Anybody could strive to be Christlike. That is neither blasphemic, nor particularly "new", nor "demeaning." Since when is it considered an insult to strive to imitate Jesus Christ?
There's also such a "neat thing" as Christ Consciousness, maybe that'll help some with these guilt feelings whenever Jesus Christ comes up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_consciousness
All you have to do is LISTEN to Michael Jackson himself when he spoke about spirituality, religion and what he saw as his part.
I believe that all art has as its ultimate goal the union between the material and the spiritual, the human and the divine. And I believe that that is the very reason for the existence of art and what I do.
The Divine Union MJ spoke about is nothing but Christ Consciousness.
Here's something Michael Bearden has said on his fanpage on Facebook:
Did MJ think he was God? NO! but he did except his mission on the planet as an archangel of sorts..one who was responsible for the ascension of the soul through the physical body to help shine light on what man must one day realize..God is love,love is real God is within us! He used his power of music to convey this message..Music is the most powerful language available to us on the planet...
As as the word "ascension" came up, it's pretty clear.
Especially when you read the This Is It announcement:
"It is now i see and feel that calling once again, to be part of a music that will not just connect but, make all feel one, one in joy, one in pain, one in love, one in service and in consciousness."
The return to Oneness by the way used to be a concept in Christianity as well- Christian Mysticism- before it got "erased".
The return to Oneness, to the source or whatever your verbal preference not just reserved for Jesus Christ, open to all, nothing blasphemic about that either.
What did people think "Lightman" was all about? You can't say "Light" any louder than that.
I got no problem to acknowledge that Michael Jackson is more than just a mortal human. There are obviously countless people that feel that way. I have no problem to say I follow Michael Jackson. It doesn't make me a freak, unreasonable or nuts. :cheeky: Nor does it make me love Jesus Christ any less, it's not a competition by the way.
I simply follow my instinct here free of any reflexive guilt. Couldn't care less if other people have an issue with that.
Quick, people, discipleship seats are up for grabs, auditions are starting.
I just wished people wouldn't make that another topic to call others names.