Another New Religion: Terasem
When Mitt Romney was running for President in 2012, the fact that he was a Mormon bothered some people—possibly enough not to vote for him. Cause for concern is not unfounded for those who know the fraudulent basis for that religion. They also claim to have new revelation from God on a continuous basis—which flatly contradicts 2 Peter 1:3 and Jude 3. His religion was not really a campaign issue, but it might have cost him some votes.
However, there is a political race going on in District 8 (which includes Brevard and Eastern Orange County) that was unique enough to merit being newsworthy by the Orlando Sentinel. We will leave out the last names and the party affiliation of the candidate because it is irrelevant. But one of the candidates is the son of a man who began his own religion—and had a sex-change operation. As Lonesome George might have said, "You just can't hardly find candidates like them no more."
The name of this religion is Terasem Faith. According to the candidate, in the article published on August 19, 2014, he is Jewish and claims that Terasem "is a 'spiritual rider' to traditional religion" (B1). "He stresses down-to-Earth beliefs and values." Really? So what happens if you go to the Terasem Faith website? You find out that they have four core beliefs.
1. Life is purposeful.
2. Death is optional.
3. God is technological.
4. Love is essential.
The first tenet seems correct, depending on the way someone might explain it. It could be Calvinistic, but it could also just be calling attention to the fact that God created us in His own image and that our purpose is to glorify Him in the best way we can. Likewise with the fourth one, God is love, and love is essential (Matt. 22:37-40; 1 John 2:9-11; 3:15; 4:7-8, 20). Of course, agreement with this statement might depend on what the author of it means by the word love. But, at least on the surface, we can agree with the first and the last principles.
The second one is a surprise, to state the obvious. It is reminiscent of Mary Baker Eddy, who taught, "Death is an illusion." She has since learned that it is the separation of the spirit from the body (James 2:26), a fact well in evidence during her lifetime. Thus far, in the history of the world, only two men have not died as all others have—Enoch and Elijah. They did, however, depart from this Earth. One has died but been resurrected. He ascended to the heavens in a cloud and is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. Those who believe in, obey, and are faithful to Him shall join Him in the future. All are subject to death until that day He returns; then they shall rise to join Him in the air. At that point there shall be no more death for the righteous. The ungodly suffer eternal spiritual death.
he is an active member in the church. And until he filed to run for Congress last year, he was an administrator managing the church's real estate.