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    I'd like to share a bit more about why I created a "church".   Some of these realizations came during my epiphany and some later.  I've held a vision for many years of creating some sort of nonprofit.  At the time it was a secular organization.  I think, for years, I was in a make wrong about churches, religion and the whole idea of organized worship.  I hated the dogma and what churches often did in the name of God.  I was raised Lutheran and left the church when I was 18 and very disillusioned.  I'm not sure exactly what the process was, but I feel like I've come to terms and a level of acceptance with the idea of church and organized religion as an integral part of who we are as spiritual beings.  My friend Greg shares beautifully about this from his perspective in the community forum

    For me, what stands out about churches or temples is that they have historically been the focal point or center of the communities they have been a part of.  This speaks volumes to me about the importance of worship, or the innate human need to be a part of something greater than oneself.  I got how the spiritual connection on an individual level creates the connection to others.  I wanted to create this connection with a new paradigm of individual inner truth and how it ultimately wants to express itself in the world.  I have a vision of humanity in all of its diversity living and working together in peace and harmony.  I also see, once again, the church as serving a powerful role in bringing people together in a common purpose – that of exploring and celebrating who we really are.

    I am a bit of an iconoclast and use the word "church", knowing that it may push some people – maybe even create controversy.  However, I'm not attached to that particular word.  If temple resonates more for you, that's fine.  This church goes by many names (as given by my soul family).  Here are a few:  Temple of Inner Guidance, Church of Inner Guidance, Church of Authentic Sharing, Church of Authentic Selfishness, Church of Personal Sovereignty.  Given that this church's official title is Inner Truth and Authentic Self Expression, there will probably be many more unofficial names.  :-)

    John Hill, Founder

     

    Here is what Greg has to say about the "purpose" of a church

    I've been working this last year to understand what, let's say, "genuine true potentials" there might be in "loving god." Jesus' simple twofold idea was only; a) love god first, b) love everyone else as yourself. The second, I think we've got pretty good but the first is still a little illusive.

    The Urantia Book (which I read this past year and I would actually declare it to be the most important book currently on the planet) has some interesting things to say about it. First, that people have an innate desire, even requirement, for religion. I think no one is quicker than I to change the channel when "religious crap" comes up on the car radio scan! LOL :-) But it is totally interesting that THAT is everywhere! The way that the Urantia Book says it is that; Man has a greater need for worship than he does for wisdom! Man can live without wisdom but cannot live without religion! Wow! That is an extraordinary statement and I am coming to believe that it is true.

    So a "church," aside from the noun that means the stone or wooden building is really an "association of people for the purpose of religious worship." The unfortunate fact that virtually NO church does this very well, if at all, is just the lamentable state of planetary affairs which we could say about virtually every human activity.

    Have you noticed how many times in the day that you, yourself, others, all of us say either; "Oh God," or OMG, "Oh my God?" And of course it is common knowledge that in people's worst moments what do they do?" They pray!

    Even in the toughest emotional clearing moments, I'm often coaching people to "just ask inside" if you need some support. It is totally true that you can feel the energetic shift instantly no matter how terrible the clearing might be if you just ask. (Matters not who you ask, the Masters, Immortals, God, Angels, Guides… there is always a feelable shift.)

    I think it is time to get this utterly natural, actually magnificent, human characteristic properly joyfully empowered and on the map! And thanks again many times to brother John for doing it. I think the word Church is right and John's name; "Church of Inner Truth and Authentic Self Expression" is excellent. I, myself, tend toward CIG (church of inner guidance,) probably because I've always had the vision of the "Temple Of Inner Guidance" at the center of the community where Latihan and it's derivatives are occurring 24/7.

    But matters not, whatever we label it, the guiding idea/concept/distinction, in the background and not even needing to be necessarily spoken, for me is "Authentic Worship." And Latihans, Bodyhans and Tantrahans are absolutely "authentic worship" for me.