Unum

The mysteries of God are too complex and too profound for a single religion or people to monopolize. Accordingly John wrote – "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down… the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." [John 21:25]. To expand, if this passage only pertains to Jesus the Christ (c. 5 BCE-c. 33 CE until his ascension), imagine how much more exists when God in His totality is considered. If God is considered in His totality, there would not be enough room in all the universes to record everything! In the same spirit it is a mistake to believe that one may only attain salvation through acceptance of a single doctrine or that certain dogma are not subject to interpretation. God provides each of us who welcome Him into our heart a multi-dimensional personal relationship such that His message, though consistent with His loving nature and scripture, will be different. His message is individualized towards our personal needs to enhance our spiritual growth, to facilitate our personal journey of discovery and to broaden our path to salvation. We are all branches on the same vine and no branch should be broken and trampled to give precedence to another. Accordingly, it is hardly likely that God can be pleased with intra-and-inter sectarian religious strife since no creator whether a painter, sculptor, or author could rejoice at the destruction of their masterpiece. This is especially true pertaining to God's masterpiece – the human being, notably because of the sanctity of life. "Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involved the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end…" "All life is sacred, as we all have a part of the divine soul ("atman") in us." "[H]ave neither male nor female slaves, see all people as equal…" [The "Luminous" Religion] The purpose of this book, a collection of scripture, psalms, and proverbs is to promote tolerance since the world's religions have greater unity than is apparent – all lead to the same Creator whether one calls Him Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Brahman or by another name. The “Luminous” religion (c. 635-1399) came closest to uniting. Per Martin Palmer, The Jesus Sutras (Ballantine Wellspring, New York, 2001) it "presented [a] peaceful, insightful interaction between Eastern and Western cultures… unit[ing] the wisdom and moderation of Taoism and the humanism and compassion of Christianity." Sadly, it was stamped out by oppression and persecution in mid-to-late 14th century China. Nevertheless, even though the "Luminous" religion is extinct per se, some of its sutras still exist providing corroborative, insightful texts applicable and inspirational to this day, which are included in "Unum." Even when the various religions appear to diverge greatly – everything (virtues, prophesies, teachings) even when not recognized, leads to Jesus the Christ, the epitome of God's agape (unconditional) love and to God, the Loving Creator. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" [John 3:16] and "Love is the reflection of God's unity in the world… It constitutes the entire significance of creation." [Meher Baba (1894-1969)] "[The Messiah], 'the raft of salvation and compassion,' suffered terrible woes so that all should be freed from karma. All of us are saved by his works… [H]e will not leave you without qi (life)… So have no fear, not even of death; you will live as the Messiah lives… raised after death… [There] will be such joy and happiness…" [The "Luminous" Religion] Religion is not intended to exclude, divide or subvert but to include, invite, and since in reality "There is no difference in the realization of the Truth… The difference is only in words and terms..." as stated by Indian mystic Meher Baba. Buddhist spiritual leader, Tenzin Gyatso (b. 1935), the 14th Dalai Lama captured the true essence of religion when he stated, "The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, forgiveness." "There is no compulsion in religion…" [Quran, The Cow 2:256] "Be kind and merciful to humanity, for all are [God's] creatures; do not oppress them… Always work for the good of mankind. Never unduly assert yourselves… over others… Be humble in spirit, kind and gentle, and forgiving, sympathetic towards all…" [Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908)] Religious freedom is even more imperative when the current state of the world is considered in which God and religion are being de-emphasized and de-legitimized. Although The Good Book: A Secular Bible by A.C. Grayling (Walker & Company, New York, 2011) offers beautiful, inspirational material to unite humanity through science and philosophy, the absence of salvation and thus hope is palpable. Despite an atheist’s best intentions and efforts, moral corruption, social disorder, and spiritual ignorance will be the consequences if God is purged from society. In addition, the purpose of “Unum” is to rebut the growing numbers of slanderous attacks on Jesus’ reputation and to purge the negative depiction Pope Gregory (c. 540-604) created of Mary Magdalene in 591 to preserve the status quo of the male-centric world of his era. She was never a prostitute, which is clear in the gospels. The Gospel of John, Synoptic (Luke, Matthew, and Mark) and Gnostic gospels are all included in Book XXVIII: “The Gospels: Jesus The Christ.” When sutras from the Luminous Religion are added, it is apparent that not only does Book XXVIII illustrate God’s unconditional love for humanity and Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice to redeem us, it also illustrates the beautiful love between him and an attractive young woman from the prosperous fishing village of Magdala located on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. It began when Mary Magdalene (c. 6-78) impulsively went to listen to a sermon by Jesus in c. 30. Afterwards, she gave up her lust for extravagance and the material things of the world, fell in love with Jesus and became his most devoted and beloved disciple. She was always at his side ¾ during good times and bad. He confided in her and returned her affection, often kissing her. He knew she had agape love for him. At the same time, she knew and understood him completely and willingly embraced a celibate spiritual loving relationship so that Jesus could fulfill his Father’s will. Therefore instead of objecting to his mission, she put God first and supported Jesus. She stayed with him during his humiliation and crucifixion when just about everyone else whom he was associated with fled and/or denied him. She did not care if the Roman soldiers and hostile crowd were watching. She was ready to die with him.