Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Toggle search form
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport  Activism
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022 American Arabs
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ
    Jordan bans 12 news sites for ‘spreading media poison’ following corruption report Arab World
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech Activism
  • ADC creates emergency fund to defend people who are being punished for expressing views on the American-sanction violence by Israel in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy of ADC
    ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi Activism
  • UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba  Arab World
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month Activism
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders American Arabs
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice American Arabs
  • Andrew Boutros, interim US Attorney Northern District of Illinois. Photo courtesy of the US Attorney's Office
    Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois American Arabs
  • Israeli massacres of Palestinian civilians March 18 2025
    Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip Arab World
  • Illinois Muslim Action Day April 9 2025
    Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference American Arabs
  • Investigation demanded in March 23 massacre of 15 first responders by Israel's military in Rafah
    Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025 Arab World
  • More than a dozen candidates running for various local offices in the Chicagoland suburbs attended an Ifatr dinner Thursday, March 13, 2025 hosted by the Arab American Chamber of Commerce at the Jerusalem Banquet Hall in Bridgeview.
    Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13 Activism
  • Orland Fire Protection District, Fiscal Voices, receive endorsement of the Arab American Democracy Coaliton
    Independent candidates for Orland Fire receive Arab and Muslim American endorsement Activism

Jesus Christ and 21st Century Political Realities

Posted on April 6, 2017September 25, 2018 By Eileen Fleming No Comments on Jesus Christ and 21st Century Political Realities
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Christ was NOT the last name of Jesus

Christ as a word can be offensive, used as an oath or strong expression of disbelief, dismay, awe, disappointment, pain, etc.,

The Cosmic Christ is The Union of Human and Divine

By Eileen Fleming

On Thursday, Richard Rohr a Franciscan friar emailed:

The Cosmic Christ: The Union of Human and Divine

Please do not think me a heretic, but it is formally and theologically incorrect to say ‘Jesus is God, as most Christians glibly do and then need to ‘prove’…

We have much less need to ‘prove’ that Jesus is God (which of itself asks nothing transformative of us). ..

The good news is that we also are part of the eternal divine embrace, now as the ongoing Body of Christ extended in space and time. We are the second coming of Christ…

Jesus is the union of human and divine in space and time; whereas the Christ is the eternal union of matter and Spirit from the beginning of time.

In later centuries, the church lost this mystical understanding in favor of fast-food, dualistic Christianity that was easier for the average parish believer to comprehend. We pushed Jesus, and we lost Christ…

Early Franciscans saw the Christ Mystery mirrored in every aspect of creation, from elements, to weather, planets, animals, attitudes, non-Christians, art, and even to enemies…+

As I reflected on Rohr’s reflection and this week in the WORLD in the era of Trump;

I recalled the 1987 classic, The Different Drum: Community Making and Peace, by Dr. Scott Peck, in which he defines the spiritual life as fluid and proposes that we all may pass back and forth repeatedly through any of the four stages of the soul. The soul is defined as the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal and is regarded as immortal.

Donald John Trump is the 45th and current President of the United States. Prior to entering politics Trump was a businessman and television personality.

In a 2015 interview with CNN before Trump became POTUS, Donald Trump talked about his Christian faith but said he’s never sought forgiveness for his sins stating: “I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and make it right. I don’t bring God into that picture. I don’t.”

Trump said that while he hasn’t asked God for forgiveness, he does participate in Holy Communion: “When I drink my little wine — which is about the only wine I drink — and have my little cracker, I guess that is a form of asking for forgiveness, and I do that as often as possible because I feel cleansed.”

According to Scott Peck’s Stages of the Soul: Stage One is essentially our infancy in the spiritual life.

Like a wild child, a person in this soul stage reflects the inner chaotic and anti-social, unregenerate soul that is interested only in its own self-satisfaction and ego, much like the stereotypical spoiled child.

Stage One people may claim to love others, but their behavior reflects they love their own pleasure, money, power and prestige above any others.

For Stage One souls, it really is ALL about them!

