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URANTIA BOOK
CENTRAL |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(with multiple answers from
readers around the world) |
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1. What is the Urantia Book?
2. Is the Urantia Book a New Age
book?
3. Who wrote the Urantia Book?
4. Is Urantia a
New Religion?
5. Is Urantia a cult?
6.
Where should I start reading? |
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1. What is the Urantia Book? |
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ANSWER #1: The Urantia Book is a revelation of truth given to
the peoples of our planet, Urantia. It instructs us on God, angels,
life after death, the structure of the universe and its divinely
planned developments, the origin and history of our planet, the life
and teachings of Jesus, and our eternal destiny as perfected
citizens of a friendly universe. It provides an enlightening picture
of reality in which science, religion and philosophy are unified. It
give us the “big picture” and shows us where we, as individuals, fit
into it.
ANSWER #2: The Urantia Book provides powerful evidence that
our world is part of a friendly, intelligent and well-ordered
universe. Many believe it to be the most important revelation of
truth to our world since Jesus. The book truly provides a deep
appreciation and understanding of the origin, history and destiny of
mankind while illuminating our place in the cosmic family of
freewill intelligent beings. It reveals as never before an infinite
circle of creation at the center of which reigns our infinite,
almighty and loving Creator.
ANSWER #3: The teachings of the Urantia Book blend science,
philosophy, and religion seamlessly into a beautiful narrative that
challenges, informs, and integrates truth in a new way. The entire subject
matter of the book seeks to make clear our divine and eternal
destiny, “the age-long process from animal to angel, from angel to
spirit, from spirit to God.” (P. 558). The
teachings include information on the organization, places, and
personalities of the cosmos; the history of our planet, Urantia;
a description of our continuing spiritual evolution; a new view of
reality by explaining the concepts of personality, mind, and soul;
how we experience supreme evolution of our progression
towards God in partnership with spirit in our minds; and lastly a new and enlarged account of the life and teachings of
Jesus.
ANSWER #4: The Urantia Book may be the most powerful evidence
ever that there is intelligent life in the universe. The Urantia
Book boldly claims to be a revelation of truth to our world from the
headquarters of the superuniverse. A revelation in book form, it is
intended to help guide humankind into the next era of evolutionary
progress. The Urantia Book provides a deeper appreciation and
understanding of our own planetary family, as well as of our place
in the cosmic family of freewill intelligent beings. It reveals as
never before an infinite circle of creation, at the center of which
reigns our beneficent and loving Creator.
ANSWER #5: It is a 2097-page text containing beautiful
spiritual teachings, including a unique perspective on deity that
integrates science and physics with religion in a way that has never
been done before. It depicts the history of our universe, our planet
and civilization, and contains a profound, in-depth account
of the life and teachings of Jesus far beyond what has ever been
written. It provides a detailed analysis on the state of our
religious institutions and their shortcomings, and guidance on what
needs to be done for them to keep pace with advancing civilization.
Ultimately, it provides guidance on realizing world peace.
ANSWER #6: The Urantia Book is the fifth epochal revelation
to our planet. It is a 2097-page compendium of cosmology, science,
philosophy, history and religion. It is unified, consistent,
inspiring and beautifully written. One third of it is a restatement
of the life and teachings of Jesus, the fourth epochal revelation.
ANSWER #7. It has been called the handbook for learning to
become a cosmic citizen. It has also been called a revelation of
truth of epochal significance. But no amount of talking about it is
adequate—to find out what it is you’ll just have to read it for
yourself and draw your own conclusions.
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2.
Is the Urantia Book a New Age book? |
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ANSWER #1: The Urantia Book could be regarded as the greatest
New Age book of them all—an authoritative bridge from the Old Age
into the New Age. It has been called “the handbook for the New Age.”
ANSWER #2: Depending upon your definition of
“New Age,” the answer could be yes or no. Mainstream religionists
tend to group New Age religion under an umbrella covering a myriad
of groups and scores of authors basically teaching the following:
1. All is one: all reality is a
unitary whole responsive to various forms of magic;
2. Everything is God and God is
everything;
3. You are God. You are divine;
4. You will never die; You have lived
before and you will live again (reincarnation);
5. You can create your own reality or
transform your own consciousness;
6. All religions are true and,
therefore, one.
In a literal sense such New Age teachings are not supported by the
Urantia Book; so the answer is no, it is not a New Age book.
However, many Urantia Book students have discovered the book because
of their New Age quests. It could be called the ultimate New Age
book because it dispels superstition, clarifies fuzzy, hazy thinking
and nebulous concepts, and provides intelligent, logical and
meaningful answers to the kinds of questions New Agers, among
others, ask.
