When Religion Went Wrong - Swedenborg and Life

[@matthewcentner3831]

I really never considered myself a religious person and since I've started watching these videos I've been thinking about what I do in my life and how it affects others around me. I have been thinking about doing some volunteer work in my community for a while now and watching this channel has given me that final push to do so. People should help one another, I always thought that and now I'm finally going to start doing so. Thank you for inspiration.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Hey Matthew! It's really cool to hear how you've felt inspired from the show! Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know.

[@Meenadevidasi]

A friend has introduced me the Swedenbord Foundation and have been viewing these videos. I am an initiated disciple of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami and have been studying and practicing Krishna consciousness for several years. I truly appreciate the conclusions presented here. At times I find tears in my eyes and I always gain something invaluable. I find no contradictions at all. Just a different angle of vision on the same Truth. Thank you.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thanks so much for sharing, Meena! It's wonderful to hear that the message is resonating with you and what you've already learned elsewhere. So cool when teachings line up! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@steenystuff1075]

@@offTheLeftEye What message!? Ha ha ha! There's only one message and that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The GOOD news. Like I said somewhere else, what you're doing is just empty philosophy and self deception. Try going directly to God and just ask Him outright to reveal Himself to you? CONFESS that you DON'T know Him apart from your imaginings. Be real. Be straight forward.

[@sandeebartsch9063]

Curtis, you are so humble. I agree with you that self study is important. Your weekly show is so valuable because it helps me understand what is complicated into simple layman terms. Your weekly show has sparked a true desire in me, to study the Bible. Before I knew about this faith, I did not want to read the Bible because I only understood it in literal terms. At one point, I didn't even believe the Bible was truth. I believed that the Religious power of Man corrupted the Bible. Now that I am a proud Swedenborgian, I look forward to reading the Bible because of the explanations explained in the deeper meaning, again, in simple terms. Thank you to you and your organization, for providing these valuable weekly videos. Living in a small northern community, in Canada, where I know of no one, who knows of Swedenborg, it helps me to grow my faith. When people ask me what faith I am, I always reply that I am a Swedenborgian, then I watch their face for the shock factor, and I get it every time. I love it! Some people are curious to learn more, so I will, first, send them the video explaining who Swedenborg was, and the, secondly, I send a link to this channel. I am not interested in converting anyone to this faith, as know it is one Truth, and there are many truth's to God. In a round about way, I want you to know that we "are far better off" in having access to these video's. I can't thank you enough.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Hi Soul Purpose Artist! I really enjoyed reading your comment. It's wonderful to hear that Swedenborg's message has been such a positive thing for you! Thanks for sharing our videos, and yes, I can imagine the shocked look on people's faces when they hear you're a "Swedenborgian"!

[@pamelacollins1153]

Wonderful enlightening episode!! IMHO the greatest lie of Christianity is: God loves unconditionally but His/Her acceptance is 100 percent conditional on being a Christian and on being straight. It took me many years to figure out that this is 100 percent wrong. Thank you for your awesome channel ❤️❤️❤️

[@offTheLeftEye]

There can be some painful misconceptions out there about the nature and essence of God. I'm so grateful for Swedenborg's teachings that heaven is open to all who live a good life according to their faith. I often center on this passage from Swedenborg regarding his real nature: "Any predestination but predestination to heaven is contrary to divine love, which is infinite. I explained in the book on Divine Love and Wisdom that Jehovah or the Lord is divine love and that this love is infinite and is the essential reality of all life, as well as that we are created in the image of God after the likeness of God. Since we are all formed by the Lord in the womb in this image after this likeness, it follows that the Lord is the heavenly Father of us all and that we are his spiritual children."

[@awesomelife3710]

For me, religion went very wrong when it taught me from a young age (12 years old) that God would throw me in Hell for being gay. After 28 years of tears, almost daily supplication, sometimes many times a day, tormented begging, fasting, exorcisms and thousands of dollars spent on therapy and "ex-gay ministries," including the most "reputable" in the country, I finally gave up, in desperation. I was 40 years old when I finally acknowledged that this fact about myself would not change. 40-12=28 wasted years. I eventually gave up on Christianity...but then found a place for me in spirituality thanks to Swedenborg's revelations as explained by Curtis, my dear brother. I can again believe there is a God who cares for me as I am :-)

[@eu.p.5807]

+Erik Schrader Goodness, that is bad. *Gives you a hug* Just wanted to tell you that God felt your tears and brokenness in the last 28 years that you went through and He knows all about it. He loves you so much that He would never change a single thing about you. He wants you to forgive the people who hurt you and He is going to give back that 28 years you lost with abundant love you could never imagined. All you need is ask.

[@Relayer77]

+Erik Schrader It's so sad that you had to go through such pain and judgement from the religious folks. My son also felt that from our church. He said he knew he was gay from birth. He also felt the strong judgement from arrogant religious folks who think they know the mind of God and see themselves more spiritual than those "gay sinners" while they recline at their church lunches and gorge themselves on unhealthy food. My son said he had no choice in the matter of being gay. I thought about that. I also had NO choice in being heterosexual. Some people have NO choice in being born blind or cripple or with BOTH sex genitals and have a doctor make their sexual identity choice for them. Often the wrong choice. But The Lord loves ALL. Period. So I told my son while I don't understand where he is, I said reach for God with all your heart and in the best way you can, and forget what the religious people think of you. Only God's view of you matters most. So love God with all your heart and treat others like you want to be treated. End of story.