Stage Two souls seek to “let their light shine” and will live virtuous lives and do many good works.

They also can be judgmental of others, self-righteous, rigid of thought, cold of heart, legalistic concrete literal thinkers and may even be guilty of a lukewarm faith.

They want to do right and they even may desire to love and please God, but have not yet fully opened up to the Inner Light and thus have not yet been set free:

Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” -John 8:32
Stage Two Souls prove they have not yet been set fully free by seeking “security” by way of submitting to human authority other than their own CONSCIENCE for guidance.

Stage Two Souls submit to institutions, scripture, dogma, ritual, ministers, gurus, elected officials, politicians and Media outlets for ‘guidance’ in troubled times.

The difference between a Stage One and Stage Two Soul, is that a One would NOT even notice a neighbor in need, while a Two intuits that we are to be our ‘brother’s keeper’ and thus they might even respond like the good Samaritan who cared for a total stranger in dire need.

Most theologians agree that the opposite of faith is not disbelief: the opposite of faith is fear.
Stage Three Souls have not just awoken, they have evolved!
This evolution has led them to the realization of what Jesus was really talking about in the Sermon on the Mount/The Beatitudes, which sound like crazy promises, but are all about waking people up to The Divine within themselves and all others!

A stage Three Soul may reject Jesus as God, but they often agree with the philosophy of Jesus, which Thomas Jefferson gifted US with when he weeded out the miracle stories from the gospels and clarified the teachings and ethics of Jesus in:

THE LIFE AND MORALS of JESUS of NAZARETH

  1. Be just: justice comes from virtue, which comes from the heart.
  2. Treat people the way we want to be treated.
  3. Always work for PEACEFUL resolutions, even to the point of returning violence with COMPASSION.
  4. Consider valuable the things that have no material value.
  5. Do not judge others.
  6. Do not bear grudges.
  7. Be modest and unpretentious.
  8. Give out of true generosity, not because we expect to be repaid.
  9. Being true to one’s self in more important than being loyal to one’s family and those who think they know the most are the most ignorant…

A Stage Three Soul will see that a neighbor is everyone on the planet and not just those who think and look the same and are born in the same geographical location.

Stage Three Souls are seekers, doubters, skeptics, agnostics and frequently adults who grew up disenchanted with institutionalized religion.

Their inherent intellectual curiosity leads them to seek their own way towards the Mystery of the Divine through philosophy and the study of multiple faith paths choosing and discarding according to their “inner light.”

Stage Three Souls often become activists for social justice and reform.

Stage Four Souls have been enfleshed by Francis of Assisi who was so in love with God that he saw God within EVERY human being and ALL of Creation:

 


And Paramahansa Yogananda, who brought the concept of universal Christ Consciousness/ the Cosmic Christ to the World in the early 20th century.


In titling his book, The Second Coming of Christ, Paramahansa Yogananda explained:

I am not referring to a literal return of Jesus to earth. He came two thousand years ago and, after imparting a universal path to God’s kingdom, was crucified and resurrected; his reappearance to the masses now is not necessary for the fulfillment of his teachings.

What is necessary is for the cosmic wisdom and divine perception of Jesus to speak again through each one’s own experience and understanding of the infinite Christ Consciousness that was incarnate in Jesus.

That will be his true Second Coming.

Many are the churches and temples founded in his name, often prosperous and powerful, but where is the communion that he stressed—actual contact with God?

 

Jesus wants temples to be established in human souls, first and foremost; then established outwardly in physical places of worship.

Instead, there are countless huge edifices with vast congregations being indoctrinated in churchianity, but few souls who are really in touch with Christ through deep prayer and meditation.