ANSWER #3: The teachings of The Urantia Book
are certainly new in many respects, and in a sense its presence here
bears witness to a new age on earth. However, the book is also a
reiteration of a message that is anything but new to mankind. The
proclamation that every human being is a member of the family of God
and that each person can come to realize this fact by faith and
through grace is surely not “New Age.” The book exquisitely weaves
the past with the present and the future to give us a wholistic
vision of our existence. The Urantia Book is truly unprecedented,
and is nearly impossible to label.
ANSWER #4: The last few decades have seen an
emergence of various forms of teachings and groups coming from
channelers, mystics, avatars, and the like. Many of these contain an
esoteric approach to spirituality and some groups become cultlike
with rituals, practices and doctrines to be adhered to. If we
consider these as a definition of “New Age,” the Urantia Book does
not fall into this category. The Urantia Book stresses that we do
not have to be mystics with esoteric knowledge in order to live a
spiritually meaningful life. It teaches that God is no respecter of
persons and that average persons can attain high levels of spiritual
understanding and live their lives accordingly. It refers to the
times we live in and are about to enter into as the “New Age,” but
this is in the context specific to the book’s teachings on modern
times. Through a thoughtful reading of its contents, applying our
best judgment and listening to our indwelling spirit, we can arrive
at our own conclusions.
ANSWER #5: It entirely depends on what one
means by “New Age.” This book does indeed offer information that can
help people move toward a new age in religious thinking and social
peace. The Urantia Book redefines “religious” as the experiencing of
divinity in the consciousness, and as one’s personal spiritual
experience. Thus experience and values, not belief, is the essence
of religion. It would indeed usher in a new age in religion if
beliefs ceased to be a barrier between groups of religionists. . . .
One of the fruits of religion is the ability to recognize religious
living in others, and this could open up a new age in the
socialization of religion, one that allows interchange and respect
between religionists whose beliefs differ. It is such teachings that
constitute the Urantia Book the most important new age book around.
. . .
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3. Who
wrote the Urantia Book? |
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ANSWER #1: To understand who wrote the book one must believe
in angels. The true authors are a team of higher beings in the
universe who were assigned the task of giving us this knowledge.
Because humans and superhumans cannot communicate directly with each
other, a uniquely talented human being was used as a transmitter.
Nobody knows who he was or how it was done, and those who knew at
one time died without revealing the secret to prevent us from
creating another “gallery of saints.” What we are left with is a
stupendous 2097-page revelation of truth that will stand or fall on
its own merits.
ANSWER #2: Twenty-three separate authors are attributed to be
responsible for the content of the 196 Papers and Foreword of the
Urantia Book. They’re described and their credentials are provided
within the book itself. As the Urantia Book contains much of the
best historical, scientific, philosophical, and religious thought
from across the ages, there is currently considerable research
underway to identify the original authors of the supporting
material.
ANSWER #3: The Urantia Book is the result of a team effort by
many personalities. Who these personalities are and how they relate
to us is described in the writings and explained in the cosmology
presented therein.
ANSWER #4: No human being is listed as author of the Urantia
Book. The book itself refers to the authorship as a collaborative
effort by many superhuman and celestial beings, each of whom brought
to this endeavor individual areas of knowledge and expertise. They
are listed in the Table of Contents and at the end of each of the
196 Papers. The Foreword describes how these beings were
commissioned to bring to our world this revelation intended to
provide us with a cosmic perspective of who we are and how we fit
into the greater flow of cosmic events.
ANSWER #5: The authors are beings claiming to be celestial
personalities of various kinds—angels, archangels, Melchizedeks, and
others. The content of the book explains the origins and functions
of all of these orders of celestials. The best way for anyone to
assess these extraordinary claims is to read the entire book and
assess it as a whole.
ANSWER #6: Its authors are celestial beings with names like
Divine Counselor and Mighty Messenger. It came through a single
human being in Chicago. Who that person was, or the exact method of
its transmission, is unknown. The person most closely associated
with it was Dr. William. S. Sadler. He wrote many books himself, but
his writing style is quite different from the Urantia Book, and he
was probably not the author.
ANSWER #7: Oral tradition holds that the book was received
from superhuman revelators working through a human contact
personality. This information was assembled into 196 papers over a
twenty-year period which resulted in The Urantia Book. Dr. William
S. Sadler, a Chicago psychiatrist, was involved in this process
although the contact personality was never identified. In the
appendix to his book The Mind at Mischief, Dr. Sadler stated
the information imparted from this source was “always consistent
within itself” and said it was “in a class by itself.”