[@eu.p.5807]

+Erik Schrader Perhaps my experience that I encountered is different from yours. When I meant just ask, I don't mean just ask to be "fixed" but ask what is God's recommendation. I used to have trouble in believing God as a judgemental being and I asked for 5 years and got my answer through a Christian lady who prophesized a vision about my question. I swear the answer she gave shook me while she herself was puzzled at why it caused me to tear up.

[@eu.p.5807]

+Erik Schrader Ever since that encounter I had with the Christian lady, I never stop asking. I actually spent 2 hours praying daily. Few times prayed up to 5 hours non-stop per day. I prayed so much I actually got knowledge downloaded from Heaven and seeing miracles happening in my life.

[@awesomelife3710]

+BeStill&BeChill Thanks for sharing about your experience with your son. I fully believe that it is not at all a choice to be gay, straight, bi, trans, etc. As far as understanding your son, may I offer that, in my view, it is no more complicated than "understanding" the color of his hair, his height, or the color of his eyes. In other words, I don't believe there is anything to understand. It simply is a fact about himself. When comparing to how others are born different, I say: some are born with physical attributes that allow them to win gold medals or become famous athletes, others are born with exceptionally high I.Q.s and win Nobel Prizes, some people become famous singers or musicians. They may be exceptions to the rule, but the fact is that we all deserve to exist :-)

[@briankelly85]

When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator...

[@abhragoswami5241]

there is no creator dude...according to Hindu mythology Goddess MA KAALI is the MAHAKAL..(the dimensionless space)...and Lord Shiva is the energy.. Lord Krishna held whole universe in his mouth..booth past present and future...that is actually the "black hole" from which big bang occurs..and he also told in "VAGBAT GEETA" that transformation is the fundamental nature of earth....that actually indicates the "Energy and Mass conservation theory"......GOD is energy..booth positive and negative..and Mass..and space and time...and religion are the natural phenomena that is controlled by energy ,mass,space and time....

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

that is your belief---and we can respect that but there is a saying in the art world, when at a art show for buying do not ewww and ahhhh cause you might ewwww someones ahhhh........spiritual paths are very individual. Namaste (we honor the path in you) :greeting still in everyday use in India and especially on the trail in the Nepal Himalaya. Translated roughly, it means "I bow to the God within you", or "The Spirit within me salutes the Spirit in you" - a knowing that we are all made from the same One Divine Consciousness.

[@isaiasraiden4160]

I know I'm kind of randomly asking but does anyone know of a good site to stream newly released movies online?

[@vivaanjulius9467]

@Isaias Raiden flixportal :P

[@isaiasraiden4160]

@Vivaan Julius thank you, signed up and it seems like a nice service =) I really appreciate it!

[@CravingThePump]

I absolutely love what you guys did with the Stone vs. Brick segment where you read it without the correspondences then with them. It makes things so much clearer! Amazing job guys!! :)

[@carolinapoorboy]

The green overlay of text was very understandable for those of us simple minded folk. Good job! BTW, these videos are a highlight of my Tuesday mornings. Please keep them coming.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Glad it worked for you! Yes, we'll keep them coming!

[@jamieredmond9656]

i can't thank you enough for this. i always said that His word has gone from man to man, show me what has not been destroyed by man.

[@offTheLeftEye]

You're very welcome, Jamie. I'm glad this episode affirmed concepts that were already making sense to you. Thanks for watching!

[@Viocarex]

Very relevant video! The Tower of Babel sounds more like the politics of our current situation.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Apt comparison, I think, Violet!

[@kirsten5723]

Your answer to that last question was beautiful, Curtis. Succinct and powerful. You should make an excerpt of that.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thanks so much, Keiki! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@conniewinslow755]

This is so relevant to the politics in America today and now the Covid19 virus. What Swedenborg does is so helpful in understanding the so called crisis we have. Applies to the world at large with it money based values over The values of the Bible.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Connie, yes, Swedenborg can bring such valuable perspective! I love that these spiritual principles help me to focus less on what is happening in the material world, and more on the idea that God is leading us with love right where we need to be, through hard times with support, into good times with joy. It's so hard to know how to fix all of these daily problems but greatly comforting to know someone else is in charge! And our job is simply to go out in the world and be as loving as we can, and as useful and kind as we can, and the more of us that do that, the better the world will be and the fewer of these earthly problems we will all have to suffer through! Did you watch our episode about Covid-19? I think you will enjoy it, if you haven't seen it already: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3Oyf6ahh7x9qJY

[@Hellfire00011]

Religion reminds me of the pharisees in the Bible that they treated the law above everything else and blinded by legalism I think. When the message is mainly about love. I think I’m starting to get it more after watching your videos. The Bible always says love fulfills the law.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Yes, they were stuck on debating doctrine - or truth - and lost the essential foundation of all faith, which is love for humanity and for God. Love period. So true, "love fulfills the law," great quote, Kou! Thanks!

[@LoveTruth44]

@@offTheLeftEye 😊👍🏽Romans 13:10 "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."❤

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@LoveTruth44 Yes, do no harm. A marvelous mantra for life.

[@LakinKrystle]

This is Brilliant- thank you for your services. 💗

[@offTheLeftEye]

Lakin, we are happy to hear that these videos serve you. The content has enriched our lives greatly as well, which is what motivates us to share it.

[@k.d.keever7179]

Love the show, recommended it to many. Provides a new perspective and a true appreciation for Swedenborg. Thank you.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thanks so much, K.D.!

