10 Questions for Jesus of Nazareth on the Future of Religion

(Image credit: Take My Hand by Greg Olsen)
mock Q&A by Doug Pedersen

“Christianity and its bible are a lie and entirely fiction.”

“People don’t trust your church anymore.”

“People don’t trust your bible.”

“People don’t like your God."

I read these phrases a few minutes ago while perusing an article on Medium. They are tame compared to other comments I’ve seen regarding religion and God. The fact is, many more phrases exactly like these exist in article copy, headlines, and within the reader responses on the platform—and all over social media. Check out the leading atheist writer when you're bored one day. Here are a few more examples:

If the Church Wants Credibility, It Should Start by Apologizing

We Need to Talk About Christian Deconstruction

The REAL Reasons People Are Leaving Your Church

There was a time when people never discussed religion openly or on purpose. It was taboo and thought to be among the three things you should never talk about: money, politics, and religion. We knew that doing so would lead to bitter arguments and anger, leaving each participant more confident than ever that their view was the right one.

As Johnathan Swift said, “You cannot reason someone out of something he or she was not reasoned into.”

So, why are so many people online talking about religion? And arguing openly? We know that debating religion is futile and conflict-ridden.

Researchers call these skirmishes interpersonal religious or spiritual struggles. They manifest between people and institutions over sacred issues, cause rage and resentment toward organized religion, and result in people feeling hurt, mistreated, or offended by others because of differing beliefs. Moreover, these struggles are tightly knitted to anxiety, depression, and more.

As part of my feature series on spiritual values and struggles, I enjoyed writing this mock interview with Jesus of Nazareth. Please keep in mind that this article Q&A is wholly made up by me. It’s not satire. I intend it to be thought provoking and add a unique perspective to the current conversation and spectacle regarding religion and sacred traditions.

About Jesus Of Nazareth

Jesus of Nazareth is the carpenter character featured in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. It is written that he conducted a three-year preaching tour in and around Judea, the Roman province, when Tiberius Caesar ruled the empire. Jesus taught the Good News, often proclaiming that "the kingdom of God is at hand." His living example encouraged people to recognize the fatherhood of God and the sister/brotherhood of humankind. The Gospel of Jesus was considered radical and became a formidable challenge to the Jewish society's established religious hierarchy, which ultimately led to his death by Roman crucifixion. Jesus’ love and mercy are legendary, and his teachings revolutionized humankind. Jesus Christ is now more commonly thought of as the deity figure of the religion that bears his name: Christianity.

Jesus Christ! Thanks for granting this interview. Why talk about religion with me?

It’s my pleasure, Doug!

As you say, people are openly discussing religion more than ever before. They are questioning the traditions that have been sacred to them for many generations. Cultures are modernizing. People are scrutinizing their beliefs, and churches have lost members. Many people are taking the ultimate spiritual risk by leaving the safety and certainty of the significant religious customs of society. I see this as a stress test and refinement of the truth. And I speak now to ensure that they have a place to go.

Why is there so much stress? Mainstream people seem entirely disgusted. What do they want?

Humanity has evolved to this place. Think about it practically. Societies are more civilized, have advanced technology, and possess an intellect not commonly seen before on this planet. These conditions make it probable and promising for humanity to scrutinize the mysteries of God, science, philosophy, and the universe as a whole. The contradictions, errors, and omissions present in religious teachings of past generations have become more visible and unacceptable to more and more people.

Beliefs that are less than thirty years old now appear outdated, gross, and offensive to many. People are disgusted because they feel lied to, oppressed, and controlled, just as animal sacrifice, which was part of the civil law during my lifetime, eventually became appalling and offensive to the cultures on Earth.

The idea that only certain religions, or select people, receive God’s favor is an example of the many contradictions people feel today. “How could a loving God be like that?” they ask. But these beliefs are sacred to many religious authorities and their most ardent followers. And they are fervent in their teaching.

Ultimately, people want to know the truth. It's a beautiful aspect of humanity, Doug. The divine spirit within each person compels them to seek the truth and go wherever that truth may lead. They crave spiritual freedom and connection.

Don’t be deceived by erroneous thinking, however. Humanity hasn't evolved away from God. The teachings about God have failed to develop with society. Once the emotional upset of feeling lied to passes, the spirit of grace will ultimately set in, and a greater understanding of the mysteries of God will take root. Wisdom takes the time of the ages to develop.

What is the truth? Isn’t religion based on truth?

Each person is a child of God. He is our heavenly father. We are in His family and are, therefore, brothers and sisters. Any religion centered on this proclamation is based on truth.

However, religions throughout time have also been based on the mores of the age. Although present in some form—accurate, distorted, or erroneous—God's truth has often been blended, overshadowed, and sometimes ignored by religious activity in the organization, governance, and economic activity of many cultures. Religions like this are more a religion of the mind than a religion of the spirit. It's not malicious and has evolved civil societies.

That’s interesting. Can you tell us more about religion of the mind?

Religion of the mind is purely intellectual. It looks back and relies strictly on the concepts, practices, and traditions handed down from previous generations by religious authorities—priests, rabbis, yogis, monks, shamans, clergy, theologians, etc.

This kind of religion requires intellectual assent only. The theory of God is accepted, but it lacks living faith and the recognition of God within all. Participation in it is passive, and it is a safe refuge for the progressing soul of humankind riddled with anxiety through fear of the unknown.

However, religion of the mind also breeds conflict among ethnic groups and people in general. Religions of the mind can never unify. People believe different things. What is sacred to one is appalling to the other. Truth gets distorted. Power corrupts the authority. Unity and the sister/brotherhood of humanity only result from true religion—religion based on spiritual experience.

True religion? How would we practice true religion?

Living faith. True religion is living faith.