ANSWER #8: The authors are a collection of celestial beings
who identify themselves at the end of each paper. It is said that
these papers were transmitted through an individual in Chicago
during his sleep and that when he awoke he was totally unaware of
what had transpired. It was mandated that his identity be kept
secret because he was simply a conduit; that the message was
important, not the messenger. This individual came to the attention
of Dr. William Sadler, a noted psychiatrist and debunker of
spiritualism, who began to take great interest in the material being
transmitted. Sadler then gathered a handful of people who became
known as the Contact Commission. They began recording the
information which came through as a series of papers. The next
twenty years were spent reviewing the information, asking questions
of the revelators and taking their revisions.
ANSWER #9: Although the origins of the Urantia Book may seem
out of the ordinary, when we read its contents we are engaged by its
resonance of truth, advanced information, spiritual eloquence, and
powerful message for our generation and those to come. When taken in
full context, the book is self-authenticating. We must also remember
that all of our religions have elements of mystery in their origins.
Yet, over time we have come to accept them because of the
transformational qualities they contain for us individually and
collectively. The same applies to the Urantia Book.
ANSWER #10: There is much detailed speculation and conjecture
on the origin, organization, and method of reception of the Urantia
Papers, but how they actually were obtained constitutes an amazing
mystery about which little is truly known or understood. The authors
are listed in the Table of Contents and at the end of each of the
196 papers comprising the Urantia Book. The authors identify
themselves as a diverse group of heavenly beings who were
commissioned to bring to our world the next in a series of
revelations intended to restore to humankind an understanding of the
true nature of God, of our origin, history, and destiny, and to
provide us with a cosmic perspective of who we are and how we fit
into the greater flow of cosmic events.
ANSWER #11: No human being is listed as author of the Urantia
Book. The book itself refers to the authorship as a collaborative
effort by many superhuman and celestial beings, all of whom brought
to this endeavor individual areas of knowledge and expertise.
However, they tell us from the beginning that they were mandated to
give priority to any human expressions of truth that represented
“the highest and most advanced planetary knowledge of spiritual
values and universe meanings” as would convey the truth “as they
were directed to reveal it” before resorting to their own superior
expressions of truth-knowledge. The various and diverse writings of
many human beings were masterfully coordinated, enhanced, and
improved by the authors responsible for the creation of the Urantia
Book.
ANSWER #12: It is known that one human being was utilized as
a “sleeping subject” to produce the Urantia teachings, but this man
did not want to be known for the phenomenon. Records of the events
concerning the book’s origin state that six people knew his
identity, but none ever revealed his name. Witnesses to these events
have reported that the authors of the Urantia Book indicated it was
best that he remain anonymous, because the truth and wisdom of the
teachings would endure on their own merits without a human
personality to authenticate them.
ANSWER #13: In the early 20th century, a physician practicing
in Chicago became the head of a small group known as the Contact
Commission, the primary custodian of and focal point for producing
the text of the Urantia Book. They were sworn not to disclose
details about the transactions in order to discourage future
generations from venerating the participants. It was considered
important that no individuals be exalted through their association
with the Urantia Book. Because of its revelatory nature, the book
stands on its own merit. As the contents of were being transcribed,
the individual papers were read to the Forum, a group that had been
meeting regularly for philosophical discussions at the doctor’s
residence. The Forum was encouraged to ask questions, and many of
the answers were then incorporated into the papers.
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4. Is "Urantia" a New Religion? |
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ANSWER #1: The word “Urantia” refers to our
planet, Earth. Some long-time readers of the book have made it their
religion, and some churches use the book in its ministry, but there
are no formal religion that calls itself Urantia. The book itself
maintains that true religion is one’s personal relationship with God
and discourages creating another “ism.” People from many religions
embrace the teachings in the book and still remain in good standing
in their denomination, often supporting their traditional faiths
through insights gleaned from the Urantia Book.
ANSWER #2: The Urantia Book is not a
religion. As a group, the readership is not an organized religion,
but the concepts, cosmology and philosophy from the Urantia Book
have helped me tremendously in developing my relationship with God
and the universe. My relationship to God is the crux of my religion.
ANSWER #3: The book reflects a broader
spiritual perspective and understanding that embraces all religions.
In fact, the Urantia Book redefines religion as one’s personal
relationship with God and the way one lives his or her life.
ANSWER #4: No, Urantia is the name of our
planet. The Urantia Book, however, contains the teachings, tenets,
doctrines, ideologies, and gospel of a new religion embracing
aspects of the others. One of the original intents for the
establishment of Urantia Foundation was for the “fostering of a
religion.” Article II from the Declaration of Trust says: 2.1.
