The Cosmic Citizen

This week we'll be interviewing many of the people involved in planning and executing The Urantia Book Fellowship's 14th Triennial International Conference, IC'17. The conference will be held this July 29-23 on the exquisite University of Denver campus, right in the heart of the mile-high city. Join us as we discuss with the conference planning team many of the wonderful events and activities that are planned for this splendid Rocky Mountain Urantian high! This conference includes all the things we’ve come to love about the Fellowship’s International Conferences, as well as special events that showcase Interfaith and the good works happening globally in businesses, education and in the Emergent spiritual community. The conference theme is Spreading Our Wings, and it includes fantastic inspirational speakers and live music. Artists like Pato Banton and the Earth Guardians will perform along with the legendary Urantia House Band. There will be two deeply spiritual pre-conference retreats, daily meditations and worship in the historic university chapel, a children's program in the Jerusalem Marketplace tent, the Truthseeker's Adventure for teens, amazing workshops, the Sacred Arts Gallery and a unique bookstore that features products created by Urantian artisans and authors. If you are a student of the Urantia revelation and you've never been to a Urantia conference this is your chance to experience an authentic slice of Light and Life. It's a coming together of hearts and minds. Sincere souls will join in celebration of the gifts of our beneficent creator and his magnificent creation. If you need a spiritual lift in your life this conference is where you will get it! If you are feeling uninspired, come, and get your spiritual juices flowing. If you've been thinking about coming and can't decide, tune-in this week and learn all about it.

This week we continue our study of Paper 76 with Adam and Eve in the Second Garden, "the land between the rivers"—the Euphrates and the Tigris. This is where current scholarship supposes Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden were, supposing they are not mythological. On the last episode we covered the first two sections of this fantastic paper, 1. The Edenites Enter Mesopotamia and 2. 2. Cain and Abel. A lively conversation ensued around the section on Cain and Abel and we were blessed to have the keen insights of guest callers and Urantia scholars, Chuck Thurston and Charles Olivea. The New Eden is where Adam and Eve migrated from the Edenic peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean, after their default. Their Garden civilization ended nearly 38,000 years ago. The legends, as mythical as they seem, are still deeply compelling even after thousands of years. The Urantia Book reveals why, and it brings new meaning and understanding to this timeless legend. This week we will cover Sections 3. Life in Mesopotamia and 4. The Violet Race. We may even surprise ourselves and get through the final two sections as well, 5. Death of Adam and Eve and 6. Survival of Adam and Eve. Who knows?  Here's a tidbit of the reading: Adam wisely spent most of the time training his children and their associates in civil administration, educational methods, and religious devotions. Had it not been for this foresight, pandemonium would have broken loose upon his death. As it was, the death of Adam made little difference in the conduct of the affairs of his people. But long before Adam and Eve passed away, they recognized that their children and followers had gradually learned to forget the days of their glory in Eden.76:3.2 We invite you to call and join in and continue to explore the truth behind the mythological account! You can join the show to listen and/or comment by calling 646-716-8158.

We commence Paper 76 of our study of Adam and Eve, regarding their arrival in "the land between the rivers"—the Euphrates and the Tigris. This is where current scholarship supposes Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden were, supposing they are not mythological.  The Urantia Book explains that his was the "second garden"—the "new Eden" to where they migrated from the Edenic peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean after their default. We'll take up the narrative of "Cain and Abel" and visit a fuller recounting of a true story heretofore only available as an abbreviated mythological account.  events that ended the Garden civilization, nearly 38,000 years ago, is hazily recounted by ancient legends and Biblical accounts, but these events did happen to the detriment of our world. The legends, though they may sound like a fairy tale, are still deeply compelling even after thousands of years. The Urantia Book reveals why, and it brings new meaning and understanding to this timeless legend. (847.6) 76:1.4 After getting settled in the new Eden, it became necessary to adopt crude methods of living; it seemed entirely true that the ground had been cursed. Nature was once again taking its course. Now were the Adamites compelled to wrest a living from unprepared soil and to cope with the realities of life in the face of the natural hostilities and incompatibilities of mortal existence. They found the first garden partially prepared for them, but the second had to be created by the labor of their own hands and in the “sweat of their faces.” Paula, Christilyn, André, and Derek will cohost. We invite you to call in. Join us and continue to explore the truth behind the mythological account! The show airs live on Saturdays at 10 AM Mountain time. You can join the show to listen or comment by calling 646-716-8158.

