Sunday, June 22, 2025

Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala): Sitting in front of a #UnitarianUniversalistChurch in #LakeCountyCA how to build out #VirtualHarbin #HotSprings in 1 #RealisticVirtualEarth not as #HeartConsciousnessChurch but as an #UnaffiliatedChurch FOR #StudyofBliss: https://toolify.ai/ai-news/revolutionizing-education-with-machine-learning-and-ai-2574306 re #Onsen https://youtu.be/X6YBetANDUI ~ * * What is a church in a New Age context from the 1960s and 1970s?

 


Sitting in front of a #UnitarianUniversalistChurch in #LakeCountyCA how to build out #VirtualHarbin #HotSprings in 1 #RealisticVirtualEarth not as #HeartConsciousnessChurch but as an #UnaffiliatedChurch FOR #StudyofBliss: https://toolify.ai/ai-news/revolutionizing-education-with-machine-learning-and-ai-2574306 re #Onsen https://youtu.be/X6YBetANDUI ~



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misspelled affiliated - 


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Society, Information Technology, and the Global University (2025, forthcoming) 

- Scott GK MacLeod  
Founder, President, CEO & Professor
CC-4 licensed MIT OCW-centric, Wiki, 
World University & School (WUaS) 
- USPS US Post Office, General Delivery, Canyon, CA 94516 


1) non-profit 501(c)(3) Public Charity 
MIT OCW-centric, 
 World University and School - http://worlduniversityandschool.org  

2) for profit general stock company WUaS Corporation in CA - http://worlduniversityandschool.org/AcademicPress.html

(m) 412 478 0116 - sgkmacleod@gmail.com 


World Univ & Sch Innovation Research -  scottmacleod.com 



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What is a church in a New Age context from the 1960s and 1970s?

In a New Age context from the 1960s and 70s, a "church" was less about a traditional hierarchical structure and more about a diverse, loosely connected network of individuals and groups pursuing spiritual growth and transformation outside mainstream religious institutions. New Age thinking emphasized a personal, experiential approach to spirituality, often drawing from various sources like Eastern religions, esoteric traditions, and psychology. 
Here's a more detailed explanation:
  • Emphasis on Personal Experience:
    New Age spirituality prioritized individual experience and intuition over dogma and institutional authority. Churches, in this context, became spaces for self-discovery, meditation, and connecting with a broader sense of universal consciousness. 
  • Rejection of Traditional Structures:
    Many New Agers were critical of traditional religious institutions, viewing them as rigid and disconnected from the real needs of individuals. They sought alternative communities and practices that offered more freedom and personal empowerment. 
  • Eclecticism and Syncretism:
    New Age thought freely blended ideas and practices from various traditions. For example, meditation techniques from Hinduism and Buddhism, concepts from Western esoteric traditions, and psychological insights were all integrated into New Age practices. 
  • Focus on Holistic Health and Well-being:
    The New Age movement also emphasized holistic health, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This led to the exploration of alternative therapies, yoga, and other practices aimed at personal transformation. 
  • "Church" as a Metaphor:
    For some, the idea of "church" in the New Age context became a metaphor for a state of interconnectedness and spiritual awareness rather than a physical building or organization. 
In essence, the New Age movement in the 1960s and 70s offered an alternative to traditional religious structures by emphasizing personal spiritual exploration, the interconnectedness of all things, and a holistic approach to well-being



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New Age movement



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What is a church in a non-Christian context, and for example in terms of Heart Consciousness Church Harbin Hot Springs, hippies in the 1970s, and US federal and state of CA law?


