Kindergarten of Christ

[oxbow]

A good article in the Telegraph today about the Charismatic movement of US Evangelism. Specifically, about children prophets:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2006/11/18/ftjesus18.xml&page=1


Most of us in this forum have devoted ourselves to a personal relationship with the Divine. These people are doing the same, even though we would probably disagree with them on most everything. This brings up some very intriguing questions about the nature of spirit, and our ability as human beings to access it.


How do our beliefs and preconceptions filter spiritual energy and experiences?

What part of what these people are doing is from 'God,' and what part is themselves?

How does our ego play into this process? Specifically, how do our fears and ideas on the nature of Evil change the energy and its effects on the world around us?

I tend to think that what these people are doing is mostly ego, being fed by a small flow of spiritual energy. Speaking from personal experience, I can't see how I would be able to hear God, much less do energy work, from such a small place as where these people are working from. A long time ago, I actually was a Mormon, a pretty faithful one, so I know what the spiritual experience felt like from that end of the spectrum TO ME. I can't say that these people were wired the same way that I was, but I do know that while I was getting some spiritual nourishment from that lifestyle, it was a trickle on parched ground compared to the outpouring that is my life today.

Your thoughts? :)

[LaurenG]

1. I have thought a lot about this

I was an evangelical in the 80's and I found their beliefs mostly fear based plus all authority is given to the leaders of the church.

I also read several years ago that yes they are seeking the Divine but if you measured fundamentalist Christianity on an ascension scale of levels 1 through 7 they could never get past the 3rd level due to their fear.

With that said, we are all on a path seeking something, I think they just tried to pick a "safe" path and in doing so limit themselves and God. Rather than understanding what Christ was really saying they are being bound in fear. Instead of "becoming like the Christ" and "knowing they are "gods" and doing the same things Christ did as Christ stated "these things and more shall ye do also", they got stuck in the hell fire and brimstone which has effectively kept them in negativity.

[I Have A Dream]

2. I responded to this last night. I wonder where it went.

:shrug:

[oxbow]

4. please, respond again if you have time. n/t.

[oxbow]

3. I think these children's spiritual lives are completely different from their parents'

Children are naturally attuned to the spiritual realm. I don't know if it has always been this way, or just the children born lately. However, while working as a teacher, I was continuously amazed by how connected and light filled the kids felt. Likewise, I think that these fundamentalist children are much more connected with the energy than their parents. Even though their abilities are being channeled and dammed by their religious environment, they clearly have access to some of their gifts.

Reading about a roomfull of kids speaking in tongues, prophecying and healing is pretty scary to me though. While I am in awe of how early they are manifesting, and how they can do it despite the fear-filled environment they live in, I am saddened by all the pressure seemingly being put on them. 5 year olds are way too young to be pushed onto such a path, in my opinion. Better to let them grow naturally into their abilities, and in the meanwhile just let them be themselves!

Because of my own experiences though, I feel bad for most anybody growing up in that environment. When preacher Ted Haggard got into trouble a couple of weeks ago, I felt horrible for him. This could have been an opportunity for him to break away from a controlling culture and start finding out who he really was. Instead, he gave himself up to 'the love of the church' and agreed to enter counseling to help him deal with his "sinful urges." His path is going to be very hard for the next couple of years, unless he is brave enough to listen to his inner light.

I don't know, but the evangelical movement has been on my mind lately. It seems that something significant is happening, and that things could go either way right now. With the election and Haggard and the 'endtimes' and everything else weighing down on US evangelicism, the movement is under so much pressure to change. Whether it moves towards the open heart or just more fear is up to them, even though it will affect all of us.