A thousand Christs sent to earth would not redeem its people unless they themselves become Christlike by purifying and expanding their individual consciousness to receive therein the second coming of the Christ Consciousness, as was manifested in Jesus…

 

The era of Donald J. Trump overflows with opportunities to be instruments of the change we want to see, but:

“Christ you know it ain’t easy, You know how hard it can be, The way things are going, They’re going to crucify me”-John Lennon


Read More HERE

+Sign up for Richard Rohr’s daily reflections HERE

 

 

 

 

Eileen Fleming is TADN’s volunteer Health Reporter and Senior Non-Arab Correspondent

Fleming produced the UNCENSORED “30 Minutes with Vanunu” Mordechai, Israel’s nuclear whistleblower

On 8 June 2017, Eileen Fleming begins taping “This American and the USS LIBERTY Documentary”

Contact her HERE

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Eileen Fleming
Eileen Fleming
Senior Non-Arab Correspondent for TADN at The Arab Daily News
Senior Non-Arab Correspondent for The Arab Daily News
Producer "30 Minutes with Vanunu" who founded WeAreWideAwake.org in response to her first of 8 trips to both sides of The Wall in Palestine Israel.
In 2012, Eileen ran for US House of Representatives District 5, in Fl.
Read her FREE eBooks and more at:http://www.eileenfleming.org/
Eileen Fleming
Latest posts by Eileen Fleming (see all)
  • Vanunu still has more nuclear secrets to spill, Israeli court declares - December 29, 2021
  • 9/11 and a 20th Reflection of That Day - September 5, 2021
  • Mordechai Vanunu: Final Annual Update and this Writers Next Steps - June 19, 2021

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Health, Palestine & Jordan Tags:Christ, Donald J. Trump, God, Jesus, politics, Religion and Spirituality

Post navigation

Previous Post: Analysis: Why Pekau won and McLaughlin lost
Next Post: No to Judge Gorsuch and No to Evil Designs of McConnell

Related Posts

  • AAI President Jim Zogby addresses the 19th Annual Spirit of Humanity Awards Banquet
    A Plurality of American Voters Support Ben & Jerry’s American Arabs
  • New Jersey officials hopes in Facebook post Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib will die
    Calls for New Jersey official’s resignation after threatening Tlaib on Facebook American Arabs
  • Clear Channel Outdoor Dishonors USS LIBERTY Veterans and Friends American Arabs
  • The Seal of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. For more information, see here. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Illinois men charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS American Arabs
  • Dearborn Muslims plan rally against hate American Arabs
  • Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib
    Tlaib following in the footsteps of Paul Findley American Arabs

More Related Articles

Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein Abandon Harris Endorses Green Party’s Stein for President American Arabs
AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad. Photo courtesy of the AHRC AHRC Elections Advisory from Imad Hamad American Arabs
US Astronaut who placed satellite for Arab League dies Activism
The USS Liberty and Moral Uprisings Arab World
ACCESS CEO announces leadership transitions American Arabs
What’s really behind protests against Sterling Heights mosque? American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Ray Hanania's 4 times a week columns at https://RayHanania.com at Substack

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Photo courtesy of Journalist Abdennour Toumi
    France: Political Compromise vs Political Instability
    August 28, 2024
  • Zakia Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia
    Arabs eat Middle East food like they are making love
    June 27, 2024
  • Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice
    Zwar ranked the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland suburbs
    June 8, 2024
  • Pictured: Rahm Emanuel, Afghan activist Salman Aftab who was co-chair of the Iftar dinner, and several non-Arab Muslim leaders. Also pictured is Ald. Joe Moore. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania for Arab News
    Comprehensive look at the failings of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    January 18, 2024
  • NEWSWIRE
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech
    June 1, 2025
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month
    April 29, 2025
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders
    April 27, 2025
  • Mike Ghouse
    Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony
    February 14, 2025

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • NEWS
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport 
    June 7, 2025
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022
    June 1, 2025
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Faisal Abbas Book Anecdotes
    Book Review: Arab author shares his anecdotes living in the United Kingdom
    October 22, 2024
  • Columnist Ray Hanania at the ADC Convention in Dearborn with the author Susan Abulhawa
    Book Review: Mornings in Jenin bySusan Abulhawa
    September 14, 2024
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Television set and remote. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
    MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator
    February 24, 2025
  • ArabCon 2024 Gala Program features Dr. Cornel West, Macklemore, and more
    September 6, 2024
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2025 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme