The Cosmic Citizen

Guest: Suzanne Kelly(link to bio)     Suzanne, editor of the UAI Journal, recites from her brilliant epic poem Élan Vital     The Wednesday study session is hosted by Ann Garner, with assistance from Larry on the live chat sessions. Both are long time students of The Urantia Book.     Hosts and guests biographical sketches can be viewed at http://urantiabook.org/blogs/CosmicCitizen/Bios.htm

Guest is longtime Texas reader Nancy Johnson (link to bio). Nancy's article, "the Role of Feelings and Emotions on an Evolutionary World," was published in the summer 2009 issue of the Fellowship Herald, which is the topic of this show.

Guests: Pato Banton and Suzanne Kelly     Dearest brother, Pato Banton, who combines award-winning reggae music with Urantia Book Ministry, was our special guest . . . along with Suzanne Kelly (Author, Elan Vital). During this broadcast, we interacted about:    (1) “Six Decisions Made by Jesus” (pattern of Jesus’ execution of plans in January/February);    (2) Jesus overcame the ‘enemy;’    (3)Jesus chose to complete life in natural way . . . knowing he would partake of ‘bitter cup’ of cross;    (4) why does evil still exists?         The Wednesday study session is hosted by Ann Garner, with Larry Watkins in the live chat sessions. Both are long time students of The Urantia Book.     Hosts and guests biographical sketches can be viewed at http://urantiabook.org/blogs/CosmicCitizen/Bios.htm

The guest this week is a man Andre's known since the 1990's, when he was doing secular talk-radio on the Chicago airwaves. He began writing books on politics, but has since switched to writing about religious topics. Dinesh D'Souza's, (link to bio) latest book is titled Life AFter Death, the Evidence.     Dinesh arrived in America in 1978 as an exchange student from India, and graduated from Dartmouth College in the early 1980's, where he founded the Dartmouth Review. Upon graduation, he spent two years editing a Princeton University alumni magazine, and then went on to serve as a domestic policy analyst for the Reagan White House. He also served as a fellow at two think-tanks, the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution. He is currently founder of the Why God Institute.     His books include Illiberal Education, the end of Racism,What's So Great About America?, and more recently, What's So Great About Christianity? In his most recent work, D'Souza sets out to prove, though reason alone, that life after death exists. Drawing on arguments from philosophy, physics, neuroscience and other disciplines, he concludes that life after death can be demonstrated with no appeals to revelation or religious authority. What's interesting thing for us is how many of his claims are similar to those of The Urantia Book.     While himself a committed Christian, D'Souza has an open and flexible mind. He is calm, well-spoken, and impeccably logical. D'Souza has debated many contemporary atheists, such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris.     Tune in for a stimulating conversation with one of our finest contemporary intellectuals.

Guest: Jaime Segel Estes has been a reader of The Urantia Book since the 80's. Jaime combines marriage and parenting of two small precious daughters with a highly successful real-estate career in the Los Angeles area. She also is a gifted singer and shares her unique gift near the end of the show.    Jaime and host, Ann Garner, have an enduring friendship which spans almost two decades. They have experienced many unusual events together, including the January 17, 1994, 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Los Angeles, which is the only earthquake Ann ever experienced (the ground acceleration was one of the highest ever instrumentally recorded in an urban area in North America).    During the show, they interacted about the importance of regaining momentum after cataclysmic events and retooling oneself for inevitable changes in life. Jaime also shares her sage insights concerning interfaith marriage ceremonies and honoring family traditions.     [Suzanne Kelly is a frequent poetic-interlude guest, reciting applicable quatrains from her book, Elan Vital]     Hosts and guests biographical sketches can be viewed at http://urantiabook.org/blogs/CosmicCitizen/Bios.htm

This is an open mic segment with hosts Paula and Andre discussing topics relating to the teachings of The Urantia Book and to the Christmas holiday season.

Guest: Preston Thomas(link to bio)     Preston Thomas shared his insights regarding why he published “The Life and Teachings of Jesus – A Restatement of the Gospels” and his purpose in utilizing the Revised Standard version of Bible.    [Suzanne Kelly, poetic-interlude guest, recited applicable quatrains from her book, Elan Vital]     The Wednesday study session is hosted by Ann Garner, with assistance from Larry on the live chat sessions. Both are long time students of The Urantia Book.    Hosts and guests biographical sketches can be viewed at http://urantiabook.org/blogs/CosmicCitizen/Bios.htm

If you missed last week's show, Paula shared many of her experiences at the Parliament of World Religions, which was held recently in Melbourne, Australia. Continuing in that vein, the first half of our show will be with James Woodward, who will be making a cameo appearance on the show, his second since the show's debut. We'll also attempt to get other folks from the Urantia Assocation International, particuarly from Australia, to call in.     During the second hour, we'll be doing an open phone segment, specifically focused on Christmas, favorite Christmas memories, carols, stories, or anything else of sentimental value.

‘Letter to home’ written by Preston Thomas, was read by Larry during broadcast, regarding the Atonement Doctrine. Larry, a long-time reader of The Urantia Book, has served faithfully as engineer for the Saturday broadcasts since they were ignited as well as facilitating the simultaneous chat room each week.     During the broadcast we introduce of “The Life and Teachings of Jesus – A Restatement of the Gospels” by Preston Thomas (now on a web site being managed by Larry).     [Suzanne Kelly,poetic-interlude guest, recited applicable quatrains from her book, Elan Vital)    The sessions are hosted by Ann Garner, student of the book since 1978, minister, and active participant in interfaith outreach.

Paula Thompson has been out of town this past week... she was in Melbourne Australia attending the Parliament of World Religions. On this program Paula will share her experiences at the Parliament. In addition, other attendees will be contacted and asked to call in with their stories and observations. So get ready for an Interfaith celebration as we get the inside scoop on the 2009 Parliament of World Religions.