[@ryanlj1995]

This actually makes a lot of sense. I don't believe I've ever heard of such a logical and comprehensible interpreting about the Tower of Babel story. This is the first video I've ever watched on your channel; and I've heard of Swedenborgianism and the Swedenborgian Church, but I wasn't entirely sure who he was, what they believe or teach, etc. But I do like what I'm hearing. I'd say I'm mostly a Mainline Protestant Christian of a mostly Lutheran and somewhat Reformed orientation, but mixed with Anglicanism as well. Don't know if you can synchronize Swedenborgianism with it all, or mix it and one other thing, or you have to convert entirely, but I am intrigued and open to this.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Hey Ryan, thanks for reaching out! We're really glad you're connecting with our content. Do let us know if you have any questions or interests related to Swedenborg!

[@davidwise3426]

Swedenborg had some interesting concepts. It helps explain a lot of things.

[@pamelahopper5260]

This was an awesome episode. Thank Curtis!

[@offTheLeftEye]

So glad it struck you as meaningful, Pamela! You're welcome!

[@brianwong3441]

Swedenborg is so great at this thing! I love Swedenborg, If Swedenborg still alive today, I want to say something to him "Swedenborg, GG"

[@number1rko]

thank u a lot we're so blessed by this videos

[@withgoddess7164]

We love you Curtis!!!⚘❤⚘

[@shimeahbahoum7218]

what I would really like to know ... is did we exist before birth. I have not heard this being talked about. Swedenborg doesn't go along with reincarnation so I wonder what his view is in this respect. thank you so much for these shows, there's nothing I love more than listening to them. Your wonderful Curtis along with the rest of ur crew. Thank you so much.

[@offTheLeftEye]

What we've found in Swedenborg about this is that before our physical birth, we each existed as a "desire of God," a feeling of God, which then gets manifested into an individual person. We do touch on that in our show "Does My Life Matter?" in the first section: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWSpl4OHqMuSsLc Thank you for the kind words about the show. We're really glad to have you out there in the audience!

[@debwalk4611]

I really like the new narratives. I also have always had a problem understanding worship. Now I get it. Also, before he made the comment about adding something to the bottom saying "like and subscribe", I was actually thinking that exact thing. Is there a way to make that part of the show shareable? (correspondence) Then it may get people to be interested about the channel.(without freaking them out lol)

[@offTheLeftEye]

Hey deb! Yes, I do agree that it would be great to have short, sharable segments with a wide appeal. We're working on it!

[@cheridavies5851]

my second time of watching more clear this time, thank you.

[@offTheLeftEye]

That's great, Cheri. Yes, many people find that watching a show more than once is helpful, because there is so much information to take in!

[@jeffmckinnon5842]

What an awesome video. Pure truth. Thank you so much.

[@offTheLeftEye]

So glad it hit home for you, Jeff! Thank you!

[@harlanlang6556]

As usual, I agree with Swedenborg. The early American Baha'is over 100 years ago read and quoted Swedenborg concerning reincarnation because there were no Baha'i books in English at that time. Reincarnation was in vogue at the time and some Baha'is thought that it was a Baha'i belief, but it wasn't. It actually is much the same as Swedenborg's explanation. It's interesting that the Revelation of Baha'u'llah was born in Iraq, the land of the Tower of Babel. I like Swedenborg's interpretation of the oneness of belief in ancient times being based on love. You're right that if love is missing, then doctrine doesn't matter. If love had not existed in any of the religions, then they would not have been successful. This love was the attractive core of each civilization. When love fades away, then the civilization withers. That's when the Divine Will sends down another Christ or Buddha to renew the love, and a new civilization is born. ....Harlan

[@withgoddess7164]

Yes faith without works is dead...

[@dreamsofturtles1828]

If " the darkest ambition is wanting to have total control over other people" , i would say that would include men wanting total control over women and using religion to justify it. And this seems to have happened all over the world, and still goes on in many places.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Yes, that has most certainly been a part of this "love of dominion" that has existed on earth for many thousands of years. There is still a long way to go, but if we look backwards in history, a tremendous amount of progress has been made, and we just have to consciously keep that going!

[@confijcon1361]

Best video ever. No. Only good video ever.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Glad it strikes you as meaningful and worthwhile, con fijcon!

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

I wanted to say something about the statues question. As protestant which I am I was taught that the catholics were this and that cause of the statues and the other things against them but after going and investigating for myself I can tell you its part of a beautiful experience. Everything they do they back up with scripture or have ancient reasons for doing it as it is tradition for thousands of years. The tradition was there for thousands of years from the time of Christ , the bible wasn't. Also protestant is a young break off when compared to the old religions.The catholic and the orthodox were the first christians is what i learned studying religious history ( the buddists and hindus were already there but I am talking Christian) But i wanted to explain the beauty of it all as I took it in.....when you go to mass its to worship God, your not there to hear a mans sermon slanted toward their apologetics, it is a priest reading directly from the bible. In classes your reading from the bible. I visited Anglican which is catholic lite, when you walk into experience mass all your senses are engaged: your site: you see the beautiful paintings, statues, stained glass (this varies with the budget of the particular church) your hearing: you hear the pipe organs and the beautiful hymns that are 200-400 years old, the smell : you smell the incense is when they walk by carrying the cross and the bible, this guy swings the incense back and forth (not sure what he is called) but its a beautiful experience to me. Everything there is a reminder of what was and still is. In any religion or denomination if your love for God grows dry, move on to a type of worship that revives it cause you always want to be in love with God and have your love in general growing. LOVE is the bottom line we are to learn from God.But each person needs to find what works for them but still love God, Jesus, higher power. I have a question though, the sister church to anglican is episcopalian and they accept gays and also ordained one bishop that was openly gay and the anglicans as well as most protestant /catholic were in an uproar but I'm thinking shouldn't we be about love and let God sort it out. I mean if sins are all the same and we all sin, how is it worse then the sins we all have? This is my problem about religion is it doesn't accept people for who they are, with the exception of the episcopalians.

