Should religion be considered good if it has inspired magnificent art but enslaved millions? He also said that circumcision means nothing, neither does uncircumcision, what counts is the New Creation. Love God and love others thats true religion, not just a set of beliefs or dogma. WebBy William T. Cavanaugh. The negative impact is that it is challenging for congregations to do more with less to serve the spiritual needs of their community, especially those who have been marginalized, with fewer people and fewer resources. His live truly is unconditional! We must begin by expecting it from ourselves. Organized Religion Proven in the resurrected Son as High Priest for us to live new in. [ a] 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but dont follow their example. The Problem with Organized Religion - Fairlington Presbyterian Jesus offers you abundant life here and now, but religion says the life you desire is only available tomorrow. I am so tired of religion that I am in tears and sick to my stomach as I write this comment. So, Christianity is a religion. The word deny, means to contradict, just the same way the serpent contradicted God in the garden. Religious people are happier people, they add. Is it helping to create people of humility, wisdom, justiceand courage? We argue about everything. I need people to journey with, here at home in Vermont. It is leading toward hope, healingand active love of neighbor, or toward greed, pride, hatred, exclusion? Faith Forum is a weekly dialogue on religion produced by religious statesman Rajan Zed. Hahahaha! Since our knowledge affects the choices we make, and knowledge that is closer to the truth will cause people to make better choices, it would be better to allow for positive change (as in non religion), as opposed to not allowing positive change (as in religion). Praise God. Is not religious law wholly different from the Law of God Jesus fulfilled? All of it! 1.) Reply to Stephen Meek: they are one with Him in spirit-those He loves John 3:16: Jesus died for the whole world. Healing the divisions among us requires we see beyond our egos, beyond our narrow needs. God is not Using Usat anytime. biggest thing wrong with organized religion Theres like a recipe to please God. Why does he do this? Religion causes conflict between people. takes faith to trust in Jesus. Nope. Wow, a lot of great comments from everyone in the room viewing the Center where Jesus is at fro me as the leader in all his Mercy given me to live by to all as received, Well with that, the definition of religion is to me, What one does to get others to place pats, loving kind words on them to be accepted and feel oh so good about self , as one is in truth trying to get God to be pleased and accept others saying God does accept them by their, at least my old fake works I admit I used to do and am still susceptible to do in the desire to be liked and accepted, Until I saw that definition of world religion. The erosion of values is not good for the country. Overlay religion on these and its like smothering a fire with a blanket, youll snuff it out. Peter,you say that the ten commandments are all about loving God and your neighbor. Its nonsense! Religion runs on will power and speaks the language of Satan (Is 14:12-14). Those needing a spiritual community may not experience the necessary outreach to draw them in. "Organized The finished work of Jesus caused something spectacular to happen! They also provide moral/ethical guidelines as to how we should treat each other. Thanks for opening my eyes man. As a matter of fact, according to Hebrews 8: 10 FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. I especially liked point #9. 12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his names sake. Christ said following him was meant to be easy, but religion makes it hard. Thank you so much for this teaching! They are hounded by the dogs of law. Suggesting they look to Jesusrepent [re-think, re-new the mind], believe on Him [the Son of the Father], be baptized [profession of inward changes, outwardly], immersion in water for the forgiveness of their sins & receive Holy Spirit. Abide in Him, and He produces the life giving fruit. It would be better to shine the light of scripture, that is, ALL scripture, on your thoughts, words and actions and what you believe. Is Wayne Alumbaugh telling people to change or pointing them in the opposite direction? Religion perpetuates numerouslies about the character of God. Can you come to Nigeria to launch this ministry ? Christianity is a religion. Bible Gateway Not sure how you got John 5:15 to say that, but the Ten Commandments are all about loving God and loving your neighbor. The lie was simple God doesnt really love you. see the difference? The course we are on is a perilous one, where previously many acts once considered immoral and intolerable are now accepted and even heralded as diversity which is good! N savior Jesus Christ very nice descriptions as my opinion Christians has also one religion that is belongs to particular congregation whereas we all are well known that no anybody or any congregation will save us or give eternal life untileunless not accepting as Saviour , we have to escape from congregation religion like others corrupting. Jesus was speaking to very religious people who proudly professed that they obeyed the rules. The now-lawful ability to publicly withhold good & services from