To the editors:
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I have diligently pursued the spiritual path under many different teachers and disciplines for twenty years now, and decided long ago that channeling (my own or anyone else’s) is not a legitimate avenue for one who seeks to attain spiritual oneness with the Godhead. I categorize channeling in much the same vein as the magicians of Pharaoh’s court in Moses’ time. They possessed convincing powers, but the powers were proven counterfeit when Aaron’s rod-turned-serpent swallowed up the rods-turned-serpents of the sorcerers. (See Exodus 7:10-13.) You can find parallel teachings in Hinduism, Buddhism, and elsewhere, in which the humble “man of God” possesses the ultimate power over the blustery “entertainers.”
Imagine my surprise, then, when I found Church Universal and Triumphant sandwiched in between the stories about channels, for it is the one teaching I have found to contain ultimate Truth in my twenty-year search. (I have been a member of Church Universal and Triumphant for over ten years now.) Poor Mr. Pyle couldn’t make the distinction between what Elizabeth Clare Prophet does and channeling, but then maybe he sees no distinction between Aaron’s rod and the magicians’ either.
Lest the distinction between Messenger and channel remain unclear, a fair study can be made from the Old Testament prophets, for their anointing was the same as that of the Messenger. For example, Elijah was the anointed prophet of the Lord, but at one time had to contend with 450 so-called “prophets” of Baal. He challenged them to a test of fire. Read I Kings 18:17-39, and see who won.