In a non-Christian context, the term "church" can be understood more broadly as a place of worship, religious gathering, or spiritual community, not necessarily a building or institution connected to Christianity. The Greek word ekklesia, from which "church" is derived, originally simply meant "an assembly" or "gathering". 
Here's how this concept applies to the examples you provided:
1. Heart Consciousness Church Harbin Hot Springs:
  • Non-Christian Church: Heart Consciousness Church at Harbin Hot Springs operates as a non-profit, spirit-oriented retreat center that embodies a New Age perspective,. They refer to their approach as "Heart Consciousness," which draws from the Human Potential Movement, the Natural Holistic Movement, and Universal Spirituality. Their purpose is to teach and demonstrate the experience of Heart Consciousness through various practices and activities offered at the retreat center, including silent meditation, yoga, and workshops.
  • Heart Consciousness Church's definition of "church": They describe their "church" as the "practical, living embodiment of Oneness," a unifying spiritual concept. They emphasize fostering a loving and accepting environment that welcomes people of all religious backgrounds, focusing on nature, meditation, and conscious touch.
  • In short, they see their "church" as a community and space dedicated to spiritual growth and the experience of "Oneness," rather than a traditional Christian church with specific dogma or rituals. 
2. Hippies in the 1970s:
  • Spiritual Communities: The 1970s saw the rise of countercultural movements and spiritual communes. These communities, often referred to as "hippie utopias," established alternative lifestyles and spiritual practices that diverged from mainstream religion.
  • "Church" in this context: These communities might have used various terms to describe their gatherings or spiritual practices, such as "commune," "spiritual center," or "fellowship". Their "church" was essentially the collective body of believers or practitioners who came together to explore spirituality, shared values, and communal living.
  • The focus was on the community, the shared experiences, and the exploration of alternative spiritual paths, rather than traditional church structures or dogma. 
3. US Federal and State of California Law:
  • Federal Definition (IRS): The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) does not specifically define "church," but the IRS generally uses a combination of factors to determine if an organization qualifies as a church for tax purposes. These include a distinct legal existence, a recognized creed and form of worship, definite ecclesiastical government, a formal code of doctrine and discipline, a distinct religious history, and other factors.
  • Focus on Function and Activities: The IRS emphasizes the organization's activities and function, looking for a congregation that assembles regularly to worship and carries out religious purposes.
  • California State Definition: California law has similar considerations for property tax exemptions. The "Church Exemption" applies to property used exclusively for religious worship services, and other activities reasonably necessary for the church's religious purposes. The state's courts have also emphasized the associational role of a church, meaning a body of believers that assembles regularly for worship. 
In summary, while the word "church" can have a broad, non-Christian meaning referring to any religious gathering or spiritual community, the IRS and California state law have specific criteria for classifying an organization as a "church" for tax exemption purposes. These criteria focus on the organization's structure, activities, and the existence of a worshipping congregation, regardless of whether it aligns with traditional Christian practice


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What is a church and what preceded the church idea in ancient Greece for example?


A Church
A church, in a Christian context, refers to the assembly or congregation of Christian believers, as well as the building or location where they gather for worship and fellowship. The term "church" comes from the Greek word "ekklēsia", which means "assembly" or "gathering". Early Christians adopted this term to refer to their gatherings for worship. 
What preceded the concept of a "church" in Ancient Greece?
Before the rise of Christianity, Ancient Greece had a distinct religious system based on polytheism, involving a pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped in temples and sanctuaries. 
While Ancient Greece didn't have "churches" in the Christian sense, the word "ekklesia" itself had a significant role in their society. In classical Greece, the "ekklesia" was a secular assembly of citizens who gathered to discuss and decide matters of state, such as laws, policies, and judicial cases. This assembly met in a public building called the ekklesiasterion, often located in the city center. 
So, in Ancient Greece, the "ekklesia" represented a secular gathering for political and social functions, while religious worship took place in temples and sanctuaries dedicated to various deities. 
When early Christians began to form their communities, they adopted the term "ekklesia" to describe their religious gatherings, marking a transition from a political assembly to a religious one. This adoption highlights the evolution of the term's meaning and its adaptability to different contexts throughout histor


--


Society, Information Technology, and the Global University (2025, forthcoming) 

- Scott GK MacLeod  
Founder, President, CEO & Professor
CC-4 licensed MIT OCW-centric, Wiki, 
World University & School (WUaS) 
- USPS US Post Office, General Delivery, Canyon, CA 94516 


1) non-profit 501(c)(3) Public Charity 
MIT OCW-centric, 
 World University and School - http://worlduniversityandschool.org  

2) for profit general stock company WUaS Corporation in CA - http://worlduniversityandschool.org/AcademicPress.html

(m) 412 478 0116 - sgkmacleod@gmail.com 


World Univ & Sch Innovation Research -  scottmacleod.com 









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https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Painted_stork_%28Mycteria_leucocephala%29_Bundala.jpg/1200px-Painted_stork_%28Mycteria_leucocephala%29_Bundala.jpg


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Painted_Stork_%28Mycteria_leucocephala%29_in_Uppalpadu%2C_AP_W_IMG_3314.jpg


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Painted_stork_%28Mycteria_Leucocephala%29_adult.jpg/984px-Painted_stork_%28Mycteria_Leucocephala%29_adult.jpg?20171213181750


https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/paisto1/cur/introduction



https://earthlife.net/painted-storks/



https://wildlifevagabond.com/wildlife/birds/storks/painted-stork/




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_stork

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mycteria_leucocephala

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