[@adrianamorales818]

That's actually the problem with the statues and all the traditions. The fact that by that time, there were corrupt leaders . They involved so much materialism that probably involved enslaved just to add two their structures, not to mention all the things we do , the tradition itself envolves for galore collectively which we dont grow ourselves,but our leaders do the dealings to make sure it comes to our stores,and it is so far from our eyes that we fail to see the corruption within the most benine things. .our trade system deals with the most oppressed countries which can be sold cheaper to us,because they have ppl out there growi g it for hardly nothing. Yet,we receive it greatly...

[@davinalewis8239]

Hello, I have a few questions: What did Swedenborg say about polytheistic religions like those in Ancient Greece? Do we know his views of Gnosticism? Did Swedenborg deny or accept the polytheistic origins of the Abrahamic God? Thanks so much and I love this channel!

[@offTheLeftEye]

Davina, these are great questions! I do not consider myself a scholar about other faiths, such as the ones you mention. Here is a video that might address your curiosity called Why are There So Many Religions? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqOthKCcZZtrask The Old Testament is based on the stories of the Children of Israel, who struggled with understanding who God was. I love the moment when he introduces himself clearly. "And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3 Bless you on your quest to have a deep relationship with God.

[@briankelly85]

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness...

[@imagin.e.ternity]

yall should check Beautiful Eulogy. They are a Portland usa based christian music group. beautiful and relevant.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thanks for the recommendation, ElfMan! I'll definitely check them out.

[@sebastiankarlsson4315]

Hey, are there any inner meaning in Jesus's warnings against the false prophets? I mean is "false prophet" a metaphor for something? It is sometimes very irritating when christians claim people like edgar cayce, emanuel swedenborg and near death experiencers to be "false prophets".....

[@7445655]

+Sebastian Karlsson If a teaching goes against the scriptures, then they are false prophets !

[@sebastiankarlsson4315]

+Walter Anthony Swierczynski Jesus himself went against some things in Torah....

[@wiyanwakan9203]

+Walter Anthony Swierczynski As long as that scripture is translated correctly. There are a lot of grammatical small mistakes in the KJV bible that completely change the meaning. Reading in Hebrew,and then to the Greek of the new testament has been really interesting. Scholars did their best but sometimes didn't do their homework when translating.

[@cortlandbell196]

+Sebastian Karlsson The fact is that the Lord fulfilled all prophecy when He came into the world. He fulfilled all OT prophecy, and expanded it. In other words, anyone claiming to be a modern day prophet, is a false prophet. Now in regard to prophet as "teacher" which is the case when the term is used broadly, a prophet is according to doctrine, and anyone who puts forth a doctrine that contradicts another doctrine is going to be labeled a "false prophet". In regard to Swedenborg, he was simply a fountain, and prepared by the Lord to be so. He was not a prophet, or any type of clergymen...he was simply chosen and prepared by the Lord to reveal the spiritual sense of Scripture and thereby New Church doctrine/theology. It really does not matter what other christian sects say, we are all going to find out one way or another. The thing about New Church doctrine is that it can be proven to all who adhere to it as to leave no doubt. First by searching and acknowledging the truth, and then by living a life in accordance. Other Christians can say what they will, but Love, Wisdom, and Use are infallible when one lives within Their essence, which is the Lord.

[@crodhner]

Hey +Sebastian Karlsson! I certainly think so! The metaphor to me is that the "false prophets" are the inflow of thoughts and feelings from evil spirits/hell that want to keep us engaged in harmful behaviors and thought patterns for their own benefit. It seems when I turn in my mind toward the love and support that is coming in from the Lord, the "false prophets" will do all kinds of mental antics to try to keep me trapped in their abysmal, hopeless perspective on life. In the books of the prophets in the Word (especially Ezekiel) it's an enlightening exercise to read the descriptions of what the false prophets do and say to the children of Israel and think about what the metaphor is for our own lives. It would take a lot to put in to words, but I find their "whitewashing the ruins" and "proclaiming peace when there is no peace" are just a couple examples that I see reflected with what I witness going on in my own mind and spiritual life at different times. God sounds/appears super harsh in Ezekiel, so if you do explore it and get discouraged (which I often do), read chapter 11:17-20 to read the Lord's true intention for us and jump to chapter 47 to get a cool description of the future the Lord envisions for us once he's freed us from the "false prophets" and their chains.

[@Michaelmuq]

These are of my favorite videos (Noah as well)

[@offTheLeftEye]

So glad they resonate with you, Michael!

[@malabuha]

Religion is important to people. It safeguards our inner values.. compassion, empathy, love. Those values are a gift from God. But some people fall out of touch with God and the gifts he's bringing slowly fade out. It is why they are able to use people for selfish reasons.. religiin gone wrong.. But there comes the time when conscience enters everyone's life.. sooner or later. God decides to save us from hell first as conscience. At that stage it feels like a punishment. Nothing hurts as bad as guilty conscience. It is well known that peoole with conscience find it very hard to hurt others. It is a stage, and the more it grows, the gifts of love- compassion, empathy, mercy, charity grow and restore the soul. It's true for me, that God is present with us at every moment and everywhere. Even when the individual is out of touch with God. He never condamns or punishes, but it feels like that when we are at that stage of reconnection, it feels like punishment. But that doesnt last forever. It is very important that people grow in conscience, because the strogner that speaks to us, nothing of true value is ever stolen. And bad religious leaders are welcome to try. Conscience is a gift from God. A blessing and guidance

[@offTheLeftEye]

Love of music, what a wonderful interpretation. Thank you for sharing! Conscience is enormously helpful, like a compass. But it is not the part of us that generates warmth and comfort. The pangs of conscience, as you said, can be painful. Physical pain is an indicator that something needs attention, and the same is true when our conscience insists that we take action, or stop taking action as the case may be.

