Lesson 11 - Notes for Confirmands - Sunday 7th August 2005 in Bayswater
Summing up
You have learned about Religion, God, Jesus and what he taught, and the Temple Society. What is important for you to remember?
God
Different people understand that force which created the universe in different ways. Some (traditional Jews, Christians and Muslims) call it God or Allah. Others (like more modern Christians) call it names like the Ground of Being, or other names that Herta U. told you. Modern scientists talk about the Big Bang creating the universe.
The old religions imagined their Creator (God, Allah) as having features like humans, and making the world as a deliberate act so that humans could live on it. More recent versions think about the beginning of the world as just happening. The difference between these versions reflects how people understood nature.
With so much variation in how people think of God, this cannot be very important.
What you do
Whatever picture you have of God, or even if you think there is no God, you can CHOOSE BETWEEN BEING SELFISH or STRIVING FOR THE GOOD OF EVERYONE.
The important thing is WHAT YOU THINK AND DO ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. Do you love them? Can they trust you? Or must they fear you?
If you want peace rather than war, you must live in peace with others. If you are to be happy among friends, then you must treat people as friends and help them when they need help. All organisms have evolved to survive and reproduce. So selfishness (our survival at the expense of others) is built into us. We must overcome this inherent selfishness to achieve a better state where all of us share what we need. Even though it may not be easy to achieve, it is possible for humans. It is a vision worth striving for.
Jesus had recognised this vision as possible for humans. In the language of his time, he called it THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was now here. His listeners could, and should, enter it. They should not wait for the end of the present nasty world, nor should they wait for God, or anyone else, to give the Kingdom of God to them. They should enter the Kingdom by changing themselves. To enter the Kingdom of God is to change your attitude and behaviour so that you become a better person.
That is the religion of the Temple Society. Take seriously what Jesus taught and do it. Make peace in the world by being peaceful yourself. Forgive others, so that they will be more likely to forgive you. Real peace among humans is a wonderful vision which we should all work towards. Use your talents, whether in science or in the arts, music and so on, to contribute to this vision. It is better and more satisfying than living in any other way.
We invite you to join this work towards real peace by becoming a full member of the Temple Society Australia, as soon as you are mature (reach 18 years of age). We wish each of you well in your life.
Lesson 11 Confirmation Evaluation 2005