Last week we had an amazing discussion of our Material Son and Daughter (Adam and Eve) including their strengths and weaknesses as well as their triumphs and tragedies. We got through sections 4, 5, and 6 with the help of some great friends and scholars, Charles Olivea and Robert Sarmast. This week we continue our study of Adam and Eve and will devote one more week to Paper 75 - The Default of Adam and Eve. Urantia Paper 75 explains and clarifies the disastrous default of Adam and Eve and the tragic events that ended the Garden civilization, 37,000 years ago. This week we'll read and discuss, Section 7. Degradation of Adam and Eve and Section 8. The So-Called Fall of Man. If you still think that God is punishing humankind because of what Adam and Eve did, consider this bold statement: "There has been no "fall of man." The history of the human race is one of progressive evolution, and the Adamic bestowal left the world peoples greatly improved over their previous biologic condition." (75:8.2) And these: "Adam should not be regarded as the cause of a curse on the human race. While he did fail in carrying forward the divine plan, while he did transgress his covenant with Deity, while he and his mate were most certainly degraded in creature status, notwithstanding all this, their contribution to the human race did much to advance civilization on Urantia." (75:8.3) "Never, in all your ascent to Paradise, will you gain anything by impatiently attempting to circumvent the established and divine plan by short cuts, personal inventions, or other devices for improving on the way of perfection, to perfection, and for eternal perfection." (75:8.5) Join the crew as we continue in our study of Paper 75. We've invited Robert and Charles to join in again to help us find new hope and new meaning in the timeless saga of Adam and Eve! We hope you can make it too!

Continuing our study of Adam and Eve, we resume Paper 75, The Default of Adam and Eve, at section 4:  "The Realization of Default."  We thoroughly examined error and sin last week while recounting the default story. The Urantia Book explains and clarifies the disastrous default of Adam and Eve. The tragic events that ended the Garden civilization, nearly 38,000 years ago, is hazily recounted by ancient legends and Biblical accounts, but these events did happen to the detriment of our world. The legends, though they may sound like a fairy tale, are still deeply compelling even after thousands of years. The Urantia Book reveals why, and it brings new meaning and understanding to this timeless legend. "And those same thirty days [while Adam wandered in solitude] were as long years of sorrow and suffering to Eve. Never did this noble soul fully recover from the effects of that excruciating period of mental suffering and spiritual sorrow." [75:5.7 (843.9)] "While the transports stood by, those children who had arrived at the age of choice (twenty years) were given the option of remaining on Urantia with their parents or of becoming wards of the Most Highs of Norlatiadek. Two thirds chose to go to Edentia; about one third elected to remain with their parents. All children of prechoice age were taken to Edentia. No one could have beheld the sorrowful parting of this Material Son and Daughter and their children without realizing that the way of the transgressor is hard. " [75:6.3 (844.5)] Paula, Christilyn, and Derek will continue our study. (André returns next week.)   We are certain to have more great insights from regular callers and invite you to call as well.  Join us as we continue to explore this fascinating saga! The show airs live on Saturdays at 10 AM Mountain time. You can join the show to listen or comment by calling 646-716-8158.

This week we continue our study of Adam and Eve. Having completed Urantia Paper 73 and 74 on the Garden and it's legendary inhabitants, we move on to Paper 75, The Default of Adam and Eve. You won't want to miss this study. Urantia Paper 75 explains and clarifies the disastrous default of Adam and Eve. The tragic events that ended the Garden civilization, 37,000 years ago, is hazily recounted by ancient legends and Biblical accounts, but these events did happen to the detriment of our world. The legends, though they may sound like a fairy tale, are still deeply compelling even after thousands of years. The Urantia Book reveals why, and it brings new meaning and understanding to this timeless legend. Consider these quotes: "Adam and Eve did fall from their high estate of material sonship down to the lowly status of mortal man. But that was not the fall of man. The human race has been uplifted despite the immediate consequences of the Adamic default. Although the divine plan of giving the violet race to the Urantia peoples miscarried, the mortal races have profited enormously from the limited contribution which Adam and his descendants made to the Urantia races." (75:8.1) "Adam should not be regarded as the cause of a curse on the human race. While he did fail in carrying forward the divine plan, while he did transgress his covenant with Deity, while he and his mate were most certainly degraded in creature status, notwithstanding all this, their contribution to the human race did much to advance civilization on Urantia." (75:8.3.) This week the Andre, Christilyn and Derek will begin the study of Paper 75. We are certain to have more great insights from regular callers and invite you to call as well.  Joine us as we continue to explore this fascinating saga! The show airs live on Saturdays at 10 AM Mountain time. You can join the show to listen or comment by calling 646-716-8158.

This week we continue our study of Adam and Eve and their life in the Garden, Paper 74 of The Urantia Book. Last week Andre and Derek began the study of Adam and Eve, and they completed the first 4 sections: Adam and Eve on Jerusem, Arrival of Adam and Eve, Adam and Eve Learn about the Planet and The First Upheaval. Perhaps we will again be joined by explorer Robert Sarmast. The story of Adam and Eve, as depicted in the Urantia Book, brings amazing depth and detail on these remarkable beings. Throughout history there have been legends of Gods and Goddesses who came to earth and of ancient indigenous cultures who mourned their departure and always anxiously look for their return. Even though the ancient legends and the Biblical accounts of creation sounds like a fairy tale, there is still something deeply compelling about them, and the Urantia Book clarifies much of the confusion. Consider these thought provoking quotes: "The story of the creation of Urantia in six days was based on the tradition that Adam and Eve had spent just six days in their initial survey of the Garden. This circumstance lent almost sacred sanction to the time period of the week, which had been originally introduced by the Dalamatians." "The legend of the making of the world in six days was an afterthought, in fact, more than thirty thousand years afterwards. One feature of the narrative, the sudden appearance of the sun and moon, may have taken origin in the traditions of the onetime sudden emergence of the world from a dense space cloud of minute matter which had long obscured both sun and moon." This week the entire Cosmic Citizen crew (Paula, Andre, Christilyn and Derek) will continue the study of the final 4 sections of Paper 74, Adam and Eve, including Adam's Administration, Home Life of Adam and Eve, Life in the Garden and The Legend of Creation. Join us as we explore this fascinating saga!

