Jason with Rev Jimmy Kimmel Live ! 6 23 14. this is one of approx 25 interviews Jason Schwartz did with Rev. James D Kimmel, 46+ year student of the URANTIA BOOK.
Summary & Transcript
The video features a conversation between Jason Schwartz and Reverend Jimmy Kimmel, filmed in Maui. The dialogue unfolds around Reverend Jimmy Kimmel’s unique spiritual journey and his deep connection with the Urantia Book, a spiritual text that was first published in 1955. Reverend Jimmy shares his background, starting from his upbringing in a Christian environment, transitioning into atheism during his decade working in nuclear weapons testing, and eventually embracing a renewed and profound faith influenced by the Urantia Book. Despite being Jewish by heritage, he has found a meaningful relationship with the teachings of the Urantia Book, which includes significant references to Jesus, often associated with Christian faith. The discussion touches on how the Urantia Book was initially disseminated quietly with no advertising, reaching seekers through unconventional routes such as a chiropractor’s office or personal encounters rather than traditional religious channels. The video also highlights the diversity in how people come across the Urantia Book and their individual paths of spiritual discovery connected to it.
Highlights
- [00:42] Reverend Jimmy Kimmel has studied the Urantia Book for over 45 years.
- [01:21] Jimmy’s spiritual journey spans from Christian indoctrination to atheism and back to a refreshing embrace of God.
- [02:01] ✡️ Despite being Jewish, Reverend Jimmy embraces the Urantia Book, which prominently features Jesus.
- [02:38] The Urantia Book was published in 1955 without advertising, quietly reaching spiritual seekers.
- [02:50] ️♂️ People discover the Urantia Book through diverse and unexpected avenues, such as chiropractic offices.
- [01:00] Reverend Jimmy spent 10 years working in the nuclear weapons industry before his spiritual awakening.
- [00:20] The humor around the identity of “Jimmy Kimmel” sets a lighthearted tone for the show.
Key Insights
- [00:42] Long-term Dedication to Spiritual Study: Reverend Jimmy Kimmel’s 45 years of studying the Urantia Book signifies a deep commitment and suggests the text’s profound influence on his worldview. This long-term engagement indicates that spiritual growth is often a lifelong process requiring dedication and openness to new perspectives.
- [01:21] Spiritual Transformation and Personal Evolution: Jimmy’s path from being a Christian, to an atheist while working in the nuclear weapons field, and then returning to faith reveals that spiritual beliefs are not static. They evolve, often influenced by personal experiences and intellectual inquiry. This highlights the complexity of faith journeys and the importance of questioning and exploration.
- [02:01] ✡️ Interfaith Spiritual Integration: Jimmy’s Jewish heritage combined with his embrace of the Urantia Book’s Christian-related teachings illustrates that spiritual truths can transcend traditional religious boundaries. This suggests a growing trend of individuals seeking spirituality beyond rigid denominational lines and finding harmony in diverse beliefs.
- [02:38] The Urantia Book’s Unique Dissemination: The fact that the Urantia Book was released quietly in 1955 without marketing and still managed to reach seekers reflects the power of organic, word-of-mouth spiritual transmission. It underlines how spiritual movements can grow outside mainstream religious institutions, often resonating deeply with those searching for answers.
- [02:50] ️♂️ Non-traditional Discovery Channels: The diversity in how people find the Urantia Book—from chiropractors to rabbis—demonstrates that spirituality often intersects with everyday life in unexpected ways. This challenges the notion that religious discovery must occur within formal settings and points to a broader cultural openness to spiritual exploration.
- [01:00] Contrast Between Scientific and Spiritual Worlds: Jimmy’s decade in nuclear weapons testing juxtaposed with his spiritual journey highlights the tension and potential reconciliation between scientific careers and spiritual pursuits. It exemplifies that scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom can coexist and even complement each other in a person’s life.
- [00:20] Use of Humor and Personality in Spiritual Dialogue: The playful confusion about which Jimmy Kimmel is present sets a tone that spirituality can be approached with humor and relatability. This encourages audiences to engage with profound topics in a comfortable and accessible manner, making spiritual discussions less intimidating.
The video captures a rich conversation about faith, identity, and the pursuit of truth through a unique spiritual lens, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys and the diverse paths that lead to spiritual awakening.
