WHAT IS RELIGIOUS SCIENCE

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How is Jesus viewed in Religious Science?

In Religious Science, Jesus is often referred to as the "Great Teacher".  We focus not on his death, but on his teachings;  Jesus as the great example, not the great exception.  Rather than affirm that he died for our sins, we celebrate his life, the life that he lived for our education and enlightenment.  Through his teachings, the teachings of other masters, and science, we learn more about the nature of the Universe of God;  their example also shows us the best way to live on this earth.  It is important to note that we honor all religions, be they Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, or the many others.  All religions fulfill a spiritual need for their people.

Our perspective on the Bible

We consider the Christian Bible (in it's many forms), and other sacred scriptures, as sources that bring us closer to the understanding of the Oneness.  But we also know that the scriptures found in the Bible were written for the people who were living 1900 to 3500 years ago.  Since then humankind has progressed tremendously.  Through advancements in society, and advancements in science and technology, society has developed a greater understanding of God and expanded ways to express and embody that understanding which were not available nor could be understood in ancient times.

We do not believe in eternal damnation, or other judgments, positive or negative, by God.  We see the Oneness behind the more obvious dualities.  We believe that cause-and-effect is a principle of God-that when we do something which is against our personal ethics, or the affirming, positive flow of the universe, or we set something in motion which is counter to the good which we could have expressed, it comes back to us.  We create our own punishment in our action.  Conversely, when we do something creative, loving, or affirming, that too comes back to us.  Thus we also create our own reward.  Although we do not believe in the traditional concepts of heaven and hell, we do believe in heaven as an internal state of mind which can be experienced by anyone at any time.  Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is within; we can all experience that.  And Dr. Ernest Holmes stated:  "Our contention is not that dead people live again, but that a living person never dies."  We are vibrant, eternal living spirits right now.  At death our physical bodies fall away but the spirit continues.

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