes are not fatal.

Furthermore, the Awareness suggests that when discussing religious ideas with children, asking questions is more effective than dictating answers. This approach helps expand the child's curiosity and thinking limits. The complexity of information should be tailored to the child's capacity to comprehend. The Awareness also notes that as children grow older, they may become interested in other ancient religions, such as Mithraism, the Chaldean story of Bel, and the Indian story of Krishna, and recommends books on comparative religion and New Age children's literature.

Hellfire and Eternal Damnation Programming?

A significant portion of the magazine addresses the potential negative impact of fundamentalist teachings, particularly those involving threats of hellfire and damnation. The Awareness suggests that while simply attending Sunday school and learning biblical stories may not be harmful, radical fundamentalist teachers who present these threats can be damaging. However, it also acknowledges that children will inevitably encounter various concepts and ideas and may seek parental guidance when confused or troubled.

The Awareness characterizes the fundamentalist concept of religion as based on 'fear tactics,' which, if used by a modern cult, would be considered outrageous. It notes that these tactics have been used for centuries and have found approval, with many entities not challenging them due to their widespread use. The publication points out that a significant portion of radio time is purchased by religious organizations, with a majority of these being fundamentalists who preach about eternal glory for acceptance and damnation for rejection.

The Awareness argues that these fundamentalist entities are not truly recognizing the spirit of Christ's message but are using it for personal gain, control, and power through threats and promises. It suggests that the fundamental Christian doctrine is suitable for mentalities around 10 to 12 years old, before the intellect can fully grasp deeper spiritual concepts. The Awareness believes that much of the Bible is valuable for its historical information, social codes, and teachings on creation and morals, which have been essential in molding the human condition.

The magazine includes a stark warning from a fundamentalist tract titled 'STOP AND THINK HOW LONG IS ETERNITY?', which uses vivid imagery of hell and the Lake of Fire and Brimstone to urge repentance and belief in Jesus Christ as a savior. This tract is presented as an example of the fear-based methods employed by some religious groups.

The "Zen Trick" of Salvation and Mind Control

Cosmic Awareness further elaborates on the psychological techniques used by fundamentalist groups, describing them as a form of 'mind control' and a 'Zen trick' for healing troubled souls. The process involves convincing individuals that they are separated from God, then offering a 'cure' or 'salvation' through specific actions or beliefs. This method, according to the Awareness, works by heaping guilt upon an entity, followed by the removal of that guilt upon acceptance of the suggested 'cure,' often through repetitive sermons and emotional appeals.

The Awareness likens this to hypnotism, where the hypnotist instills feelings of shame and low self-worth, then offers a solution. The entity, feeling better after accepting the 'pill of salvation,' may become a fanatical follower, as it is difficult to dissuade someone from an experience they have had. The Awareness suggests that entities may also seek similar relief through psychiatric treatment, EST, or other group therapies.

It is emphasized that without accepting biblical stories as the ultimate authority, these entities lack the power to control others. The Awareness suggests that questioning the literal interpretation of the Bible and considering symbolic meanings can create difficulty for those who rely on strict adherence to scripture.

The Similarities of the Messiahs-The Saviour-Gods Throughout History

This section, presented as a supplement, explores the historical parallels between Jesus and other 'Saviour-Gods' from various cultures. The editor notes that the story of Jesus is seen as a repeat of an ancient cosmic passion drama played out by certain entities throughout history.

Parallels are drawn between the Christian legend and:

• Babylonian Legend (circa 2000 B.C.): Bel is taken prisoner, tried, smitten, led away, has malefactors with him, disappears, and is brought back to life.
• Indra (1500 B.C.): Regarded as a great deity in Hindu legend, Indra suffered death, celebrated by carrying crosses, reappeared after death, and ascended to heaven. He was believed to have descended to earth to take punishment and lived a life of celibacy, teaching virtues.
• Krishna (600 B.C.): His birth was foretold, he was the son of a virgin mother, hailed as a Saviour-God, performed miracles, claimed to be divine, came from heaven to suffer sins, criticized religious teachings, advocated reform, and lived a life of purity and poverty. He is awaited for his second coming.

These parallels suggest a recurring archetype of a divine or semi-divine figure who suffers for humanity, dies, and is resurrected, offering salvation and a new way of life. The Awareness suggests that these stories are part of a larger cosmic narrative.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of spiritual development, the critique of dogmatic and fear-based religious practices, and the exploration of universal spiritual archetypes. The magazine's stance, as communicated through 'Cosmic Awareness,' is one of encouraging critical thinking, personal spiritual exploration, and a broader understanding of religious and spiritual traditions beyond fundamentalist interpretations. It advocates for a more compassionate and less fear-driven approach to spiritual education and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of individual discernment and the potential for deeper, more mystical understanding of spiritual concepts.