THE RELIGION OF RELIGION part 3
Over the past few talks, we’ve been looking at The Religion of Religion.
In conclusion, it’s worth noting that the ideology of Religion itself is not bad.
No more than a vehicle which is to be used for the express purpose of transporting people from one destination to the next is bad.
A problem occurs in both scenarios when someone perverts the purpose, and uses it to imprison, control, dictate, and discriminate against those whom it was supposed to help.
The idea of creating a designated time and space in life, separate from work, to commune with God and address the other need areas of life is great idea.
However, the word for Religion in Latin is religare, which means to bind.
Religion as currently constructed seeks to bind men, women, and children.
The Word of God does not bind us. In fact, he wants us free. Free indeed!
Religion tends to make people think they can earn their way into heaven with good deeds.
Religion can make people think that God is petty, and sits around all day watching, waiting for an opportunity to unleash his wrath and drop a thunder bolt on those who misbehave.
That plane crash killed a sinner onboard, and the others, were just collateral damage because God knew they were going to mess up eventually.
The same could be said for that shooting, the flood, the fire, the pandemic. or any other catastrophe that we chose to fault God for.
Religion says a person died because God needed another angel in heaven.
Maybe the billion or so that he already has wasn’t enough. I don’t think so!
Religion can make people feel inadequate if they do not comply to the standards set by a committee, board, or leader.
Religion teaches that when praying you should be a pious performer and impress the people, rather than having simple chat with God as you would a good friend.
Religion encourages mindless repetition for the good of uniformity and social classism suggesting that your value or worth is based on your title: Bishop, Archbishop, Evangelist, Pastor, Assistant Pastor, Deacon, Director, Praise Team Leader, Administrator, Member of ______, etc., etc., etc.
God addresses us All, simply as His Children.
To shun being Religious, there are those who say they are Spiritual.
Religion is ritualistic repetitiveness; Spiritual just means you’re still searching.
Confucius a noted Spiritual person, had this to say, “If you don’t know how to live as a person, how can you serve the spirit?”
Being Spiritual is but another journey that many go on, while trying to decide.
The Bible offers these instructions, “I wish you were hot or cold, not lukewarm”
It is our right and responsibility to make a decision.
This means we can no longer blame the church, a religious group/denomination, a pastor, a church member, a leader, or anyone else, for why we don’t have a personal relationship with God.
Religion is a business. Faith is an intimate personal relationship.
This is a Thompson Truth
