5 points per item
1. There is only one true religion, mine. D. Every religion is especially
suited to its followers, helping them to pass on to the next stage of their
development. Each has its own differences in approach and emphasis but all of
them have certain qualities and teachings that every student can benefit from.
2. An eye for an eye. D. This Old Testament teaching during the days of our
youth and ignorance has already been superseded by the teachings of Jesus
Christ. He said, “Don’t resist evil, Return love for
hate, and Love your enemies.”
3. The Gurus and Spiritual Masters who are in the world are only students,
themselves. A. They may be advanced and very much ahead of us but they, too,
have their own lessons to learn.
4. In matters of faith, the Pope is infallible. D. No one on Earth is
infallible even if he is divinely inspired. Everyone here is subject to error.
5. Gautama attained enlightenment just by meditating. D. Enlightenment comes as
a consequence of a high level of spiritual attainment. Through meditation, we
are able to transcend the mind and access or recall that which we have already
learned in our past lives. However, our degree of enlightenment can only
correspond to the level in the order of evolution to which we have
arrived.
6. All men go to heaven when they die. D. Only those who have lived according to
the divine will of God can merit heaven. However, there are “many mansions” or
graded levels of heaven. We can only get to the plane that we deserve depending
on our own thoughts and deeds.
7. If we only knew how to pray, all our requests would surely be granted. D.
The granting of our prayer requests depends on spiritual considerations,
whether it will be helpful or harmful to our spiritual development. That
considered, everything useful and helpful comes to us whether we pray for them
or not.
8. Simply choose the best alternative or the least evil. A. On Earth, many of
our choices and alternatives are far from ideal. It is enough that we choose
the best from the lot or the least harmful.
9. The physical yoga exercises enhance our spirituality. D. Physical yoga
pertains only to the physical body and has no direct bearing on spirit.
Spirituality relates to character, righteousness, loving and serving our
brothers.
10. A man not tempted is not proved. A. This is an Islamic teaching which tends
to explain why we undergo trials on Earth. Here, we are examined to prove our
worthiness. In addition, the proof of learning is in the doing. He who doesn’t
do proves that he doesn’t really know.
11. No soul shall bear the burden of another. A. This is another teaching of
Islam which simply restates the principle of personal responsibility. We are
responsible only for our own actions and not for those of others.
12. A priest is, of course, spiritually superior to other men. D. There is the
presumption that the guide knows better and is more experienced than those he
is guiding. However, this is not necessarily true in every case. Even priests
and prophets are undergoing training and development in their line of work. And
false guides are also sent to us to teach us how to discern and decide wisely
concerning the things of life.
13. The different religions represent the different aspects of the One Truth.
A. The Truth is so all-encompassing. To better comprehend it, it is broken down
into smaller, easy to learn parts. But all the religions are parts of the whole
Truth.
14. Each person’s understanding of the divine truths can only correspond to his
own level in the order of evolution. A. No one can really understand unless he
has personally experienced the fact and the teaching. Our capacity to
understand then depends on how much we have learned from our accumulated
experiences, including those that we have learned from all our past
incarnations.
15. Monogamy is, of course, the best form of marriage for everybody. D. What is
good for one person is not necessarily good for another. To the Muslims, having
just one wife is less than desirable. God gave everyone free will and the right
to decide for oneself. Provided that all of the principal parties are in agreement,
then nothing is wrong. All such circumstances and relationships are merely
lessons and experiences provided us so that we may learn from them.
16. Patriotism is a positive spiritual trait. D. Patriotism is a grade higher
than self-interest but falls short of true spirituality. True spirituality puts
the interests of the whole above that of self or any other segregated group to
which one belongs and realizes its oneness with the Divine. All men, regardless
of their nationality, are brothers.
17. Sex is bad for the soul. D. Sex is natural, normal and necessary for
spirits who are at a certain stage of development. Sex must be fully learned,
experienced and enjoyed before one can advance to higher levels of development.
The rule is for as long as we have a need, that need must be satisfied.
18. Old Testament teachings are valid even today. D. Many of the Old Testament
teachings are no longer applicable to us. In fact, many have already been
amended. The blind obedience of Abraham, an eye for an eye, the vengeful and
jealous God of Moses and the blood of the lamb (Christ) as an acceptable
sacrifice — All these were actually already upgraded and superseded by the
teachings of Jesus.
19. All that we will ever need to know are already written in the Holy
Scriptures. D. Jesus himself said, “There is so much
more I want to tell you...” There are many new teachings which are
only now being made available but they can be received only by those who are
ready and open to receive them.
20. We should not add or detract from what is written in the Bible. D. We
really have no recourse but to do so. Depending on what we have already
experienced, we add to or detract from the teachings in the Bible. Our own
personal experiences are the only true bases from which we may be able to
discern which is true or false, and true from that which is only half-true.
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