30th Live Stream with Carlton Pearson - The Bible: Tool or Weapon?

About this sermon

Religion (not spirituality) is the source of much of man's inhumanity to man. Religious laws based on various interpretations of the bible have been the foundation of most of the problems that have plagued humankind and ironically, it has happened under the auspices of humans trying to convert other humans into becoming socially and morally better people. In many ways the opposite has been the result. Even the "converters" lament that the world is worse, even with all their prayers, crusades, conferences, campaigns, not to mention churches. If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. It's time for change wouldn't you say? Using the bible to beat up or beat down people you don't understand or with whom you disagree has become the habit of many so-called "believers" in the 'WORD," particularly the King James Version, also called the "Authorized" Version. Can, does and has God used non-Christians to bless and enhance humanity in positive and powerful ways? And because they're not 'Christians" will they be tormented in hell forever? Is that what your bible suggests, or is that the way you choose to interpret it? If some of the "sin-pouncing", exclusionist, gay bashing ultra-conservative fundamentalists knew that King James, himself, was gay and was sometimes even called "Queen James," would they throw their bibles in the ocean or burn them in a heap along with all their other perceived "sinful" literature, like porn, secular or "satanic" books? Or could and would their God have used an openly gay man to help prepare, present and preserve in English, the one book most of them consider the inspired, infallible and inerrant "Word of God"? I only share these things to help people awaken from the delusions of the last 2000 years of entrenched indoctrinations which has produced a culture that still tortures, torments and kills in the name of whatever God or religion they espouse. Only those whom I like to call spiritual and cultural progressives who embrace expanded consciousness will not only help make a difference in the world, but help make the world different, regardless of their particular religious affiliations. Carlton Pearson After college at the Oral Roberts University in Tulsa Oklahoma he served for 15 years on its Board of Regents, and two years as Associate Evangelist of The Oral Roberts Association, (ORA). In 1977, Pearson founded Higher Dimensions Ministries (now New Dimensions ), in Tulsa, which grew to over 5,000. Bishop Pearson was consecrated to the office of Bishop in 1996 thru a College of Bishops headed by Bishop Charles E Blake, presently the Presiding Bishop of the Churches of God In Christ, the denomination he was raised in and through whom he was ordained in 1971. In 1993, Carlton married the former Gina Marie Gauthier who is a professional Life Coach and Yoga teacher. More recently, he has felt a passion to proclaim the "Gospel Of Inclusion" and has written a widely acclaimed book by that name, published by Simon and Schuster. It confronts the Christian church's exclusivism as being inconsistent, in spirit with the teachings of Jesus. Pearson's frank and often controversial take on a number of different subjects has earned him appearances on television programs such as NBC and MSNBC's Dateline, ABC's Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley, The Edge with Paula Zahn and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, The Monique Show on BET, and a number of other television, radio and print media outlets. Bishop Pearson was recognized as one of America's 10 Most Influential Black Ministers by Gospel Today and Belief.net. He has received several honorary doctoral degrees. Bishop Pearson recently served as the Interim Senior Minister at Christ Universal Temple in Chicago. He and Gina now host New Dimensions of Chicago, building a local multi-cultural and radically Inclusive spiritual community that emphasizes expanded consciousness and Self Actualization. His newest book, God Is Not A Christian, Nor A Jew, Muslim, Hindu...God Dwells With Us, In Us, Around Us, As Us was published by Simon and Schuster and released in the spring of 2010. Visit our Youtube Channel for more video! Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/bishoppearson Website: http://www.bishoppearson.com Join Email List: http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=cqgwpvn6&p=oi&m=1011112155650

Topics

• Bible Study