Book: ACIM and Christianity - A Dialogue
Dearest J,
A little life update before I jump into the context of this blog post:
I’m having a difficult day. My ex left for a wedding yesterday, and so it’s the first time I’ve feel “safe” to process my emotions in quite some time. Simultaneously, though, I’m realizing I’ve been procrastinating quite a bit with life. I’m learning about fertility, and kind of freaked out that I’ve been in long-term relationships without really thinking about my fertility. In addition, I’m realizing I’m behind on work-related things, and life-related things. Why is it so hard for me to move on? I got distracted by from INCREDIBLY disturbing news via the BBC on some psycho dude on beastiality (btw West Virginia STILL doesn’t punish this, which is for me something that someone should be locked up forever for), but then also why we test on animals and how violence of ANY kind of ok. And last night I spoke to a guy from my church group who believed 9/11 was an inside job — and thinks the guy who was tortured in Guantanamo didn’t confess to anything because he didn’t do anything, and it’s disgusting what they do in terms of violence (which yes, all violence is disgusting … I’m realizing that violence in any capacity is something I think I can no longer support: war or otherwise). Anyways, I didn’t say anything, as 9/11 is the day I was “born again” and it’s hard for me to believe that, but then again who knows … but I did watch a documentary he recommended. Nevertheless — all to say — I’m getting really caught up in life and the madness is getting to me.
Back to faith and the blog post:
I continue to question faith, and realize I’ve having another “faith crisis” and not even sure which way I believe or not. I also don’t know why I bring up my personal life, but just maybe bringing it to also show, that not only am I in a faith crisis, but it effects my daily life and relationships, too. In fact, much of the reason I had a “mental breakdown” was due to competing thought systems of faith, relationships, and politics.
Link to the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0933291183?tag=bravesoftwa04-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1&language=en_US
Wikipedia: W. Norris Clarke
So far, I’ve realized from reading it that Christianity and ACIM have completely competitive thought-systems and are essentially completely different religions, which are NOT compatible at all (see image). Which is very concerning for me, being on the edge like I am. Which one am I?
Also I’m feeling a tremendous amount of shame still in not knowing where this blog is going, or even if I should take down this blog for utter shame. But I’m leaving up only for reasons that I do not know. Maybe God wants it up, I don’t know.
I also discovered an old version of “A Course in Miracles” that I was encouraged to throw out by my sister. I had found this particular copy on the street, many years ago, and thoroughly read it, and included all the notes from other ACIM’s (literally I went in line by line and copied ALL my notes from other versions and used this as the ultimate version) which was like my Bible. I to this day regret throwing it away. In fact, I have begun to realize that a LOT of the Evangelical Fundamentalism has really traumatized me. I simply was FORCED to let my things go, but out of fear, not love.
Because this copy of my ACIM was from Endeavor Academy, or The “Advent for a Great Awakening” edition of ACIM — where I started to realize that the founder of it was likely leading a cult, despite my belief that his organization was doing pretty cool stuff — I just don’t like HIM and his roots to Christian Science. In fact, I hate that Helen Schucman herself had ties to Christian Science (as her parents were Jewish with metaphysical and Christian Science and Catholic influence).
Nevertheless, I realized that the good thing was at least Endeavor Academy had been pivital in removing the copyright where it’s stated that “God got his copyright back” — which I’m not 100% sure he did … it’s more like, Helen got the copyright and attention she desperately didn’t want to be known for, but maybe God did it FOR her anyways (as punishment, I dunno). I spent a GOOD amount of time yesterday also pouring over the actual notes from a timeline of the copyright lawsuit between Endeavor Academy and the Foundation for Inner Peace. In that, I found that Kenneth Wapnick quite LITERALLY had stated this statement:
“March 1999 - In Ken Wapnick’s sworn deposition (pg 54), Ken claims “it’s another Jesus”.
Q: Are we talking about the biblical Jesus or is there a different Jesus that we may be talking about?
A: It was a different Jesus.”
Now, this might sound crazy, but I never realized Ken Wapnick just went out and admitted this was a different Jesus, so I literally took images and realized, that holy crap, this is a DIFFERENT JESUS.
And in the book, it also states that “the Course and the Bible reflect entirely different and mutually exclusive theologies that can never be integrated into one coherent spirituality” - From “A Course in Miracles and Christianity: A Dialogue”
Which basically now gets to the heart of my question … what the heck do I believe in?
These are my options:
The Bible + ACIM together
The Bible Only
ACIM Only
None of them
And basically, that kind of makes me sad. The more I learn about history, religion, faith, etc, I’m realizing … to what extent is this going to be actually HELPFUL and not HURTFUL or CONFUSING or time-consuming? This is the way I view my entire philosophy and life. The way I view relationships, my career, everything. The way I AM. And it’s confusing — and yet the Bible states that:
God is not the author of confusion: 1 Corinthians 14:33 emphasizes that God is not the source of confusion, but rather of peace. This verse serves as a reminder that God’s nature is not chaotic or disorderly.
Satan is often associated with confusion: The Bible suggests that Satan can be the instigator of confusion, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:33, where some interpretations attribute the phrase “author of confusion” to Satan rather than God.
Confusion can be a result of human choices: Deuteronomy 28:20 warns that God’s curses can lead to confusion when people forsake Him and engage in wickedness.
God can bring clarity in times of confusion: The Bible tells stories of individuals who were confused but received guidance and wisdom from God. For example, Jesus appeared to two confused disciples on the road to Emmaus, bringing them understanding and clarity (Luke 24:13-35).
Bible verses offer guidance and comfort: Many scriptures address confusion, offering reassurance that God is not the cause of it and that He desires to bring peace and clarity. Examples include James 3:14-16, 1 Corinthians 14:33, and Isaiah 41:13.
Anyways, J. I’m going to keep reading … and until then, continue on my studies of both for now.
Please pray for me … in the name of Jesus.
Amen <3