bad people will undoubtedly blowback against the dwindling numbers of Americans practicing organized religion. WebOrganized religion, also known as institutional religion, is religion in which belief systems and rituals are systematically arranged and formally established. They point to things like opposition to gay marriage, violence done in I have been to various churches through my life searching for something I couldnt put a name to but found it in Joseph Prince and again here at Escape to Reality. Jesus came to display Gods love for us (you). And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Matt Suber on Twitter: "The Religious Right will come to rue The truth is that, once you put all your eggs in this basket, you really see things flowing from God to you. I know a pastor in my country who died of hunger on the eightieth day of his spiritual power oriented base fasting. Dear Jason & all who have commented__yes, knowledge can be like a little leaven. Forget Baal, Molech, and television. A lot of good is done in the name of religion.. Hence, declining religious participation inevitably reduces those societal benefits. Escape to reality was one of the fora God used to set me free from religion. Surely God requires us to do this and a little of that. Thats 70,000 Sabbaths to figure out it doesnt work. I wonder if they knew the definition of religion, they would see it for what it really is. We are also told that if we believe that our father will do all of the things he says he will do for us according to the second covenant,he will cause us to love him and he will cause us to bear fruit unto life and he will cause us to reign in life. Regarding the precious words of Jesus, please see this post and definitely this post. America is following the same pattern of abandoning God as self is elevated. Today religion is especially needed. If you look at the believers in heaven, in Revelations, they are described as those who hold the testimony of Jesus and keep the commandments. Given our current trend of feeling entitled to show blatant hatred towards people who are not like us, and our lack of ability to truly see how this entitled attitude impacts ourselves and our world, the decline in religious membership is particularly unfortunate. Organized religion is Then religion comes and uses carrots and sticks as if the love of God comes with price tags. With increased social separation due to technological dependence, how can we provide authentic human connection? Those who worship Him in Spirit & in Truth they are one with Him in Spirit those He loves. Grace says, God helps you, but religion says, God helps those who help themselves.. We asked our panel: Is declining religious membership good or bad for the country? I am not referring to Catholics or Anglicans or Buddhists or Hindus, for these are people Jesus died for. and I have given fake to eat in looking for self gain in past, and one day I got to eat my own fruit that I was passing out and got a mouthful of wax. However, is the article not pointing to the misappropriation of [religions, RCC, Protestant incl.] Heart warming, encouraging truth. Religion, is law what you have to do. You may be interested in my article on James 1:27. I appreciate your point and generally agree because there are so many who have destroyed, demeaned and abused others in the name of a religion. Christians are definitely faced with a great opportunity to show what a true relationship with the only true God is about. One day you may become the person you want to be, but right now you are incomplete, inferior, and far from God. As my The current COVID-19 pandemic has made many people reluctant to expose themselves to large gatherings of people, where exposure to the virus is a likely consequence. 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that Gods kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Where do you get these words from? People have basic spiritual needs and when our institutions of faith are not adaptable or supple enough to reach most people, those needs are met in other ways. I would note that 2020 also saw skyrocketing crime and substance abuse. Like a divided Kingdom can not stand, which is religion, Yet Father the Holy Spirit sees and uses it all to bring his sheep home to him in risen Son for them, Thanks, I have been involved in religion, was angry at first, now glad, for God has and is teaching me new, as he knew, so to all of you are working at it, great, Father will bring you in to see as his enemies will try to get you to be angry over it, others using truth to deceive. He loves you no matter what you do. However, religious participation has a multitude of positive social consequences, such as community volunteerism. Spirituality is for those whove already been there.