PRINCIPAL OBJECT: The object for which this Foundation is created is
... the fostering of a religion, .... So it has been understood
since early on that the book contains the precepts for a new
religion, one that doesn’t require its believers to formulate new
sects, churches, or temples.
ANSWER #5: No. We believe in God and follow
Jesus, but have not yet evolved a formal religious practice. We sing
a lot—songs like Amazing Grace. We sometimes pray in groups,
spontaneously or with a leader. We often have a moment of silence
before a talk or presentation. Some of us choose not to participate
in these group activities, and prefer to worship only in private.
ANSWER #6: No. There are people from existing
faith traditions as well as non-affiliated believers who read the
Urantia Book. The community of readers is actually an interfaith
association which is worldwide. There are simply study groups and
societies which are regional organizations of study groups.
ANSWER #7: No, it is not a formalized
religion. It is a broadly-based body of information in the areas of
spirituality, science, history of civilization, cosmology and
anthropology. It is filled with both factual information and
spiritual truths. It seeks to give a deeper understanding of
existing spiritual teachings while delivering new, revelational
information. There is no official interpretation or set of doctrines
to be adhered to. Instead, every individual is encouraged to absorb
the book’s teachings with the freedom to manifest them as their own,
individual spirit within leads them. There is a global community of
readers with diverse viewpoints and a common appreciation for the
transformational quality of the teachings.
ANSWER #8: The Urantia Book does not call
forth an organized nor institutionalized religious response. It is
filled with the presence of God and Spirit. We learn anew in the UB
that religion is about our personal experience with God and the
loving relationship between persons. It supplies us with the
knowledge and inspiration to lead Spirit-filled lives of love and
service. The Urantia Book inspires religious living but is not a
religion.
ANSWER #9: The Urantia Book defines true
religion as “a matter of personal spiritual experience” and “a
faith-trust in the goodness of God.” It also states that true
religion “is to know God as your Father and man as your brother.” No
organized religion based on the Urantia Book exists at this time and
many who believe in the book feel it would be both unnecessary and
undesirable. Organized religions or cults tend to adhere to a
standardized set of beliefs leaving no room for personal exploration
or interpretation. The Urantia Book actually encourages the
individual’s freedom to do both.
ANSWER #10: The Urantia teachings uplift and
illuminate the truths in all religions, but it is not a
separate and competing religion.
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5. Is
Urantia a cult? |
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ANSWER #1: If you define the word “cult” as a group with a
charismatic leader, specific rituals and practices, and a doctrine
to be adhered to or else risk being excommunicated, no this is not a
cult.
ANSWER #2: It is unavoidable that the groups
of Urantia Book readers who congregate to share the teachings will
be regarded as a cult by outsiders. Those within the groups,
however, do not consider themselves a cult as there is no leader and
no membership requirements.
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6. Where should I start reading? |
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ANSWER #1: Although some people start at the beginning and
read through to the end, many prefer to pick topics of interest to
read through at first. As a suggestion, papers 100 through 102 are
excellent chapters to begin with. From there you may want to read
Part IV on the Life and Teachings of Jesus, because this section is
extremely interesting, rewarding, and easy to understand. There will
be some sections of the book which you won’t understand without the
help of experienced readers. At this point we suggest you join a
study group which will be invaluable.
ANSWER #2: First ask yourself, What is my
biggest question in life? Do I want to know more about God? About
the structure and organization of the universe? Adam and Eve?
Evolution? The history of our planet? Jesus? Life after death? Then
find that subject in the Table of Contents and start there. If you
allow yourself to be led through the book all your questions will be
answered.
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Got a better answer? Want to try answering the questions below?
Submit them to Saskia*
[*Keep it to one paragraph and stay on topic. Should
editing be required the submitter will be contacted for approval.] |
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1. What is the Urantia Book?
2. Is the Urantia Book a New Age
book?
3. Who wrote the Urantia Book?
4.
Is "Urantia" a New Religion?
5.
Is Urantia a cult?
Coming Soon!
Who reads the Urantia Book?
How many people read the Urantia Book?
How many languages has the book been translated into?
Do the readers have any rituals, dogmas or religious practices?
Where should I start reading?
What makes this book different from other revelations of truth?
Is this book an "inspired" work?
Isn't the Bible enough? Why do we need the Urantia Book?
How does the Urantia Book compare to the Bible?
Is the Urantia Book a rewriting of the Bible?
The Bible states there can be no other revelation, so how can the UB
be valid?
Is the Urantia Book similar to A Course in Miracles?
Do I have to give up my church if I embrace the Urantia teachings?
Does this book claim to contain all truth for all time?
How can I meet other readers?
How do Urantia Book readers get together?
and more! |
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