This week we will finally begin our study of Adam and Eve and their life in the Garden, Paper 74 of The Urantia Book. If you've been with us for this study you know we backed up and covered thoroughly the story of the Garden of Eden, Paper 73. That took three weeks and we were delighted to be joined by explorer Robert Sarmast for that series. He promised to return for our study on Adam and Eve. This week Andre will host with the able help of Derek (our own resident expert on ancient history) with Robert as our guest. Legends of gods and goddesses who came down to earth exist all over the globe. In the Book of Genesis there are two creation narratives. In the first, Adam and Eve are created by God and instructed to multiply, God fashions Adam from dust and subsequently Eve is created from one of Adam's ribs. They are innocent and unashamed until a serpent deceives Eve who partakes of forbidden knowledge. God reveals the consequences of their sin and banishes them from the Garden of Eden. The story of the fall of Adam is often understood to be an allegory but the Urantia Book brings amazing depth and detail into these momentous transactions. Human life on earth had evolved for hundreds of thousands of years before Adam and Eve were brought to this world with a clear and universal mandate to be "biologic uplifters" for the various races then inhabiting the planet. So who were Adam and Eve and what was their purpose? There is clearly a great deal of curiosity about the God and Goddess of Urantia and the revelation offers a remarkably detailed account of their mission, their lives on earth, their mistakes and also their redemption. The book tells us, "There has been no "fall of man." The history of the human race is one of progressive evolution, and the Adamic bestowal left the world peoples greatly improved over their previous biologic condition." Join us as we explore this fascinating saga!

Last week we continued our study of Paper 73, The Garden of Eden. We had an amazing conversation with our guest, explorer Robert Sarmast. We read only one section of Paper 73 because the conversation of Robert's adventure to find Eden (AKA Atlantis) was simply to fascinating to stop. We read and discussed section 5, The Garden Home, which describes many features of the environs that were prepared for and awaited the arrival of Adam and Eve. Human life on earth had evolved for hundreds of thousands of years before Adam and Eve were brought to this world. The Urantia Book teaches that every evolutionary world, inhabited by creatures who possess "mind of will dignity" is, at some point, blessed with an Adam and an Eve. They are perfect humans, not in an ultimate sense, but certainly in a material sense, and to each world they bring superior DNA. They are considered to be "biologic uplifters." All Adamic pairs live in a garden which eventually becomes the center of evolving civilization on every inhabited world. This week we hope to have Robert Sarmast back on the air, and with the considerable expertise of our own Derek Samaras, it's bound to be another lively and informative discussion. Perhaps we will even be able to read Sections 6 & 7, The Tree of Life and The Fate of Eden. Both Robert and Derek have devoted huge amounts of time to the study of the Sumerian texts and can offer keen insights into The Urantia Book's story of the cradle of human life and civilization. "The instructions given Adam by the Melchizedeks implied that he was to establish racial, continental, and divisional headquarters to be in charge of his immediate sons and daughters, while he and Eve were to divide their time between these various world capitals as advisers and co-ordinators of the world-wide ministry of biologic uplift, intellectual advancement, and moral rehabilitation." Please tune in!

Last week we hoped to start a study of Adam and Eve and their saga from Paper 74 of The Urantia Book, but we spontaneously decided to back up and study Paper 73, The Garden of Eden. So that is where we began this week. We read half of Paper 73 and will easily finish this week before beginning Paper 74 on Adam and Eve. We read and discussed the first four sections of this wonderful paper, including: The Nodites and the Amadonites, Planning for the Garden, The Garden Site Establishing the Garden. Human life on earth had evolved for hundreds of thousands of years before Adam and Eve were brought to this world. The tale of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden has undergone extensive elaboration through time. Interpretations and beliefs regarding Adam and Eve and the Garden vary across religions and sects. However, The Urantia Book brings amazing new detail to the Garden story. It reveals the human and superhuman heroes who helped to build it in preparation the arrival of Adam and Eve, the "biologic uplifters." This week we will cover the second half of Paper 73, including these sections: The Garden Home, The Tree of Life and finally The Fate of Eden. These papers about Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, from Part III of the Urantia Book offer a fascinating and detailed account of momentous transactions in history, and they reveal, as never before "the origin of the well-nigh universal folk tale of the gods who came down to earth and there with the daughters of men begot an ancient race of heroes." "And so was the Garden of Eden made ready for the reception of the promised Adam and his consort. And this Garden would have done honor to a world under perfected administration and normal control. Adam and Eve were well pleased with the general plan of Eden..." Tune in to explore this fascinating revelation with us and gain new insights and understandings about our remarkable human history!