-Vine Deloria Jr. having been given the love this world or any flesh, us can not fathom, Father gives true love as in 1 Cor 13:4-7, imputed into us from the Faith of Abraham Romans 4:17-25, Organized religion is just a cult on steroids. Organized religion has become such a dirty idea in our culture today that even in church there is a shying away from any kind of organization, order, proper administration, godly habits, and even self-discipline because these have been abused, redefined and perverted into wicked facsimiles ezekiel 34:2-5 ezekiel 34:18-19 iii john 9 In the post-pandemic world, there has been a realignment and re-prioritization of the elements of life based on individual priorities and the necessities in life. When truth is preached, every one who are in bondage (self/religion) will set them free. The gospel is not here ya go, we have a new and improved religion for you, its the latest and greatest, straight from Gods own son. Dont be fooled! WebSelf-identified atheists are especially negative toward religion: 64% say religious organizations mostly push people apart (rather than bring people together), and 70% of Hi Josh, many people that comment on this site found their way here following the teachings of Joseph Prince, which I follow myself. Youre hilarious Paul! The kingdom is relational, its family, its togetherness. It makes NO sense!!!! 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. He knew their sins before He died. Why Are Some People Against Organized Religion? WebIs religion good for us? Hes keeping score. Hadnt thought of it that way before, but so true. Having followed your writings closely and profited with most of them I was rather surprised about this spiteful blog about Religion leaves me wondering specifically about couple of things among others, I will do great things. Thanks so much for this! Oops , I really like this Paul, you have covered even more then i thought of,and a good choice in Snidely Whiplash as the villain who would tie poor nell fenwick to the railroad tracks and Dudley Do-Right would have to come along and save her, I really like this. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. As people turn their faces from God and His teachings and toward the carnal things of the world, the spiritual light of truth is lost. Organized religion - Wikipedia organized religion Thank you Jesus for coming to rescue us!!! Copyright Policy It is a pleasure to talk with those who understand when the heart to head [processing] needs fellowship in a variety of ways. The biased answer is yes. The Law supplies a standard too high for the flesh to attain, thus exposing our need for a Savior. I love the boldness and clarity of this article. The Religious Right will come to rue todays LGBT discrimination decision. Thanks. Make no mistake religion is rotten to the core. religion Rom 7 says, the law (written) is holy, the Commandment (brings life) is good & just. Is religion good or bad for humanity? Epic analysis delivers an Hi This is Pinky from FB I just signed up to get these too the other is KCs even though it says KC and Michelle/ Anyway I had read only the first half and now after the second half just wowza! Criticism of religion - Wikipedia Its not about having to do this or that, which is bondage and where is the freedom Christ spoke of in that? Under these conditions, declining church membership does point to a secularization of society, and also indicates a shrinking spiritual idealism which unfortunately can already be observed increasingly in the national scene. I think that religion is really just for personal gain of the people running it. The fruit in truth is always identified in others responses to. religion WebIn my observation, organized religion is an anti-Christian dog whistle used by those who do not want to come out and say what they really mean. 2. I also hear from priests around the country who are experiencing similar trends. Jesus makes the simple wise, but religion makes you stupid (2 Cor 3:14). First off you are not alone. The highway of religious pride does not go to the throne of grace (Gal 5:4). Thank you! Traditions, religion takes us us away from Grace? I think it goes without saying that one covenant. I want to stay in the stream of Gods grace and faith, as I know this is where He has called me. Proverbs 14:12 states, There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. As we walk further away from God the outcome is a broken moral compass, increasingly destructive patterns and ultimately death. The hand of the Savior is reaching out to them with love burning in His eyes and all they have to do is take it. Doesnt the one compliment or bolster the other? If you are faithful and good, he will bless you. What a villainous distortion of our Fathers unconditional love! Amen! Romans 8:28 is a promise to us all, from Father of in risen Son for us, Thanks Brother. Archived post. Scan this QR code to download the app now. They are inspiring me in my Christian walk. The difference between religion & the Law of God is, the first brings death, the second, life. Is that a good model? Religion has twisted the true meaning of being a sinner and Gods will. The spirit of Grace and Truth (the second covenant) knows deep in his heart that he has his heavenly fathers undeserved favor flowing into his life as a gift,not a reward. Although the law is good, it is not good for you. To not seek the kingdom of God and the wisdom of God has nothing to do with whwther He loves you or not. So yes religion is bad. And, as anyone who has ever lived in a lawless part of the world can tell you, it is far more liberating to live under a system of laws, even bad laws, than to live in a place with no laws at all. WebMany believe that declining religious membership is bad for the U.S. and fear that it will result in a number of negative outcomes, including: absence of shared sense of It should lead religious folk like meto re-examine what we are doing and determine whether or not (in the language of my own faith) it is doing Gods will. Many feel