Study groups function autonomously and informally, and are usually held in private homes. As even informality needs some structure, study groups are most useful when some format is employed, such as a group commitment to taking turns reading a paper aloud and to having thoughtful and respectful discussion during and after. Another format often used is topical study; the preparing of a series of selections from The Urantia Book to allow the group to analyze and explore a particular topic. Study group dynamics vary from one study group to the next, but most study groups are geared to receive new and sincere inquirers and to assist in the personal comprehension and consideration of the teachings of The Urantia Book.
The mature study-group environment freely allows for individual interpretation of, and for one's unique experience with the content of The Urantia Book. Never is there any conveyence that study group attendees are required either to believe any or all of its contents or to have read any or all of its contents prior to attending a study group. Sincere inquiry into, and genuine interest in the sharing of the experience of discovery of The Urantia Book, and courtesy, tolerance, and respect, are the only pre-requisites.
Locate a study group
nearest you
A Society of
readers of The Urantia Book provides a social and
educational environment conducive to fraternal association and
spiritual fellowship among those individuals in a given city or region
who have freely chosen to share with others of like-mind the experience
of
the objective consideration of the authenticity of The Urantia
Book
as a major, epochal revelation, and of the objective consideration of
the
truth-merit of its teachings. Since the arrival at such a regard
for
The Urantia Book is ever and always a personal matter,
such
a regard is presumed to have been acquired through an objective
examination of its
contents to the personal satisfaction of the reader. Societies
are
created by dedicated readers of The Urantia Book and for
their
collective intellectual, emotional, and spiritual edification.
There
exists no ecclesiastical religious authority over readers of The Urantia Book. Therefore, there
is
no cultish litmus test to determine who may become a Society member,
who
does or does not "believe" the contents of The Urantia Book, or who does or does not
regard The Urantia Book as an authentic
revelation.
A reader is presumed to have honored his/her personal
intellectual
integrity when voluntarily seeking Society membership as his/her
expression
of such a truth-seeking attitude and as his/her honest affirmation of
the
merit of The Urantia Book as a worthy source of
truth.
The purpose of the Society is to foster, through fraternal association and spiritual fellowship, the study, dissemination, and the living of the teachings of The Urantia Book.
In deference to the spirit of the purpose for the existence of the Society of readers of The Urantia Book, among the few requirements for Society membership is a simple affirmation of the completed reading of its contents. Rather than advance an organizational 'requirement' of wholesale belief of the entirety of The Urantia Book, Society members declare a personal and voluntary commitment to the truth-seeking attitude such that each member is dedicated to the objective, intellectually honest consideration of the truth-merit of the teachings of The Urantia Book.
Required also are the following:
| Urantia Book Society of Greater New York | Urantia Book Society of Los Angeles |
| Golden Gate Circle Society (San
Francisco & Bay Area) |
|
| More to come |
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