[@malabuha]

@@offTheLeftEye it isnt? So interesting. I will try and explore this in more depth. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Thanks for the insight!! ❤

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@malabuha You're very welcome!

[@GiniaMarie1]

HI! Question: around minute 53, you are talking about judgement, and checks and balances etc. which make sense, except, what about Job? or the man Jesus healed who didn't "sin" (John 9:2), neither did his parents sin ? but Jesus said the affliction and healing came for the glory of God. ?? Job, he didn't do anything and God said to satan (our adversary), have you considered Job? . . . You know the story. Job didn't do anything wrong, so to speak, yet he was tested in some serious fiery trials. Does Swedenborg have any exposition on Job? Thanks all!! appreciate it.

[@uselessmale]

Swedenborg does talk about job but I haven't read it all. It's not as encompassing as his works on other topics and figures but he does. My thoughts are job was tested not judged. The man and parents who "sinned not"- the disciples ask Jesus why he's blind, if his blindness is god's judgement/punishment and Jesus says no it's not because anyone sinned and says that it's for the glory of God meaning that he's blind so Jesus can restore his sight and show god's glory, power, love and that he is the messiah through that. And of course there's the inner meaning underlying all of it too which has to do with God opening out minds and perception to spiritual truths etc

[@uselessmale]

+Tim McCulley *out minds

[@uselessmale]

+Tim McCulley seriously? Lol. *OUR minds :P

[@sashadence6409]

Great explanation of spiritual physics. It seems awesome to me that laws of Nature are mirrored in the unseen and makes perfect sense. That holiness or wholenss of God would of course be organic, as in, replicated on multiple levels. Microcosm and macrocosm. I have a question. You point out that Swedenborg said we lost contact with the unseen so we couldn't see the truth and then refuse to obey the truth. I'm wondering about people who still see unseen things and I mean literally. Members of my family and myself as a child see dead people. It is of course, a secret, but it is upsetting sometimes and more upsetting because in t his secular world we can't talk about it. What's interesting is that we can't talk about it even with religious authorities although a couple of RC priests have been more open and believing. just wondering if you guys have any thoughts on this and why it happens.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Hi, Sasha! Yeah, isn't it amazing and wonderful that everything and all the patterns we see in the physical world are reflections of things in the spiritual world. Regarding your family's abilities: though there was a general, collective loss of conscious connection with the spiritual world when humanity became corrupt, there have *always* still been some people who have been able to still see or sense through the veil. That's why history is full of people who have had visions or were called shamans or saints or prophets, etc. In recent history, especially in the Western world, those abilities became less acceptable, which is silly because the Bible is full of stories of spiritual experiences. I would say that you and your family are some of those who still have the remnant of that ability that God originally created in humans to be aware of both the physical and spiritual levels. I believe that the collective ability to do that will eventually open up again, but in the meantime, people like you serve to remind us all of how things are meant to be!

[@bobouzala]

Thanks for sharing, Sasha! ES postulated there is a mathematical point where physical and spiritual meet. The physical world grows from this point with incredible repeating and growing patterns in I suppose, all things. (did I get that correct?) I think ES would have loved to see the Mandelbrot equation! Sasha - Amazing life (and death) experiences within your family, wow! Do you keep a journal? Have you considered writing a book or a movie?

[@sashadence6409]

@@offTheLeftEye Thanks for this -- it's not something we can talk about but it is good to know it's not unnatural or whatever. I myself don't see things anymore -- or at least -- only very fuzzily. I lost it after childhood. My daughter and sons and my sister have all seen bad stuff. The good stuff is harder to see - the vibration's faster or smthg? But hwatever -- I agree I think this is a 'sense' everyone has, only it has gone dormant, as it did with me. Also, I found and still find that the more purely rational you are -- as in, exclusively rational -- the less able to see spiritual reality. It's like they're competing responses, you know, like if you're in anger, you can't be in grief at the same time (except you can, bad eg.). ANyway, a relief to be able to talk about it and also get an explanation! Thank you!

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@sashadence6409 You're very welcome, Sasha! I hope you will always feel free to talk to us as you work to sort these things out in your mind. We're glad to be sharing this journey of learning with you!

[@kentmccoy592]

I've always felt that reincarnation explains why we are each born Into the circumstances that each of us are born into.....does Swedenborg believe in reincarnation and what would explain our circumstances at birth and why do bad things happen to good people especially children?

[@offTheLeftEye]

Hi Kent! This is a question we are asked a lot, but Swedenborg doesn't really mention reincarnation. He seems to focus instead on our spiritual growth during our life on earth, and continued development in the spiritual world. This blog post discusses how Swedenborg's understanding of regeneration in the spiritual world is similar to the idea of reincarnation, which you might be interested to read: www.swedenborg.com/swedenborg-and-reincarnation/ You might also like our episode, Do We Reincarnate? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYe8fHicpdOroJI On the question of why bad things happen to us, or to good people (children too), yes, Swedenborg does address this. We have done several episodes about it, here they are if you are interested. I'd start with this one: Why Bad Things Happen kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXeWeKKhpZlnh9E Here are some others, from shortest to longest: Why Do Some People Experience More Trauma, While Others Do Not? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqnJeJV_l5d-iMk There Is A Reason Bad Things Happen kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5TTcoF6mbqbn7c Despair Can Be Helpful kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV7TdIuJr7ijldk Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnmxqnqhj9uasLc Life Isn't Fair...Or Is It? kzbin.info/www/bejne/amOldnWng5V7abs Please let me know if any of those resonate with you, if you check them out! I hope they are helpful! Thank you for your question, Kent!

[@jasonsherwood7539]

Great illustration Rings true

[@offTheLeftEye]

I'm glad this perspective makes sense to you! Thanks for watching!

[@cliffordmoodyjr5150]

yes i was mislead to some of my surroundings from childhood to adulthood

[@savior6785]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d52qh4hpqZ2Vq9U If you’re going through trials in your life and feel that you can’t overcome it, remember that Jesus overcame this world and you can as well through Christ. If you’re someone that’s going through bullying or has in the past, remember that you can overcome anything with God at your side and all you have to do is pray and He’ll listen to what you have to say and also give you the strength and comfort to overcome the negative situation you’re going through in your life at a particular moment. Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

[@Juan-hd8lh]

Another buried jewel that comes to the Light!

[@offTheLeftEye]

There are a lot of good old ones, Juan. Have fun unearthing them!

[@user-mq3ts7lr9l]

So basically, the Bible is a big collection of metaphors.

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

No in some of his writings it says some are literal.

[@AidanAidanAAA]

This is why I’m not comfortable with Swedenborg. All very arbitrary.

[@BelovedLuke]

Gen 9:27 God shall enlarge Japheth(whites), and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem(Judeo-Christianity); and Canaan(Africans) shall be his servant.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thanks for sharing with us!

[@b.b.3260]

beautiful.

[@213mrclean]

If you like mountains Kurtis come visit me in WA St. I live an hours drive from Mount saint Helen's

[@confijcon1361]

We see that today. We used to speak in one spirit. Right now that is no more. People mean something else even speak the same langauge. So everything is falling apart. Like what if we all pray in a different direction then what must god do as we read later of one of gods complain. We live in the end times. One thing we all agree on. The end of the mind is that world. There is no more understanding and no more love and everybody is cruel and rude. And just think they fanatic must say their opinion. Opinion is not from god. Understanding is. So understanding is comming from up high and nothing else. Our personal opinion is selfish and cruel. But we believe we have that right since that right we gave ourselves but steals away the right to be good. Wait and see.

[@offTheLeftEye]

May we all grow in our understanding from above, confijcon!

[@kerrythompson9506]

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27) There are interesting parallels with the story of the tower of Babel as explained by Swedenborg and the oral traditions of the Navajo as related by Wally Brown on the KZbin channel "Navajo Traditional Teachings" (see the episode titled "Why This Native American Language Was Never Meant To Be Written"). In summary, the tradition states that the human race, prior to their language being confounded, spoke the language of the creation, or the sacred words and phrases of the Holy People that had within it the power to command nature. Because the humans became of one mind to accomplish evil with that power, that language was taken and many inferior languages resulted. One group of people didn't want to lose their sacred language, so they sent one of their council to petition the Holy People to not confound their language, and the Holy People finally relented and allowed that one group to keep their Holy Language. The Navajo tradition is that that language was passed down to them, but one of the stipulations was that it could not be written. (Sorry, this is getting quite lengthy...) The prophecy was also made that at the time the language became forgotten by the people - and this is what is happening now - the end of the Third World (this phase of life on planet earth) would occur. This also parallels the story of the Jaredites in the Book of Mormon, a volume considered to be scripture by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The story is similar in that, at the time of the tower of Babel, a man named Jared convinced his brother to communicate with God and request that God not confound the language of Jared and his brother, as well as their friends and families. God granted that request, and separated Jared and his group from the people at the tower, leading them on a long journey that eventually took them to North America. There they lived until about 350 BC, having created a great civilization that waxed and waned with their faith in God, until it finally destroyed itself, leaving behind one man who was found by another group (the Mulekites) that had been led by God to North America in perhaps about BC 550. They also left behind their history engraved on metallic plates, which plates were translated in part by a prophet in a yet another group (the Nephites and Lamanites) that had been led by God to North America a little after BC 600. The latter two groups combined, and are the ancestors of modern-day Native Americans according to the Church. Only a part of the translation of the plates is included in the Book of Mormon, as God revealed to the brother of Jared things that were forbidden to be revealed until such time as people demonstrated they were sufficiently advanced, in spiritual terms, that they could receive them.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Bless you, Kerry, as you strive to be undefiled, and to minister to those who need it. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow." Isaiah 1

[@ThePon99]

i had a guestion do you believe that jesus is the only way to heaven?

[@offTheLeftEye]

Swedenborg presents a very interesting view on this, that the Lord (which is the name he gives to the aspect of God that can come close and interact with us, and which did indeed manifest on earth as Jesus Christ) really is the only one who can save us from hell and bring us into heaven. BUT, unlike most Christian religions, Swedenborg says that the Lord saves people of all religions, and comes to people through the goodness in their hearts and lives, no matter what religion they adhere to or what name or image they use for God. I have seen this reflected in some near-death experience stories, in which people meet and experience Jesus Christ as the savior, but learn that he is not exclusive and not concerned that people be Christians while on earth. That he is only concerned with connecting with goodness and truth inside of them, with which he can guide them to heaven.

[@ThePon99]

oh wat do you mean by all religions do you mean that you dont have to abandon pagan religon to go to heaven?

[@offTheLeftEye]

That's right, no one has to abandon their earthly religious tradition to get to heaven. To get to heaven, people just have to be using their religion, whatever it is, to become more compassionate and useful to others. Swedenborg saw that in the afterlife, the Lord guides people to heaven by using the goodness within whatever religion they had used while on earth. All of us have misunderstandings about God, no matter what religion we belong to. The Lord is gentle and kind about guiding people toward a deeper and more true understanding of God. And the Lord is wise enough to use the ideas in any earthly religion to guide people toward a deeper and deeper understanding of God and of life, according to the goodness in their intentions and hearts.

[@Charity-vm4bt]

@@offTheLeftEye believe it or not, this is a Catholic belief.

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@Charity-vm4bt I didn't realize this, Charity. Thanks for letting us know!

[@paulsimmons9512]

I imagine they knew that they could not build something higher than the surrounding mountains to get to heaven. Rather, they were building a great edifice / temple in which they thought they could qualify to go to heaven. As happens now, they were replacing God's revealed, true and narrow path back to him with man made religion. God broke up the fraudulant religion in a quick, effective way.

[@offTheLeftEye]

I agree with you that this story is about the fashioning of fraudulant, man-made religion, though Swedenborg learned that it is an ancient parable, that did not happen in a literal way. He learned that it is a parable about an attitude that people were building in their minds and hearts, wanting to fashion man-made doctrine instead of truly learning from God and God's love. You are so right-fraudulant indeed!

[@jeffcampbell8404]

the powers that be are at war with nature........

[@supremonow6229]

All are the negatives of religions highlighted, but no guts to do a show on it's positives?

[@oks4539]

What are these positives that you seek

[@mauriceDur]

The part I needed the most explanation to never came. Did Borg explain this? In Genesis 11:5 it states, But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” This implies a fearful God who believes the people could accomplish their goal and be equal to God. I believe it shows the untruth of some of the bible since back then the person who wrote it didn't have the ability to understand that man could not build a tower to heaven and God would look at what the were doing as foolishness. Even if the story is not meant to be literal this part really needs further explanation. One writer wrote, It simply means that man would continually come together in disobedience and rebellion without restraint of wickedness. But why is that any worst than not building the tower, and man still went on to this day to continually come together in disobedience and rebellion without restraint of wickedness.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Yes, the Borg does explain this! We can't possibly fit all of the information on any Bible story into one hour-long show, so we had to be selective. But I'll share info about those two verses: First, if you look at a variety of translations for that verse, you'll see some of them reflecting an idea not that nothing will be impossible for them, but that they will accomplish what they are trying to do. Swedenborg did his own translation from the original Hebrew language, and his translation is: "And Jehovah said, “Look: the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they are starting to do; and now nothing would be prohibited to them that they thought to do.”" (Genesis 11:6) The idea here is not, "oh no, they are actually going to become equal to God-I have to stop them!" but rather something like "they actually want to figure out how to be equal to God, using spiritual knowledge to dominate and control heaven and the universe-that is such an evil motivation that they will completely corrupt and destroy their souls, and that must be prevented." It would be completely impossible for them to become equal to God, but they could certainly destroy their own souls by cutting themselves off from God by means of extreme selfishness and greed. God protects our freedom to choose what to do, but also protects humanity from completely annihilating itself. So with that general idea in mind, I will quote below the passages in Swedenborg's "Secrets of Heaven" that explain those two verses. And also keep in mind that Swedenborg says that he is only able to share a tiny bit of the vast inner meaning of each verse in the Bible.

[@offTheLeftEye]

SH 1314: "Jehovah said means that it was so. Look: the people are one and they all have one language, means that religious truth and doctrine were the same for everyone. And this is what they are starting to do means that now they are starting to alter. And now nothing would be prohibited to them that they thought to do means unless their status now changes."

[@offTheLeftEye]

SH 1315: "Jehovah said means that it was so, as can be seen from the previously demonstrated fact that this passage is not genuine history but made-up history [§§482, 1020, 1283]. So when it says, “Jehovah said,” the sole thing it means is that it was so, which is what it meant in many earlier passages [§§630, 708, 926, 1020, 1037]."

[@offTheLeftEye]

SH 1316: "Look: the people are one and they all have one language, means that religious truth and doctrine were the same for everyone. This can be seen from the symbolism of a people as religious truth and from the symbolism of a language as doctrine. The symbolism of a people as religious truth, that is, as those who have religious truth, was illustrated before, at §1259. The symbolism of a language as religious doctrine was illustrated above at verse 1 [§1286]. The people and their language are said to be one when everyone adopts the common good of society, the common good of the church, and the kingdom of the Lord as a goal. Under those circumstances, the Lord-who brings about the unity of all-is present in the goal. When we adopt our own welfare as the goal, however, the Lord cannot be present in any way. Our very self-absorption pushes him away. Under these circumstances we deflect and divert to ourselves the common good of society, the common good of the church, and even the Lord’s kingdom, treating them as if they exist for our own sake. In this way we take what is the Lord’s away from him and replace it with ourselves. When this attitude takes over in us, a reflection of it lurks in each of our thoughts and even in the smallest facets of our thoughts. That is how it is with a person’s dominant trait. [2] The fact is not as obvious during bodily life as it is in the other life, where our dominant characteristic reveals itself through a kind of aura that everyone around us perceives. Our aura is like this because it emanates from everything inside us. If we focus on ourselves at every point, our aura usurps and (as people there say) absorbs everything advantageous to us, including all the pleasure of the spirits around us. It destroys all freedom in them. Inevitably, then, people like this are ostracized. But when the people are one and they have one language, that is, when the common good of all is what people focus on, then no one ever usurps another’s happiness or destroys another’s freedom but promotes and increases it as much as possible. That is why heavenly communities seem to form a unit, and this is the effect of mutual love alone, which comes from the Lord. The same is true in the church.