disconnected from their communities and themselves. I am an externally processing extrovert! Thank you for writing that. Thanks for your reply. What was the lie? Bryan Smith, lead pastor, Summit Christian Church, Sparks. In Chirst R.B. This is the one area I do have a deep revelation of grace. Which does not mean look to Jesus and act like Him. If its not in the Bible, dont believe it, and if someone says, God didnt really mean that, it really means Then beware, thats the same line Satan used in the garden. This is all so amazing! Rules suck the life out of your marriage, your family, your church. May the grace of God attend to every need you and your family have. Surely, all have power to make choices [saved or unsaved]. The biggest idol is the one called ego or Self. Stephen, Romans 7 does not say the law brings life. The Religious Right will come to rue todays LGBT discrimination decision. This dehumanizing doctrine of demons is a million miles from the gospel of Jesus. It means that if you dont seek relationship with Him you will miss out on all the wonderful plans He has for you. I would have been very happy to read infinite ways GRACE Is a gift for you from a loving father (OR) only GRACE. What Happens to Unbaptized Infants WhoDie? Stephen, it seems you are saying there is Gods law and then there is something different mans law, which is religion. Thanks, Paul! But most Christians know and are aware and just accept that it is what it is. What one does to get a deity or deities to respond to one in what one does. If you bring the Law back in to the new covenant, Christianity starts becoming a religion. Muhammed A. Quddus, Member, Northern Nevada Muslim Community. Is organized religion still good for society and our I will ascend to the heavens. Grace is a lie a deception based on popular sentiments, its a failure and its a product that works better in the hands of the law. Yeck! (The fault is not with the law, but with weak flesh.) The other ways our popular culture offers are forms of self-indulgence. Organized Religion I will do great things. His posts are rich and thick with encouragement, good news, revelation, and truth that sets the captives free from the shackles of the deceiver. John 9:31 says, the Father does not hear sinnersonly those who hear + listen + do {His will] what they see Him doing are the ones He loves. Luv u. Especially this! It is a good start to carry onto others to come to see the truth, and be new by imputation of God (Father and Son) to us each to stand in this truth denying God, even as Job would not, as Jesus himself would not, and all the way to death for us all, to be made new in his Love given us to abide in. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Like you pointed to in the opening of your last comment, Jesus is the answer yet, Grace we experience is simply an outflowing of our commitment to the (written) laws of God. I called them all and none of them gave me a satisfactory answer. This is really awesome, the 4th point speaks to me. If they didnt obey,they were cursed. The loss of a focal point outside of self (God) brings confusion and infighting to the whole. Adam and Eve believed a lie way back in the beginning and thats why Jesus came. Organized religion is just a cult on steroids. (But hearing the mixture of law and grace can get old at times!). Reddit, Inc. 2023. Stuff Jesus Never Said, Comment Policy Report May 12, 2015 Americas Changing Religious Landscape The Christian share of the U.S. population is declining, while the number of U.S. adults who do not identify with any organized religion is growing, according to an extensive new survey by the Pew Research Center. Maybe God trusts us so much that he is teaching us the truth outside the church so we can bring it in. What you said-You are a sinful, little grub with no value except that which you produce. It is the silent message even grace preachers relay when they try to USE you for your testimony in spite of legal or other problems you might have. For instance, note that lots of denominations are seeing 3-4% year over year declines in membership. A steady diet of, you dont measure up, is the root of the problem. The grace The apostle Paul speaks about in Ephesians, is that the Jews are no longer under the law and are saved by faith, and the grace is that God has included the Gentiles into the beloved, whom are also saved by faith. Its the misappropriation of proper interpretation (wishing to show), to think Jesus/God is separating [OT/NT] one from the other the Commands He refers to in the Gospels, Love God & love your neighbour Hes always pointing back to older & back to the newer because of dis-obedience. The Rules. First let me thank you for the many messages I have been receiving from you. Not I but Christ? No, the gospel is the message that the Father, Son and Spirit have always loved you and they brought you into being to place you in the center of the perfect fellowship that they have shared together from all eternity. Why do people complain that is a Religious spirit or Being under the law, or Trying to earn our salvation , these arguments are false and not scriptural. I will never fall away. American society is plagued with a cacophony of polarizing forces ranging from racial attitudes and how to conduct public discourse to how to defeat a pandemic. He is the great lover of the human race. In the first covenant Man does the work and is in