Good Morning … You know when I was much younger I actually was pretty opinionated - I even remember telling someone during a discussion about Religion “how can you even think that knowing what you do about Jesus and what He said” … The conversation was about Reincarnation and had been pretty heated … Now when I remember that evening I almost have to laugh at myself for being so “opinionated” and also I praise myself for staying “open” to the Truth over the years so I could reach where I am today …

I think I have read more books about “Religion” and or “God” than anything else in my life … I was never able to be one of those who said “God said it, I believe it, discussion over” … From the Urantia Book to the Davinchi Code, from Van Donagin and Lindsey to The Q and The Gospel of Judas … The search for and belief that the Truth was out there has kept me motivated over the decades … And it still does today …

Each of us defines ourselves as “Students of Truth” through our Mission Statement and so I feel I am in great company … Odd as it may sound Truth and Religions have not and still today don't always mix … The Galileo syndrome is still alive and well … You've probably noticed that I use Galileo's story a lot in my talks and I admit I do - but I do that for good reason … First and foremost it is easily validated and proven … Second it very clearly shows what happens when power overtakes Truth and our minds close to reality … It clearly shows that while it should be that science and religion are the perfect bedfellows just the opposite is many times true … And while we as “students of Truth” say we have opened minds, many times it is just so much easier and much less confrontational to speak up …

In case you don't know the story, back in the 15th and 16th Centuries the Church controlled everything, including Scientific Opinions … So when the telescope came along and Galileo used it to see that in fact the Sun was the center of the universe and not the earth - wll the line was drawn and the fight was on … The Pope tells him directly that either he tow the line and the “official position” or he would be removed or excommunicated from the Church … You know the rest of the story - he said the Truth is the Truth regardless of what the church says and the Church said good bye … It only took about 500 years for someone like John Paul the 2nd to come along and say “whoa, this is embarrassing - we need to fix this” and he did … For 500 years Galileo was a heathen, until he was suddenly the hero again and his good name restored …

So how does this apply to us ??? Simple, we say we are “Students of Truth” in our Mission Statement … What does that mean ??? What do you think it means ??? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I think it means that just as our Lord suggested we always be like a child … Let's face it, there are none of us who have raised kids who has not endured the “why is” litany … And I know we all reached that certain point when we finally snapped and said something to the effect of “OK, enough questions for today” … You remember how it went - “What's that noise, why that's thunder, what's thunder, why that's the noise lightning makes, what is lightning, well that's what happens when raindrops rub together …” and so on … Kids are built to be gatherers of information and so should we … And as we gather it, we need to be open to new possibilities, we should be open to following the evidence and not be constrained by any limiting thoughts or beliefs …

Let me share where I am going with this … I am thinking that it might be good to add the Power of the Spoken Word to our stated intention on Sundays when we gather … Sunnie and I have been discussing this and she makes some valid points - it could sound like some sort of manifesto or cult belief … But then it could also simply be a verbal statement that reminds us why we are here … So I am asking you this morning “What do you think?” … Would you like to state our Intentions for Learning each Sunday as part of Service or not … Just raise your hand if you would …

Thank you - we will let you know how that came out … And while we are on the Subject of “What do you think” and we are affirming our place as “Students of Truth” let's look at one other fascinating piece of information - It is from the PEW Forum for Religion and Public Life … It is the results of a Poll taken of over 36,000 people last year that illustrates some amazing facts … Not the least of which is that when it comes to Religion, regardless of what some would have you believe, there are few if any “absolutes” … Oh many out there, especially in the Evangelical Churches want you to accept without question, and publicly deride those who challenge their one way thinking, but in reality many if not most here on the planet feel otherwise …
Have you ever stopped to realize it is only the Christian Faith, and a few Muslims that believe it is a “My Way or the Highway” kind of process ??? Amazing isn't it, especially when you take in account how the Lord acted …

We know this movement or belief as The Oneness Movement … And clearly 70% said they embrace the idea that “different” Religions can lead to God and Heaven … Of that group 85% were Methodist, 83% Mainline Churches, Catholics were 79% in favor, 67% of Southern Baptists, 59% of Historically Black Churches, and at last place 57% of Evangelicals … Pretty amazing when you stop and think about it for a bit … And yet even today the Galileo Syndrome is alive and at work … For example, regardless of the facts the Survey has been derided for being run by secularists who have distorted the facts, or as another fundamentalist apologist put it - “this Survey shows that almost all who call themselves Christians are in fact unsaved fools who have no idea of Biblical principles and teachings” … Pretty insightful don't you think ??? In spite of the facts, it can't really be that we cannot make people believe something that makes no sense to them, it has to be that they are idiots and won't listen to our counsel” and this is coming from some pretty well known and highly placed “Church Leaders” … While I find it a bit distressing and confusing, I am sure Galileo understands only too well …

Interestingly enough, this Galileo Syndrome is also being seen in the political arena - take the recent Barack Obama flap … It seems that he was speaking publicly last week or so when he was asked if “Biblical principles should figure into a candidates decisions in Government and or Policy” to which he responded “well it depends on which Principles you are referring to - for example if do you mean the Book of Leviticus where it says I can own slaves, and prostitute my daughters and those who are adulterers must be stoned or are you taking about say the Sermon on the Mount ??? That is a call to accountability few if any could pass” … Now I think that was a perfect answer - but wait - James Dobson climbed onto the wagon and lambasted Obama as having an immature and childish understanding of Scripture, of being naïve and simplistic in his use of Scripture and well it just goes on and on … Anyone see the Galileo parallels ??? Why would Dobson - and this is NOT an endorsement for Obama, just a statement of fact - feel the need to deride Obama like this ??? Why does he feel so threatened … What do you think ??? I don't think there is just one answer, I truly believe it is many sided … The main point is that what happened over 500 years ago is still going on today … And in reality, this is what happened when The Lord was here over 2000 years ago … He was just as big, if not bigger threat to the established Church of that time as any political hopeful of today …

So what I want to leave you with is this - as true Students of Truth, as True Believers and Seekers we must constantly be evolving, growing, learning, seeking, discovering and adjusting … While today we may hold one thought, if new evidence comes along tomorrow, we must be able to adjust and reevaluate the Truth, and reconcile the new information … That is what real Students of Truth do, and it is what children do without even thinking about it … So let's reclaim that inquisitive nature we came into this world with, and not be afraid to ask any question, or seek any answer … And let's Pray for the courage to accept the Truth no matter where it might lead us …

Namaste' …