Would you expand on that? How do we know we’re living faith?

Of course!

True religion is based entirely on individual human experience, as my life on Earth was. It’s the personal quest for truth in search of the divine.

The main appeal is to the divine spirit of God that resides within—within all people. Individuals choosing this path accept the theory of the one God, and they ardently seek to discover and do life with Him.

Ultimately, true religion is when a person seeks God, for themselves and as themselves, and finds Him—realizing that the victory of spiritual faith is discovered by the progressive human mind and experience of the evolving mortal soul.

It may sound not very easy, but it is. Faith is the only requirement.

Think of it this way: true religion is the spirit of God demonstrated in human life.

Yes, it is hard to prove that you are living faith tangibly. An honest assessment of your personal character growth—evidence of the fruits of the spirit, as it were—is the best indicator. Another telltale sign is your wholehearted desire to discover the divine will and do the holy will. These are spiritual matters. So, we must look within for signs.

Again, you know you are living faith when love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are features of your mental and emotional movements. Particularly with your treatment and cooperation with your brothers and sisters here on Earth. Real spiritual experiences are desired. Conflict with self, others, and institutions is reduced or resolved. You live with increased levels of peace and joy. And your wholehearted desire is to live the faith adventure of following the divine will wherever it takes you.

What is a real spiritual experience?

Excellent question.

Spiritual experiences result from the rule of living that I embodied and taught: Do to others what you would have them do to you.

A wholehearted application of this rule will guide you to always do good, in all ways, to all people, in all situations. A person may realize more than one level of meaning in this rule. However, progressive experience and spiritual insight will eventually bring the dedicated seeker to the most important purpose: to treat all people as you imagine God would.

Will you fall short of this high standard? Yes. But living faith and persistent effort will strengthen your resolve, deliver the contrasting experiences needed for your spiritual growth, and reveal the Spirit of God that you ultimately seek.

Need an example?

A change of heart from revenge to mercy is a genuine spiritual experience. An instance like this could take years to develop fully. Or a lifetime. Transformations of the sort and experiences with the character of God are the method and the means of knowing and living the spiritual life here on Earth.

Again, you know you are living faith when you have increased levels of love, joy, peace, and more in your heart and your conduct. Differing beliefs and understandings occur, but you can better reduce, resolve, or avoid your conflicts with others. You follow the truth wherever it leads you. God's will becomes your wholehearted desire.

So, what about churches, mosques, and temples that don’t accept or believe in true religion? And what about the surge of people leaving religion to explore mindfulness, self-help, and the like?

The danger is in becoming too righteous and condescending. The truth comes to human beings as they can understand and connect to it. Some minds need a passive entry and introduction to God. In time, they will grow in insight, crave more profound knowledge, and turn to seek truth wherever they can find it—just as you have and as many are now.

Don't worry about formal religions, traditions, and sacred customs. They will evolve with the mores of the times. However, love, patience, grace, and living examples will ultimately draw, and even accelerate, the soul towards true religion—either in this world or the next.

The same is true for those repelled by religion. There’s no harm in people exploring the wide variety of spiritual communities. Truth is revealed when and how a spiritual seeker can recognize it. Eventually, the sincere seeker will find that spirituality is not mindfulness only or a thoughtless, desireless state. Nor is it solely about synchronicities, manifesting, or the law of attraction.

God is spirit. All human beings are ascending to Him. Therefore, spirituality is composed of spiritual growth, experience, and responsibility. It's about soul survival, cosmic ascension, and universal service within the divine family of God. A time will come when this is understood and the dominant view of humanity.

I hear this question a lot: “What does God want me to do?” How would you answer this?

It's written that I healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath and in the presence of religious authorities—at a time when healing on the Sabbath was prohibited by religious law.

Why would I do this?

Simple.

To show that God is no respecter of persons. My act of mercy was a protest against a religious custom that had become a meaningless form of restriction.

God wants you to live your good nature. He wants you to grow in morality and ascend to Him. He has placed His indwelling spirit within you. Rumi called it the Beloved within. Aurobindo referred to it as the Mother. The divine nature within is your thought adjuster, your piece of God.

Practice the presence of Him. Find that presence and go forward in living faith wherever you are called. Persist in your struggles more patiently, knowing He is there. Treat others as you imagine God would treat them, knowing that He is there. Resolve your conflicts with self, others, and institutions, knowing that He is there. If you cannot resolve them, let them pass through you without disturbance until later and knowing that He is there. Seek Him with all of your heart, knowing that He is there.

What advice do you have for people facing significant religious struggles, especially young people?

You do not need to struggle with this incessantly. You are meant for more.

Your only job is to live in faith, trust, grow and seek the divine nature that lives within you. The Spirit of God indwells your mind and will guide you when you turn within and seek communion with Him. The mysteries of the universe, the secrets of God, the mysteries of your life will be revealed to you in due course.

Know God. Pray.

Set your intentions, ask your questions, confront your distortions by talking openly and directly to God. This is prayer. Either out loud or in your mind. God responds to authentic, heartfelt outreach. Talk to Him in any way that stirs your heart. Do not pray for outcomes or things. Pray for values—a merciful heart, a loving countenance. Pray for wisdom and insights. Pray for truth to be revealed in each aspect of your life. Pray for your friends and that you be of service to them.

Be still. Meditate.

Listen to God through meditation. Meditate on God's presence within you and the truth as you believe and understand it—in whatever medium that is. Make your reflections an act of alignment, a consecration of will. Aspire wholeheartedly to make God's will your choice each day.

The divine thought adjuster within you loves you, cares for you, and constantly ministers to you in ways you don't perceive and may not immediately recognize. Trust Him. He will deliver your soul to the necessary and most valuable experiences and destinations.

Finally: Love each other as I have loved you.