Q: I’m thinking of buying the Urantia Book for some friends. Some religious, some not. Is that a good idea? I have ordered the Urantia book thru Amazon for my own reading.
A:I am sure there is a very good reason that you are drawn to The Urantia Book, and why you want to read it yourself. I am happy for you! Discovering The Urantia Book has been the thrill of a lifetime for me, and my interest in it has not waned in over 30 years of study. Its teachings changed my life in significant ways. I hope you find a rich and rewarding experience with it, too.
I think it is a very common experience among those who read this book to want to share it with family and friends. And it does appeal to both religious and non-religious people, although some people who are quite happy in their religious beliefs could dismiss it as irrelevant for them. On the other hand, if you know religious folks who are still searching for “something” more, they might be a perfect fit for the book. Sometimes, non-religious people are drawn to the book’s science, history, and cosmology and discover along the way that the book’s take on religion is a breath of fresh air.
In the end, The Urantia Book appeals most strongly to the truthseeker…that person who wants to know more about the purpose of life, about reality, about God, about Jesus, about life after death, and those who are not afraid to step outside of their comfort zone to find that truth.
Keep in mind that this book is not exactly a casual read. You know your friends better than I do, so I would say that you should evaluate their possible interest with their personalities as you know them. I don’t want to discourage you, but I would advise you to be prepared to face rejection of your efforts. I say this as a result of having tried over the years to introduce many people to the book, only to be met with indifference, suspicion, or sometimes indignation. It all depends upon your own comfort level and your own sense of the book’s validity for your friends. Not everyone is a good fit, although I know a time will come when teachings of The Urantia Book will be a dominant force for good in the world.
As an alternative for your friends, I also might suggest the new book called The Untold Story of Jesus: A Modern Biography fromThe Urantia Book (also available on Amazon). It is a nice introduction to the book from the perspective of Part IV: The Life and Teachings of Jesus. It has lovely artwork, a beautiful layout and is filled with great stories from Jesus’ life that can only be found in The Urantia Book, as well as many of his key teachings that are unique to the book, not found anywhere else. It might especially appeal to your Christian friends who may also be truthseekers. And it has the advantage of possibly being more accessible to some people, rather than a 2000 page tome that could be intimidating.
I wish you all the best in your own exploration of The Urantia Book as well as your efforts to enlighten your friends along the way. It would be wonderful if some of them might want to join you in your search for truth, beauty, and goodness.