bondage. As Followers of Yshua (Jesus), the Law is in affect with Grace together. Only because of what can happen when focusing on any one part of the older covenants vs newer covenant [on Grace in this case]. If not attending an organized church (where religion tends to hang out), where else do people find fellowship? Instead of receiving the powers from Him who died to provide every good thing, a man of God kills himself trying to receive blessings from fasting. I wouldnt call a decline good, but its not bad either. Gods will is that we abide in the Vine for life. We, as Gentiles, were never under the law, unless you consider the Ten Commandments the law. This is works not salvation. WebGiven the potential benefits linked to religious affiliation, some may wonder if it might be a bad thing not to be religious. I believe you can understand me. Religion Secondly to love your neighbour as yourself. Although depending on who you ask and what their interpretations of the religious text is, some of these problems may be resolved as being merely metaphorical statements, many people also choose a more literal interpretation. I was curious if you had any recommendations for a proper, grace-filled commentary on the epistles of John (1 John, 2 John, 3 John)? Since I came across Escape to Reality my messages and many lives have drastically changed. Organized religion has laws, while spirituality is lawless. Butts in the seats during worship is not the best measure of our effectiveness. In this message you helped me with a topic which my co-workers and I were discussing. Bob, thank you! Depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion a year in lost productivity (World Health Organization). I love your reply. I cant really say I understood your reply but if it is in line what Paul teaches then I am okay with it. Religion is dehumanizing. Stephen R. Karcher, presiding priest, Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church. It means look to Jesus to live His life in you. I was raised in religion and always felt in my gut that something was wrong but I couldnt verbalized it and beside, everyone in the religion tells you that you are doing the right thing. James 1:27 NLT This clearly states that the two covenants are different. In Christ you are completely holy and righteous, eternally forgiven and accepted forever! Living loved and free in Him. The social benefits of religious participation probably outweigh the negatives, such as the one mentioned above. The now-lawful ability to publicly withhold good & services from bad people will undoubtedly blowback This is also known as self-righteousness, also stated as what we must do to obey. Organized religion, specifically the main three monotheistic religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) cause more harm than good to human society and individual people. Jesus says follow me. A place to post an opinion you accept may be flawed, in an effort to understand other perspectives on the issue. Poll numbers could also be indicating a religious reorientation is taking place throughout the country. I say the grace we experience is an outflowing of Gods commitment to and love for us. People suffer through this. Gods Law fixes this problem. Subdue the earth, be the caretaker of it & everything in & on it for (IAM) Me. My response to this article may be different than others I was left with the hungering question, But where else can I find fellowship? I dont want to be a Lone Ranger, walking and learning on the path of Grace all by myself, in my living room, just me and Jesus. You have no idea what may have led up to a person living in a box. AMEN Paul! All the way we are trying to do is again keeping an eye on religion and comparing it with a GRACE which is far glorious than that. Unfortunately, most have also left the life of faith, as we know it. It is never applied to organized Judaism or organized Buddhism. In the absence of knowing the Fathers love ( which is already there and always has been ), we build our religious systems to address our perceived separation from God and gain worthiness, which leads to institutions, which leads to empires, which leads to all manner of nonsense that has to be defended and proved with bible verses to be the right version against others. The Catholic-Christian Faith calls us to humility as Jesus was humble. Is organized religion bad for society? | The Tylt My opinion again you should be in a local church, the best one you can find in your area. The Law God vs the laws of men? It boils down to one truth do you believe God loves you? Have you seen the Archives > Scripture Index here on E2R? Thanks Mike, anyone using the name of Jesus, and not having the right motive, God is not worried over that at all, For those called will come to see him. But with faith in God, we trust the blessings He has promised those who keep His Commandments. I would love some ideas. There are many good social benefits to a good church, but religion isn't one of them. Is organized religion a very bad thing? - Quora (LogOut/ I think that sums it up. Religion offers a pathway to God that perversely leads away from him. Yes the law is a tutor that leads us to Christ. Despite a fall in religious membership, America continues to be an overwhelmingly faithful country and Americans are content with religions less significant role, which is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.