[@offTheLeftEye]

SH 1317: "The sequence of events shows that this is what they start to do means that now they were starting to alter. Starting to do symbolizes their thinking, or their intention, and so their goal, as can be seen from the next clause, “and now nothing would be prohibited to them that they thought to do.” The reason a goal is symbolized at an inner level is that the Lord regards nothing in us but our goal. No matter what thoughts we have thought or deeds we have done in all their countless permutations, as long as our purpose is good, these things are all good. When our purpose is bad, on the other hand, those things are all bad. Our final goal is what prevails in every single thing we think or do. The angels with us are the Lord’s, and therefore what they govern inside us are our purposes. When they govern these, they also govern our thoughts and deeds, because all our thoughts and deeds are included in our purposes. Whatever we aim at is our actual life. The aim brings everything we think and do to life, since (again) it embraces everything we think or do. So the nature of our goal determines what our life is like. A goal, or purpose, is nothing but love, because the only thing we can adopt as a purpose is something we love. Even those who think one way and act another still have something they love as their goal. Within the pretense or deceit itself lies the goal, which is self-love or materialism, and this is the joy of their life. Accordingly, as anyone can see, the nature of our life reflects the nature of our love. These, then, are the things symbolized by starting to do.

[@jenniferpollard4466]

♥️🙏

[@offTheLeftEye]

I'm glad you enjoyed this, Jennifer! Thank you for watching!

[@spinoz2319]

More sensible understanding of the myth of Tower of Babel comes from Gnostic point of view. Gnositics sees Yahweh as a false god, a bad guy of the story. And therefore those who stand against that revengeful cosmic bully are heroes: the snake, Satan, Cain, Nimrod, even if (or because of it!) Yahweh's propaganda claims the otherwise. Have you ever wonder why alledgedly all-mighty Yahweh uses the tactics of a classic bad guy antagonist (Satan, terrorists, assasins) and divides and mixes the human languages? Instead of snaping the fingers like Thanos and collapsin the tower to the dust. But Nimrod was great thread to Yahweh, the small and petty demiurge god, because he was a Gnostic warrior who knew true God.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Interesting perspective, Kalle. Swedenborg obviously has a different view of YHWH, but thanks for sharing this other view.

[@spinoz2319]

Swedenborg strikes me like a good old Swedish social-democrat, never to rock boat too much... I'm too heretic revolutionary, Anarko-Communist Gnostic-Satanist, to swallow the blue pill of Torah (and God of Moses). I read Bible heretically in-between the lines and discover hidden anti-Yahweh tendencies. I think this is a long tradition of Jewish intellectualism, going against God on moral ground, call it Kabbalah or Gnosticism. I've always felt at home in Jewish moral intellectuals (or Gnostic heroes) like Noam Chomsky (his demiurge god being, of course, USA and the other Yahwist bully of this world, Israel), and Marx, Freud, Walter Benjamin, Ernst Bloch, Harold Bloom, George Steiner, Herman Weinberg. Or the Jewish exile cultures in urban multicultural centers like Babylonia, Hellenistic Alexandria, Muslim Andalusia, pre-Anschluss Vienna, and modern New York where this tradition has grown richly. Perhaps I have lived in these cities in my previous reincarnations? It puzzles me why there has, apparently, never been this kind of interpretation of Babel among Gnostics or other heretics. Am I the first and only one to invent this? I have always been a hell of a theologian, and I have asked God why did he make me an atheist, when I could have been much more useful in other field altogether. But I guess my kind has never been here to do and die, but to reason why! But re-writing Bible by reinterpretation is always a great idea. Even the untalented hack writer like Dan Brown managed to write a bestseller by rocking the boat just a little bit more... How big will my novel be, when I'll shake the foundations of the World of Yahweh!

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thanks for sharing more of these details! Swedenborg was actually quite a revolutionary during his day -- some of his followers were even prosecuted by the church during his lifetime. Here's more info on his life, if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnbEYZhudsiGbZo

[@ILLFilms]

Swedenborg? Alarm bells are ringing, Vinnie.

[@withgoddess7164]

What does that mean?

[@YohesvaranRam]

Those who do not know about about religion ) a true religion) should not make such a video

[@scottbarry9500]

please dont condemn something you know nothing about. Read Swedenborg and learn a deeper understanding about our purpose here on planet earth and the One God that is protecting us always and inspiring us to walk in our higher self instead of our lower animal nature,,,

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

to you he does not exist----but to many HE DEFINITELY exists---believe what you want. Its your life and future life.

[@withgoddess7164]

@Infidel Atoms don't exist because I have not seen them...

[@_S0urR0ses_]

@@withgoddess7164 yep and skin cells or any other cells dont exists because ive never seen them either. My brain, heart, liver, kidneys etc. dont exist because ive never seen them!!!!!

[@_S0urR0ses_]

@Infidel my heart, brain, cells, and other organs dont exist because ive never seen them and only told by doctors my xrays are actualy mine!! my mothertpassed away from cancer but i guess i shouldnt believe cancer exists since i never saw it or had it....hmmmmm..drug addiction doesnt exist to u either? or have u actually experienced any type of bondage that is hard to stop doing? foods, drinking, spending money, working to much, gambling, falling in lov..which of these have you lived if any? do they not exist either? just asking and curious why you say god doesnt exist? im not trying to change your statement. god will knock on your door when god decides he wants to...im just here to share my own personal experience of gods grace during many times i have never deserved it..if you ever want me to share some exiting miracles im always here. if not, thats ok too..