Mystical Christianity Lesson 2 (assignment)

---

Mystical Christianity Lesson 2 1.    Without sacrificial atonement as the central Christian message, we're left with a much more positive message, one more in tune with Nature: resurrection/rebirth.  Here the emphasis is shifted away from Jesus "washing away our sins with his precious blood" towards an emphasis on the risen Christ – a powerful embodiment of the triumph of life over death, of light over darkness. 2.    The Church has traditionally interpreted Genesis – specifically the passage where Adam is granted dominion over all the creatures – as meaning that nature is a resource at man's disposal, to be dominated and manipulated by man. Also, in this view, nature is fallen as well, further justifying man's right to exploit it. This view has led us to the brink of environment catastrophe where we stand today. 3.    Greg Braden's theory brings a whole new meaning to being "made in God's image", and removes the ambiguity surrounding this phrase. If God is indeed part of our DNA, we cannot pervert the meaning of this Biblical phrase to suggest that only "man" (and not woman) was made in God's image (and the same goes for any race or ethnic group that might use the phrase to assert its supremacy over other races or ethnic groups). It means that we are all one, regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation. 4.    Although the existence of such a "God code" in our DNA does not change my view towards the question of human unity and brotherhood (as my belief is that we are all part of one Universal Soul), it is a message that desperately needs to be heard, taught and practiced throughout the world.  The unity of humanity is a lesson every child needs to learn before they even learn that 1+1=2. J.P. Amis