June 05, 2008
My thoughts on religion.
Okay, here is my take on religion. I want to be totally upfront and say that I am not a fan of religion. To me it seems that religion is simply mankind trying to be in control of their relationship with God. It usually consist of do's and don'ts designed to show us how "Good" we are doing. If we "do" what we are supposed to do and we "don't do" what we aren't supposed to do then we are therefore "Good and Godly people" that the world can envy and wish they were like us. It is all about performance. It is about measuring up to some unattainable standard. It is an exercise in futility. We cannot be "good enough" by our own effort. I have tried to be good and I have failed. You have too. Religion gives us this false hope that maybe if we work and strive hard enough we can arrive at some super religious place of status and we will finally be good in our own site. Not gonna happen. I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. I am not religious because I reject religion and I accept Christ. I know that it sounds like I am splitting hairs but my point is this; Religion is mans attempt to be in charge of our relationship with God. That is the exact opposite of how it really is. God is the boss. I am the servant/son. He is the King. I am the peasant. In our modern society we are naturally self-oriented, self-absorbed, self-obsessed, self-serving. When we enter into relationship with God through His son Jesus our focus is supposed to change. We are then going to become selfless as God does his work in us and through us. We then begin to be God centered. The really neat and cool thing about it is that when we become God centered He gives us a wonderful gift. Righteousness. That means that we are now considered by God to be "GOOD ENOUGH". Through no effort on our part. No striving and hard frustrating work. Just a gift because we trusted him. Salvation comes not from religion and its hoops that you jump through but from simply allowing God to love you and then in return loving him back.Selah!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Hi Danny,
When you say, "I'm not a fan of religion and that religion is simply mankind trying to be in control", you're essentially saying we don't need organized religion. Part of me agrees with you. This brings to mind Matthew 6:5-12
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.
I tell you the truth, they have received
their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Having said that, I just read your post (twitter) that you're planting a church. I'm all for planting more churches, but can you explain what type of church this is. As we know, there are good churches & bad churches. Being that you're not a fan of religion, I'm finding it a bit hypocritical that you're about to start a church. Who will be in control?
I find it dangerous to redefine words or religion in itself. I recently posted this:
Doug Pagitt has a problem with Christianity
He goes on to say he has a problem with Christianity. He's part of the Emergent Movement. Is this where you are coming from?
Grace & Truth,
Joe Caruso
Hey Joe...
Thanks for your comment.
I never said I was not in favor of going to church. It is very possible to be very active in an organized gathering of believers and not be religious.
"you're essentially saying we don't need organized religion."
That is not my point or my heart. I take that to mean that you are saying I am anti church. Not at all. I am however against putting pious religious tradition and ritual before relationships.
The church is a family. Gatherings of the church family do need to be organized enough to prevent chaos but not to the point that there is no life or genuine interaction.
Church gatherings are for the family of God to come together to honor and worship God corporately.
We need that.
So many churches go through religious exercises every week and feel like they have done their duty to God. All the while they nevert ruly engage God or the people of God because they are simply religious.
They are just following the rules:
1. Go to church on Sunday. Check.
2. Sing 4 songs. Check.
3 Give something in the offering. Check.
4. Listen to the sermon and try to stay awake. Check.
5. Leave Church and get on with my life. Check.
It's like they are just doing their duty rather than engaging God and the people of God. That is what I am talking about. Some people have a list of rules that they judge everybody by. A list of rules that typically are self serving. I am talking about loving one another and caring about people enough that you are willing to be incovenienced and involved.
I am planting a church with these things in mind. Church is good. Religious attitudes are not.
Thanks again.
Hey Danny,
Religion is basically a set of beliefs and practices. Can a church be all things to all people? No. Too many churches take the approach "it's my way or the highway" and too many people are selfish in finding the "right" church. The music has to be just right. The lighting, just right. People are just worried about themselves and if it's convenient.
The most important part of gathering is to worship. Here are my questions to you.
1. How are you going to plant a church without rules? You said:"it's very possible to be very active in an organized gathering of believers and not be religious." How? What will be the beliefs & practices?
2. How is your church going to be free of a religious attitude? If you're the Pastor, that's already a rule of leadership. How is it going to differ from other churches?
3. What are your thoughts on the Emergent Movement?
Grace & Truth,
Joe
Religion is about practices and protocol rather than relationships.
Rules and guidelines are good, proper and beneficial as a guide for order. The problem is when they take higher priority than people.
Religious people will often put religious practices ahead of human needs. Too often people worship religious practices more than the God of those practices.
In my church we will have order and rules and boundaries and governance. We will use these things to serve God and His people. We will not, however, serve rules and boundaries and governance.
The rules are not the focus..but the tools used to properly Honor God while serving others in His name.
Religion puts those rules ahead of relationships with God and His people.
Post a Comment